Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Nitrogenous fertilizers may affect the yield and quality of leafy vegetables via the application rate and
nitrogen form. In the present study, the effect of the nitrate:ammonium nitrogen ratio in the nutrient solution on the chemical
composition and bioactive properties of Cichorium spinosum leaves was evaluated. For this purpose, C. spinosum plants were
fertigated with nutrient solution containing different ratios of nitrate: ammonium nitrogen: (i) 100:0 NO3-N:NH4-N; (ii) 75:25
NO3-N:NH4-N; (iii) 50:50 NO3-N:NH4-N; (iv) 25:75 NO3-N:NH4-N; and (v) 0:100 NO3-N:NH4-N of total nitrogen; aswell as (vi) 100%
ureic nitrogen.
RESULTS: The only detected tocopherol isoforms were 𝜶- and 𝜹-tocopherol, which were positively affected by nitrate nitrogen
(100:0 NO3-N:NH4-N). Similar results were observed for individual and total organic acids. The main detected sugars were
fructose, glucose and sucrose, with a varied effect of nutrient solution composition on their content, whereas total sugar
concentrationwas positively affected by a balanced or a slightly increased proportion of NH4-N (50:50 and 25:75 NO3-N:NH4-N).
The fatty acids profile was beneficially affected by the highest NH4-N ratio (0:100 NO3-N:NH4-N), whereas higher amounts of
NO3
− than NH4
+ nitrogen (75:25 NO3-N:NH4-N) resulted in a higher content of total phenolic compounds. Finally, no cytotoxic
effects were observed against non-tumor (PLP2, HeLa) and tumor (HepG2, MCF-7, NCI-H460) cell lines for any of the studied
nutrient solutions.
CONCLUSION: The modulation ofNO3-N:NH4-N ratio in the nutrient solution supplied to C. spinosummay enhance the content of
desirable health-promoting compounds and reduce the content of antinutrients, thus increasing the overall quality of the final
product without compromising yield.
© 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Description
Keywords
Bioactive properties Cichorium spinosum L. Cytotoxicity Nitrate:ammonium nitrogen Nitrogen form Nutrient solution composition Omega-3 fatty acids Phenolic compounds
Citation
Petropoulos, Spyridon A.; Fernandes, Ângela; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Di Gioia, Francesco; Kolovou, Panagiota; Barros, Lillian; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R. (2019). Chemical composition and bioactive properties of Cichorium spinosum L. in relation to nitrate/ammonium nitrogen ratio. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. ISSN 0022-5142. 99, p. 6741-6750