Effects of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) byproduct intake in antioxidant status of Wistar rats tissues

- Passiflora edulis peel improved antioxidant status of kidneys in vivo.
- P. edulis peel improved glutathione reductase activity (GR) and reduzed glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx) in liver.
- Serum antioxidant activity was modulated by P. edulis peel flour.

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is a native species from Brazil explored in fruit culture. Peels are byproducts of juice industrial processing and are usually discarded. They are source of fibers and other bioactive substances, which may have antioxidant role and to protect cells against oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant status of P. edulis peel flour in vivo. The male Wistar rats (77 days old) were divided in Peel and Control groups (n = 4). Control group was fed with standard diet (AIN-93M) and Peel group, received a diet in which fifty percent of the cellulose content was replaced by fiber from PPF. After 15 days, the animals were anaesthetized and sacrificed. Peel group consumed greater amount of diet without alterations in body weight of animals. The experimental group showed no differences in serum antioxidant status (FRAP and TBARS assays) (P > 0.05), but they presented lower antioxidant potential according to ORAC assay (P < 0.05). In the kidneys of Peel group, a reduction in lipid peroxidation by TBARS assay (P < 0.05) was observed. In addition, the liver of the animals fed with PPF showed high TBARS levels, increased glutathione reductase activity (GR), decreased glutathione peroxidased activity (GPx) and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD).