The value of bioactive compounds of cruciferous vegetables (Brassica) as antimicrobials and antioxidants: A review

Abstract

Nowadays, consumers are demanding nutrient-rich products for health optimal benefits. In this regard, Brassicaceae family plants, previously named cruciferous, group a large number of widely consumed species around the world. The popularity of Brassica is increasing due to their nutritional value and pharmacological effects. The group includes a large number of vegetable foods such as cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower, mustards as well as, oilseed rapeseed, canola, among others. In recent years, the phytochemical composition of Brassicaceae has been studied deeply because they contain many valuable metabolites, which are directly linked to different recognized biological activities. The scientific evidence confirms diverse medical properties for the treatment of chronic diseases such as obesity, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, stroke), cancer, and osteoporosis. The unique features of Brassicaceae family plants conferred by their phytochemicals, have extended future prospects about their use for beneficial effects on human nutrition and health worldwide. Practical applications For years, the Brassicaceae plants have been a fascinating research topic, due to their chemical composition characterized by rich in bioactive compounds. The implementation of extracts of these vegetables, causes various beneficial effects of high biological value in the treatment of diseases, owing to their bioactive properties (anti-obesity, anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antianemic, and immunomodulator). Therefore, this review summarizes the chemical composition, describes the bioactive compounds isolated in the plant extracts, and highlights diverse biological activities, mainly the antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity. Brassica plants, as source of natural bioactive agents, have a great potential application to improve the human nutrition and health.

Proximate Composition and Biological Assay of Two Mustard Species (Brassica nigra (L.) K. Koch and Brassica tournefortii Gouan) in Libya

“…All extracts showed higher values than catechol (IC50= 0.18 mg ml -1 ). The antioxidant properties of Brassica species were confirmed by many previous studies (Heimler et al, 2007;Fernandes et al, 2007;Li et al, 2012;Xiao et al, 2018;Favela-González et al, 2020). The antioxidant potential of Brassica species is attributed to phenolic compounds, flavonoids and glucosinolates (Aires et al, 2011).…”

Effect of Botanical Extracts on the Growth and Nutritional Quality of Field-Grown White Head Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

“…Cruciferous vegetables contain more than 100 sulfur-containing glycosides, called jointly glucosinolates, which consist of a large group of secondary metabolites. The hydrolysis of glucosinolates by endogenous myrosinase can yield a variety of active products, such as epithionitriles, epithioalkanes, isothiocyanates, nitriles, oxazolidine-2-thiones, and thiocyanates [ 1 , 90 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 , 131 ]. The reaction depends on many factors, like the availability of ferrous ions, substrate, pH conditions, and the level and activity of specific protein factors [ 128 ].…”

Chilling and Freezing Temperature Stress Differently Influence Glucosinolates Content in Brassica oleracea var. acephala

“…The health-promoting activities are associated with the presence of glucosinolates, polyphenols, carotenoids, various vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers etc. [ 4 , 5 ]. Due to their low caloric value but high content of fiber and phytochemicals, these vegetables are particularly popular among people who want to follow healthy dietary patterns [ 6 ].…”