Abstract:
The attention in consumption of healthy foods is widely growing among population who proned to be suffered from chronic diseases. Plant-based foods play an important role in human nutrition and health. Plant polyphenols especially flavonoid subclasses, largely found in natural plant compounds, have strong antioxidant properties and some associations in reducing risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Many Thai dishes are plant-based foods, however, there is little information of total polyhoenol (TP) and flavonoid content in these foods. This study was aimed to determine flavonoid and TP content of selected Thai dishes in order to investigate the banefits of Thai foods on health and nutrition.
Twenty one Thai dishes were selected and developed as the authentic reference recipes. Eleven side dishes and accompanied dishes namely in Thai: Kaeng-khiao-wan-luk-chin-plakrai, Kaeng-som-pak-ruam-pla-chon, Kaeng-liang, Tomkha-kai, Tom-yam-kung, Yam-tua-pu, Hau-mok-pla-chon, Pad-ped-pla-duk, Tod-man-pla-krai, Pak-jim-nam-prik-kapi and Pak-jim nam prik ma-kam, seven one-plate dishes: Khao-klug-kapi, Khao-yum, Khao-mun-som-tum, Kanom-jean-nam-ya, Kanom-jean-nam-ngeaw, Pad-thai, Mee-kati and three snacks: Mieng-kum, Mieng-lao, Pun-sib-nueng-sai-pla were prepared in 3 replicates and analyzed for flavonoids namely, quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, apigenin and luteolin by HPLC method. The total polyphenol content was analyzed by spectrophotometry. The results showed that flavonoids and total polyphenol content of all dishes were varied probably due to type and amount of vegetables, herbs and spices in their recipes. The flavonoids and total polyphenol contents ranged from 0.25-9.78 mg per 100 g wet basis and 31.6-120.5 mg gallic acid equivalent per 100 g wet basis, respectively. Hau-mok-pla-chon showed the highest total flavonoids content. Quercetin was the predominant flavonoid found in most of selected Thai dishes, followed by kaempferol and myricetin. Luteolin and apigenin were found at low level in all dishes. The highest levels of total polyphenol found in Mieng-kam.
Based on this finding, Thai dishes which contain vegetables, herbs, and spices as ingredients contributed total polyphenol and flavonoids. We would recommend that eating a variety of plant-based foods is an advantage to obtain total polyphenol and flavonoids from Thai foods.