Antioxidant activities and total phenolic contents of various extracts from defatted wheat germ

Defatted wheat germ (DWG) is the main by-product of the wheat germ oil extraction process. Its nutritional value has well been accepted. In this study, the antioxidant properties of 30% ethanol, 50% ethanol, 70% ethanol, 100% ethanol, and aqueous extracts of DWG were measured using various in vitro assays. Among the DWGEs (DWG extracts) tested, the 70% ethanol extract showed the best DPPH radical scavenging power while the 100% ethanol extract showed the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity and reducing power. In addition, both the 70% ethanol extract and the 50% ethanol extract exhibited relatively higher antioxidant activity in linoleic acid system. The extracts in question exhibited total phenolic contents ranging from 13.98 to 16.75 mg GAE/g. DWG, as a source of natural antioxidants, can be used to formulate nutraceuticals with potential applications to reducing the level of oxidative stress. The antioxidant potency of the DWG extracts could be the basis for its health promoting potential.