Increased Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Consumer Preference in Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum L.) Subjected to Water Stress

Abstract

Although the Garden Cress is known to grow in a wide range of climatic conditions, there are limited studies on how water stress can affect their morphological, biochemical and sensory characteristics. In this research, these characteristics in the Garden Cress leaves were measured in response to water stress. In this study two different irrigation restrictions (50% and 25% irrigation) were applied against the control plants (100% irrigation) in four replications. As a result, the amount of proline was determined as 5.98 mg-1100g in control plants, and as 36.72 mg-1100g in 25% irrigated plants. While total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids varied from 61.26 to 68.04 mg of GA-1100gFW and 8.35 to 11.70 mg QE-1100gFW, respectively, the differences were statistically insignificant. The increase of DPPH free radical scavenging activity in line with increased water stress, however, was found to be statistically significant. In conclusion, the 50% water stress applied Garden Cress leaves were found to be most preferred by the consumers in terms of flavor and had higher radical scavenging activity than control plants. Irrigation management practices, therefore, could consider limited water use with Garden Cress production under possible negative effects of climate change on water resources.