DETERMINATION OF NATURAL DYES (E160A AND E160D) CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY IN DRY ROSEHIP

Abstract

The most famous of all forest fruits is pomegranate (Rosa carina), which is used to make extremely tasty jam and marmalade. Fruits that are collected for jam or marmalade and those that are collected for tea are in different stages of ripening.  In addition to vitamin C, rosehip is rich in vitamins B2 and K as well as provitamin A (beta-carotene, E160a) and lycopene (E160d).  A sample of dried rosehip was selected for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the content of E160a (β-carotene) and E160d (lycopene) dyes. Using UV-VIS spectrophotometric method and Beer-Lambert's law, a system of two linear equations with two unknowns was set up, which was used to determine the concentrations of E160a and E160d dyes. Antioxidant capacity of sample was determined by DPPH method. The E160a (β-carotene) and E160d (lycopene) content was 64.8326 ± 0.4128 µg/g and 20.9746 ± 0.459 µg/g in n-hexane extract of dry rosehip, respectively. Antioxidant activity of prepared fruit and rosehip leaves extracts was determined by DPPH method. Result of analysis expressed as EC₅₀ (mg/mL) value was 1.87.  Rosehip is mainly consumed as a tea for enjoyment and refreshment. It poses a beneficial effect on the heart and kidneys, and is ideal for preventing the formation of stones in the kidneys and urinary tract. There are no harmful effects for human health because it is a natural astringent, antibacterial agent, antioxidant, arteriosclerotic, antiscorbutic, antidiarrheal, diuretic, depurative, choleretic, so it can be taken in larger quantities.