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Background Medicinal plants play a crucial role in pharmacological research, as many pharmaceutical companies rely on them for raw materials. Collard greens, also known as “Sukuma wiki,” are a member of the Brassica oleracea var. viridis family and are known for their medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to identify phytochemicals in the ethanol extract of collard green leaves that has traditional use in treating male infertility in Uganda. Method The leaves were dried and crushed into fine powder and the powdered leaves (800 g) A was cold macerated in 5 liters of 99% ethanol (1:5 w/v) for 72 hours in sterile glass container. The ethanol extract (5g) was subjected to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Results Phytochemical analysis of the Ethanol extract from Brassica oleracea var. viridis (Collard green) leaves revealed the presence of various compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and terpenoids. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 77 bioactive compounds, such as 2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenol, 2, 7-Dimethyl-1, 7-octadien-3-amine, Octadecanoic acid, 9, 12, 15-Octadecatrienoic acid, Pentadecanoic acid, and several phenolic derivatives. Conclusion In conclusion, the phytochemicals identified in Brassica oleracea var. viridis (Collard greens), including Phytol, Omega-3 fatty acids, phenols, flavonoids, and sterols, demonstrate potential benefits for enhancing male fertility and reproductive health. These phytochemicals exert their beneficial action through their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and possibly neuroprotective properties. There is need for further research to establish the effectiveness of these phytochemicals in clinical settings and provide concrete guidelines for their use in treating male infertility.

Small-scale vegetable and fruit crop producers in the USA use locally available commercial organic fertilizers and soil amendments recycled from municipal and agricultural wastes. Organic soil amendments provide crops with their nutrient needs and maintain soil health by modifying its physical, chemical, and biological properties. However, organic soil amendments might add unwanted elements such as toxic heavy metals or salts, which might inhibit crop growth and reduce yield. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate phytotoxicity of three commercial organic amendments, chicken manure, milorganite, and dairy manure, to collard greens using the seed germination bioassay and chemical analysis of the organic amendments. The seed germination bioassay was conducted by incubating collard greens seeds to germinate in 1:10 ( w / v ) organic amendment aqueous extracts. Results of this work identified phytotoxic effects of chicken manure and milorganite, but not dairy manure, to collard greens. Potentially phytotoxic chemicals such as copper, zinc, nickel, and salts were also higher in chicken manure and milorganite compared to dairy manure. In particular, nickel in chicken manure and milorganite aqueous extracts was 28-fold and 21-fold, respectively, higher than previously reported toxic levels to wheat seedlings. The results demonstrate the need for more research on phytotoxicity of commercial organic soil amendments to ensure their safe use in vegetable and fruit crop production systems.

Background Medicinal plants play a crucial role in pharmacological research, as many pharmaceutical companies rely on them for raw materials. Collard greens, also known as “Sukuma wiki,” are a member of the Brassica oleracea var. viridis family and are known for their medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to identify phytochemicals in the ethanol extract of collard green leaves that has traditional use in treating male infertility in Uganda. Method The leaves were dried and crushed into fine powder and the powdered leaves (800 g) A was cold macerated in 5 liters of 99% ethanol (1:5 w/v) for 72 hours in sterile glass container. The ethanol extract (5g) was subjected to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Results Phytochemical analysis of the Ethanol extract from Brassica oleracea var. viridis (Collard green) leaves revealed the presence of various compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and terpenoids. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 77 bioactive compounds, such as 2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenol, 2, 7-Dimethyl-1, 7-octadien-3-amine, Octadecanoic acid, 9, 12, 15-Octadecatrienoic acid, Pentadecanoic acid, and several phenolic derivatives. Conclusion In conclusion, the phytochemicals identified in Brassica oleracea var. viridis (Collard greens), including Phytol, Omega-3 fatty acids, phenols, flavonoids, and sterols, demonstrate potential benefits for enhancing male fertility and reproductive health. These phytochemicals exert their beneficial action through their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and possibly neuroprotective properties. There is need for further research to establish the effectiveness of these phytochemicals in clinical settings and provide concrete guidelines for their use in treating male infertility.

Collard greens Brassica oleracea (L.) are often attacked by various pests including whiteflies, aphids and diamondback moth. Hitherto, the main method used to manage these pests in Brazil has been the application of a limited number of registered insecticides. The search for more sustainable pest management strategies is therefore warranted. In this context, the conservation biological control stands out as an appealing alternative. Conservation biological control is achieved, at least in part, by strip-cultivating and/or conserving flowering plants within the agroecosystem. The present study investigates how alyssum flowers Lobularia maritima (L.) could contribute to the attraction of natural enemies and to the management of collard pests. Two field experiments were conducted in different years. Each experiment consisted of two treatments and three replicates, which were set up in a completely randomized design. The treatments were (1) collards alone, and (2) collards + alyssum. We evaluated weekly the population density of natural enemies and pests on both treatments. The results show that the alyssum flowers attractiveness contributed to increase the abundance of generalist predators during both experiments, which in turn translated into a significant reduction of collards pests, especially aphids. Some of the main predators attracted/harbored by alyssum flowers were spiders, coccinellids, syrphids and Orius sp. Finally, strip intercropping alyssum with collards can be an important strategy to manage brassica pests and cope with the limited availability of insecticides registered for this vegetable crop.

