Journal of Food and Nutrition Research
ISSN (Print): 2333-1119 ISSN (Online): 2333-1240 Website: https://www.sciepub.com/journal/jfnr Editor-in-chief: Prabhat Kumar Mandal
Open Access
Journal Browser
Go
Journal of Food and Nutrition Research. 2025, 13(12), 448-454
DOI: 10.12691/jfnr-13-12-2
Open AccessArticle

Phenolic Acids Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Lettuce Seeds (lactuca sativa)

Abuelgassim Omer Abuelgassim1,

1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Alnahda College, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Pub. Date: December 14, 2025

Cite this paper:
Abuelgassim Omer Abuelgassim. Phenolic Acids Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Lettuce Seeds (lactuca sativa). Journal of Food and Nutrition Research. 2025; 13(12):448-454. doi: 10.12691/jfnr-13-12-2

Abstract

This investigation attempted to study the antioxidant potential and phenolic acids profile in lettuce seeds (LS), the possibility of applying LS in pharmaceutical and food industry was also in focus. The antioxidant potential of LS extracts was determined. The total phenol content of LS extracts was 775.47 ± 118.58 mg GAE/100g whereas; the total flavonoid content was 170.83 ± 13.56 mg QE/100g. LS extracts showed a considerable scavenging activity against 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) as compared with standard ascorbic acid. The standard ascorbic acid showed an IC50 of 12.32µg against DPPH, whereas the calculated IC50 for LS extract required to scavenge DPPH was 1.74±0.11 mg. Phenolic acids in LS extracts were determined by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Gallic, chlorogenic, vanillic, caffeic, and coumaric acids were identified and quantified in LS extracts at a concentration of 20.30± 1.04, 1327.45± 45.67, 119.02± 4.88, 272.33± 12.77, and 912.15± 36.64 mg/100g respectively. Based on the obtained findings from the current research, lettuce seeds could have a potential for application in the pharmaceuticals and functional food industry.

Keywords:
Lettuce seeds (LS) Phenolic acids High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) Total phenolics Total flavonoid Scavenging activity

Creative CommonsThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]  Kim, M. J., Moon,Y., Tou, J.C., Mou, B. and Waterland, N.L, “Nutritional value, bioactive compounds and health benefits of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)”, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, (49).19-34. 2016.
 
[2]  Shi, M., Gu, J.,Wu, H., Rauf, A., Emran, T.B., Khan, Z., Mitra, S., Aljohani, A.S.M., Alhumaydhi, F.A., Al-Awthan, Y.S., Bahattab, O., Thiruvengadam, M.and Suleria, H.A.R. “Phytochemicals, Nutrition, Metabolism, Bioavailability, and Health Benefits in Lettuce-A Comprehensive Review”, Antioxidants, (11). 1158. 2022.
 
[3]  Yang, X., Gil, M.I., Yang, Q. and Tomás-Barberán, F.A, “Bioactive compounds in lettuce: Highlighting the benefits to human health and impacts of preharvest and postharvest practices”, Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf, 21(1).4-45. 2022.
 
[4]  Pepe, G., Sommella, E., Manfra, M., De Nisco, M., Tenore, G.C., Scopa, A., Sofo, A., Marzocco, S., Adesso, S., Novellino, T. and Campiglia, P, “Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity and fast UHPLC-DAD-IT-TOF profiling of polyphenolic compounds extracted from green lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.; var. Maravilla de Verano)”, Food Chem.,(167).153-161. 2015.
 
[5]  Adesso, S., Pepe, G., Sommella, E., Manfra, M., Scopa, A., Sofo, A., Tenore, G.C., Russo, M., Di Gaudio, F., Autore, G., Campiglia, P, and Marzocco, S, “Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of polyphenolic extracts from Lactuca sativa (var. Maravilla de Verano) under different farming methods”, J Sci Food Agric., 96(12). 4194-4206. 2016.
 
[6]  Lee, J.H., Felipe, P., Yang, Y.H., Kim, M.Y., Kwon, O.Y., Sok, D.E., Kim, H.C.and Kim, M.R, “Effects of dietary supplementation with red-pigmented leafy lettuce (Lactuca sativa) on lipid profiles and antioxidant status in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat high-cholesterol diet.”, Br J Nutr., 101(8).1246-1254. 2009.
 
[7]  Moghadam, M.H., Ghasemi, Z., Sepahi, S., Rahbarian, R., Mozaffari, H.and Mohajeri, S.A, “Hypolipidemic effect of Lactuca sativa seed extract, an adjunctive treatment, in patients with hyperlipidemia: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial.”, Journal of Herbal Medicine, (23).100373. 2020.
 
