Eruca Sativa Research Articles

Purification and Immobilization of Burkholderia gladioli Cholesterol Oxidase on Calcium Alginate, with Robust Catalytic Stability for Cholesterol Oxidation In Vitro.

Cholesterol oxidase (COX) is a key enzyme in diagnostic kits of cardiovascular diseases via oxidation of cholesterol producing smart enantiomerically compounds; however, the enzyme catalytic stability is the challenge. So, the objective of this study was to purify COX from novel endophytic bacterial isolates of medicinal plants that could have unique catalytic efficiency for the desired applications. Among the recovered forty bacterial isolates, Burkholderia gladioli EFBL PQ721377, an endophyte of Eruca sativa, had the highest COX productivity (14.7μmol/mg/min). The COX productivity of B. gladioli has been maximized by with the response surface methodology, giving the highest productivity 30.9μmol/mg/min, by ~ 2.0-fold increment compared to control. The enzyme was purified to its molecular homogeneity with subunit structure 40kDa. The enzyme was entrapped in Ca-alginate with immobilization yield 87.5%, and the efficiency and homogeneity in Ca-alginate beads were assessed by FTIR and SEM-EDX analyses. The free and Ca-alginate-COX conjugates have the same maximum reaction temperature at 37-40°C, reaction pH at 7.5 and pH stability at 6.5-8.0. The thermal stability of Ca-alginate-COX was increased by ~ 7.0 folds compared to the free one, ensuring the protective role of alginate beads on enzyme tertiary structure. Ca-alginate-COX had a higher potency of oxidation of human serum cholesterol, than the free one, confirming the feasibility of the product release, and allosteric activation of the enzyme, with a reliable operative stability till the fifth cycle, for production of cholest-4-en-3-one, as the precursor of various drugs.

Host range and molecular characterization of the four races of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae.

Vascular wilt of lettuce is caused by strains of the Fusarium oxysporum species complex. According to their biological activity, these strains are members of the forma specialis lactucae (FOL). The aim of this study was to characterize strains of Fusarium oxysporum isolated from lettuce in Italy and other countries, belonging to the four currently known races. Strains were analyzed based on pathogenicity on different hosts and a combined phylogenetic analysis of rpb2, tef-1α, cmdA and tub2 genes. For uncharacterized strains, the race was determined through pathogenicity test with a set of differential lettuce cultivars for races 1 and 4. To assess the host range, pathogenicity tests were performed on five species: lettuce (Lactuca sativa), lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) and cultivated rocket (Eruca sativa). Most FOL strains were pathogenic on lettuce with different levels of disease severity; in particular, FOL races 3 and 4 showed the highest level of virulence on lettuce. FOL races 3 and 4 were pathogenic both on lettuce and lamb's lettuce, whereas races 1 and 2 only on lettuce. Furthermore, this study identified the first occurrence of FOL race 4 in Italy to 2016, as the strain FOL 1/16 was assigned to race 4. Results of multigene phylogenetic analysis showed that FOL races 1 and 4 cluster with the species F. curvatum, strains of race 2 with F. curvatum and F. odoratissimum and strains of race 3 with F. cugenangense. Phylogenetically, race 4 is very close to race 1, but it showed more similarities to race 3 for host range and virulence. This study shows for the first time a broader host range for the races 3 and 4 of FOL. The results demonstrate that phylogenetic analysis permits the separation of some races of FOL, but phylogenetic classification alone is insufficient for conclusive separation of races, therefore it should be accompanied by biological assays based on pathogenicity.

Synergistic effect of ozonation and filtration with graphene-based membranes in the removal of flame retardants in multi-compound systems: Experimental and DFT study

