Purple tea: chemical characterization and evaluation as inhibitor of pancreatic lipase and fat digestion in mice.

A variety of the classic green tea plant, Camellia sinensis, was developed and is exclusive to Kenya. Due to high content of anthocyanin polyphenols in its leaves, the beverage obtained from this variety is purple in color and is the origin of the name purple tea. This work had two main purposes. The first one was to identify and quantify the major anthocyanin polyphenols in a hot water aqueous extract of the purple tea leaves. The second one was to test the hypothesis if this extract is capable of inhibiting triglyceride absorption considering that anthocyanin polyphenolics have been frequently associated to antilipidemic effects. Parallel experiments were always done with a similar green tea extract for comparison purposes. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of both tea varieties are similar. The purple tea extract, however, was strongly inhibitory toward the pancreatic lipase (minimal IC50 = 67.4 µg mL-1), whereas the green tea preparation was a weak inhibitor. Triglyceride digestion in mice was inhibited by the purple tea extract starting at 100 mg kg-1 dose and with a well-defined dose dependence. Green tea had no effect on triglyceride digestion at doses up to 500 mg kg-1. The latter effect is probably caused by several components in the purple tea extract including non-anthocyanin and anthocyanin polyphenols, the first ones acting solely via the inhibition of the pancreatic lipase and the latter by inhibiting both the lipase and the transport of free fatty acids from the intestinal lumen into the circulating blood. The results suggest that the regular consumption of Kenyan purple tea can be useful in the control of obesity.

Full Exploitation of Peach Palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth): State of the Art and Perspectives.

The peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) is a palm tree native to the Amazon region, with plantations expanding to the Brazilian Southwest and South regions. This work is a critical review of historical, botanical, social, environmental, and nutritional aspects of edible and nonedible parts of the plant. In Brazil, the importance of the cultivation of B. gasipaes to produce palm heart has grown considerably, due to its advantages in relation to other palm species, such as precocity, rusticity and tillering. The last one is especially important, as it makes the exploitation of peach palm hearts, contrary to what happens with other palm tree species, a non-predatory practice. Of special interest are the recent efforts aiming at the valorization of the fruit as a source of carotenoids and starch. Further developments indicate that the B. gasipaes lignocellulosic wastes hold great potential for being upcycled into valuable biotechnological products such as prebiotics, enzymes, cellulose nanofibrils and high fiber flours. Clean technologies are protagonists of the recovery processes, ensuring the closure of the product's life cycle in a "green" way. Future research should focus on expanding and making the recovery processes economically viable, which would be of great importance for stimulating the peach palm production chain.

Basidiocarp structures of Lentinus crinitus: an antimicrobial source against foodborne pathogens and food spoilage microorganisms.

Lentinus crinitus basidiocarps are an alternative to antimicrobials, but the stipe (24% basidiocarp) is discarded even with potential antimicrobial activity. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of L. crinitus basidiocarp pileus and stipe extracts against foodborne pathogens and food spoilage microorganisms. Basidiocarps of L. crinitus were grown in sugarcane bagasse and rice husks and the pileus and stipe methanolic extract was analyzed by broth microdilution method for antimicrobial activity against eight bacteria and eight fungi. The minimum bactericidal concentration values for pileus and stipe ranged from 0.40 to 0.50 mg mL- 1, for streptomycin from 0.10 to 0.50 mg mL- 1, and for ampicillin from 0.40 to 1.20 mg mL- 1. The minimum fungicidal concentration values for pileus and stipe ranged from 0.06 to 0.60 mg mL- 1, for bifonazole from 0.20 to 0.25 mg mL- 1, and for ketoconazole from 0.30 to 3.50 mg mL- 1. Extracts had bacteriostatic, bactericidal, fungistatic and fungicidal activity against all microorganisms, but with greater efficiency and specificity for some microorganisms. Both pileus and stipe are promising and sustainable alternatives for use in food, agricultural, and pharmaceutical industries.

Bioactive profile of edible nasturtium and rose flowers during simulated gastrointestinal digestion.

