The Comparison of the Chemical Composition, Sensory, Phenolic and Antioxidant Properties of Juices from Different Wheatgrass and Turfgrass Species

Abstract

Wheatgrass juice is mainly derived from the common wheat Triticum aestivum L. The present study focused on the analysis of the potential of different perennial turfgrass species in grass juice production by determining certain compositional characteristics. The effects of fertilisers on the plants and the cutting time on some chemical constituents and antioxidant potential of grass juices were addressed. The juices from the different species of grasses, such as T. durum, T. aestivum, Lolium perenne L., Festuca arundinacea Schreb. were obtained by pressing. DPPH (1, 1diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, elemental composition, total chlorophylls, total carotenes, tocopherols, vitamin C, total phenols, viscosity and the colour profiles of the grass juice samples were analysed. Water-soluble dry matter, protein, total phenols, flavonoids and vitamin E (especially Durum cultivar) content were found to be higher in the juices of Triticum species as compared to the other grasses. Turfgrass species demonstrated higher concentrations of oil (in grass), vitamin C (unfertilised samples), chlorophyll (except L. perenne local) and major elements. The pressing of turfgrass was an easy process. Such perennial grass varieties have advantages over the Triticum species in terms of having higher concentrations of vitamin C (unfertilised samples) and major elements. The results of sensory analysis suggested that L. perenne (cultivar) is the most promising cultivar in terms of obtaining pressed grass juice.