Brassica Seeds: Metabolomics and Biological Potential

• Type: Chapter or Part of a Book
• Date: 2011

Authors

David M Pereira (Author) Other; Federico Ferreres (Author) Other; Patrícia Valentão (Author) Other; Paula B Andrade (Author) FFUP

Book

Title: Nuts and Seeds in Health and Disease Prevention

Pages: 83-91

ISBN: 9780123756886

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge

Scopus - 0 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Health sciences > Pharmacological sciences > Pharmacognosy

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-008-EKQ

DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-375688-6.10009-x

Abstract (EN): This chapter appraises the nutritional value of Brassicacea, which includes a large number of species that are widely used in the human diet, being highly valuable from a nutritional point of view. Brassica oleracea varieties, in particular B. oleracea var. costata and B. oleracea var. acephala, are extremely rich in phenolics. These species present both diversity and high contents of those compounds. Flavonoids and phenolic acids exert potent antioxidant activity, which can explain some of the health-promoting properties of these crops-namely, in inflammation and some types of cancers. Regarding organic acids, tronchuda cabbage seeds presented a profile composed of eight identified compounds: oxalic, aconitic, citric, pyruvic, malic, fumaric, quinic, and shikimic acids. Many of the beneficial effects in human health resulting from the consumption of vegetables are strongly associated with their content of antioxidants, which can protect against a number of diseases, ranging from atherosclerosis to cancer. The glucosinolates are a group of compounds that are quite widespread in Brassicacea and that have been shown to have a chemoprotective effect against certain cancers in humans. There is evidence that consumption of the hydrolysis products from glucosinolates in food crops may induce goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The goitrogenic effects of glucosinolates cannot be alleviated merely by the administration of iodine. For safer and healthier exploitation of these matrices, identification and quantification of these compounds in seeds used for human consumption are needed. © 2011 Copyright

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific