| Summary: | A physiological approach to assessing the antioxidant potential of Arbequina EVOO from different zones of Brazil and Spain was performed, applying a combined model of simulated digestion and cell cultures, using the Caco-2 cell line. Our results showed an increasing of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant properties promoted by the in vitro digestion. Preincubating Caco-2 cells with bioaccessible fractions of oils counteracted the cytotoxic effect promoted by an oxidising agent (t-BOOH), preserving cell viability and reducing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The protective effect on ROS production was associated with the antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), but no relation with the TPC of the digested samples was found. Differences in the parameters evaluated were observed among the samples, which were related to climatic characteristics of the production zones. It was concluded that transformations during the digestive process are important for establishing the antioxidant potential of the oils.
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