Author(s):
Fernandes, F. 
; Teixeira, J.P. ; Taveira, M. ; Sousa, C. ; Costa, S. ; Coelho, P. ; Valentão, P. ; Remião, F. ; Pereira, J.A. ; Andrade, P.B.
Date: 2009
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10198/4842
Origin: Biblioteca Digital do IPB
Description
Attention has been focused on identifying naturally occurring compounds with
anticarcinogenic activity. Epidemiological data evidence the protective role of Brassica species,
especially due to their phenolics and glucosinolates.
Pieris brassicae, an insect whose larvae constitutes a frequent pest of Brassica species,
has the capacity to uptake, metabolize and excrete these phytochemicals by the faeces.
Phenolics composition of excrements from P. brassicae reared on Brassica oleracea var.
acephala presents flavonoids (sulfated and glycosilated), some of them not detected in host
plant [1]. Their volatiles profile shows compounds belonging to different classes, with especial
attention to terpenes and glucosinolates breakdown products (sulfur and nitrogen compounds)
[2]. Furthermore, this matrix already revealed to have antioxidative properties [1].
