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Updated: Jan 21, 2026

A Generalized Method for Determining Free Soluble Phenolic Acid Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Cereals and Legumes
Published on: June 10, 2022
Effects of Temperature on the Composition and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activities of Caffeic Acid Roasting
Toshiya Masuda1, Yuya Fukuyama1, Sayaka Doi1
1Graduate School of Human Life Science , Osaka City University , Sumiyoshi, Osaka 558-8585 , Japan.
Abstract:
The high-temperature treatment of caffeic acid by a model reaction for the processing of foods by roasting enhanced its xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity. The thermal reaction products included various oligomeric compounds, whose structures were determined as being produced via the intermediate 4-vinylcatechol. Measurements of their XO inhibitory activities were also carried out. Among the identified oligomers, the coupling products of caffeic acid and vinylcatechol, which were mainly produced at 140-170 °C, presented stronger XO inhibitory activities than the other types of oligomers produced. Further reacted compounds, which were mainly formed at 200 °C by the addition or elimination of catechol unit in the oligomers, displayed weaker activities. These results indicated that thermal enhancement of the XO inhibitory activity of caffeic acid can be explained by the differences in the XO inhibitory activities of the various constituents of the thermal reaction products. Caffeic acid and its derivatives are polyphenols found widely distributed in foods. Moreover, XO inhibition is closely related to the prevention of the life-style-related disease gout. The results suggest that a simple roasting process (170 °C) can lend useful human-health-related functionalities to caffeic acid containing foods such as coffee.
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