A comparative study of flavonoid compounds, vitamin C, and antioxidant properties of baby leaf Brassicaceae species.
A comparative study of antioxidant compounds, flavonoids and vitamin C, and also antioxidant activity was carried out in four species of Brassicaceae vegetables used for salads: watercress ( Nasturtium officinale R. Br.), mizuna [ Brassica rapa L. subsp. nipposinica (L.H. Bailey) Haneltand], wild rocket [ Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC.], and salad rocket [ Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav.]. The characterization of individual phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS-ESI in watercress and mizuna completes the polyphenol study previously reported for wild rocket and salad rocket. The qualitative study of flavonoids in watercress leaves showed a characteristic glycosylation pattern with rhamnose at the 7 position. Isorhamnetin 3,7-di- O-glucoside was identified in mizuna leaves and may be considered a chemotaxonomical marker in some B. rapa subspecies. Brassicaceae species showed differences in the quantitative study of flavonoids, and the highest content was detected in watercress leaves. Watercress and wild rocket leaves had the highest content of vitamin C. The antioxidant activity evaluated by different methods (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays) showed a high correlation level with the content of polyphenols and vitamin C. In conclusion, the Brassicaceae leaves studied, watercress, mizuna, wild rocket, and salad rocket, presented a large variability in the composition and content of antioxidant compounds. These baby leaf species are good dietary sources of antioxidants with an important variability of bioactive compounds.
Martínez-Sánchez
Ascensión
A
Research Group on Quality, Safety and Bioactivity of Plant Foods, Food Science and Technology Department, CEBAS-CSIC, Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
Gil-Izquierdo
Angel
A
Gil
María I
MI
Ferreres
Federico
F
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019607:Brassicaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D059808:Polyphenols
D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D001205:Ascorbic Acid