[8]  Cheng, D.M., Pogrebnyak, N., Kuhn, P., Poulev, A., Waterman, C., Rojas-Silva, P., Johnson, W.D.and Raskin, I, “Polyphenol-rich Rutgers Scarlet Lettuce improves glucose metabolism and liver lipid accumulation in diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice.”, Nutrition, 30 (7-8 Suppl). S52-S58. 2014.
 
[9]  Fernandez, E., La Vecchia, C., D'Avanzo, B., Negri, E. and Franceschi, S, “Risk factors for colorectal cancer in subjects with family history of the disease.” Br J Cancer, 75 (9).1381-1384. 1997.
 
[10]  Brennan, P., Fortes, C., Butler, J., et al., “A multicenter case–control study of diet and lung cancer among non-smokers.”, Cancer Causes Control, (11).49-58. 2000.
 
[11]  Jevric, L.R., Karadzic, M.Z., Podunavac- Kuzmanovic, S.O., et al., “New guidelines for prediction of antioxidant activity of Lactuca sativa L. varieties based on phytochemicals content and multivariate chemometrics.”, J Food Process Preserv., (42).e13355. 2018.
 
[12]  Edziri, H.L., Smach, M.A., Ammar, S., Mahjoub, M.A., Mighri, Z., Aouni, M. and Mastouri, M, “Antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral effects of Lactuca sativa extracts.”, Industrial Crops and Products, 34(1).1182-1185. 2011.
 
[13]  Zapata-Vahos, I.C., Rojas-Rodas, F., David, D., Gutierrez-Monsalve, J.A, and Castro-Restrepo, D,”Comparison of antioxidant contents of green and red leaf lettuce cultured in hydroponic systems under greenhouse, and conventional soil culture.”, Revista Facultad Nacional de Agronomía Medellín, 73(1).9077-9088. 2020.
 
[14]  Zhao, X., Carey, E.E., Young, J.E., Wang, W. and Iwamoto, T, “Influences of Organic Fertilization, High Tunnel Environment, and Postharvest Storage on Phenolic Compounds in Lettuce.”, HortScience , 42(1).71-76. 2007.
 
[15]  Llorach, R., Martínez-Sánchez, A., Tomás-Barberán, F.A. Gil, M.I., and Ferreres F, “Characterisation of polyphenols and antioxidant properties of five lettuce varieties and escarole.”, Food Chem., 108 (3). 1028-1038. 2008.
 
[16]  Xu, F., Zou, G.A., Liu, Y.Q. and Aisa, H.A, “Chemical constituents from seeds of Lactuca sativa.”, Chem Nat Compd., (48).574-576. 2012.
 
[17]  Gurukar, M.S.A. and Chilkunda, N.D, “Morus alba leaf bioactives modulate peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ in the kidney of diabetic rat and impart beneficial effect. “ , Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 66 (30).7923-7934. 2018.
 
[18]  McDonald, S., Prenzler, P.D., Antolovich, M. and Robards, K, “Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of olive extracts.”, Food Chem.,(73).73-84. 2001.
 
[19]  Chang, C., Yang, M., Wen, H. and Chern, J, “Estimation of total flavonoid content in propolis by two complementary colorimetric methods.”, J. Food Drug Anal.,10(3).178-182. 2002.
 
[20]  McCune, L.M. and Johns, T, “Antioxidant activity in medicinal plants associated with the symptoms of diabetes mellitus used by the indigenous peoples of the North American boreal forest.” , J. Ethnopharmacol. , 82(2-3).197-205. 2002.
 
[21]  Nicolle, C., Carnat, A., Fraisse, D., Lamaison, J.L., Rock, E., Michel, H., Amouroux, P. and Remesy, C, “Characterisation and variation of antioxidant micronutrients in lettuce (Lactuca sativa folium).” , J. Sci. Food Agric. , (84). 2061-2069. 2004.
 
[22]  Ouhibi, C., Attia, H., Rebah, F., Msilini, N., Chebbi, M., Aarrouf, J., Urban, L. and Lachaal, M, “Salt stress mitigation by seed priming with UV-C in lettuce plants: growth, antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds.”, Plant Physiol Biochem. , (83).126-133. 2014.
 
