Natural variability and antioxidant properties of commercially cultivated switchgrass extractives

Jingming Tao, Kalavathy Rajan, Bonnie Ownley, Kimberly Gwinn, Doris D'Souza, Naima Moustaid-Moussa, Timothy J. Tschaplinski, Nicole Labbé

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Optimum utilization of lignocellulosic bioenergy feedstock, such as switchgrass, via recovery of value-added phytochemicals and reduction of waste streams will increase the economic feasibility as well as the sustainability of integrated biorefineries. Switchgrass contains significant amount of overlooked non-structural components, i.e. extractives, which encompasses phenolic derivatives with potential antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. As a perennial crop, it is essential to assess the natural variability of switchgrass extractives content and composition in order to determine the feasibility of its extraction and utilization. In this study, three switchgrass cultivars were harvested from four commercial farms in their second and third growing seasons. Their respective extractive fractions were characterized for the presence of free sugars, total phenolics (TPC), hydroxycinnamic acid (HCAs) derivatives, total flavonols, and other important phytochemicals. Biomass harvested in the third growing season displayed greater amounts of TPC, HCAs, and total flavonols. Environmental conditions such as total precipitation, and cultural practices including harvest time, played important roles in the accumulation of TPC. The switchgrass extractives also exhibited DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity with a positive correlation between inhibiting concentration (IC50) value and total flavonols content.

Original languageEnglish
Article number111474
JournalIndustrial Crops and Products
Volume138
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 5 2019

Funding

This project was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (AFRI Grant No. 2013-67021-21158 ); Texas Tech University; and the Sun Grant Initiative (Competitive Grant No. 2010-38502-21854 ). This manuscript was co-authored by UT-Battelle, LLC under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the U.S. Department of Energy . This project was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (AFRI Grant No. 2013-67021-21158); Texas Tech University; and the Sun Grant Initiative (Competitive Grant No. 2010-38502-21854). This manuscript was co-authored by UT-Battelle, LLC under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the U.S. Department of Energy.

Keywords

  • Antioxidants
  • Natural variability
  • Plant extractives
  • Switchgrass
  • Total phenolics

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