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Vitamin C, Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Broccoli Florets Grown under Different Nitrogen Treatments Combined with Selenium

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Key words: bioactive compounds, broccoli, nitrogen, seleniumBroccoli consumption is rising worldwide and fertilization is a tool to increase its production.However, little is known about the effect of mineral supplementation to the soil on the bioactive compounds.Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to analyze the content of vitamin C, total phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity of broccoli fl orets cultivated under different nitrogen (N) conditions in combination with selenium (IV and VI).Greenhouse experiments were conducted in broccoli grown in commercial soil treated with different N sources [(NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , NaNO 3 , NH 4 NO 3 or CO(NH 2 ) 2 at 160 kg N/ha].In addition, selenium (Se) salts [Na 2 SeO 3 (Se IV) or Na 2 SeO 4 (Se VI) at 10 and 20 kg Se/ha] were applied.There were no evidences of the infl uence of N treatment on vitamin C content whilst Se (IV or VI) uptake led to a signifi cant reduction of this vitamin in broccoli fl orets, irrespective of the N source.In contrast, total phenolics content and antioxidant capacity underwent a signifi cant increment under N application.However, their combination with Se salts modifi ed total phenolic content and antioxidant capacities in broccoli fl orets depending on N source and Se doses.Among all the experimental trials, application of NH 4 NO 3 combined with 10 g Se (IV)/ha was the elective treatment strategy to produce broccoli fl orets with higher content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity and, therefore, enhanced functionality.

Source: Polish Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences

DOI: 10.1515/pjfns-2017-0026

Authors: Elena Peñas, Danuta Zielińska, Piotr Gulewicz, Henryk Zieliński, Juana Frias