Chemical characterization and bioactive compounds of an unconventional vegetable - Erechtites valerianifolia (Wolf) DC.

Abstract Erechtites valerianifolia (Wolf) DC is an unconventional vegetable found in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Is consumed in high proportions by the population living in this biome. The objective of this study was to investigate the general chemical composition, occurrence and content of carotenoids, vitamins (C and E) and minerals in this vegetable. By the micro-Kjeldhal method it was determined proteins. It was determined total dietary fiber (TDF) by non-enzymatic gravimetric method. Carotenoids and vitamins were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) it was determined minerals. E. valerianifolia presented concentrations of TDF (3.7 g 100 g-1), ash (0.9 g 100-1), lipids (1.4 g 100-1), carbohydrates (2.9 g 100-1), proteins (1.3 g 100-1), caloric density (29.2 kcal 100-1), Vit. A (373.9 µg 100-1 RAE), K (561.2 mg 100-1), Ca (79.5 mg 100-1) and Fe (21.6 mg 100-1). It is considered that this vegetable is source of Ca, good source of fiber and K, and an excellent source of pro-vitamin A, Mn, Se, Fe, Mo and Cu, which may reduce food and nutritional insecurity in the population, mainly in the region where this species is found.

摘要 败酱叶菊芹（Erechtites valerianifolia (Wolf) DC）是巴西大西洋森林中一种非常规食用蔬菜，该生物群系周边居民对其消费量颇高。本研究旨在探究该蔬菜的常规化学成分、类胡萝卜素的赋存状态与含量，以及维生素（C与E）和矿物质组成。采用微量凯氏定氮法测定蛋白质含量；采用非酶重量法测定总膳食纤维（total dietary fiber, TDF）；采用高效液相色谱法（high performance liquid chromatography, HPLC）测定类胡萝卜素与维生素含量；采用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法（inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry, ICP-AES）测定矿物质含量。分析结果表明，该蔬菜的总膳食纤维含量为3.7 g·100 g⁻¹，灰分0.9 g·100 g⁻¹，脂质1.4 g·100 g⁻¹，碳水化合物2.9 g·100 g⁻¹，蛋白质1.3 g·100 g⁻¹，热量密度为29.2 kcal·100 g⁻¹，维生素A（以视黄醇活性当量（Retinol Activity Equivalents, RAE）计）373.9 µg·100 g⁻¹，维生素K 561.2 mg·100 g⁻¹，钙79.5 mg·100 g⁻¹以及铁21.6 mg·100 g⁻¹。研究认为，该蔬菜可作为钙的来源，膳食纤维与钾的优质来源，同时也是原维生素A、锰、硒、铁、钼以及铜的极佳来源，这有助于降低该物种分布区域居民的食品与营养不安全状况。