Phytochemical and Antioxidant Characterization of Brassica oleracea var. costata Extracts

• Type: Chapter or Part of a Book
• Date: 2009

Authors

sousa, c (Author) Other; valentao, p (Author) FFUP; pereira, dm (Author) FFUP; taveira, m (Author) Other; ferreres, f (Author) Other; pereira, ja (Author) Other; bento, a (Author) Other; seabra, rm (Author) Other; andrade, pb (Author) FFUP

Book

Title: Recent Progress on Medicinal Plants

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-005-4HY

Abstract (EN): The genus Brassica is related with the prevention of carcinomas, especially of stomach, colon and recto and with the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The most consumed Brassica species in Portugal is the tronchuda cabbage or Portuguese cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. costata DC). This study concerned the characterization of chemical composition (phenolics and organic acids) and the evaluation of the antioxidant potential of tronchuda cabbage. Seeds, sprouts, internal and external leaves were analysed. To evaluate the antioxidant potential, the ability of tronchuda cabbage materials to act as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and hypochlorous acid) was investigated. Additionally, it was found that Pieris brassicae, a plague infesting Brassica cultures, exhibits interesting antioxidant potential, once it sequesters, metabolizes and accumulates phenolics. The possibility of commercialization of standardized aqueous extracts of B. oleracea var. costata seeds, sprouts, internal and external leaves, with nutritional and healthy potential benefits, is discussed.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific