Chemical compositional, biological, and safety studies of a novel maple syrup derived extract for nutraceutical applications

J Agric Food Chem. 2014 Jul 16;62(28):6687-98. doi: 10.1021/jf501924y. Epub 2014 Jul 8.

Abstract

Maple syrup has nutraceutical potential given the macronutrients (carbohydrates, primarily sucrose), micronutrients (minerals and vitamins), and phytochemicals (primarily phenolics) found in this natural sweetener. We conducted compositional (ash, fiber, carbohydrates, minerals, amino acids, organic acids, vitamins, phytochemicals), in vitro biological, and in vivo safety (animal toxicity) studies on maple syrup extracts (MSX-1 and MSX-2) derived from two declassified maple syrup samples. Along with macronutrient and micronutrient quantification, thirty-three phytochemicals were identified (by HPLC-DAD), and nine phytochemicals, including two new compounds, were isolated and identified (by NMR) from MSX. At doses of up to 1000 mg/kg/day, MSX was well tolerated with no signs of overt toxicity in rats. MSX showed antioxidant (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay) and anti-inflammatory (in RAW 264.7 macrophages) effects and inhibited glucose consumption (by HepG2 cells) in vitro. Thus, MSX should be further investigated for potential nutraceutical applications given its similarity in chemical composition to pure maple syrup.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acer / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dietary Supplements / analysis*
  • Glucose / analysis
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Mice
  • Phenols / analysis
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / toxicity
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sweetening Agents

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Phenols
  • Plant Extracts
  • Sweetening Agents
  • Glucose