Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of crisphead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) of three different cultivation systems

Abstract Lettuce is a vegetable most consumed and produced on a large scale in the world, it deserves special attention for its nutritional and functional value. Cultivated in the conventional, hydroponic and organic method, it presents different characteristics in production, which may influence the composition of this vegetable. It is indisputable that regular consumption of vegetables is beneficial due to the presence of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties that protect and promote human health. In this study, the total phenolic compound, flavonoid, and tannin contents, as well as the antioxidant activities of lettuce samples from conventional, hydroponic, and conventional cultivars were analyzed. An extract was prepared using 80% acetone. The contents of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins were determined. The antioxidant activity was determined by the radical capture method using DPPH. It was observed that the organic cultivation system had the highest values of ash, protein, total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and antioxidant activity, followed by the hydroponic system. The organic system presented greater protein content and higher content of bioactive compounds, justifying the high antioxidant activity. Therefore, the organic farming system favors the highest concentration in the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity.