Comparing Nutrient Profiles in Different Parts of Two Mustard Plant Varieties

Greg Howard
28th August, 2024

Comparing Nutrient Profiles in Different Parts of Two Mustard Plant Varieties

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by Cairo University analyzed the nutrient metabolites in different organs of Indian mustard (B. juncea) and between two varieties, RH-725 and RH-761
  • Monosaccharides were found in all organs except seeds, which were rich in disaccharides like sucrose
  • The RH-725 variety's leaves had high levels of α-linolenic acid and malic acid, while RH-761 had only trace amounts of malic acid
Indian mustard (Brassica juncea; Brassicaceae) is a versatile crop known for its nutritional benefits and use as a food spice. A recent study conducted by Cairo University aimed to explore the metabolome heterogeneity of B. juncea across different organs—leaf, stem, flower, and seed—and between two varieties, RH-725 and RH-761, grown under identical conditions[1]. This research adds to the growing body of knowledge on the nutritional and aromatic profiles of Brassica species, contributing to the understanding of their potential health benefits and functional uses. The study employed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) post-silylation to analyze the composition of nutrient metabolites. Additionally, headspace-solid phase-microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with GC-MS was used to measure sulphur aglycones. These advanced techniques allowed for a detailed profiling of metabolites, revealing significant variations among different organs and between the two varieties. A total of 101 nutrient metabolites were identified. Monosaccharides were predominantly found in all organs except seeds, which were rich in disaccharides like sucrose. The leaf of the RH-725 variety was particularly notable for its high content of α-linolenic acid, a beneficial fatty acid, at 12.5 µg/mg. Malic acid emerged as a significant variant metabolite, with the RH-725 variety showing a concentration of approximately 128.2 µg/mg in its leaves, compared to only trace amounts in RH-761. Additionally, seven volatile sulphur compounds were detected at comparable levels in both varieties, with 3-butenyl isothiocyanate being the most abundant at 0.8-2 ng/mg. These findings align with previous studies on the compositional heterogeneity in cruciferous vegetables. For instance, a study on six cruciferous vegetables including cauliflower, turnip, broccoli, watercress, radish, and cabbage leaves also highlighted extensive variation in volatile and non-volatile profiles[2]. The current study expands on this by providing a detailed comparison of nutrient metabolites within different organs of B. juncea, offering new insights into the nutritional complexity of this crop. Furthermore, the study's focus on volatile sulphur compounds ties in with earlier research on the aroma profiles of fragrant Brassica species seed oils, specifically rapeseed and mustard seeds[3]. The identification of key odorants and their concentrations in these oils provided a foundation for understanding the aromatic characteristics of B. juncea, which the current study builds upon by identifying similar compounds in different plant organs. The exploration of metabolome differences between RH-725 and RH-761 varieties under identical conditions also contributes to the understanding of stress responses in B. juncea. Previous research has shown that drought stress can significantly impact the physiological parameters and gene expression in B. juncea, with drought-tolerant and sensitive genotypes exhibiting different responses[4]. The current study's identification of metabolite variations between the two varieties could help in selecting more resilient genotypes for agricultural practices. In summary, the study by Cairo University provides a comprehensive analysis of the metabolome heterogeneity in B. juncea, highlighting significant variations in nutrient metabolites and volatile sulphur compounds across different organs and between two varieties. By employing advanced analytical techniques and building on previous research, this study offers valuable insights into the nutritional and aromatic profiles of B. juncea, paving the way for its potential use as a functional food.

GeneticsBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Comparative metabolome variation in Brassica juncea different organs from two varieties as analyzed using SPME and GCMS techniques coupled to chemometrics.

Published 27th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-69865-8

Related Studies

2) Comparative aroma and nutrients profiling in six edible versus nonedible cruciferous vegetables using MS based metabolomics.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132374

3) Key Odorant Differences in Fragrant Brassica napus and Brassica juncea Oils Revealed by Gas Chromatography-Olfactometry, Odor Activity Values, and Aroma Recombination.

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.0c05944

4) Hsp transcript induction is correlated with physiological changes under drought stress in Indian mustard.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-015-0305-3


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