L Filippo D'Antuono

Bio: L Filippo D'Antuono is an academic researcher from University of Bologna. The author has contributed to research in topics: Diplotaxis & Allium. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 33 publications receiving 877 citations.

Exploring new potential health-promoting vegetables : glucosinolates and sensory attributes of rocket salads and related Diplotaxis and Eruca species

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Rocket salads (Diplotaxis tenuifolia and Eruca vesicaria) are presently highly appreciated salad vegetables. Related species are consumed as food plants in several regions, and may contribute to differentiation in the fresh food supply chain. Glucosinolates are well-known healthy phytochemicals and responsible for positive and negative sensory properties of edible Brassicaceae. To investigate the potential for exploitation of new crops, Diplotaxis and Eruca germplasm was subject to sensory evaluation and glucosinolate analysis. RESULTS: Typical rocket salad flavour and pungency were perceived as positive sensory traits. Bitter, and especially herbaceous notes, characterised the groups of less accepted accessions. The groups classified as significantly unpleasant were characterised by high glucosinolate content, with either sinigrin (strong perceived pungency, flavour and several other additional sensory notes), or sinalbin/gluconapin (strong herbaceous note, low flavour perceived), as the dominant components. CONCLUSIONS: Low glucosinolate content, and a composition rich in recognised health-promoting components (glucoerucin, glucoraphanin) were associated with higher acceptance. In relation to food uses, moderate glucosinolate content and high acceptance may be a better option to enhance the intake of healthy phytochemicals than high glucosinolates and potential rejection. High glucosinolate types may find better perspectives in the field of food integrators. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry

A comparative study of bioactive compounds in primitive wheat populations from Italy, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria and Armenia.

Abstract: BACKGROUND In recent years there has been a considerable interest in the consumption of ancient wheats, often referred to as having superior health-promoting properties than modern cultivars. The BaSeFood project allowed us to explore the use of primitive wheats in the Black Sea area region and in Italy, with special regard to emmer (Triticum dicoccum) and einkorn (T. monococcum), and to collect seed samples to be grown and compared for their bioactive content, together with some other primitive wheat genotypes (T. timopheevi, T. palaeo-colchicum, T. macha). RESULTS The data show that genotype was an important factor controlling phytochemical content. Variability ranges were as follows: lipids (18.0–28.5 g kg−1), tocols (26.6–72.8 mg kg−1), carotenoids (1.6–8.4 mg kg−1), sterols (441–929 mg kg−1) and phenolic compounds (819–1465 mg kg−1) content (dry matter basis). The fraction of individual components, within each class, was also variable; however, the species were well discriminated by their overall composition. CONCLUSIONS The present research represents a further contribution to the available literature about the analytical composition of primitive wheats, including the complete range of relevant bioactives and lesser investigated species. The data do not support an overall superiority of primitive forms, but evidenced interesting, potentially exploitable, between- and within-species variability. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry

Black cumin seed essential oil, as a potent analgesic and antiinflammatory drug.

Abstract: The steam-distilled essential oil of Iranian black cumin seed (Nigella sativa L) was investigated for its composition and analgesic and antiinflammatory properties After oil analysis by GC/MS, 20 compounds were identified in the oil, obtained in 04% (v/w) yield Among them, para-cymene (373%) and thymoquinone (137%) were the major components Acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin and light tail flick tests were used for assessment of analgesic activity Antiinflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats and croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice Black cumin seed essential oil (BCSEO) was found to produce a significant analgesic effect in acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin and light tail flick tests Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, could not reverse the analgesic effect observed in the formalin test Although oral administration of BCSEO at doses of 100, 200 and 400 micro L/kg did not exert a significant antiinflammatory effect in the carrageenan test, ip injection of the same doses significantly (p < 0001) inhibited carrageenan-induced paw oedema BCSEO at doses of 10 and 20 micro L/ear could also reduce croton oil-induced oedema It seems that mechanism(s) other than opioid receptors is (are) involved in the analgesic effect of BCSEO since naloxone could not reverse this effect Both systemic and local administration of BCSEO showed antiinflammatory activity Thymoquinone, as one of the major components of BCSEO, probably has an important role in these pharmacological effects

Glucosinolates, structures and analysis in food

Abstract: Glucosinolates (GLS) are sulfur rich, anionic secondary metabolites found principally in the plant order Brassicales. This review focuses on identifying the range of GLS structures identified to date and summarises the current state of taxonomic reclassifications of GLS producing plants. Those Brassica species that are available to growers in the UK are highlighted and progress in the aspects of analytical chemistry relevant to conducting accurate determinations of GLS content of foods is reviewed. The degradation and derivatisation workflows that have been utilized for conducting “glucosinolate analysis” are summarized. A review is made of aspects of extraction, isolation, determination of purity, ultraviolet (UV) and mass spectrometry (MS) parameters, extinction coefficients, UV response factors, quantification procedures, and the availability of stable isotope labeled internal standards, and certified reference materials. An electronic database of structures, formulae and accurate masses of both the 200 known, and a further 180 predicted GLS, is provided for use in mass spectrometry.