Planta Med 2010; 76 - WSI_1
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1264205

Eruca sativa Mill.: Phytochemical profile and antimicrobial properties of rocket leafy salads

A Filocamo 1, G Paterniti Mastrazzo 1, P Maimone 1, L Buongiorno 2, S Catania 3, R De Pasquale 1, G Bisignano 1, A Melchini 2
  • 1Pharmaco-Biological Department, School of Pharmacy, Univesity of Messina, Vill. Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
  • 2Foundation „Prof. Antonio Imbesi“, P.zza Pugliatti 1, 98122 Messina, Italy
  • 3Interdepartmental Centre of Experimental, Environmental and Occupational Toxicology (CITSAL), Via Consolare Valeria, 98122 Messina, Italy

In the last decade salad species consumption is becoming increasingly important worldwide, encouraged from the positive link between eating fresh raw materials and absorption of health-promoting phytochemicals [1]. Rocket salads are well-known in the traditional medicine for their therapeutic properties as astringent, diuretic, digestive, emollient, tonic, depurative, laxative, rubefacient and stimulant [2]. However, the antimicrobial activity of rocket salad species has been poorly investigated. Our study was designed to characterize the phytochemical profile of Eruca sativa Mill. and to evaluate additionally their in vitro antimicrobial activity upon a representative range of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Different plant extracts were prepared and tested in order to compare the activity of individual groups of phytochemicals. LC-MS and HPLC/DAD analyses led to the identification of glucosinolates and flavonoids, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of all the extracts were determined using broth dilution methods in 96 wells micro plates. The plant extract showed very significant activity against Gram +ve bacteria with MIC and MBC values ranging from 0.125–1mg/ml and 1–4mg/ml, respectively. A lower activity was observed against Gram -ve and fungi. However, the plant extract containing GLSs had no effect on any of the Gram +ve and Gram -ve bacteria at any of the doses used. These results suggest that the greater antimicrobial of Eruca sativa leaf extract is not related to the GLS content but to other phytochemicals, and might be useful in controlling human pathogens through the diet.

Acknowledgements: This work was supported by Foundation „Prof. Antonio Imbesi“ (Messina, Italy).

References: 1. Vermeulen, M. et al. (2006)J Agric Food Chem 54:5350–5358.

2. Perry, L. M. a. M., J., Medicinal plants of SE Asia. Attributed properties and uses. The MIT Press: Cambridge, Massachusetts and London.