A phytochemical study was undertaken on the internal leaves of tronchuda cabbage (
Brassica oleracea L. var.
costata DC). Seventeen phenolic compounds were characterized and quantified by reversed-phase HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS
n
and HPLC/DAD, respectively: quercetin 3-
O-sophoroside-7-
O-glucoside, 3-
p-coumaroylquinic acid, kaempferol 3-
O-sophoroside-7-
O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-
O-(caffeoyl)-sophoroside-7-
O-glucoside, sinapoyl gluc-oside acid, kaempferol 3-
O-(sinapoyl)-sophoroside-7-
O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-
O-(feruloyl)-sophoroside-7-
O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-
O-(
p-coumaroyl)-sophoroside-7-
O-glucoside, 4-
p-coumaroylquinic acid, sinapic acid, kaempferol 3-
O-sophoroside, 3 isomeric forms of 1,2-disinapoylgentiobiose, 1-sinapoyl-2-feruloylgentiobiose, 1,2,2-trisinapoylgentiobiose
and 1,2′-disinapoyl-2-ferul-oylgentiobiose. Seven organic acids (aconitic, citric, ascorbic, malic, quinic, shikimic and fumaric
acids) were also identified and quantified. The hot water extract of tronchuda cabbage internal leaves was investigated for
its capacity to act as a scavenger of DPPH
• radical and reactive oxygen species (superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and hypochlorous acid), exhibiting antioxidant
capacity in a concentration dependent manner against all radicals.