Abstract
A non-flavonoid component with antioxidative activity was isolated from cocoons of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. This antioxidant was purified by reversed-phase HPLC from the water-soluble extract rich in flavonoids. The LC/ESI-MS mass spectrometry of the antioxidant gave an estimated molecular weight of 167.7. Based on UV and IR spectrometry, it was identified as uric acid. The content of uric acid varied depending on silkworm strains, with yellow-green cocoons (Daizo) containing more uric acid than non-colored cocoons (Kinshu×Showa).
