Antioxidant capacities and polyphenols in autumn-growing cultivar of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis cv. Bulam Plus)

The effects of drought stress in autumn-growing Chinese cabbage cultivar on bioactive compounds, total antioxidant and binding properties to human serum albumin (HSA) were studied. Seedlings of 42 days growing Chinese cabbage Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis cv. Bulam Plus (BRARP) were transplanted and maintained into pots during 3 weeks with soil water of the drought-treated (D-T) and control (C) plants at 10% and 30%, respectively. Polyphenols and the values of antioxidant capacities by three radical scavenging assays (CUPRAC, FRAP, ABTS) were determined in methanol extracts of the samples. MS spectra of phenolic extracts were compared in samples treated at different periods of time. The total polyphenols and their activities were slightly lower in drought-treated Chinese cabbage than in corresponding controls. The influence of polyphenols, total antioxidant and binding activities in D-T plants accumulation at drought stress in Chinese cabbage BRARP was reduced. Our study provides valuable information that Chinese cabbage BRARP can be consumed throughout the year in South Korea and other countries.