Ozonation, although widely applied to treat water and effluents contaminated by organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), it can result in the generation of by-products that may be more toxic than the starting molecules. An alternative method for surmounting this challenge is the coupling of ozonation with filtration membranes. In this study, new polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membranes modified with graphene oxide (GO) functionalized with Safranin dye (SF) were synthesized, characterized and applied to remove organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) in multi-compound systems remaining after ozonation treatment. The PAN@fGO membrane, endowed with phenyl groups, phenazinium cations, electron-rich organic functions, with a rougher morphological profile and lower hydrophilicity, outperformed the PAN membrane in removing OPFRs. With a removal potential of 31.2, 42.7, 50.8, 59.5 and 62.6% for tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP), tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TNBP), tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP), and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), respectively. A synergistic effect was observed when the modified membrane was coupling with ozonation in multi-compound systems, reaching removal efficiencies of 43.7, 54.9, 59.6, 65.8 and 97.95% for TCIPP, TCEP, TNBP, TBOEP and TPHP, respectively. Moreover, the combination of ozonation followed by PAN@fGO membrane filtration demonstrated efficacy in reducing the toxicity of the treated effluent to the vegetable Eruca sativa. The results, corroborated by calculations of molecular chemical descriptors based on DFT and characterizations of the membrane after the removal process, that the reaction with O3 in multi-compound systems was more effective in molecules with higher reactivity and the PAN@fGO interacts with the contaminants through hydrophobic, H-bonding, and π-π interactions.

Optimizing rocket (Eruca sativa L.) productivity: blended fertilizer rates and inter-row spacing

ABSTRACT Rocket (Eruca sativa L.) is a crucial herbaceous crop, but a lack of improved agronomic practices constrains its production in Ethiopia. This field experiment aimed to determine the optimum rate of blended NPS fertilizer and inter-row spacing for high biomass and leaf yield. The study utilized a factorial design, with five blended NPS fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha− 1) and three inter-row spacings (10, 20, and 30 cm) arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The growth and yield traits were significantly (p < .05) influenced by the interaction between fertilizer rates and inter-row spacing. The highest total leaf yield (62,481 kg ha− 1) was achieved with 200 kg ha− 1 NPS and 30 cm inter-row spacing. Additionally, the shortest time to maturity (ranged from 28-31 days) was recorded with the same treatment. Thus, applying 200 kg ha− 1 NPS combined with 30 cm inter-row spacing resulted in the highest marketable yield and net benefit ($19,109.50 ha− 1) in the study area.

Assessing Seed Germination and Plant Growth of Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav. Cultivated in Biochar-Enriched Substrates

This study evaluates the use of biochar as a sustainable substitute to peat in the soilless cultivation of rocket salad (Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav.). Biochar was added to a peat-based substrate at concentrations of 0% (control), 5%, 10%, 20%, 40%, and 70% v/v to assess its effects on seed germination, plant growth, mineral content, and nitrate accumulation. The results show that biochar concentrations up to 40% v/v maintained germination rates above 80%, similar to the control, while higher concentrations (70% v/v) drastically reduced germination to 29% and entirely compromised plant development and growth. A moderate biochar concentration (20%) had a positive effect on fresh weight and leaf area, while maintaining comparable levels of nutrient uptake, chlorophyll, and flavonols. In addition, biochar-enriched substrates (≥20% v/v) reduced nitrate accumulation in leaves by 26–30%, addressing a critical quality and safety concern. A high biochar content (≥40% v/v) altered the substrate’s physicochemical properties, including pH, porosity, and electrical conductivity, negatively affecting plant growth (a 38% reduction in plant growth and 42% in leaf area) and increasing heavy metal concentrations, such as that of zinc (~30%). These findings suggest that incorporating up to 20% v/v biochar in soilless substrates offers a sustainable alternative to peat, supporting rocket salad performance and improving leaf nitrate quality, without compromising yield or safety.

Annual Garden Rocket and Radish as Microgreens: Seed Germination Response to Thermal and Salt Stress