The potential for lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) transfer into vegetables was studied in an old orchard land contaminated with lead arsenate pesticides. Root (carrot), leafy (lettuce), and vegetable fruits (green bean, tomato) were grown on seven “miniplots” with soil concentrations ranging from near background to ≈800 and ≈200 mg kg −1 of total Pb and As, respectively. Each miniplot was divided into sub-plots and amended with 0 % (control), 5 %, and 10 % (by weight) compost and cropped for 3 years. Edible portions of each vegetable were analyzed for total Pb and As to test the effect of organic matter on transfer of these toxic elements into the crop. Vegetable Pb and As concentrations were strongly correlated to soil total Pb and As, respectively, but not to soil organic matter content or compost addition level. For Pb vegetable concentrations, carrot ≥ lettuce > bean > tomato. For As, lettuce > carrot > bean > tomato. A complementary single-year study of lettuce, arugula, spinach, and collards revealed a beneficial effect of compost in reducing both Pb and As concentrations in leafy vegetables. Comparisons of all measured vegetable concentrations to international health-based standards indicate that tomatoes can be grown without exceeding standards even in substantially Pb- and As-contaminated soils, but carrots and leafy green vegetables may exceed standards when grown in soils with more than 100–200 mg kg −1 Pb. Leafy green vegetables may also exceed health-based standards in gardens where soil As is elevated, with arugula having a particularly strong tendency to accumulate As.

Background/Objectives: Collard green (Brassica oleracea var. viridis) is widely cultivated for its adaptability and nutritional benefits. This study examines the nutritional composition and chlorophyll content of the “Couve-Manteiga” cultivar grown in Italy, emphasizing its potential application in convenience foods, such as fresh-cut, fifth-range, and freeze-dried products, to enhance chlorophyll intake in the population. Methods: The leaves of collard greens were analyzed for proximate composition, mineral content, amino acid and fatty acid profiles, and chlorophyll levels. Chlorophyll retention was measured after sous vide cooking and freeze-drying to assess the efficacy of these preservation methods. The chlorophyll content of different product formats was quantified, and potential dietary contributions were estimated based on consumption data. Results: Collard greens exhibited a low caloric value (30.66 kcal/100 g), with high levels of dietary fiber (3.39 g/100 g), protein (3.01 g/100 g), calcium (333.09 mg/100 g), and potassium (215.53 mg/100 g). The amino acid profile revealed an essential to non-essential amino acid ratio of 0.72. Chlorophyll retention was notably high in both freeze-dried (97.66%) and sous-vide cooked products (83.5%), indicating the effectiveness of these methods in preserving chlorophyll content compared to fresh-cut leaves. Conclusions: The results suggest that convenience foods made from collard green leaves provide an accessible means to boost chlorophyll intake and enhance daily nutrition, offering a practical solution for increasing the consumption of this nutrient-rich vegetable.

Male infertility is a global health issue, with pharmaceutical agents such as cimetidine contributing significantly to gonadotoxicity through antiandrogenic and oxidative mechanisms. The search for natural protective agents has highlighted var. (collard greens) for its antioxidant and endocrine-modulating properties. This study evaluated the protective effects of var. (collard greens) ethanol extract and its solvent fractions on cimetidine-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats, focusing on body/organ weights, hormonal profiles, antioxidant enzyme activities, and testicular histoarchitecture. Thirty-five rats were divided into seven groups: control, cimetidine (120 mg/kg), ethanol extract (200 mg/kg), and cimetidine + fractions (aqueous, butanol, and hexane). After 8 weeks oral administration of extracts/fractions, sperm parameters, serum hormones (LH, FSH, and testosterone), oxidative stress markers (catalase, SOD, and MDA), and histopathology were assessed. Cimetidine significantly reduce follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels ( < 0.05) while increasing oxidative stress, as evidenced by elevate malondialdehyde (MDA) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). It also caused distortion of the testicular architecture. Treatment with the ethanol extract (ELEBO) and solvent fractions restored hormonal balance and antioxidant activity. Histological analysis revealed preserved testicular architecture in treated groups compared to the degeneration observed in the cimetidine-induced group. var. exhibits significant protective effects against cimetidine-induced reproductive toxicity through hormonal regulation, antioxidative mechanisms, and tissue preservation. The ethanol extract of (ELEBO) showed the most potent activity, supporting its potential use as a therapeutic adjunct in male infertility linked to pharmaceutical exposures.

