ARS | Publication request: Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Selected Food ¿ 2007

Submitted to: Home Page
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: July 24, 2007
Publication Date: September 3, 2007
Citation: Haytowitz, D.B., Bhagwat, S.A., Prior, R.L., Wu, X., Gebhardt, S.E., Holden, J.M. 2007. Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Selected Food ¿ 2007. NDL Home Page. Available: http://www.ars.usda.gov/nutrientdata.

Interpretive Summary: The scientific community, the media, and the general public are interested in the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of foods as a measure of total antioxidant activity. Oxidative stress is considered to have a role in the process of aging and in the development of many chronic and degenerative diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and neuronal degeneration such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Antioxidants in the diet may have a role in reducing oxidative stress and thus reduce the risk of these diseases. Nationally representative samples of 59 fruits, vegetables, and nuts were procured through the Nutrient Data Laboratory's (NDL) National Food and Nutrient Analysis (NFNAP) program and analyzed for ORAC. Data from 14 articles in the scientific literature were retrieved, reviewed, and critically evaluated for data quality. Data are presented for hydrophilic ORAC, lipophilic ORAC, total ORAC, and total phenolics (TP). The mean, standard error, minimum and maximum values per 100g edible portions with confidence codes (data quality), and sources (references) are provided. The database is available on NDL's web site: http://www.ars.usda.gov/nutrientdata and contains values for 275 foods. A number of cereals, fruits, nuts, vegetables, chocolates, and beverages are included in the database. This new ORAC database provides reliable values for epidemiological studies to assess the relationship between antioxidant intakes and health effects, and to consumers wanting to know more about the foods they eat.

Technical Abstract: Interest of the scientific community in the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of foods continues because reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important in the aging process and also because of growing evidence regarding beneficial effects of dietary antioxidants in reducing oxidative-stress-induced chronic diseases. These include cancer, heart disease, and neuronal degeneration such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. As part of a study to analyze various phytonutrients (flavonoids and proanthocyanidins), nationally representative samples of 59 fruits, vegetables, and nuts procured through the Nutrient Data Laboratory's (NDL) National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) were analyzed for their antioxidant activity by ORAC assay at the University of Arkansas. Fourteen articles containing analytical data for ORAC were critically evaluated to assess data quality. Analytical data generated at the University of Arkansas and acceptable literature data were combined. The database contains values for hydrophilic ORAC (H-ORAC), lipophilic-ORAC (L-ORAC), Total-ORAC, and total phenolics (TP). The mean, standard error, minimum and maximum values per 100g edible portions with confidence codes (data quality), and sources (references) are provided. The database is available on NDL's web site: http://www.ars.usda.gov/nutrientdata and contains values for 277 foods. This new ORAC database provides a better measure of potential antioxidant activity of phytonutrients in foods and will supplement the previously released databases on flavonoids (2007), proanthocyanidins (2004), and isoflavones (1999) as well as data on other antioxidants (ascorbic acid, individual carotenoids, and alpha-tocopherol) which are part of the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. These databases provide reliable values for epidemiological studies to assess the relationship between antioxidant intakes and health effects.