Bioactive compounds present in non-traditional vegetables grown in urban gardens of Sete Lagoas-MG

Abstract

The unconventional vegetables are part of a neglected biodiversity. Its rescue may contribute
to the generation of new sources of natural antioxidant compounds and food safety.
This study aimed to evaluate the contents of some bioactive compounds with
antioxidant function in the unconventional vegetables: beldroega (Portulaca oleracea), capuchinha
(Tropaeolum majus L.), caruru (Amaranthus viridis L.), peixinho (Stachis lanata L.) and
Taioba (Xanthosoma saggitifolium), collected in urban gardens located at Sete Lagoas/MG.
The levels of carotenoids, total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, vitamin C and
chlorophyll were evaluated. The levels of bioactive compounds detected in this study point the
evaluated non-traditional vegetables as potential sources of natural antioxidant compounds,
and its regular consumption can bring benefits to human health.