Temperature and salinity level of the imbibition medium play a crucial role in regulating seed germination and seedling emergence, which is also true in microgreen production, where temperature and water potential may influence seed germination alone and/or in combination. In this study, the effects of different temperatures and water potentials in NaCl, alone or in combination, upon germination and early radicle growth, were assessed in two species for microgreen production (Eruca sativa-rocket, and Raphanus sativus-radish). Seeds were germinated at eight constant temperatures (from 5 to 35 °C) and five water potentials (ψ) in NaCl (from 0 to −1.2 MPa). Final germination percentage (FGP) was maximized at 15–20 °C in rocket, and at 20–25 °C in radish. As the temperature increased or decreased, germination was reduced and became less uniform, to a greater extent, at suboptimal temperatures in both species. Across water potentials, FGP values exceeding 50% at the highest temperature in radish indicated a greater tolerance than rocket to supraoptimal temperatures during germination. Across temperatures, FGP and germination speed in both species were progressively depressed as the water potential decreased. The adverse effects of NaCl progressively increased as the temperature moved away from its optimal value. Overall, rocket seeds were able to germinate well (&gt;80%) at 20 °C at salinity levels down to −0.9 MPa, while radish seeds were able to germinate well (≥90%) at 25 °C at salinity levels down to −0.9 MPa. Salt stress tolerance was higher in rocket and radish at low and high temperatures, respectively. Both thermal time and hydrotime requirements were higher in radish because its seeds took longer to germinate. Thermal time and hydrotime may help to predict the germination capacity and time, once the temperature or water potential of the imbibition substrate is known. The findings of this study have important implications for the large-scale industrial production of microgreens.

Evaluation of the toxicity of pervious concretes with WFS through germination tests with Eruca sativa (arugula) and Triticum aestivum (wheat) seeds

ABSTRACT Concrete is the most used construction material, which results in harmful impacts on the environment due to the consumption of natural resources. Hence the need to use alternative materials, e.g., waste from the construction sector and even from other production sectors. This context includes the development of concrete with sustainable functionality, such as pervious concrete with the incorporation of waste foundry sand (WFS), a waste generated by the foundry sector. However, there is a scientific gap focusing on the environmental viability of pervious concretes. In this sense, this study aims to evaluate the toxicity of pevious concretes with WFS, through germination tests with Eruca sativa (arugula) and Triticum aestivum (wheat) seeds. The statistical analysis of the results showed that there was no significant harmful effect from the incorporation of WFS on the germination rate for both seeds used. Regarding root growth, it was observed that WFS II concrete (&gt;% Portland cement) had a lower impact on arugula seeds (more sensitive). Therefore, the pervious concrete with WFS developed was found to be safe in relation to phytotoxicity.

Efficiency of lignin nanocapsules for delivering neem oil and capsaicin against pest insects: insights into the system Eruca sativa – Plutella xylostella

A novel strategy based on lignin nanocapsules to deliver capsaicin and neem oil against Plutella xylostella.

Agrobiological Evaluation and Productivity of Arucola Varieties in the Republic of Dagestan

The objective of the work is to optimize technological methods for cultivating arugula to obtain green mass in the Derbent district of the Republic of Dagestan. The study was conducted from 2021 to 2024 at the Dagestan Experimental station (the branch of All-Russian research institute). During the study of rare crops (arugula, Eruca sativa, wallrocket) were determined the seed and green mass productivity, commercial quality and seed plants height. To obtain green mass in the open ground of the Derbent district, the optimal sowing dates for arugula are from September to the first ten days of December, and the second ten days of February to May inclusive. In the greenhouse conditions sowing was carried out all year round. In the Southern Dagestan conditions were distinguished the following samples: by green mass per 1 m2 – Eruca sativa (3.09 kg); Eruca sativa Proito (2.99) and Olivett two-row (2.61); by the number of seeds per plot – Eruca sativa Proito (730 g), Arugula (470), Indau broadleaf (420) and wallrocket Olivette (410); by the weight of 1000 seeds – Eruca sativa Proito (2.78 pcs./g); Arugula (2.23) and wallrocket Olivette (2.17) with the maximum number of breeding valuable traits. Arugula samples may be recommended for using in breeding programs for the creating new higher-end varieties in the Derbent District and outside the Republic of Dagestan.

The effect of plasma-treated nutrient solution on yield, pigments, and mineral content of rocket [Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC.] grown under different nitrogen fertilization levels

