Academic Journal of Nutrition 2 (2): 10-18, 2013 ISSN 2309-8902 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.ajn.2013.2.2.74157 Corresponding Author: Charu Gupta, Amity Institute for Herbal Research & Studies, Amity University UP, Sector-125, Noida-201303, India. 10 Functional Foods Enhanced with Microbial Antioxidants Charu Gupta, Dhan Prakash and Sneh Gupta 1 1 2 Amity Institute for Herbal Research and Studies, 1 Amity University UP, Sector-125, Noida-201303, India Department of Zoology, R.G.P.G. College, Chippi Tank, Meerut-250001, India 2 Abstract: Free radicals plays an important role in the origin of numerous diseases including both lifestyle diseases and physiological diseases like high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative etc. Free radicals act by catalyzing the various toxic oxidative reactions that lead to the formation of toxic lipid peroxides. They also inhibit the enzymes of respiratory chain of mitochondria and damage DNA and proteins which is lethal for the cell. It is therefore important to search for newer alternatives to allopathic medicines with reduced or no side effects. There are numerous medicinal plants that have been reported to possess strong antioxidant activity along with their free radical scavenging activity. Besides plants, various microbes including bacteria and fungi also possess powerful antioxidant activity. Some of the microbes belong to the probiotic group that has the potential to protect the body from the dangerous free radicals. Thus the present paper aims to discuss about the use of various microorganisms as antioxidants and also to develop the unique functional foods fortified with microbial antioxidants for scavenging the free radicals thereby preventing many diseases. Key words: Antioxidants Microorganisms Free Radicals Functional Foods Diseases INTRODUCTION cellular effects (e.g. apoptosis) through oxidization of Free radicals are defined as those reactive chemicals shut down cellular processes [2]. that have an unpaired electron in their outer orbit [1]. There should be balance between the production and Whereas reactive oxygen species (ROS) comprises both scavenging of ROS. Excessive intake of synthetic free radical and non-free radical oxygen containing antioxidants is also injurious to health as some ROS are molecules such as hydrogen peroxide (H O ), superoxide signaling molecules in some important cellular signaling 2 2 (O ), singlet oxygen (1/2O ) and the hydroxyl radical (OH). pathways. Therefore the level of both ROS and 2 2 - There are various studies proved that these free radicals antioxidants should be optimal as both extremes are are responsible for the various diseases like cancer, damaging. Thus there is a need for accurate determination diabetes, ageing, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune of individual's oxidative stress levels before prescribing disorders, neurodegenerative diseases etc. Free radicals any synthetic antioxidants supplement [3]. also catalyzes a wide range of toxic oxidative reactions like Recent research supports many findings that seem to initiation of the per-oxidation of the membrane lipids that validate the benefits of food or food components to the leads to the accumulation of lipid peroxides, inhibits promotion of health. It has been widely stated that people mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes, causes who consume a wide variety of food containing some fragmentation or random cross linking of molecules like phyto-pharmaceutical like carotenoids, fibers, flavonoids, DNA, enzymes and proteins which ultimately leads to cell fatty acids, phytoestrogens, vitamins and minerals, among death. Free radicals can also destroy the naturally others, show a reduced risk of developing some diseases occurring antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, and tend to have a better health. As an example, the use catalase and peroxidase; causing destruction and lethal of antioxidants provides protection against harmful free membrane lipids, cellular proteins, DNA and enzymes and