Wild asparaguses as a rich source of bioactive compounds : biogeographic, intra- and interspecific variability

Grohar, Mariana Cecilia (author), Burin, Tea (author), Jakopič, Jerneja (author), Veberič, Robert (author)

Asparagus spears are a widely renowned vegetable, known for their taste and nutritional value, alongside many benefits for human health. However, wild species are understudied, although they are widely consumed in traditional cuisine. Here, we focus on cultivated (A. officinalis) and wild (A. tenuifolius and A. acutifolius) species from Slovenia. We described in detail the external morphology and quality parameters, as well as the primary and secondary metabolism using HPLC and/or MS/MS systems, and their variation among species, spear portions, and geographical location. We found many significant differences between these factors, especially between species, where the wild species show low sugar and high phenolic content. Therefore, native species of Asparagus could be considered promising alternatives rich in bioactive compounds. This knowledge is vital not only as a basis for future research in this genus, but also for optimizing dietary recommendations, food processing methods, biodiversity conservation efforts, sustainable agriculture practices, and future breeding efforts.

• Language: English
• Keywords: Asparagus acutifolius, Asparagus tenuifolius, Asparagus officinalis, primary metabolism, secondary metabolism, HPLC-MS
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: 9 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 135, art. 106706
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-163123
• UDC: 543
• ISSN on article: 0889-1575
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2024.106706
• COBISS.SI-ID: 209818371
• Publication date in RUL: 02.10.2024

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Journal of food composition and analysis
• Shortened title: J. food compos. anal.
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0889-1575
• COBISS.SI-ID: 25742848

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: ostrolistni beluš, lesasti beluš, vrtni beluš, špargelj, bioaktivne spojine, sekundarni metaboliti, primarni metaboliti, fenolne spojine, kemična sestava, kakovost

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P4-0013
• Name: Hortikultura