IntroductionThe non-thermal plasma (NTP) technique has been suggested as a sustainable horticultural practice to promote biomass accumulation, nutrient uptake, N metabolism, and disease prevention in plants. In particular, the potentiality of this technique to promote the natural accumulation of nutrients into plants deserve to be explored as input saving is strongly recommended in the horticultural sector.MethodsThe nutrient solution supplied to a red coloured variety of rocket salad [Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC. ‘Dragon’s Tongue’] grown in a hydroponic close loop system was treated with NTP. Low, medium, and high concentrations of N (i.e., 1, 10, and 20 mM) of the nutrient solution were tested in control (no NTP) or NTP treated conditions in two consecutive growing cycles. Results and discussionResults highlighted a N-dependent effect of NTP treatment showing a biomass stimulation at 10 mM N while negative effects of this technique at 1 and 20mM N. The biomass boosting of NTP found at 10 mMN coupled with an increase in K and Zn showing positive effects also on the nutraceutical aspects. Interestingly, different mechanisms seemed to be involved in the detrimental effects found at low and high N levels, i.e., a lower sensibility to N deficiency at 1 mM and a synergic negative effect of N and NTP in promoting oxidative stress at 20 mM.

Evaluation of Selected Folk Herbs on the Fertility of Sprague Dawley Male Rats: Biochemical, Histological, and Molecular Investigations.

Scientists have shown great interest in traditional plant extracts, particularly Lepidium sativum (LS), Origanum majorana (OM), Ferula hermonis (FH), and Eruca sativa (ES), which are frequ ently used to improve health. Recently, attention has been directed toward their influence on spermatogenesis and male fertility. Hence, the objective of this study was to explore their impact on male rats' fertility. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content (TPC) were determined, along with the identification and quantification of phenolic compounds. Oral administration of aqueous extracts was performed individually or as a mixture (MIX) at a dose of 100 mg/kg in 28 male Sprague Dawley rats over a 60-day period. Organ weight, sex hormone concentrations, sperm parameters, oxidative stress markers, histological and morphometric analysis, and protein expression levels were investigated. OM and MIX showed the highest TPC and antioxidant activities, and MIX possessed the highest polyphenolic constituents. Elevated serum testosterone, epididymal sperm concentration, testes glutathione levels, and histomorphometric parameters were manifested in all groups, especially in MIX. MIX group also displayed elevated levels of vimentin, protein kinase B, and mTOR expression in the testes, complemented by declined expression of Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN). In conclusion, these findings propose that these extracts, especially MIX followed by OM, enhance fertility by stimulating spermatogenesis.

Pathotype Identification and Host Resistance Evaluation of Clubroot in Zhejiang Province, China.

Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, is a globally destructive soil-borne disease affecting cruciferous plants. Here, the predominant pathotypes of P. brassicae in six cities within Zhejiang Province were identified using the Williams and European Clubroot Differential (ECD) systems. A phylogenetic analysis of P. brassicae isolates infecting cruciferous crops worldwide was conducted using MEGA, and their ITS2 secondary structures were predicted through the ITS2 database. Accessions of B. rapa, B. oleracea, B. juncea, and Eruca sativa Mill. were employed to assess clubroot resistance. The results revealed that the prevalent pathotypes in Zhejiang Province were pathotype 1, ECD20/31/12 and ECD24/16/30; pathotype 3, ECD20/15/4; pathotype 8, ECD16/0/0 and ECD24/0/0; and pathotype 2, ECD16/15/15. Isolates from distinct genera of Brassicaceae formed separate branches in the evolutionary tree. Moreover, isolates of Brassica crops from Zhejiang Province exhibited homology with those from other global regions, a finding corroborated by their ITS2 secondary structure. Approximately 80% and 95% of B. rapa and B. juncea crops displayed susceptible phenotypes for pathotype 8, ECD16/0/0, whereas approximately 60% of B. oleracea crops exhibited resistance. Furthermore, three Brassica crop accessions showed significant variation in resistance to the pathogen, both among morphological and geographical origin groups. This study contributes to understanding the distribution of diverse P. brassicae pathotypes in different regions of Zhejiang Province and facilitates the identification of Brassica crops with potential disease resistance suitable for cultivation in the province.

