title: Antioxidant characterization of some Sicilian edible wild greens.
abstract: Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that many antioxidants and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the diet may protect against cancers and cardiovascular disease. Common fruits and vegetables are good sources of antioxidants, although in some Mediterranean areas traditional wild greens are responsible for a significant percentage of total dietary antioxidant intake. In the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort of Ragusa (Sicily), a high number of subjects were found to frequently eat wild greens, including Sinapis incana and Sinapis nigra, Diplotaxis erucoides, Cichorium intybus, Asparagus acutifolius, and Borrago officinalis. On the basis of these observations, detailed characterization of single antioxidant components (i.e., polyphenols, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and ascorbic acid) and the TAC of these edible wild traditional plants was performed. The wild plants examined were found to be very rich in antioxidants, such as flavonoids and carotenoids, with high TAC values, suggesting that the importance of these vegetables, not only in the traditional but even in the contemporary diet, needs to be emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Parma, 39 Via Volturno, 43100 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvatore
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.forename: Oreste V
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Brenna
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Del Rio
authors.forename: Graziella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frasca
authors.forename: Furio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brighenti
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tumino
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000032:analysis; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis; D010945:Plants, Edible / Q000737:chemistry*; D012802:Sicily; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D002734:Chlorophyll; D002338:Carotenoids; D001205:Ascorbic Acid