[23]  Gan, Y.Z. and Azrina, A, “Antioxidant properties of selected varieties of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) commercially available in Malaysia.” , International Food Research Journal, (23). 2357-2362. 2016.
 
[24]  Zeng, A., Liang, X., Zhu, S., Liu, C., Wang, S., Zhang, Q., Zhao, J. and Song, L, “Chlorogenic acid induces apoptosis, inhibits metastasis and improves antitumor immunity in breast cancer via the NFκB signaling pathway.” , Oncol Rep. 45(2). 717-727. 2021.
 
[25]  Luque-Badillo, A.C., Hernandez-Tapia, G., Ramirez-Castillo, D.A., Espinoza-Serrano, D., Cortes-Limon, A.M., Cortes-Gallardo, J.P., Jacobo-Velázquez, D.A., Martinez-Fierro, M.L. and Rios-Ibarra, C.P, “ Gold nanoparticles enhance microRNA 31 detection in colon cancer cells after inhibition with chlorogenic acid.” , Oncol. Lett.22 (4). 742. 2021.
 
[26]  Li, Y., Pu, R., Zhou, L., Wang, D. and Li, X, “ Effects of a Chlorogenic Acid-Containing Herbal Medicine (LASNB) on Colon Cancer.”, Evid Based Complement Alternat. Med. (2021).9923467.2021.
 
[27]  Karthikesan, K., Pari, L. and Menon,V.P, “Combined treatment of tetrahydrocurcumin and chlorogenic acid exerts potential antihyperglycemic effect on streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats.” , Gen Physiol Biophys. 29(1).23-30. 2010.
 
[28]  Meng, S., Cao, J., Feng, Q., Peng, J.and Hu,Y, “ Roles of chlorogenic Acid on regulating glucose and lipids metabolism: a review.” , Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. (2013).801457. 2013.
 
[29]  Durazzo, A., Azzini, E., Lazze, M.C., Raguzzini, A., Pizzala, R., Maiani, G., Palomba, L. and Maiani, G, “Antioxidants in Italian Head Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata L.) Grown in Organic and Conventional Systems under Greenhouse Conditions.”, Journal of Food Biochemistry. 38(1).56-61. 2014.
 
[30]  El-Seedi, H.R., El-Said, A.M.A., Khalifa, S.A.M., Goransson, U., Bohlin, L., Borg-Karlson, A.K. and Verpoorte, R, “Biosynthesis, natural sources, dietary intake, pharmacokinetic properties, and biological activities of hydroxycinnamic acids.”, J Agric Food Chem. (60).10877-10895. 2012.
 
[31]  Tong, J., Ma, B., Ge, L., Mo, Q., Zhou, G., He, J. and Wang, Y, “Dicaffeoylquinic acid-enriched fraction of Cichorium glandulosum seeds attenuates experimental type 1 diabetes via multipathway protection. “ J Agric Food Chem.(63).10791-10802. 2015.
 
[32]  Naz, S., Ahmad, S., Ajaz Rasool, S., Asad Sayeed, S. and Siddiqi, R, “Antibacterial activity directed isolation of compounds from Onosma hispidum.”, Microbiol. Res. (161).43-48. 2006.
 
[33]  Yemis, G.P., Pagotto, F., Bach, S. and Delaquis, P, “Effect of vanillin, ethyl vanillin, and vanillic acid on the growth and heat resistance of Cronobacter species.”, J Food Prot. (74). 2062-2069. 2011.
 
[34]  Itoh, A., Isoda, K., Kondoh, M., Kawase, M., Kobayashi, M., Tamesada, M. and Yagi, K, “Hepatoprotective effect of syringic acid and vanillic acid on concanavalin a-induced liver injury.” , Biol Pharm Bull. (32).1215-1219. 2009.
 
[35]  Amalan, V., Vijayakumar, N., Indumathi, D.and Ramakrishnan, A, “Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activity of p-coumaric acid in diabetic rats, role of pancreatic GLUT 2: In vivo approach.”, Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy , (84). 230-236. 2016.
 
[36]  Brazaitytė, A., Vaštakaitė-Kairienė, V., Sutulienė, R., Rasiukevičiūtė, N., Viršilė, A., Miliauskienė, J., Laužikė, K., Valiuškaitė, A., Dėnė, L., Chrapačienė, S., Kupčinskienė, A.and Samuolienė, G, “ Phenolic Compounds Content Evaluation of Lettuce Grown under Short-Term Preharvest Daytime or Nighttime Supplemental LEDs.”, Plants (Basel). 11(9):1123. 2022.