Potential contribution of common aromatic plants for vitamin C dietary intake

Carvalho-Costa, Denise; Albuquerque, T.G.; Costa, H.S.; Castilho, Maria Conceição; Ramos, Fernando; Machado, Ana V.; Sanches-Silva, Ana

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/3317

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Authors

Carvalho-Costa, Denise

Albuquerque, T.G.

Costa, H.S.

Castilho, Maria Conceição

Ramos, Fernando

Machado, Ana V.

Sanches-Silva, Ana

Abstract(s)

Aromatic plants have been used in cooking and in folk medicine for centuries. However, in the last few years aromatic plants have received particular attention due to their simple and efficient contribution to decrease salt daily intake. The present study evaluated the two biologically active forms of vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid, by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Fresh aromatic plants were acquired in local supermarkets from Lisbon (Portugal) region. Results were given by mg per 100 g of edible portion. The following plants were selected for the study: parsley (Petroselinum crispum Mill.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), oregano (Origanum majorana L.), tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), marjoram (Origanum majorana L.), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), chives (Allium fistulosum L.) and bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.). A tris-[2-carboxyethyl] phosphine hydrochloride solution was used to reduce the oxidized forms of vitamin C into L-ascorbic acid. Only parsley, chives, coriander and bay laurel contained both ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid. The results obtained for rosemary (22.7 mg/100 g) were similar to those from United States database (USDA) food composition (21.8 mg/100 g). The contribution of the analyzed aromatic herbs for the intake of vitamin C was assessed, taking into account the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for vitamin C established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences (healthy males 90 mg/day; healthy females, 75 mg/day).