Investigation of The Effects of Extraction Polarity Change on the Bioactivity of Eruca vesicaria

Eruca vesicaria (arugula) plant is frequently used today as a daily food source that contains a rich variety of minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin C. It also contains a high percentage of phenolic compounds which are structures that plants develop to protect themselves from harmful organisms. Phenolic compounds found in plants are obtained by different extraction methods and have a high antioxidant effect. In this study, we report, anticancer activity extract from Eruca vesicaria against human prostate cancer cells (PC-3) in vitro. The phenolic substances contained in the plant were obtained in different concentrations by the extraction technique based on the polarity difference. HPLC and total phenol content were determined to perform extraction content analysis. According to in vitro MTT cell proliferation assay, it acted at high concentrations, regardless of polarity differences. The highest cytotoxic effect was observed in extract extracted with 50% ethanol concentration. It has been observed that it has an anticancer effect compared to the determination of total phenol content. Also, because of 24-hour MIC analysis, it shows antibacterial properties according to agent concentration. As a result of this study, it adds many new information to the literature, but also provides guidance for future research.

Exogenous application of melatonin and chitosan mitigate simulated microgravity stress in the Rocket (Eruca sativa L.) plant

Starting life in space and implementing spaceflight missions requires raising of plants in special conditions, where various stresses, including microgravity, are applied to plant. The use of stimulants is known as a promising effective approach that enhances plant resistance encountered a variety of abiotic stresses. In this study, the impact of two stimulants, melatonin and chitosan, in reducing negative effects of clinorotation on Rocket (Eruca sativa L.) seedlings was investigated from a physiological and biochemical point of view. For this purpose, a completely randomized experiment was designed where the treatments included control (without stimulants and normal gravity), melatonin (100 μM), chitosan (230 M), microgravity, microgravity + melatonin, and microgravity + chitosan. The results disclosed that the microgravity significantly impaired the plant growth and morphology, while exogenous application of melatonin and chitosan improved the plant growth parameters under stress conditions. Under microgravity, there was a reduction of 46.15% in shoot length (4.9 mm) and 41.44% in root length (4.7 mm) compared with the control (9.1 mm; 8.03 mm), respectively. Clinorotation led to a marked increment in the enzymes activity, wherein the POD, SOD and CAT activities increased by 75.13%, 72.67%, and 53.42%, respectively, compared with the control seedlings. In addition, supply of these two stimulants strengthened the scavenging of radial oxygen species and helped the plant to tolerate stress conditions, by activated the enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems. These results can pave the road for more studies and broad application of biological stimuli to overcome the space harsh environmental conditions by plants.

Multinational investigation of a Salmonella Umbilo outbreak reveals rocket salad and baby spinach as the likely infection vehicles, Europe, 2024.

A food-borne outbreak with about 200 Salmonella Umbilo cases occurred mainly between July and September 2024 in several European countries. Collaborative work between outbreak teams in Germany, Austria and Denmark, including epidemiological and microbiological investigations, allowed to rapidly identify rocket salad as the likely infection vehicle. Salmonella Umbilo was detected in rocket salad, and later in baby spinach. The food isolates and clinical outbreak strain were genetically closely related. Both food items originated from the same company in Italy.

Erucin, a Natural Isothiocyanate, Prevents Polyglutamine-Induced Toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans via aak-2/AMPK and daf-16/FOXO Signaling.

Several neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), such as Huntington's disease, six of the spinocerebellar ataxias, dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy, and spinobulbar muscular atrophy, are caused by abnormally long polyglutamine (polyQ) tracts. Natural compounds capable of alleviating polyQ-induced toxicity are currently of great interest. In this work, we investigated the modulatory effect against polyQ neurotoxic aggregates exerted by erucin (ERN), an isothiocyanate naturally present in its precursor glucoerucin in rocket salad leaves and in its oxidized form, sulforaphane (SFN), in broccoli. Using C. elegans models expressing polyQ in different tissues, we demonstrated that ERN protects against polyQ-induced toxicity and that its action depends on the catalytic subunit of AMP-activated protein kinase (aak-2/AMPKα2) and, downstream in this pathway, on the daf-16/FOXO transcription factor, since nematodes deficient in aak-2/AMPKα2 and daf-16 did not respond to the treatment, respectively. Although triggered by a different source of neurotoxicity than polyQ diseases, i.e., by α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates, Parkinson's disease (PD) was also considered in our study. Our results showed that ERN reduces α-syn aggregates and slightly improves the motility of worms. Therefore, further preclinical studies in mouse models of protein aggregation are justified and could provide insights into testing whether ERN could be a potential neuroprotective compound in humans.

