The dried and frozen fruits contain about the same amount of Vitamin C (0.4%), while a higher level of Vitamin C was found in the processed fruit (Ayurvedic preparation). In fact, the Ayurvedic preparation (called “Svaras Bhavana”) consists in mixing a specific quantity of the dried fruit powder with its own fresh juice for a few hours; then, it is dried and powdered again (fruit processed once). This powder is again mixed with the juice of fresh Emblica, dried, and powdered again; this is the second processing. The procedure is repeated for up to 21 times. The Ayurvedic procedure aims to increase the health effi- ciency of the product (The Ayurvedic Formulary of India, 2003). Indeed, processed fruit contained up to three times more ascor- bic acid than the dried unprocessed ones; also, the total content of polyphenolic compounds was higher (Table 2), suggesting that the Ayurvedic method of processing the fruit increased its beneficial properties.
Vitamin C content and antioxidant activity of the fruit and of the Ayurvedic preparation of Emblica officinalis Gaertn.
P. Scartezzinia, , , F. Antognonia, M.A. Raggib, F. Polia, C. Sabbioni
a Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Biology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126 Bologna, Italy