Influence of extraction technique on the anti-oxidative potential of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) extracts in bovine muscle homogenates

• Solid–liquid (± sonication) and supercritical fluid extraction techniques were examined.
• Extracts were prepared from Hawthorn leaves and flowers (HLF) and berries (HB).
• HLF extract antioxidant activity was higher than HB extracts.
• Extracts delayed lipid and oxymyoglobin oxidation in muscle homogenates.
• HLF (solid–liquid extraction + sonication) was the most potent antioxidant extract.

Six extracts were prepared from hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) leaves and flowers (HLF) and berries (HB) using solid–liquid [traditional (T) (HLFT, HBT), sonicated (S) (HLFS, HBS)] and supercritical fluid (C) extraction (HLFC, HBC) techniques. The antioxidant activities of HLF and HB extracts were characterised using in vitro antioxidant assays (TPC, DPPH, FRAP) and in 25% bovine muscle (longissimus lumborum) homogenates (lipid oxidation (TBARS), oxymyoglobin (% of total myoglobin)) after 24 h storage at 4 °C. Hawthorn extracts exhibited varying degrees of antioxidant potency. In vitro and muscle homogenate (TBARS) antioxidant activity followed the order: HLFS > HLFT and HBT > HBS. In supercritical fluid extracts, HLFC > HBC (in vitro antioxidant activity) and HLFC ≈ HBC (TBARS). All extracts (except HBS) reduced oxymyoglobin oxidation. The HLFS extract had the highest antioxidant activity in all test systems. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) exhibited potential as a technique for the manufacture of functional ingredients (antioxidants) from hawthorn for use in muscle foods.