CHARACTERIZATION AND COMPARISON OF THE BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF TWO LETTUCE VARIETIES (COSTINA AND ESCAROLE) | CHARACTERIZATION AND COMPARISON OF THE BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF TWO LETTUCE VARIETIES (COSTINA AND ESCAROLE)

إنجليزي. Leaves are a potential source of biologically active lipids; however, effective extraction requires cell disruption. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare the lipid content, total phenolic compounds, vitamin C, nitrogen, and total chlorophyll levels in two lettuce varieties (costina and escarole), in order to evaluate their biochemical profiles and antioxidant capacities. Nitrogen and total chlorophyll levels in leaves were measured. Lipid extraction was carried out using vortex-agitation with hexane and distilled water as solvents. Phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteau method, and vitamin C was measured using spectrophotometry in the extracted lipid fractions. Escarole lettuce exhibited lower nitrogen (3.15 ± 1.74 mg kg-1) and total chlorophyll levels (10 ± 5.38 SPAD). Conversely, it showed a higher concentration of polar lipids  (5.28 ± 1.28 g g-1 dry weight), while non-polar lipids were not detected in either variety. The phenolic content was higher in costina lettuce (60.34 ± 17.08 mg tannic acid g-1 dry polar lipid) compared to escarole lettuce (21.24 ± 12.76 mg tannic acid g-1 dry polar lipid). Similarly, vitamin C content was greater in costina with respect to escarole  lettuce, with values of 0.2167 ± 0.0347 and 0.1038 ± 0.0166 mg ascorbic acid g-1 dry polar lipid, respectively. The results suggest that lettuce leaves are a valuable source of lipids, phenolic compounds, and vitamin C. The concentration of these bioactive compounds appeared to be influenced by nitrogen and total chlorophyll levels in the leaves, as well as by lettuce variety.

الأسبانية؛ قشتالية. Leaves are a potential source of biologically active lipids; however, effective extraction requires cell disruption. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare the lipid content, total phenolic compounds, vitamin C, nitrogen, and total chlorophyll levels in two lettuce varieties (costina and escarole), in order to evaluate their biochemical profiles and antioxidant capacities. Nitrogen and total chlorophyll levels in leaves were measured. Lipid extraction was carried out using vortex-agitation with hexane and distilled water as solvents. Phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteau method, and vitamin C was measured using spectrophotometry in the extracted lipid fractions. Escarole lettuce exhibited lower nitrogen (3.15 ± 1.74 mg kg-1) and total chlorophyll levels (10 ± 5.38 SPAD). Conversely, it showed a higher concentration of polar lipids  (5.28 ± 1.28 g g-1 dry weight), while non-polar lipids were not detected in either variety. The phenolic content was higher in costina lettuce (60.34 ± 17.08 mg tannic acid g-1 dry polar lipid) compared to escarole lettuce (21.24 ± 12.76 mg tannic acid g-1 dry polar lipid). Similarly, vitamin C content was greater in costina with respect to escarole  lettuce, with values of 0.2167 ± 0.0347 and 0.1038 ± 0.0166 mg ascorbic acid g-1 dry polar lipid, respectively. The results suggest that lettuce leaves are a valuable source of lipids, phenolic compounds, and vitamin C. The concentration of these bioactive compounds appeared to be influenced by nitrogen and total chlorophyll levels in the leaves, as well as by lettuce variety.