Nutrients, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Activities of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum L.) Seeds and Their Applications in Food Technology and Therapeutic Nutrition

Ibrahim, Marwa Ezz El-Din; Elhassaneen, Yousif Abd Elasis; Abd El-Aziz, Amany Ahmed

doi:10.21608/asejaiqjsae.2025.423922

Nutrients, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Activities of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum L.) Seeds and Their Applications in Food Technology and Therapeutic Nutrition

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Faculty of Home Economics, Helwan University

² Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Home Economics, Minoufiya University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt

³ Home Economic Department, Faculty of Specific Education, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt

10.21608/asejaiqjsae.2025.423922

Abstract

The aim of this study seeks to investigate the nutrition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activities of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum L.) seeds (GCS). The potential preventive effects of its extracts against atherosclerosis and meat quality in model systems were also examined. The proximate composition of GCS highlights its potential as a nutrient-dense food, protein-rich, fat, fiber, and carbohydrates. Additionally, it is an excellent origin of essential minerals, such as iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, along with being a promising source of vitamins, particularly pro-vitamin A and Vitamin E. The bioactive compound content in GCS extracts varies depending on the solvent used for extraction. The ethanol extract consistently exhibited the highest concentrations of beneficial compounds, including flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, and kaempferol, while the aqueous extract contained higher levels of anthocyanins. All GCS extracts demonstrated strong antioxidant and scavenging activities. For the IC50 of the DPPH assay, the aqueous extract (AqE), ethanol extract (EtE), and methanol extract (MeE) were recorded at 15.12±0.28, 11.79±0.34, and 13.12±0.31 μg/mL, in that order, while the BHT standard was 8.95±0.14 μg/mL. Thus, the free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) of GCS extracts and the standard followed this order: BHT > EtE > MeE > AqE. In vitro studies have demonstrated that GCS can serve as a natural antioxidant, helping to inhibit lipid oxidation, protein degradation, and bacterial growth in various food products, particularly meat. Furthermore, GCS shows potential as an effective agent for preventing atherosclerosis by inhibiting the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

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