Brassica fruticulosa Cyr. and Brassica incana Ten. (Brassicaceae) as Mediterranean traditional wild vegetables: a valuable source of bioactive compounds

Abstract

Two species of Brassicaceae (Crucifer) family, used and appreciated as traditional wild vegetables, including Brassica fruticulosa Cyr. and Brassica incana Ten., were examined as potential source of bioactive volatile compounds. The volatile constituents released by the chopped leaves and roots were extracted and analyzed by solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME–GC–MS). A large number of volatile constituents were identified: alcohols, aldehydes, esters, acids, ketones, terpenes, C13-norisoprenoides and sulfur compounds. Volatiles included isothiocyanates with a well known anticancer activity – the largest amount resulted in the roots, with 3-butenyl isothiocyanate the most represented in both species; of great interest also the good amount revealed in the leaves of Brassica fruticulosa Cyr. The revaluation of these plants, a vegetable source of high antioxidant power, will be interesting for consumer health by the production of new commercial herbal products and/or dietary supplements of high quality and low cost.