Valorization of Brassicaceae phytochemical diversity

Brassicaceae include many important edible and economic plants which are commonly known as the “mustard“ plant family due to the sharp flavour of their typical sulphur metabolites, the glucosinolates (GLSs). Investigation of GLSs has shown that structural types are genera/species/cultivars specific distributed and the chemical profiles are often characterized by one or two major components [1]. In some cases, compositional analysis of GLSs could be used to define the taxonomic position of less known brassica plants. As an example, the study of the GLSs profile of a poorly studied cultivar of B. oleracea, traditionally cultivated in a restricted area in South Italy and locally known as “mugnolo”, allowed to obtain relevant information which permitted to classify it as B. oleracea var. italica [2]. The present communication will describe the phytochemical diversity of some Brassicaceae and highlight its implications on bioactivity. In fact, biological diversity of plants also relies on chemical diversity mainly based on their secondary metabolites which, in addition to ecological properties, may display important pharmacological activities. Based on our chemical and biological characterization of brassica food plants, discussion will include examples of rare and less studied species/cultivars of Brassicaceae which, due to the presence of certain phytochemicals, have an added value in the promotion of a good health.