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Comparative Study
. 2021 Apr 26;26(9):2515.
doi: 10.3390/molecules26092515.

Extraction and Natural Bioactive Molecules Characterization in Spinach, Kale and Purslane: A Comparative Study

Boris Nemzer  1   2 , Fadwa Al-Taher  1 , Nebiyu Abshiru  1
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Extraction and Natural Bioactive Molecules Characterization in Spinach, Kale and Purslane: A Comparative Study

Boris Nemzer et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Leafy green vegetables contain essential nutrients and are frequently consumed for their perceived health benefits. The purpose of this study was to profile the nutritional and natural bioactive phytochemical compounds extracted from freeze-dried spinach and kale and compare them with our previously published freeze-dried purslane results. Novel research suggests that these leafy greens contain an abundance of fatty acids, amino acids, organic acids, vitamins, and minerals, which can reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. LC-MS/MS screening identified 69 and 103 compounds in spinach and kale, respectively, including flavonoids, glucosinolates, and phenolic and organic acids. Out of a total of 26 flavonoids identified in the current study, only three were found in spinach. All three leafy greens showed nutritional and health benefits and the unique phytochemical compounds found only in purslane provide a strong basis to incorporate its distinct dietary benefits.

Keywords: carotenoids; kale purslane; minerals; omega-3 fatty acids; phytochemicals; spinach; vitamins.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparative phytochemicals content analysis of leafy greens by LC-MS/MS. (A) Comparison of total ion chromatograms of kale (top panel) and spinach (bottom panel). (B) Venn diagram showing the number of compounds identified in kale (total 103; unique 33), spinach (total 69; unique 3) and purslane (total 184; unique 124) and those shared among the greens.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Representative LC-MS/MS profiles of kale glucosinolates. (A) Extracted ion chromatograms (EIC) and (B) the corresponding fragmentation spectra of glucoraphanin sinigrin, glucobrassicin, and methoxyglucobrassicin.
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