Production of tambaqui juveniles (Colossoma macropomum) and arugula microgreens (Eruca sativa) in small-scale aquaponic systems: technical and economic viability

Production of tambaqui juveniles (Colossoma macropomum) and arugula microgreens (Eruca sativa) in small-scale aquaponic systems: technical and economic viability

Two-Sex Life Table Analysis of Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on Lettuce, Parsley, and Rocket

Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), commonly known as the cotton mealybug, is a polyphagous pest causes significant economic losses worldwide. This study aimed to determine two-sex life table analysis of P. solenopsis on lettuce (Lactuca sativa), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), and rocket (Eruca sativa). Experiments were conducted under controlled conditions 26°C, 65 ± 10% relative humidity, and a 16:8 light-dark cycle. The results indicated that lettuce was more suitable for P. solenopsis development comparted to parsley and rocket. Total fecundity of P. solenopsis was recorded as 221.45, 158.00, and 121.64, on lettuce, parsley, and rocket respectively. In addition, ovipositon period of P. solenopsis was 14.00, 9.73, and 8.45 days on lettuce, parsley, and rocket respectively. The highest values of net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), and finite rate of increase (λ) were obtained as 97.44 offspring female-1, 0.14 day-1, 1.16 day-1, respectively from lettuce in this present research. The results showed that lettuce was the better host plant for P. soleneopsis than parsley and rocket. However, further studies should be done about host plant pest interactions to provide successful control measures against P. solenopsis.

Substantiable &lt;i&gt;Eruca sativa&lt;/i&gt; biomass: from mass spectrometry to insights for biopharmacotherapy

The use of medicinal plants to treat human ailments has received more attention recently. Eruca sativa (E. sativa; jarjeer) is a very popular edible plant of the Brassicaceae family with remarkable nutritional and therapeutic properties. In this frame, bioactive metabolites derived from E. sativa biomass have captured more attention in pharmacotherapy and biomedicine. This review focuses on recent advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), which have made the characterization of Eruca metabolites, such as glucosinolates and their derivatives, more feasible. Moreover, bio-pharmacological impact, viz. antiulcer, anticancer, antioxidant and antimicrobial, anti-obesity and hypoglycemic activities, cardiovascular benefits, and neuroprotective effects are discussed. This review concentrates all important research findings on these topics, and stresses upon the activities of chemistry and pharmacological areas. By stressing upon additional investigations, this paper emphasizes and appeals researchers and industrials to attempt a comprehensive knowledge of the pharmacological implications of Eruca species and improve their application in modern medicine.

Influence of conventional, agroecological, and hydroponic farming methods on the microbiological quality, isotopic and mineral composition of arugula (Erucasativa)

The safety and nutritional quality of leafy vegetables are influenced by various cultivation practices; however, data comparing agroecological, conventional, and hydroponic systems remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate differences in Eruca sativa (arugula) grown under these systems, focusing on microbiological quality, levels of inorganic elements, and potential health implications of consumption. Additionally, it explores whether combining these parameters with δ15N analysis can effectively distinguish between arugula from different farming systems. Microbiological analysis revealed superior quality of hydroponic arugula, as fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp. were not detected in any sample. Diverse essential and toxic elements were found in arugula, with Cd, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Sr present in higher concentrations in conventional and agroecological samples. Conversely, hydroponic arugula presented higher concentrations of Mg (3487 ± 1250 μg g−1 d.w.) and Zn (56.6 ± 30.1 μg g−1 d.w.). Health risk assessments indicate that consuming conventional, agroecological, or hydroponic arugula does not pose health risks for adults. δ15N displayed similar values for conventional (8.1 ± 3.1 ‰) and agroecological systems (9.6 ± 2.9 ‰), with hydroponic arugula showing the lowest values (4.8 ± 2.7 ‰). Linear Discriminant Analysis classified arugula samples with high accuracy, particularly for hydroponic arugula (100%). These findings highlight the influence of cultivation systems on arugula's safety and quality, emphasizing the benefits of hydroponic farming for minimizing pathogen and metal contamination in leafy vegetables. Additionally, δ15N combined with multi-elemental and microbiological analyses enable a clear differentiation between hydroponic arugula and either conventional or agroecological samples.