Abstract
Red beetroot (RB) is a well-known health-promoting food consumed worldwide. RB is commonly used in food processing and manufacturing thanks to the high content of components that can also be employed as natural coloring agents. These bioactive molecules vary their concentration depending on beetroot seasonality, harvest time and climate conditions. The first objective of this study was to evaluate the variation of the RB phytochemical profile related to the root development during three different harvest times, using an 1H-NMR-based metabolomic approach. Changes of carbohydrates and secondary metabolite concentrations were observed from July to September. Secondly, we compared the metabolic profiles of the final processed beet juices in three different production years to observe the effect of climate conditions on the RB’s final product metabotype. A PCA analysis performed on juice extracts showed that production years 2016 and 2017 were characterized by a high content of choline and betaine, while 2018 by a high content of amino acids and dopamine and a low content of inorganic nitrates. This study suggests that the harvest time and roots growth conditions could be used to modulate the RB phytochemical profile, according to the final requirements of use, food or coloring agent source.
Highlights
Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. rubra, commonly known as red beetroot (RB), is an herbaceous biennial taproot belonging to the Chenopodiaceae family
RB has attracted much attention as a health-promoting food because of the high content of nitrates, molecular species that must be introduced in the organism through the diet
The variation on the phytonutrient profiles of RBs during the root development and the different composition of ready-to-drink red beetroot juices of three different annual production were investigated by 1 H NMR-based metabolic profiling
Summary
Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. rubra, commonly known as red beetroot (RB), is an herbaceous biennial taproot belonging to the Chenopodiaceae family. Rubra, commonly known as red beetroot (RB), is an herbaceous biennial taproot belonging to the Chenopodiaceae family. RB represents an important market vegetable crop which has a worldwide distribution [1]. RB is cultivated in temperate climate zones and prefers slightly acidic and clayey soils, despite adapting well to any type of soil. RB can be seeded across the whole year, even though is preferentially seeded between March and June in order to avoid low temperatures [2]. The growth period is between 75 and 90 days in summer, but it can increase up to 120 days or even longer in winter [2]. RB has attracted much attention as a health-promoting food because of the high content of nitrates, molecular species that must be introduced in the organism through the diet.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
