Antioxidant Activity and Isoflavone Profile of Rhynchosia nolubilis Seeds Pickled in Vinegar (Chokong)

The antioxidant activity and isoflavone content of chokong, Rhynchosia nolubilis seeds pickled in vinegar at $4^{\circ}C$ for 2 weeks, were investigated. The polyphenol content and 2,2-diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging capacity were lower in chokong than in raw seeds. Based on isoflavone analysis, the aglycone (daidzein and genistein) content was high in chokong while the content of the corresponding glucosides (daidzin and genistin) was similar to that in raw seeds. Thermal processing, in which seeds were heated in vinegar at $121^{\circ}C$ for 20 min, reduced the polyphenol content but did not affect the DPPH radical-scavenging capacity compared to the pickling process. The heated seeds had a 2.6 to 2.7 times higher glucoside content and 51 to 55% lower aglycone content than chokong, depending on the kind of vinegar used. During pickling and thermal processing, vinegars were more effective at eluting antioxidants and isoflavones from seeds than other solutions such as acetic acid, citric acid and HCl solutions, distilled water, and phosphate buffer (pH 7.0).