Evaluation of Sicilian Wild Brassica Species (n=9) for Glucosinolate Profile and Antioxidant Compounds

In the frame of the EU GENRES057 “AEGRO” project attention was paid toindividual wild Brassica populations in Sicily, to collect and conserve seed samples, tocharacterize and evaluate them for different traits such as glucosinolates and antioxidantcompounds. Project species were B. incana, B. macrocarpa, B. rupestris andB. villos and B. montana. Wild populations were evaluated in a field, set up at theexperimental farm of Catania University. After one year from transplanting, leafsamples were collected from each plant in order to have three bulk replicates for eachpopulation. The phytochemical profile was analyzed in terms of glucosinolatescontent, ascorbic acid, polyphenols and carotenoid content. Antioxidant capacity wasevaluated by means of DPPH and crocin bleaching assay (LIPOX-CROCIN). Highlevel of variability was found, mainly regarding the antioxidant indexes and theglucosinolate content.