Nutritional Value, Chemical Composition and Cytotoxic Properties of Common Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) in Relation to Harvesting Stage and Plant Part

Spyridon A Petropoulos,Maria Inês Dias,Ioannis B Vasilakoglou,Isabel C F R Ferreira,Ângela Fernandes,Lillian Barros,Konstantinos Petrotos

doi:10.3390/antiox8080293

Spyridon A Petropoulos, Maria Inês Dias + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8080293

Copy DOI

Abstract

Purslane (Portulaca oleraceae L.) is a widespread weed, which is highly appreciated for its high nutritional value with particular reference to the content in omega-3 fatty acids. In the present study, the nutritional value and chemical composition of purslane plants in relation to plant part and harvesting stage were evaluated. Plants were harvested at three growth stages (29, 43 and 52 days after sowing (DAS)), while the edible aerial parts were separated into stems and leaves. Leaves contained higher amounts of macronutrients than stems, especially at 52 DAS. α-tocopherol was the main isoform, which increased at 52 DAS, as well total tocopherols (values were in the ranges of 197–327 μg/100 g fresh weight (fw) and 302–481 μg/100 g fw, for α-tocopherol and total tocopherols, respectively). Glucose and fructose were the main free sugars in stems and leaves, respectively, whereas stems contained higher amounts of total sugars (values were ranged between 0.83 g and 1.28 g/100 g fw). Oxalic and total organic acid content was higher in leaves, especially at the last harvesting stage (52 DAS; 8.6 g and 30.3 g/100 g fw for oxalic acid and total organic acids, respectively). Regarding the fatty acid content, stems contained mainly palmitic (20.2–21.8%) and linoleic acid (23.02–27.11%), while leaves were abundant in α-linolenic acid (35.4–54.92%). Oleracein A and C were the major oleracein derivatives in leaves, regardless of the harvesting stage (values were in the ranges of 8.2–103.0 mg and 21.2–143 mg/100 g dried weight (dw) for oleraceins A and C, respectively). Cytotoxicity assays showed no hepatotoxicity, with GI50 values being higher than 400 μg/mL for all the harvesting stages and plant parts. In conclusion, early harvesting and the separation of plant parts could increase the nutritional value of the final product through increasing the content of valuable compounds, such as omega-3 fatty acids, phenolic compounds and oleracein derivatives, while at the same time, the contents of anti-nutritional compounds such as oxalic acid are reduced.

Highlights

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a widespread weed belonging to the Portulacaceae family, with extensive distribution throughout the world [1]
Early harvesting and the separation of plant parts could increase the nutritional value of the final product through increasing the content of valuable compounds, such as omega-3 fatty acids, phenolic compounds and oleracein derivatives, while at the same time, the contents of anti-nutritional compounds such as oxalic acid are reduced
The results of the present study showed a significant effect of plant parts and harvesting stages on the nutritional value and chemical composition of purslane

Summary

Introduction

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a widespread weed belonging to the Portulacaceae family, with extensive distribution throughout the world [1]. It is a basic component of the so-called. Mediterranean diet and an ingredient of many salad dishes [2]. It is considered a very invasive weed [3], it is highly appreciated for the high nutritional value of its edible plant parts, due to their high content in omega-3 fatty acids and, in α-linolenic acid [4]. P. oleracea is tolerant under stress conditions, such as heat, drought and salinity stress, a trait that could be useful within the ongoing climate change context and provide alternative solutions to farmers in climate-affected regions [10]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion