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Eruca sativa Miller (Brassicaceae) is an insect-pollinated diploid annual species which grows spontaneously in the entire Mediterranean basin from semi-arid to arid-hot conditions and is cultivated in Northern America, Europe, and Asia as either salad or oilseed crop. Here, some essential background was provided on this versatile crop, summarizing the present status of Eruca sativa research focusing on the wealth of bioactive ingredients in its seeds, which may find exploitation in agriculture, in the food industries and as nutraceuticals for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Fatty acids of Eruca sativa seed oil, gums, glucosinolates and soluble and insoluble phenol and flavonoid fractions in the defatted press cake are the main bioactive compounds considered to date by the scientific literature and that deserve attention for their physical and biological activities.

The concept of functional nutrition has garnered mounting attention, primarily due to growing evidence that specific dietary components have the capacity to provide health benefits that extend beyond the mere supply of basic nutrients. In this context, glucosinolate-rich species of the Brassicales order are of importance as a source of bioactive compounds, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chemoprotective properties. The review identifies which Brassicales species may be considered as functional foods or functional ingredients. It does so by starting from their glucosinolate profile, summarizing their potential applications in disease prevention, and highlighting current strategies aimed at enhancing glucosinolate levels through agronomic practices and processing approaches. The potential applications of the main species of the Brassicales order in the prevention of cardiovascular, obesity-related and degenerative diseases, as well as in the development of functional foods, are highlighted. These species are considered both as ready-to-use functional foods and as functional ingredients that can be obtained through extraction or fermentation processes, including the valorization of agricultural waste.

Nosema ceranae is a widespread parasite responsible for nosemosis Type C in Apis mellifera honey bees, reducing colony survival. The antibiotic fumagillin is the only commercial treatment available, but concerns are emerging about its persistence, safety, and pathogen resistance. The use of natural substances from Brassicaceae defatted seed meals (DSMs) with known antimicrobial and antioxidant properties was explored. Artificially infected bees were fed for 8 days with candies enriched with two concentrations, 2% and 4%, of two DSMs from Brassica nigra and Eruca sativa, containing a known amount of different glucosinolates (GSLs). The food palatability, GSL intake, bee survival, and treatment effects on N. ceranae spore counts were evaluated. Food consumption was higher for the two 2% DSM patties, for both B. nigra and E. sativa, but the GSL intake did not increase by increasing DSM to 4%, due to the resulting lower palatability. The 2% B. nigra patty decreased the bee mortality, while the higher concentration had a toxic effect. The N. ceranae control was significant for all formulates with respect to the untreated control (312,192.6 +/− 14,443.4 s.e.), and was higher for 4% B. nigra (120,366.3 +/− 13,307.1 s.e.). GSL hydrolysis products, the isothiocyanates, were detected and quantified in bee gut tissues. Brassicaceae DSMs showed promising results for their nutraceutical and protective effects on bees artificially infected with N. ceranae spores at the laboratory level. Trials in the field should confirm these results.

Crambe abyssinica Hochst defatted seed meals were used to produce protein hydrolysates through a mild enzymatic two-step hydrolysis process. The resulting hydrolysates were rich in free amino acids, low-molecular-weight peptides, and potential bioactive compounds such as phenols, glucosinolates, or their derivatives. These hydrolysates were tested in bioassays, performed under controlled conditions, on mung bean (Vigna radiata) cuttings, to investigate a possible auxin effect, and on maize (Zea mays L.) in an aeroponic/hydroponic system during the first two weeks of growth. In both assays, crambe hydrolysates revealed a stimulating effect on root development at a dose corresponding to nitrogen concentration of 4.8 mM, promoting lateral root formation and altering root architecture. Furthermore, they exhibited a positive impact on nitrogen content in both maize roots and shoots, along with an increase in the chlorophyll SPAD index. Notably, the observed effects were similar to those induced by a commercial biostimulant based on an animal-derived hydrolysate, tested under the same conditions on maize. The present work underscores the potential of crambe seed by-products for new sustainable and environmentally safe agro-inputs aimed at enhancing crop performance within the framework of a circular economy.

Glucosinolates are secondary metabolites of the Brassicales, playing a role in plant protection and as health-promoting compounds. Here, Na2SO4 was used to modulate the aliphatic glucosinolate content in different organs of Eruca sativa Mill. In flowers, which accumulate the highest amount of glucosinolates, Na2SO4 increased the concentration of glucoraphanin, in roots of glucoerucin and in apical leaves it doubled the amount of dimeric 4-mercaptobutyl glucosinolate. The biosynthetic gene Branched-Chain Aminotransferase 4 was also induced in roots at the highest salt concentration, while in leaves all tested genes biosynthetic genes were downregulated or unaffected. Cytochromes P450 83A1 monooxygenase was downregulated at the highest salt concentration in all organs. Overall, E. sativa is a reliable source of glucosinolates, which can be modulated with Na2SO4.

Modulation of mitochondrial K channels represents a pharmacological strategy to promote cardioprotective effects. Isothiocyanates emerge as molecules capable of releasing hydrogen sulfide (H2S), an endogenous pleiotropic gasotransmitter responsible for anti-ischemic cardioprotective effects also through the involvement of mitoK channels. Erucin (ERU) is a natural isothiocyanate resulting from the enzymatic hydrolysis of glucosinolates (GSLs) present in Eruca sativa Mill. seeds, an edible plant of the Brassicaceae family. In this experimental work, the specific involvement of mitoKATP channels in the cardioprotective effect induced by ERU was evaluated in detail. An in vivo preclinical model of acute myocardial infarction was reproduced in rats to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of ERU. Diazoxide was used as a reference compound for the modulation of potassium fluxes and 5-hydroxydecanoic acid (5HD) as a selective blocker of KATP channels. Specific investigations on isolated cardiac mitochondria were carried out to evaluate the involvement of mitoKATP channels. The results obtained showed ERU cardioprotective effects against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) damage through the involvement of mitoKATP channels and the consequent depolarizing effect, which in turn reduced calcium entry and preserved mitochondrial integrity.

The microsporidian fungus Nosema ceranae represents one of the primary bee infection threats worldwide and the antibiotic fumagillin is the only registered product for nosemosis disease control, while few alternatives are, at present, available. Natural bioactive compounds deriving from the glucosinolate–myrosinase system (GSL–MYR) in Brassicaceae plants, mainly isothiocyanates (ITCs), are known for their antimicrobial activity against numerous pathogens and for their health-protective effects in humans. This work explored the use of Brassica nigra and Eruca sativa defatted seed meal (DSM) GSL-containing diets against natural Nosema infection in Apis mellifera colonies. DSM patties from each plant species were obtained by adding DSMs to sugar candy at the concentration of 4% (w/w). The feeding was administered in May to mildly N. ceranae-infected honey bee colonies for four weeks at the dose of 250 g/week. In the treated groups, no significant effects on colony development and bee mortality were observed compared to the negative controls. The N. ceranae abundance showed a slight but significant decrease. Furthermore, the GSL metabolism in bees was investigated, and MYR hydrolytic activity was qualitatively searched in isolated bee midgut and hindgut. Interestingly, MYR activity was detected both in the bees fed DSMs and in the control group where the bees did not receive DSMs. In parallel, ITCs were found in gut tissues from the bees treated with DSMs, corroborating the presence of a MYR-like enzyme capable of hydrolyzing ingested GSLs. On the other hand, GSLs and other GSL hydrolysis products other than ITCs, such as nitriles, were found in honey produced by the treated bees, potentially increasing the health value of the final product for human consumption. The results are indicative of a specific effect on the N. ceranae infection in managed honey bee colonies depending on the GSL activation within the target organ.

Camelina can be considered a valuable crop for bio-based products and biofuels, but, to date, there are still many uninvestigated aspects concerning the optimization of its agricultural management and its environmental impact. Consequently, a low-input camelina cultivation has been realized, in northern Italy environment, through a 4-year camelina-wheat rotation in open field. In these conditions, camelina was grown as winter crop. Camelina reached, over the years, a variable (CV=28%) mean seed yield of 0.82 Mg ha–1. This notwithstanding, the oil content - 39.17% (CV=3%) - and its related quality were rather stable, reaching an oil yield of 320 kg ha–1 particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The low input cultivation system here adopted implied an energy ratio (output energy/input energy) of 4 and a 30% decrease in Global Warming Potential per hectare, compared to the standard value reported by the European Renewable Energy Directive for sunflower, reducing, at the same time, other relevant environmental burdens. However, due to its relatively low oil production, the full use of all camelina co-products should be considered in order to fulfil the sustainability requirements for European jet fuel production. In fact, stability of yields and quality of oil, oilcake and straws makes low-input camelina eligible for many other novel green chemistry applications. Highlights - Camelina sativa productivity and sustainability were assessed in a 4-years field trial - C. sativa seed and oil quality were remarkably stable over time - Carbon footprint and energy analysis of C. sativa cultivation were reported - Jet fuel from camelina proved to be feasible but not sustainable - A biorefinery approach of whole plant co-products is crucial to reach sustainability

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an underestimated and multipurpose crop resistant to environmental stresses. Its oil presents useful chemical–physical properties, potentially exploitable for industrial purposes as a bio-based lubricant. In this work safflower oil was applied as a less toxic alternative to mineral-based hydraulic fluids. The extracted oil was partially refined and the antioxidant tert-buthylhydroquinone (THBQ) was added at two concentrations (0.25 and 3.00 mg kg−1). Efficiency tests of the obtained oil were carried out using an experimental test rig capable of simulating a real hydraulic system and performing severe short-duration work cycles with the aim of strongly accelerating the ageing of the tested oil. Oil performance was verified by monitoring hydraulic and chemical–physical parameters, which were correlated to the main lubricant properties through sensor detection and laboratory analysis in parallel. The results indicated that the safflower oil behaved well at both THBQ concentrations and showed good technical performance (operating pressure and temperature; flowrate and transmitted hydraulic power), though a higher THBQ concentration was necessary to protect the oil’s chemical–physical properties from worsening. In fact, the higher THBQ concentration allowed the test to be extended to 270 h, an improvement compared to the 150 h that was achieved with the lower THBQ concentration. Finally, the use of safflower oil for industrial and agricultural purposes seems feasible and would contribute toward the sustainability of the whole crop rotation in a prospective valuable circular economy.

The digestibility (in vitro), toxicity and metabolic effects of rapeseed (RPH) and sunflower (SPH) protein hydrolysates have been evaluated in a murine animal model. The enzyme Alcalase ® was employed to obtain a mild enzymatic hydrolysis of rapeseed and sunflower defatted seed meals (DSM) protein isolates. Both hydrolysates showed higher in vitro digestibility than the respective DSM, presumably as a consequence of the hydrolysis process that they had undergone. In vivo, RPH and SPH were well tolerated. Body and organ weights, biochemical blood parameters from treated male mice were comparable to controls. Food intake was regular in RPH and SPH animals, suggesting a good palatability of the hydrolysates. Not relevant perturbations of the principal hepatic and renal drug metabolism enzymes were observed in RPH or SPH mice. In conclusion, protein hydrolysates from sunflower and rapeseed DSM did not determine relevant toxicological effects; therefore, they could be considered as alternative protein sources and/or food ingredients.