Metabolite profiles and biological activities of different phenotypes of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. Pekinensis)

Abstract

Chinese cabbage is considered as one of the most important cruciferous vegetables in South Korea because of its use in salads, kimchi, and Korean cuisine. Secondary metabolites were quantified in three Chinese cabbage varieties: 65065, interspecific hybrid of Chinese cabbage × red cabbage exhibiting a deep purple color; 85772, interspecific hybrid of Chinese cabbage × red mustard exhibiting a reddish-purple color; and a typical Chinese green cabbage cultivar “CR Carotene” (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis cv. CR Carotene). A total of 54 metabolites (2 amines, 2 sugar alcohols, 2 sugar phosphates, 6 carbohydrates, 18 amino acids, 13 organic acids, 8 phenolic compounds, and 3 carotenoids) were detected in 85772. Of them, 52 metabolites excluding β-carotene and 9-cis-β-carotene, and 51 metabolites excluding leucine, β-carotene, and 9-cis-β-carotene, were detected in 65065 and CR Carotene, respectively. Amino acid content was the highest in 85772, followed by 65065 and CR Carotene. The cultivars 65065 and 85772 contained high levels of phenolic compounds and total anthocyanins. Cyanidin-, pelargonidin-, and petunidin-type anthocyanins were detected in 65065 and 85772. However, delphinidin-type anthocyanins which typically impart a deep purple color were identified only in the deep purple phenotype 65065. Furthermore, the total anthocyanin content was the highest in 85772 (4.38 ± 0.65 mg g −1 dry weight) followed by that in 65065 (3.72 ± 0.52 mg g−1 dry weight). Antibacterial and antioxidant analyses revealed remarkable antibacterial effects of the purple cultivars against pathogens Vibrio parahaemolyticus (KCTC 2471), Bacillus cereus (KCTC 3624), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (KCCM 11803), Staphylococcus aureus (KCTC 3881), Chryseobacterium gleum (KCTC 2094), and Proteus mirabilis (KCTC 2510)] and methicillin-resistant pathogenic strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0826, 0225, 0254, 1113, 1378, 1731, p01827, and p01828) compared with the antibacterial effects of CR Carotene. Furthermore, 65065 and 85772 exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity than that of the CR Carotene. Therefore, the novel purple Chinese cabbages (65065 and 85772), derived from interspecific hybridization, are potentially favorable alternatives to the typical green Chinese cabbage, given the higher content of amino acids, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and carotenoids, as well as an increased ability to scavenge free radicals and inhibit pathogen growth.