| Abstract
| - The main reaction products obtainable by the hydrolysis of commercially available oleuropein byhyperthermophilic β-glycosidase were purified and structurally characterized by UV and 1H and13C NMR analyses. Their antioxidant activity, in particular their capacity to inhibit the fatty acidperoxidation rate, was studied. The molecular structures assigned revealed the presence of twoelenolic acid forms presenting different antioxidant abilities closely correlated to their molecularstructures, as well as an unstable elenolate which is a rearrangement product of the oleuropeinaglycon. This molecule, under the reaction conditions (pH 7.0, 60 °C) required for β-glycosidaseactivity, rapidly gives rise to 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylethanol (hydroxytyrosol). Keywords: Oleuropein; 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylethanol; elenolic acid; β-glycosidase; antioxidantactivity
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