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Updated: May 1, 2026

A Straightforward Method for Glucosinolate Extraction and Analysis with High-pressure Liquid Chromatography HPLC
Published on: March 15, 2017
Nitrates and glucosinolates as strong determinants of the nutritional quality in rocket leafy salads
Marina Cavaiuolo1, Antonio Ferrante2
1Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 2, Milano 20133, Italy. marina.cavaiuolo@unimi.it.
Abstract:
Rocket is an important leafy vegetable crop and a good source of antioxidants and anticancer molecules such as glucosinolates and other sulfur compounds. Rocket is also a hyper-accumulator of nitrates which have been considered for long time the main factors that cause gastro-intestinal cancer. In this review, the content of these compounds in rocket tissues and their levels at harvest and during storage are discussed. Moreover, the effect of these compounds in preventing or inducing human diseases is also highlighted. This review provides an update to all the most recent studies carried out on rocket encouraging the consumption of this leafy vegetable to reduce the risk of contracting cancer and other cardiovascular diseases.
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