title: Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Rapa Catozza Napoletana (Brassica rapa L. var. rapa DC.) seed meal, a promising protein source of Campania region (southern Italy) horticultural germplasm.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study is the first effort in a comprehensive evaluation of the nutritive and biological properties of the meal from Rapa Catozza Napoletana (RCN) (Brassica rapa L. var. rapa) cultivar seeds as a new and alternative source of proteins.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RCN seed meal revealed a good protein content (382.0 g kg(-1)) compared with conventional Brassica defatted meals. Total glucosinolates (6.0 g kg(-1)) were comparable to or even lower than those reported for other yellow- and brown-seeded cultivars. Low levels of both sinapine and phytic acid (10.0 and 10.0 g kg(-1) respectively) suggest a minor influence of these compounds on meal mineral availability. The meal revealed quite a high polyphenolic content (13.0 g kg(-1)) composed of flavonol and hydroxycinnamic derivatives. With regard to meal biological properties, a higher radical-scavenging potential than reducing capacity and a broad antimicrobial spectrum, mainly against food-borne pathogens, were detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RCN seed meal could be highly regarded as a component of human nutrition and animal feed for its good protein content, desirable amino acid profile and low antinutrient concentration. Results for the sample indicated appreciable antiradical activity and good properties for meal stability.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica Farmaceutica e Tossicologica, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy. giancarlo.tenore@unina.it
authors.forename: Gian Carlo
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Tenore
authors.forename: Jacopo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Troisi
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Fiore
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Basile
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Novellino
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001682:Biological Availability; D029741:Brassica rapa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D002794:Choline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005838:Genotype; D005961:Glucosinolates / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010833:Phytic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D005961:Glucosinolates; D008903:Minerals; D028321:Plant Preparations; D059808:Polyphenols; C005685:sinapine; D010833:Phytic Acid; D002794:Choline