The typical Western dietary pattern has an elevated ω-6:ω-3 fatty acid ratio (FAR), which may exacerbate the risk of chronic disease. Conversely, the consumption of diets containing green leafy vegetables (GLVs) have been demonstrated to attenuate disease risk. This study investigated the effects of collard greens (CG), purslane (PL) and orange flesh sweetpotato greens (SPG) on measures of disease risk in rats fed diets with a 25:1 ω-6:ω-3 FAR. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were randomly assigned to four dietary groups (n = 10/group) with a 25:1 ω-6:ω-3 FAR. Experimental diets contained 4% (dried weight) CG, PL or SPG. Dietary intake, body weight, blood pressure, plasma adiponectin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity and lipid profile were determined using standardized procedures. Following a 6-week consumption period, systolic blood pressure, plasma adiponectin, total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol decreased following the consumption of diets containing GLVs. While hsCRP increased in SHRs fed diets containing CG and PL, plasma antioxidant capacity was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) with the consumption of diets containing the GLVs. These findings suggest that CG, PL and SPG have the potential to decrease risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD) associated with the consumption of diets with an elevated ω-6:ω-3 FAR.

Ascorbic acid is highly sensitive vitamin to various modes of cooking processes. Ethiopian green collards (Brassica carinata), locally called Ye’abesha Gomen, and cabbage (Brassica oleracea) are important green vegetables for ascorbic acid source in the country. The rate of ascorbic acid degradation in cabbage and Ethiopian green collard was studied employing two processing methods: open-pan and pressure cooking which are highly customized in household cooking. Samples were cooked at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 min under each processing method. Ascorbic acid concentration in each sample was determined by using a spectrophotometer at 520 nm wavelength using the standard plot of pure ascorbic acid solution. The initial concentration of ascorbic acid in fresh cabbage and Ethiopian green collard were found to be 33.76 ± 0.58 and 38.14 ± 0.19 mg/100 g, respectively. Well-cooked and edible Ethiopian green collard was obtained at 10 minutes of cooking time by pressure cooking with ascorbic acid retention of 31.8% from its initial contents. However, a cooking time of 25 min was required by the open-pan cooking method with 26.8% ascorbic acid retention. Edible cabbage was attained at 10 and 20 minutes of cooking time by pressure and open-pan cooking methods maintaining 36.9 and 30.9% of ascorbic acid, respectively. Thus, the pressure cooking method required short cooking time for having well-cooked and edible green leafy vegetable with better ascorbic acid retention. The outputs of this work would be helpful to design and control practical thermal processing situations and to minimize the loss of ascorbic acid in green leafy vegetables.

Abstract Foliar vegetables contaminated with fecal residues are an important route of transmission of intestinal parasites to humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of parasitic forms of protozoa and helminths on lettuces (Lactuca sativa) and collard greens (Brassica oleracea) sold in street- and supermarkets in the city of Aparecida de Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. A total of 30 samples of each vegetable (15 samples from each supermarkets and street markets) was analyzed. All samples were processed by spontaneous sedimentation method and centrifugal flotation. In 45% of the samples, immature forms of intestinal parasites were identified with 66.7% helminths eggs and 33.3% protozoan cysts or oocysts. Significantly more lettuce samples were contaminated with eggs, cysts or oocyst of at least one parasite than collard green samples (U=216; Z=-3.45; P <0.001). The parasitic forms were identified morphologically up to the family level with eggs of Ancylostomatidae, Strongyloididae, Ascarididae and Taeniidae, or oocysts of Eimeriidae, to the genus with Cystoisospora sp. and Toxocara sp., and to the species level with Cystoisospora canis, Dipylidium caninum and Hymenolepis nana. The presence of these infective agents in lettuce and collard green from both street- and supermarkets highlights the high risk of spreading parasites by eating raw vegetables sold in Aparecida de Goiânia. Resumo Hortaliças contaminadas com resíduos fecais são importantes vias de transmissão de parasitas intestinais ao homem. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a presença de formas parasitárias de protozoários e helmintos em alface (Lactuca sativa) e couve (Brassica oleracea) vendidas em feiras e supermercados na cidade de Aparecida de Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil. Um total de 30 amostras de cada vegetal (15 amostras de supermercados e 15 de feiras livres) foi analisado. Todas as amostras foram processadas pelos métodos de sedimentação espontânea e centrífugo-flutuação. Em 45% das amostras foram identificadas formas imaturas de parasitas intestinais sendo 66,7% ovos de helmintos e 33,3% de cistos ou oocistos de protozoários. Significativamente, mais amostras de alface estavam contaminadas com ovos, cistos ou oocistos de pelo menos um parasita do que as amostras de couve (U = 216; Z = -3,45; P <0,001). As formas parasitárias foram identificadas morfologicamente ao nível de família com ovos de Ancylostomatidae, Strongyloididae, Ascarididae e Taeniidae ou oocistos de Eimeriidae, dos gêneros Cystoisospora sp. e Toxocara sp., e ao nível de espécies com Cystoisospora canis, Dipylidium caninum e Hymenolepis nana. A presença desses agentes infecciosos em alface e couve, provenientes tanto de feiras quanto de supermercados, ressalta o alto risco de veiculação de parasitas pela ingestão de hortaliças cruas comercializadas em Aparecida de Goiânia.