Role of Glucosinolates in the Nutraceutical Potential of Selected Cultivars of Brassica rapa.

Tania Merinas-Amo,María-Dolores Lozano-Baena,Antonio De Haro-Bailón,Ángeles Alonso-Moraga,Sara Obregón-Cano

doi:10.3390/foods10112720

Tania Merinas-Amo, María-Dolores Lozano-Baena + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10112720

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Abstract

Brassica rapa L. subsp. rapa (turnip greens), a traditionally consumed vegetable, is well-known due to its high content of glucosinolates, which are secondary metabolites with a positive biological activity for human health. Our hypothesis has been based on the relation between B. rapa glucosinolate content and its healthy properties, and our aim is to establish guidelines for safe B. rapa vegetable consumption. Three B. rapa cultivars (143N5, 143N7 and 163N7) have been characterized by HPLC analysis of purified extracts from leaf samples in order to determine their glucosinolate content and to relate this content to beneficial effects on DNA protection, lifespan extension and chemoprevention. In order to ascertain the heath properties in vitro and in vivo, toxicity activities were assayed in the Drosophila melanogaster and leukaemia cell models; genomic safety was also assessed in both models using genotoxicity, fragmentation and comet assay. The Drosophila model has also been used to study the antioxidative activity and the longevity induction. Our results showed a relationship between B. rapa glucosinolate content and its safety and benefices in its consumption. Gluconapin, the main B. rapa glucosinolate, was directly related with these wholesome effects. The relevant conclusion in the present research is focused on B. rapa cultivar 163N7 due to its high gluconapin content and low progoitrin content, which exert anti-cancer and DNA protection properties and could be recommended as being safe and healthy for human consumption.

Highlights

Food, health and the environmental factors are intimately linked, it being necessary to establish a balance between the elements of this so called “health trilemma” for a healthier life on a more sustainable planet
Several epidemiological and pharmacological studies have shown that the consumption of a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables (Brassicaceae family) may have an important role in protection from many chronic illnesses, including: cardiovascular disease, diabetes (II), dementia, age-related macular degeneration, immune dysfunction, obesity and some cancers [3,4,5]
Plants belonging to different species of Brassica are consumed all over the world, with the main consumers being found in China, India, Russia, Korea and Japan [6]. The importance of these vegetables comes from their high content of antioxidant components and other specific health promoting compounds of the Brassicaceae family (GLS) [7]

Summary

Introduction

Health and the environmental factors are intimately linked, it being necessary to establish a balance between the elements of this so called “health trilemma” for a healthier life on a more sustainable planet. Several epidemiological and pharmacological studies have shown that the consumption of a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables (Brassicaceae family) may have an important role in protection from many chronic illnesses, including: cardiovascular disease, diabetes (II), dementia, age-related macular degeneration, immune dysfunction, obesity and some cancers [3,4,5]. Plants belonging to different species of Brassica are consumed all over the world, with the main consumers being found in China, India, Russia, Korea and Japan [6]. The importance of these vegetables comes from their high content of antioxidant components (vitamin C and phenolic compounds) and other specific health promoting compounds of the Brassicaceae family (GLS) [7]. Protection against degenerative diseases from GLS and their enzymatic degradation products has been studied for decades and has been extensively reviewed [8,9,10,11,12,13]

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