Abstract

The effect of methyl jasmonate postharvest application on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of strawberry fruits was evaluated. Results showed that the methyl jasmonate treated strawberry extract had higher antioxidant activity and suppresses the nitrite production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. The HPLC profiles of both treated and untreated strawberry extracts were compared. To evaluate which compounds are responsible of these higher activities it was also investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of the hexane, chloroform, EtOAc, and n-butanol fractions obtained from the methyl jasmonate treated strawberry. The EtOAc and n-butanol fractions exhibited the most potent antioxidant activity compared to the hexane and chloroform fractions. In addition the n-butanol fraction was able to decrease nitrite production. The EtOAc and n-butanol fractions were analyzed by LC-MS. These results showed that methyl jasmonate promotes antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of strawberry fruits by the stimulation of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins production. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.