Eruca sativa: Benefits as antioxidants source versus risks of already banned pesticides

Abstract

Eruca sativa (rocket salad) has been intensely consumed all over the world, insomuch as, this work was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidant status and the environmental contamination (positive and negative nutritional contribution) of leaves and stems from this vegetable. Antioxidant capacity of rocket salad was assessed by mean of optical methods, such as the total phenolic content (TPC), reducing power assay and DPPH radical scavenging activity. The extent of the environmental contamination was reached through the quantification of thirteen organochlorine pesticides (OCP) by using gas chromatography coupled with electron-capture detector (GC-ECD) and compound confirmations employing gas chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The OCP residues were extracted by using Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) methodology.The extent of the environmental contamination was reached through the quantification of thirteen OCP by using gas chromatography coupled with electron-capture detector (GC-ECD) and compound confirmations employing GC-MS/MS. The OCP residues were extracted by using Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) methodology. This demonstrated that leaves presented more antioxidant activity than stems, emphasizing that leaves contained six times more polyphenolic compounds than stems. In what concerns the OCP occurrence, the average recoveries obtained at the three levels tested (40, 60 and 80 µg kg(-1)) ranged from 55% to 149% with a relative standard deviation of 11%, (except hexachrorobenzene). Three vegetables samples were collected from supermarkets and analysed following this study. According to data, only one sample achieved 16.21 of β-hexachlorocyclohexane, confirmed by GC-MS/MS. About OCP quantification, the data indicated that only one sample achieved 16.21 µg kg(-1) of β-hexachlorocyclohexane, confirmed by GC-MS/MS, being the QuEChERS a good choice for the of OCPs extraction. Furthermore, the leaves consumption guaranty higher levels of antioxidants than stems.

Long- term safety of Eruca sativa leaf ethanolic extract on Male Rats

“…Similarly, the non signi cant changes in blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric, sodium and potassium indicates the safety of the extract on renal functions. These nding were in accordance with Alam et al (2007) and may be due to the fatty acids composition of the extract and to its powerful antioxidant to inhibit free radical that protect cells from oxidative damage by maintaining or rising the antioxidant molecules content and antioxidant enzymes (Maia et al 2015). The effect of the ESLE may be not only attributable to the content of phenolic and avonoid, suggesting a synergism between the phenolics and the other nonphenolic compounds that work synergistically to contribute to the antioxidant activity (Llorach et al 2004).…”

Eruca Sativa Linn.: Pharmacognostical and Pharmacological Properties and Pharmaceutical Preparations

“…Seed extract contains significant levels of phenolics, these phenolics are considered as natural antioxidant through free radical scavenging or quenching effect. Furthermore, rocket seeds contain significant levels of glucosinolates, especially glucoerucin, which demonstrates the antioxidant effects through phase II enzymes induction, by scavenging hydrogen peroxide and alkyl hydroperoxides gathered in cells and peripheral blood and by serving as a precursor of sulforaphane, a powerful inducer of detoxifying enzymes [69]. The activity of natural antioxidants is less than that of synthetic antioxidant [66].…”

Impact of Cadmium and Lead Heavy Metal Stress on Plant Growth and Physiology of Rocket (Eruca sativa L.)

“…The rocket (Eruca sativa L.) is grown mostly in Mediterranean countries and is consumed extensively as a source of nutrition, an aphrodisiac and a medicinal herb. Rocket also is rich in glucosinolates, flavonoids and phenolics, which have antioxidant and anticancer characteristics and are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular and cognitive disease (Maia et al, 2015). Zhi et al (2015) stated that rocket plant can be tolerant or moderately tolerant to copper, mercury, chromium, and cadmium, and highly tolerant to lead, nickel and zinc.…”