Consumers acceptance and volatile profile of wall rocket (Diplotaxis erucoides)

Area of Science:

• Agronomy and Food Science
• Horticulture
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Wall rocket (Diplotaxis erucoides) is a Mediterranean wild edible herb with a pungent flavor.
• Its acceptance as a potential new crop is largely unknown.
• Volatile compounds, particularly isothiocyanates, are key to flavor and acceptance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the acceptance of wall rocket as a new crop.
• To assess consumer preference for different forms: microgreens, seedlings, and baby-leaves.
• To investigate the role of volatile constituents, specifically allyl isothiocyanate, in consumer acceptance.

Main Methods:

• An hedonic test involving 98 volunteers.
• Sensory evaluation of wall rocket microgreens, seedlings, and baby-leaves.
• Gas chromatography (GC) analysis of volatile compounds, comparing wall rocket to mustard and wasabi.

Main Results:

• Overall acceptance was linked to taste and pungency.
• Microgreens were well-accepted by most consumers.
• Seedlings and baby-leaves were preferred by those who enjoy pungent tastes.
• Wall rocket contains allyl isothiocyanate, similar to mustard and wasabi.
• Microgreens had high isothiocyanate levels but low perceived pungency.
• Baby-leaves showed decreased isothiocyanate levels compared to microgreens.

Conclusions:

• Wall rocket microgreens are likely to be accepted by the general public due to mild perceived pungency despite high isothiocyanate content.
• Wall rocket baby-leaves may appeal to a niche market of consumers seeking pungent flavors.
• The presence of allyl isothiocyanate may explain the acceptance patterns across wall rocket, mustard, and wasabi.