Cnidoscolus aconitifolius: Nutritional, phytochemical composition and health benefits – A review

Cnidoscolus aconitifolius belonging to Euphorbiaceae family is widely used as a folk medicine among South American countries such as Mexico and Brazil. C. aconitifolius can be considered as a potential green leafy vegetable, largely due to the presence of various secondary metabolites. The different bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, Alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids etc. along with terpenoids with unique structure are exclusive for this genus. C. aconitifolius has numerous nutraceutical benefits proven with pharmacological studies such as anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-microbial etc. The recent upsurge of consumer interest for health promoting products has opened up new vistas for C. aconitifolius application in food product research and development. Limited knowledge about this underutilized plant is representing an opportunity to explore the plant as novel ingredient with vast functional attributes. Keywords: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, phytochemicals, nutraceutical potential, biological activity, diabetes

The Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Detection of Virulence Genes of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Isolated from Leafy Green Vegetables

Vegetables can be vehicles for transmission of E. coli O157:H7 to humans, therefore, this study carried out in order to investigate the presence of Enterohemorrhagic E. coli in ten different types of leafy green vegetables, determined their susceptibility to thirteen antibiotics and detected the presence of some virulence genes. Method: Five-hundred samples of green leafy vegetables namely (Lettuce, Spanish, Rocket, Parsley, Mallow, Coriander, Portulaca, Lettuce, Dill, Basil and Chard) were examined for presence of E. coli O157:H7, by using standard microbiological tests (CHROMagarTM O157:H7), further detection of E. coli O157:H7 was done by Multiplex PCR (mPCR) for the detection of virulence genes (stx1, stx2, intmin and hlyA) These genes are causative factors of settlement, adhesion, and attack of STEC bacteria to gastrointestinal mucosa. Results: E. coli O157:H7 was isolated from eight (80%) out of ten types of green leafy vegetable as 12 (2.40%) in which the highest percentage of isolation was shown in Dill and Chards samples as (4.2%), Coriander and Mallow showed percentage of isolation as (3.33% and 3.03%) respectively, Parsley, Portulaca and Lettuce showed percentages of isolation as 2.43%, 1.92%, respectively, the least percentage of isolation was shown in Rocket (1.7%), No E. coli O157:H7, was detected in Spinach and Basil. Makkah collected samples showed isolation of 7 isolates out of 12 (58.33%). All isolates were resistant to Methicillin (5µg), Metronidazole (5 µg) and Ampicillin (10 µg). Stx2 (110 bp), Stx1 (349 bp), hly A (165 bp) genes were detected. All isolates showed negative results for presence of intimin gene (890 bp). This study concluded that there is a high risk for occurrence of E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks due to consumption of the green leafy vegetables sold in Jeddah Central Market.

Cadmium, Chromium, and Lead Uptake Associated Health Risk Assessment of Alternanthera sessilis: A Commonly Consumed Green Leafy Vegetable

Green leafy vegetables are becoming increasingly popular in the developing countries due to their high nutritious value, common availability, and low cost. However, no studies have assessed the health risks associated with consumption of fresh green leafy vegetables. The present study assessed Cd, Cr, and Pb associated health risks in a commonly consumed green leafy vegetable in developing countries, Alternanthera sessilis. The Cd, Cr, and Pb concentrations in roots, leaves, and root zone soil of Alternanthera sessilis harvested from organic and non-organic cultivations were measured. The results indicated that Cd, Cr, and Pb concentrations in roots and leaves of Alternanthera sessilis exceeded the WHO/FAO safe limits for human consumption. Further, bioconcentration factor, soil to root, and root to leaf translocation factors indicated a potential of hyperaccumulating Cd in roots and leaves of Alternanthera sessilis. However, the target hazard quotients for Cd, Cr, and Pb were less than 1 indicating negligible health hazard associated with long time consumption of Alternanthera sessilis.

