Bioactive compounds in cabbage and cauliflower waste: Glucosinolates, total flavonoids, and total antioxidants

Abstract

India is the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables globally. The cabbage and cauliflower being widely consumed crops that generate substantial waste during their collection and processing. The waste is a very good source of bioactive compounds, such as glucosinolates, flavonoids, and antioxidants, besides nutrients. These phytochemicals are associated with various health benefits, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This study investigates the glucosinolate, phenolic and flavonoid content in cabbage and cauliflower waste, revealing total glucosinolate levels of 0.05 mg/g in cabbage and 0.04 mg/g in cauliflower. Additionally, the total phenolic content (TPC) was higher in cauliflower waste (3.72 mg of GAE/100 g) as compared to cabbage waste (2.98 mg of GAE/100 g), while total flavonoids were also greater in cauliflower waste (2.02 µg/ml) than in cabbage waste (1.63 µg/ml). The findings suggest that these vegetable wastes can be valorized to reduce environmental pollution and enhance nutritional value in food and livestock feed. Further research is needed to explore extraction methods and the potential applications of these bioactive compounds in functional foods and animal nutrition, ultimately turning agricultural waste into valuable resources.