Chemopreventive effects of feruloyl putrescines from wastewater (Nejayote) of lime-cooked white maize (Zea mays)

• Feruloyl putrescines with high antioxidant potential were identified in nejayote.
• Feruloyl putrescines induced basal Quinone Reductase activity.
• Coumaroylferuloyl putrescine exerts 105% higher chemopreventive effect than nejayote.
• Filtered soluble solids contain 75% more coumaroylferuloyl putrescine than nejayote.

Solids from wastewater of the tortilla industry, known as nejayote, are a potential source of chemopreventive phenolic compounds. Phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in nejayote solids obtained by filtration, as well as its antioxidant activity and chemopreventive effect. Bound phenolics and antioxidant capacity of nejayote were concentrated in the nejayote solution obtained after filtration (FSS) through 280 μm. Additionally, FSS contained 84, 79, 72 and 97% more bound ferulic, coumaric, 8-O-4-diferulic and 5-5′-diferulic acids, respectively, compared to total nejayote solids. Feruloyl putrescines, especially coumaroyl-feruloyl putrescine, isolated from bound FSS exerted 105% and 12.45% higher chemopreventive effect than nejayote and bound FSS, respectively. Feruloyl putrescines are potent phase II inducers due to their double nitrogen linked Michael acceptors structure. Feruloyl putrescines in nejayote are a source of natural chemopreventive agents capable of inducing phase II enzymes.