Torzella (Brassica oleracea acephala) is one of the most ancient kinds of cauliflower developed in the Mediterranean area. Broccolo (Brassica oleracea botrytis cimosa), var. "San Pasquale" is a leafy vegetable cultivated in Campania too, mainly in the province of Naples. We evaluated the polyphenols content and the antioxidant activity of these two Brassicaceae, provided by the same experimental plant of the Campania region. Both vegetables showed high content of total polyphenols (6.37 mM GAE/g and 2.24 mM GAE/g of Torzella and Broccolo, respectively), and a remarkable antioxidant activity (EC 50 1.53 mg and EC 50 6.51 mg, in Torzella and Broccolo, respectively). Polyphenol composition, determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), allowed us to detect a certain number of compounds (gallic, ferulic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric and caffeic acids, catechin, luteolin, naringenin) common to both species. Therefore, epicatechin was found only in the extract of san Pasquale broccoli; on the contrary, rutin and apigenin were detected only in the extracts of torzella broccoli. Hence, such products can be considered therapeutic functional foods due to their extraordinary reserve of secondary metabolites and bioactive constituents that are beneficial for managing and preventing several chronic illnesses in humans.
The influence of a simulated digestive process on some biochemical and biological aspects of strawberry grape (Vitis labrusca) was investigated. The amount of total polyphenols and anthocyanins as well as the antioxidant power were evaluated. Results evidenced that the simulated gastrointestinal transit caused a decrease of the polyphenols content and total anthocyanins; these last, however, were more resistant than polyphenols, decreasing only of 50% respect to the initial value (31.50 μg/ml of extract). The extract exhibited an excellent antioxidant power (EC 50 3.8 mg/ml), which decreased of about four times after the simulated gastrointestinal transit. The antimicrobial activity of the extract, evaluated against three Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus pathogen strains was enhanced by the simulated digestion, with an increase of the inhibition halo.
The growth and viability of three Lactobacillus strains, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, after their passage through simulated gastric and pancreatic juices were studied as a function of their presence in the growth medium of rocket salad (Eruca sativa). The presence of E. sativa affected some of the biological properties of the strains. For example, L. acidophilus and L. plantarum worked more efficiently in the presence of E. sativa, increasing not only the antioxidant activity of the medium, but also their own antioxidant power and antimicrobial activity; L. rhamnosus was not affected in the same manner. Overall, the presence of vegetables might help to boost, in specific cases, some of the characteristics of lactobacilli, including antioxidant and antimicrobial power.
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