The influence of feeding purple wheat with higher content of anthocyanins on antioxidant status and selected enzyme activity of animals

The influence of anthocyanins on antioxidant activity and liver function was measured in three different animal species (rats, chickens and fish). Purple Konini wheat with the total anthocyanin content (TAC) of 41.70 mg/kg was fed to the experimental groups of animals (rats n = 32; chickens n = 32; fish n = 20). The same numbers of animals (control groups) were fed common wheat with TAC of 24.95 mg/kg. At the end of the experiment, the animals were killed and blood and liver tissues were taken for biochemical analyses. The liver enzyme activities were measured in blood. Antioxidant activity in the liver tissue was measured using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test), FR (Free Radicals method), FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power method), and ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) test. Significantly higher values (P < 0.05) measured by the DPPH and FR methods were determined in the liver from rats fed Konini wheat. The chickens fed Konini wheat showed significantly different values using DPPH, FR and ABTS methods. No significant differences were found in hepatopancreases of fish. Animals fed Konini wheat showed a tendency to lower liver enzyme activities in general, but a significant difference was found only in gamma-glutamyl transferase activity in the chicken’s blood. Our results suggest that feeding a higher content of anthocyanins can improve the antioxidant activity and function of the liver tissue