Abstract:The in vitro antioxidant activity of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-phospholipid complex (EPC) was studied. First, EPC was prepared by dissolving EGCG and soybean lecithin in ethanol. High-performance liquid chromatography showed that the complexation rate of EGCG in EPC was more than 99%, and the structure of EPC was characterized by ultraviolet spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffractometry. The in vitro antioxidant activity of EPC, as evaluated by diphenylpicrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing ability of plasma and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity methods, was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of VE. Indicators reflecting the oxidation of soybean oil at different storage times (3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 days) were also evaluated after the addition of EPC. The results showed that the inhibitory effect of EPC on the oxidation of soybean oil was dose-dependent as well as significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of butylated hydroxytoluene after a 15-day storage. These results suggest that the prepared EPC has strong antioxidant activity and can effectively inhibit the oxidation of soybean oil.
