Chemical composition and bioactive properties of Cichorium spinosum L. in relation to nitrate/ammonium nitrogen ratio

BACKGROUND: 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; as well 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 concentration was 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 of NO3-N:NH4-N ratio in the nutrient solution supplied to C. spinosum may 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.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [Chemical composition and bioactive properties of Cichorium spinosum L. in relation to nitrate/ammonium nitrogen ratio. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 99, 15 p6741-6750 (2019)], which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.9956. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions: https://authorservices.wiley.com/author-resources/Journal-Authors/licensing/self-archiving.html#3.

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Work Title Chemical composition and bioactive properties of Cichorium spinosum L. in relation to nitrate/ammonium nitrogen ratio
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Open Access
Creators
  1. Spyridon A. Petropoulos
  2. Ângela Fernandes
  3. Ricardo C. Calhelha
  4. Francesco Di Gioia
  5. Panagiota Kolovou
  6. Lillian Barros
  7. Isabel C.F.R. Ferreira
Keyword
  1. Bioactive properties
  2. Cichorium spinosum L.
  3. Cytotoxicity
  4. Nitrogen form
  5. Nitrate:ammonium nitrogen
  6. Nutrient solution composition
  7. Omega-3 fatty acids
  8. Phenolic compounds
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
Publication Date July 27, 2019
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.9956
Deposited December 11, 2023

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  • Created
  • Added 26_JSFA-1.pdf
  • Added Creator Spyridon A. Petropoulos
  • Added Creator Ângela Fernandes
  • Added Creator Ricardo C. Calhelha
  • Added Creator Francesco Di Gioia
  • Added Creator Panagiota Kolovou
  • Added Creator Lillian Barros
  • Added Creator Isabel C.F.R. Ferreira
  • Published
  • Updated Description Show Changes
    Description
    • BACKGROUND: 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 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N; (ii) 75:25 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N; (iii) 50:50 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N; (iv) 25:75 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N; and (v) 0:100 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N of total nitrogen; as well 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 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-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 concentration was positively affected by a balanced or a slightly increased proportion of NH<sub>4</sub>-N (50:50 and 25:75 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N). The fatty acids profile was beneficially affected by the highest NH<sub>4</sub>-N ratio (0:100 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N), whereas higher amounts of NO<sub>3</sub> <sup>−</sup> than NH<sub>4</sub> <sup>+</sup> nitrogen (75:25 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-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 of NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N ratio in the nutrient solution supplied to C. spinosum may 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.
    • BACKGROUND: 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 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N; (ii) 75:25 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N; (iii) 50:50 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N; (iv) 25:75 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N; and (v) 0:100 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N of total nitrogen; as well 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 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-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 concentration was positively affected by a balanced or a slightly increased proportion of NH<sub>4</sub>-N (50:50 and 25:75 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N). The fatty acids profile was beneficially affected by the highest NH<sub>4</sub>-N ratio (0:100 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N), whereas higher amounts of NO<sub>3</sub> <sup>−</sup> than NH<sub>4</sub> <sup>+</sup> nitrogen (75:25 NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-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 of NO<sub>3</sub>-N:NH<sub>4</sub>-N ratio in the nutrient solution supplied to C. spinosum may 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.
  • Updated Keyword Show Changes
    Keyword
    • Bioactive properties, Cichorium spinosum L., Cytotoxicity, Nitrogen form, Nitrate:ammonium nitrogen, Nutrient solution composition, Omega-3 fatty acids, Phenolic compounds
  • Updated