Abstract
Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS) was used to obtain glucosinolate and flavonol content for 35 rocket accessions and commercial varieties. 13 glucosinolates and 11 flavonol compounds were identified. Semi-quantitative methods were used to estimate concentrations of both groups of compounds. Minor glucosinolate composition was found to be different between accessions; concentrations varied significantly. Flavonols showed differentiation between genera, with Diplotaxis accumulating quercetin glucosides and Eruca accumulating kaempferol glucosides. Several compounds were detected in each genus that have only previously been reported in the other. We highlight how knowledge of phytochemical content and concentration can be used to breed new, nutritionally superior varieties. We also demonstrate the effects of controlled environment conditions on the accumulations of glucosinolates and flavonols and explore the reasons for differences with previous studies. We stress the importance of consistent experimental design between research groups to effectively compare and contrast results.
Highlights
The groups of crops collectively known as rocket are all members of the Brassicaceae family, and are native to the areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea (Martinez-Sanchez et al, 2006)
This study has highlighted phytochemical accumulation for rocket varieties and accessions grown under controlled conditions
This is in contrast to field conditions that often stress plants and create phytochemical profiles reflective of fluctuating environmental stresses such as light intensity, temperature, pests and diseases
Summary
The groups of crops collectively known as rocket (or arugula, rucola, roquette) are all members of the Brassicaceae family, and are native to the areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea (Martinez-Sanchez et al, 2006). Rocket crops belong to two genera, Eruca and Diplotaxis, and are increasingly important in the salad vegetable market (Pasini, Verardo, Cerretani, Caboni, & D’Antuono, 2011). Previous studies have highlighted rocket as a rich source of glucosinolate (GSL) compounds (Kim, Jin, & Ishii, 2004). All other members of the Brassicaceae contain GSLs as secondary metabolites that act as part of plant defence mechanisms (Schranz, Manzaneda, Windsor, Clauss, & Mitchell-Olds, 2009).
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