Quinoa is an Andean grain known for its gluten-free grains, which are used as a functional food. The aim of this research was to study the possibility of introducing quinoa as a vegetable crop grown for young leaves as a source of polyphenols and phytosterols. To achieve this goal, a field experiment was performed with three quinoa cultivars (Titicaca, Puno, and Vikinga) grown in a split plot design. The experimental factors included three densities (160, 320, and 760 plants·m−2) and two harvest dates (52 and 62 days after sowing (DAS)). The content of phytosterols (ergosterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol and campesterol) and polyphenols (ferulic acid, isoquercitrin and rutozid) in quinoa leaves were determined by HPLC method. The phytosterol content varied within the limits: ergosterol 0–7.62 µg·100 g−1 dw, stigmasterol 79.9–175.3 µg·100 g−1 dw, β-sitosterol 425.7–623.1 µg·100 g−1 dw and campesterol 0–5.25 µg·100 g−1 dw. Ferulic acid varied greatly from 38.0 to 63.3 µg·g−1 dw, isoquercitrin ranged from 63 to 101.6 µg·g−1 dw and rutozid varied widely from 32.9 to 162.8 µg·g−1 dw. The total phytosterols and the total phenolic compounds decreased with decreasing plant number density and DAS. This research demonstrated that young quinoa leaves are a good source of phytosterols and phenolics for human consumption.
Tomato is considered the most important vegetable crop worldwide. Improving the nutritional value of fruits must be based on sustainable production in terms of varieties and fertilization management. This study aimed to improve the nutritional value (total soluble solids, acidity, lycopene, β-carotene, polyphenols, macro and microelements) of two tomato varieties (‘Cristal’ and ‘Siriana’) under three fertilization types (NPK chemical fertilizer, chicken manure and biological fertilizer with microorganisms) for the greenhouse. Primary metabolism compounds do not vary significantly according to the type of fertilizer used. The results for the antioxidant compounds showed a better effect of biological fertilization compared to chemical fertilizer and control unfertilized. The tomato fruits from the local cultivar (‘Siriana’) are richer in nutritional compounds such as rutin, regardless of the type of fertilization, which denotes a good ability to adapt to crop conditions. Tomato cultivars reacted positively to microbiological fertilization compare to chemical, thus producing nutritious fruits under sustainable management. Tomato fruits were richer in the quality of microelement contents.
Tomato is considered the most important vegetable crop worldwide. Improving the nutritional value of fruits must be based on sustainable production in terms of varieties and fertilization management. This study aimed to improve the nutritional value (total soluble solids, acidity, lycopene, β-carotene, polyphenols, macro and microelements) of two tomato varieties (‘Cristal’ and ‘Siriana’) under three fertilization types (NPK chemical fertilizer, chicken manure and biological fertilizer with microorganisms) for the greenhouse. Primary metabolism compounds do not vary significantly according to the type of fertilizer used. The results for the antioxidant compounds showed a better effect of biological fertilization compared to chemical fertilizer and control unfertilized. Thus, the antioxidant activity was improved by 28% compared to chemical fertilization, the lycopene content by 36% and β-carotene by 96%, respectively. The tomato fruits from the local cultivar (‘Siriana’) are richer in nutritional compounds such as rutin, regardless of the type of fertilization, which denotes a good ability to adapt to crop conditions. Tomato cultivars reacted positively to microbiological fertilization compared to chemical, thus producing nutritious fruits under sustainable management. Tomato fruits were richer in the quality of microelement contents.
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