Effect Of GAMMA Irradiation On THEANTIOXIDANT Activity Of Ethanolic Extracts From Peanut Hulls

Peanut skins and hulls are by-products of the peanut industry that has low economic value despite its high contents of antioxidants such as phenolic compounds. The effect of gamma irradiation at dose levels 4 and 8 kGy on total phenolic compounds and total antioxidant activity were studied and the composition of irradiated and non-irradiated ethanolic extracts of peanut skins and hulls (Giza-80 variety) was determined by gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectroscopy (MS). The results showed that ethanolic extracts of peanut hull samples had a higher content of total phenolic compounds than samples of ethanolic extracts of peanut skins and exhibited antioxidant and DPPH radical scavenging activities. Based on these results, the hulls of Giza-80 variety were selected as the best antioxidant as compared to peanut skins because of their high contents of total phenolic compounds and scavenging effect on DPPH radical. Thus, the biological experiment indicated that addition of non-irradiated and irradiated ethanolic extracts of peanut hulls to animal diets caused a significant increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) while very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) was decreased significantly. These results are very beneficial to protect the heart against coronary heart diseases risks.