Nicotianamine contents among vegetables and their inhibitory activity of angiotensin-I converting enzyme

Abstract

We examined the inhibition of angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) and nicotianamine levels in 80kinds of vegetables. Of the species examined, ACE inhibition was observed in the majority of samples, but not in the Poaceae, which had relatively low concentrations of nicotianamine. Nicotianamine contents per 100 g dry tissue were the highest in Aralia elata. Comparisons of nicotianamine contents among the families analyzed revealed that members of the Araliaceae contained significantly more nicotianamine than members of the Liliaceae (p < 0. 001) and Poaceae (p < 0. 05). Interestingly, although the strength of ACE inhibition in the vegetables assayed was relatively large, marked ACE inhibition was observed in Asparagus officinalis, despite not containing any nicotianamine.