New Contributions to Deepen the Quality-Based Safety Assessment in the Consumption of Edible Nasturtium Flowers—The Role of Volatilome
The garden Nasturtium (<i>Tropaeolum majus</i> L.) is increasingly consumed worldwide due to its culinary appeal and perceived health benefits. However, the chemical markers underlying its functional properties remain insufficiently characterized. Building on evidence from a recent human...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Rosa Perestrelo Maria da Graça Lopes Alda Pereira da Silva Maria do Céu Costa José S. Câmara |
| author_facet | Rosa Perestrelo Maria da Graça Lopes Alda Pereira da Silva Maria do Céu Costa José S. Câmara |
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| description | The garden Nasturtium (<i>Tropaeolum majus</i> L.) is increasingly consumed worldwide due to its culinary appeal and perceived health benefits. However, the chemical markers underlying its functional properties remain insufficiently characterized. Building on evidence from a recent human pilot study confirming both high acceptability and dietary safety, we conducted a comprehensive volatilomic and phytochemical analysis of <i>T. majus</i> flowers and their juice. Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) was employed to establish the volatilomic fingerprint of floral tissues and juice. Our analysis revealed a striking dominance of benzyl isothiocyanate and benzonitrile, which together accounted for 88% of the total volatile organic metabolites (VOMs) in the juice, 67% and 21%, respectively. In the floral tissues, benzyl isothiocyanate was even more prevalent, representing 95% of the total volatile profile. Complementary in vitro assays confirmed a substantial total phenolic content and strong antioxidant activity in the flowers. These findings provide a robust chemical rationale for the potential health-promoting attributes of <i>T. majus</i>, while identifying key volatilomic markers that could support future functional and safety claims. In parallel, a benefit–risk assessment framework is discussed in accordance with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidelines for the Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) of edible flowers. Given that both benzyl isothiocyanate and benzonitrile are classified as Cramer Class III substances, a conservative intake threshold of 1.5 μg/kg body weight per day is proposed. To enable quantitative exposure modeling and support the derivation of a tolerable daily intake (TDI), future studies should integrate organic solvent-based extraction methodologies to estimate the total volatile load per gram of floral biomass. This would align risk–benefit assessments with the EFSA’s evolving framework for novel foods and functional ingredients. |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-a05f3cc197c7418da02b45d4640b627f2025-07-25T13:28:09ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-06-01157105310.3390/life15071053New Contributions to Deepen the Quality-Based Safety Assessment in the Consumption of Edible Nasturtium Flowers—The Role of VolatilomeRosa Perestrelo0Maria da Graça Lopes1Alda Pereira da Silva2Maria do Céu Costa3José S. Câmara4CQM—Centro de Química da Madeira, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, PortugalCBIOS—Research Center for Biosciences and Health Technologies, Universidade Lusófona, Av. Campo Grande, 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, PortugalInstitute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Lisbon School of Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1349-017 Lisbon, PortugalCBIOS—Research Center for Biosciences and Health Technologies, Universidade Lusófona, Av. Campo Grande, 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, PortugalCQM—Centro de Química da Madeira, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105 Funchal, PortugalThe garden Nasturtium (<i>Tropaeolum majus</i> L.) is increasingly consumed worldwide due to its culinary appeal and perceived health benefits. However, the chemical markers underlying its functional properties remain insufficiently characterized. Building on evidence from a recent human pilot study confirming both high acceptability and dietary safety, we conducted a comprehensive volatilomic and phytochemical analysis of <i>T. majus</i> flowers and their juice. Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) was employed to establish the volatilomic fingerprint of floral tissues and juice. Our analysis revealed a striking dominance of benzyl isothiocyanate and benzonitrile, which together accounted for 88% of the total volatile organic metabolites (VOMs) in the juice, 67% and 21%, respectively. In the floral tissues, benzyl isothiocyanate was even more prevalent, representing 95% of the total volatile profile. Complementary in vitro assays confirmed a substantial total phenolic content and strong antioxidant activity in the flowers. These findings provide a robust chemical rationale for the potential health-promoting attributes of <i>T. majus</i>, while identifying key volatilomic markers that could support future functional and safety claims. In parallel, a benefit–risk assessment framework is discussed in accordance with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidelines for the Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) of edible flowers. Given that both benzyl isothiocyanate and benzonitrile are classified as Cramer Class III substances, a conservative intake threshold of 1.5 μg/kg body weight per day is proposed. To enable quantitative exposure modeling and support the derivation of a tolerable daily intake (TDI), future studies should integrate organic solvent-based extraction methodologies to estimate the total volatile load per gram of floral biomass. This would align risk–benefit assessments with the EFSA’s evolving framework for novel foods and functional ingredients.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/1053<i>Tropaeolum majus</i> L.flower and juiceheadspace solid-phase microextractiongas chromatography–mass spectrometryvolatile organic metabolites |
| spellingShingle | Rosa Perestrelo Maria da Graça Lopes Alda Pereira da Silva Maria do Céu Costa José S. Câmara New Contributions to Deepen the Quality-Based Safety Assessment in the Consumption of Edible Nasturtium Flowers—The Role of Volatilome Life <i>Tropaeolum majus</i> L. flower and juice headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry volatile organic metabolites |
| title | New Contributions to Deepen the Quality-Based Safety Assessment in the Consumption of Edible Nasturtium Flowers—The Role of Volatilome |
| title_full | New Contributions to Deepen the Quality-Based Safety Assessment in the Consumption of Edible Nasturtium Flowers—The Role of Volatilome |
| title_fullStr | New Contributions to Deepen the Quality-Based Safety Assessment in the Consumption of Edible Nasturtium Flowers—The Role of Volatilome |
| title_full_unstemmed | New Contributions to Deepen the Quality-Based Safety Assessment in the Consumption of Edible Nasturtium Flowers—The Role of Volatilome |
| title_short | New Contributions to Deepen the Quality-Based Safety Assessment in the Consumption of Edible Nasturtium Flowers—The Role of Volatilome |
| title_sort | new contributions to deepen the quality based safety assessment in the consumption of edible nasturtium flowers the role of volatilome |
| topic | <i>Tropaeolum majus</i> L. flower and juice headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry volatile organic metabolites |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/1053 |
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