Glucosinolates, myrosinase hydrolysis products, and flavonols found in rocket (Eruca sativa and Diplotaxis tenuifolia)

Rocket species have been shown to have very high concentrations of glucosinolates and flavonols, which have numerous positive health benefits with regular consumption. In this review we highlight how breeders and processors of rocket species can utilize genomic and phytochemical research to improve varieties and enhance the nutritive benefits to consumers. Plant breeders are increasingly looking to new technologies such as HPLC, UPLC, LC-MS and GC-MS to screen populations for their phytochemical content to inform plant selections. Here we collate the research that has been conducted to-date in rocket, and summarise all glucosinolate and flavonol compounds identified in the species. We emphasize the importance of the broad screening of populations for phytochemicals and myrosinase degradation products, as well as unique traits that may be found in underutilized gene bank resources. We also stress that collaboration with industrial partners is becoming essential for long-term plant breeding goals through research

Polyphenolic profiles in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) after CaCl2 treatment and cold storage

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a popular vegetable with the health-enhancing properties determined by high levels of antioxidant polyphenols as chlorogenic acids and other derivatives of caffeic acid or flavonoids. In this study, changes in the phenolic compound profiles in the lettuce leaves induced by application of CaCl2 before harvest and cold storage were studied. For the first time quantitative analysis of individual phenolic compounds on the basis of standards isolated from lettuce leaves was performed. Compounds were identified using HPLC, LC-MS, 1H and 13CNMR techniques. The dominant compounds were 2,3-dicaffeoyltartaric (2,3-diCTA), 5-O-caffeoylquinic (5-OCQA) and caffeoyltartaric (CTA) acids, with content of 5.7, 2.5 and 0.981 mg/g DM, respectively. The levels of individual phenolic compounds, total phenolics and antioxidant activity (DPPH assay) in plants treated by CaCl2 were determined throughout the storage period (7 and 14 days) at 4 °C. To ascertain the relationship between the content of individual compounds, total phenols, antioxidant activities and storage time, Pearson’s correlation analysis was used. The best correlation between the storage length and compound concentration was observed for 2,3-diCTA (R2 = 0.866) and caffeoylmalic acid (CMA) (R2 = 0.750). Application of CaCl2 (0.05M) on lettuce resulted in an increase in the levels of CTA, 2.3-diCTA and 5-OCQA about 120, 65 and 57%, respectively, compared to the control stored for 7 days in the same conditions and had a favourable effect on the antioxidant activity (R2 = 0.985). The present paper shows that CaCl2 may be used as an agent that influences the stability of health-promoting compounds of cold-stored lettuce