The Effect of Sowing Date and Harvest Time on Leafy Greens of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Yield and Selected Nutritional Parameters

In 2015–2017, field experiments were conducted, in two facilities of the Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences: at the Research and Didactic Station in Psary (51°19′08” N, 17°03′37” E) and in the plots of the Department of Crop Production in Pawlowice (51°17′32” N, 17°11′72” E). The research aimed to evaluate fresh biomass yield and selected quality parameters of quinoa grown as a green leafy vegetable. The study was conducted on two soils: medium (clay soil texture) and light (sand soil texture), sowing quinoa in spring and summer periods. On both soils, quinoa was harvested 5 times at each sowing date. The yields of fresh plant biomass, basic morphological characteristics and certain quality traits were compared. All experimental factors had a significant effect on quinoa fresh biomass yield. On light soil, quinoa yielded 4 times lower than on medium soil, and its cultivation posed a high risk, especially at the summer sowing date. The experimental factors used had the greatest effect on macronutrient content. Growing quinoa on medium soil yielded biomass with higher K, Mg, Ca and N-NO3 concentration, while spring sown plants had higher K and N-NO3 concentration. Harvesting date had the greatest effect on the change in nutritional values. Potassium content decreased as the harvest date was delayed, and N-NO3 content decreased gradually until the fourth harvest date. The results showed that quinoa should be harvested as a green leafy vegetable when it reaches a height of 20–30 cm; biomass production is then at 500–1000 g per m2, potassium content is less than 10 g per 100 g dry matter and N-NO3 content is less than 100 mg 100−1 f.m.

Effect of high nitrate vegetable juice supplementation on plasma nitrate and blood pressure in healthy adults: a pilot randomized crossover intervention in healthy volunteers

Background: Beetroot juice has been demonstrated to decrease blood pressure due to the high inorganic nitrate content, but few studies have tested the effect of other high nitrate vegetable juices on blood pressure. Methods: This pilot randomized crossover trial aimed to investigate the effect of two different high nitrate vegetable juices on plasma nitrate concentrations and blood pressure in healthy adults. Eighteen healthy volunteers were randomized to receive 115 ml of beetroot juice or 250 ml of green leafy vegetable juice for seven days. Blood samples were collected, and clinic blood pressure measured at baseline and at the end of each juice consumption. Daily home blood pressure assessment was conducted two hours after juice consumption. Nitrate and nitrite concentrations were analysed using a commercially available kit on a Triturus automated ELISA analyser. Hills and Armitage analysis was used for the two- period crossover design and paired sample t- tests were performed to compare within-group changes. Results: Plasma nitrate and nitrite concentration significantly increased and there was significant reduction in clinic and home SBP mean during the beetroot juice period (P-values 0.004 and 0.002, respectively). Home DBP reduced significantly during green leafy vegetable juice consumption week (P-value 0.03). The difference between groups did not reach statistical significance during the formal crossover analysis adjusted for period effects. Conclusion: Beetroot juice and green leafy vegetable juice may reduce systolic or diastolic blood pressure but there was no statistically significant difference between the two juices, although this was only a pilot study.

Determination of Organochlorine Pesticides in Green Leafy Vegetable Samples via Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoparticles Modified QuEChERS Integrated to Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Coupled with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

A fast method based on Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4 MNPs) modified QuEChERS integrated to dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was established for the determination of 8 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in green leafy vegetables. The factors involved in the purification by QuEChERS and concentration by DLLME were optimized. In the QuEChERS process, Fe3O4 MNPs were used as a new impurity adsorbent after the sample extraction procedure by acetonitrile, which achieved phase separation rapidly. Carbon black was used as an alternative to costly graphitized carbon black without affecting the recovery. In the process of DLLME, 1 mL of the extract obtained by QuEChERS was used as the dispersive solvent, 40 μL of chloroform was used as the extractive solvent, and 4 mL of water was added. Making them mix well, then the dispersed liquid-liquid microextraction concentration was subsequently carried out. The enrichment factors of 8 OCPs ranged from 22.8 to 36.6. The recoveries of the proposed method ranged from 78.6% to 107.7%, and the relative standard deviations were not more than 7.5%. The limits of detection and limits of quantification were 0.15–0.32 μg/kg and 0.45–0.96 μg/kg, respectively. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of OCPs in green leafy vegetable samples.