Antioxidative Activity in the Seeds of 28 Vicia Species From Southern Spain

Abstract

The antioxidant activity of the polyphenols extracted from the seeds of 28 Vicia species collected in southern Spain was investigated. The seeds were all taken from wild populations, although some of these species are or have been used to feed livestock and for crop rotation. The polyphenol concentration in ground seeds, ranging from 1.9 to 21.3 mg/g, was generally lower in populations belonging to species that were cultivated. The highest specific polyphenols antioxidant activity (referred to as catechin equivalents in the extracts) was observed in the extracts from Vicia parviflora and Vicia tenuifolia. On the contrary, the highest total antioxidant activity (referred as to extract volume) was observed in Vicia sativa. The antioxidant activity in these extracts was at least twice the observed in chickpea, lupin and soy extracts. These results suggest that these easy to grow Vicia species may represent a source of natural polyphenols with high antioxidant activity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe polyphenols content and antioxidative activity in 28 species of Vicia (Fabaceae) have been studied. Vicia genus is a group of legumes with a high potential interest in human nutrition. In this work, we show that, in addition to their recognized good nutritional properties, Vicia contains polyphenols with a high antioxidant activity, even higher than the observed in commercial legumes such as chickpea, lupin or soy. Hence, it is shown that Vicia seeds are a source of functional compounds, such as antioxidant polyphenols, that may have health-promoting properties resulting in a revalorization of these crops.

Common Vetch (Vicia sativa) as a New Starch Source: Its Thermal, Rheological and Structural Properties After Acid Hydrolysis

“…Considering that a content of 3.89 % of soluble solids was found, it was estimated that the starch percentage, by the total difference of carbohydrates, was 52.83 %. Of the 28 species of common vetch that were analysed by Pastor-Cavada et al [7], Vicia sativa had the highest polyphenol content and antioxidant activity. Consequently, this leguminous plant has great potential for the extraction of starch and for use in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries.…”

Nutritional Characteristics of Seed Proteins in 28 Vicia Species (Fabaceae) from Southern Spain

“…In the latter species the leaves have been employed as a tea substitute. Vicia species have also been investigated as sources of antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols (Pastor‐Cavada and others 2010). The most commonly consumed species is V. faba , which is broadly cultivated in the Mediterranean Region for human nutrition and livestock feed and studies on the use of V. faba for animal fodder have been carried out (Palander and others 2006).…”

Nutritional and functional characteristics of Erophaca baetica seeds, a legume endemic to the Mediterranean region

“…Thus, we propose that the main globulin storage protein in E. baetica could be named erophachin. (Pastor-Cavada et al, 2011). Data on antioxidant activity as determined using the b-carotene bleaching method was used for the calculation of different antioxidant parameters as described in materials and methods.…”