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ARS Home » Plains Area » Manhattan, Kansas » Center for Grain and Animal Health Research » Grain Quality and Structure Research » Research » Research Project #429504

Research Project: Determining the Bioavilability of Sorghum Phenolic Compounds

Location: Grain Quality and Structure Research

Project Number: 3020-43440-002-004-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 1, 2015
End Date: Aug 31, 2021

Objective:
Determine the efficacy of sorghum bioactive compounds in response to radical oxidative species using HepG2, Caco-2 (Colorectal adenocarcinoma) and BHK (baby hamster kidney) cell lines.

Approach:
Approximately 20 sorghum accessions were identified and selected from previous studies as having ORAC values above 150 µM TE/g. This value is 3 fold higher that the reference standard, blueberries. The selected accessions will be evaluated for bioactivity using the cellular antioxidant assay. The investigation will consist of evaluating and optimizing the extraction process and analysis time, and concentrating extracts and oxidants. In addition to HepG2, Caco-2, and BHK cell lines will be plated in a 96-well plate and incubated for 24 hrs. Phytochemicals from sorghum bran will be added to the cells along with a fluorescent probe for 1 hr. A free radical generator will be added and fluorescence will be monitored according to results from our preliminary experiments. The area under the curve generated by the fluorescence measurement will indicate if any sorghum bioactive compounds crossed the cell membrane and will quantify the amount of free radicals scavenged within the cells. The goal of the research is to establish the mammalian cell culture model as a viable option for in vitro analysis of phytochemical bioavailability from sorghum bran.