Phenolic antioxidant-linked anti-hyperglycemic properties of rye cultivars grown under conventional and organic production systems

Rye (Secale cereale L.), is a temperate cereal food crop with diverse human health benefits partly linked to phenolic bioactives. Therefore targeting rye cultivars rich in phenolic bioactives and associated antioxidant properties has relevance to develop dietary support against chronic diseases, such as hyperglycemia linked to progression of type 2 diabetes. In this study we screened 9 rye cultivars and compared the impact of two different production practices (conventional and organic) on phenolic bioactive associated antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic properties using in vitro assay models. Total soluble phenolic content (TSP), phenolic acids profile, protein content, antioxidant activity (AA), and hyperglycemia relevant α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activities of aqueous extracts of rye cultivars were evaluated using in vitro models. Overall, rye grown under organic production had higher yield, 1000 kernel weight, α-amylase inhibitory activity, and ferulic and benzoic acid content. On the contrary rye grown under conventional production had higher TSP content, AA, and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activity. Further significant differences in phenolic antioxidant-linked anti-hyperglycemic properties among 9 rye cultivars were observed. This study indicated that differences in cultivars and production practices had significant impact on human health relevant phenolic antioxidant and associated anti-hyperglycemic properties of rye cultivars.