Bioactive Compounds from Asparagus Species

Dear Colleagues,

Asparagus extracts and isolated compounds have revealed a wide range of biological activities, such as antitumoral, antifungal, hypocholesterolemic and immunostimulatory. Although the mechanism of action of the crude extracts and purified fractions is not well established yet, because free radical damage is implicated in the etiology of different human diseases, the antioxidant properties of asparagus may at least partly explain its therapeutic properties. Among the vegetables commonly consumed in the United States and Europe, asparagus has been reported as the richest in total quality and quantity of antioxidants. The main components responsible of asparagus bioactivity are phenols (flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids) and saponins, although other compounds, such as sterols, sulfur containing acids, oligosaccharides, carotenoids, and amino acids, can also contribute to the functional properties of this vegetable. In addition to these soluble compounds, asparagus spears are very rich in dietary fiber, with potential favorable effects. Significant differences have been found in phytochemical profile from distinct asparagus genotypes and species which are of special relevance from a functional point of view, since it is well stablished that small structural modifications in bioactive compounds lead to substantial variations in physical, chemical and biological properties. The topic of this special issue, based on the relationships between asparagus phytochemical composition and functional activity, fits with the scope of Molecules in the specific section of Natural Products Chemistry and helps to enhance the knowledge about specific activities of asparagus phytochemicals.

Dr. María Rocío Rodríguez Arcos
Dr. Ana J Jiménez-Araujo
Dr. Rafael Guillén Bejarano
Guest Editors

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