The genus Brassica is related with the prevention of carcinomas, especially of stomach, colon and recto and with the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Themost consumed Brassica species in Portugal is the tronchuda cabbage or Portuguese cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. costata DC). This study concerned the characterization of chemical composition (phenolics and organic acids) and the evaluation of the antioxidant potential of tronchuda cabbage. Seeds, sprouts, internal and external leaves were analysed. To evaluate the antioxidant potential, the ability of tronchuda cabbage materials to act as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and hypochlorous acid) was investigated. Additionally, it was found that Pieris brassicae, a plague infesting Brassica cultures, exhibits interesting antioxidant potential, once it sequesters, metabolizes and accumulates phenolics. The possibility of commercialization of standardized aqueous extracts of B. oleracea var. costata seeds, sprouts, internal and external leaves, with nutritional and healthy potential benefits, is discussed.
|