Rose and nasturtium are common ornamental edible flowers rich in phytochemicals whose application as food is not widely explored. The gastrointestinal environment can modify these compounds, resulting in new combinations with different bioactivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGD) on rose and nasturtium flower extracts. Using UPLC-HRMS, 38 phenolic compounds were identified, and the SGD caused significant changes, mainly in the glycosylated phenolic. Furthermore, antioxidant activity was correlated with the increase in the concentrations of some polyphenols. Tested Gram-negative bacteria showed sensitivity to the flower extracts; their growth was inhibited by up to 82.7%. SGD interrupted the bacterial growth inhibition power of the rose extracts. On the other hand, an increase in inhibition ranging from 52.25 to 54.72%was found for nasturtium extracts, correlated to the behavior of some bioactive. Hence, SGD resulted in significant changes in phenolic profiles of the edible flowers, increasing antioxidant activity and changing antimicrobial effects.

Cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activities of Gallesia integrifolia (Phytolaccaceae) fruit essential oil.

The chemical composition of Gallesia integrifolia fruits essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation using a modified Clevenger apparatus was investigated by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In addition, the cytotoxicity activity against human tumor cell lines MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), NCI-H460 (large cell lung carcinoma), HeLa (cervical carcinoma), and HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma), and non-tumor PLP2 (porcine liver primary cells) as well as the anti-inflammatory action was proposal. The compounds were predominantly organosulfates (2,8-dithianonane, dimethyl trisulfide, and lenthionine). Anti-inflammatory activity that provides 50% inhibition of nitric oxide production (55 µg/mL) of essential oil of the fruits. It also presents cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 (GI50 = 66 µg/mL), NCI-H-460 (GI50 = 147 µg/mL), HeLa (GI50 = 182 µg/mL) and HepG2 (GI50 = 240 µg/mL). The essential oil is more active in tumor cells than in non-tumor cells and the GI50 values for essential oil reported in our work support future studies.

The inhibitory action of purple tea on in vivo starch digestion compared to other Camellia sinensis teas.

In order to contribute to improve knowledge about the actions of Camellia sinensis extracts on starch digestion, several varieties were compared. The latter were green, oolong, white, black, and purple teas. The results are hoped to contribute to our understanding of the mode of action and potency of the various tea preparations as possible adjuvants in the control of post-prandial glycemia. The extracts were prepared in way similar to their form of consumption. All extracts decreased starch digestion, but the purple tea extract was the strongest inhibitor, their inhibitory tendency started at the dose of 50 mg/kg and was already maximal with 250 mg/kg. Maltose tolerance was not significantly affected by the extracts. Glucose tolerance was not affected by purple tea, but black tea clearly diminished it; green tea presented the same tendency. Purple tea was also the strongest inhibitor of pancreatic α-amylase, followed by black tea. The green tea, oolong tea, and white tea extracts tended to stimulate the pancreatic α-amylase at low concentrations, a phenomenon that could be counterbalancing its inhibitory effect on starch digestion. Based on chemical analyses and molecular docking simulations it was concluded that for both purple and black tea extracts the most abundant active component, epigallocatechin gallate, seems also to be the main responsible for the inhibition of the pancreatic α-amylase and starch digestion. In the case of purple tea, the inhibitory activity is likely to be complemented by its content in deoxyhexoside-hexoside-containing polyphenolics, especially the kaempferol and myricetin derivatives. Polysaccharides are also contributing to some extent. Cyanidins, the compounds giving to purple tea its characteristic color, seem not to be the main responsible for its effects on starch digestion. It can be concluded that in terms of postprandial anti-hyperglycemic action purple tea presents the best perspectives among all the tea varieties tested in the present study.

Bioactivity screening of pinhão (Araucaria Angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze) seed extracts: the inhibition of cholinesterases and α-amylases, and cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities.

The objective of this work was to determine the potential bioactive properties of extracts from bio-residues of pinhão (Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze) seeds, namely the α-amylase and cholinesterase inhibition, cytotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory properties. The pinhão extracts evaluated were obtained from cooking water (CW) and as an ethanolic extract from residual pinhão seed shells (PS). Catechin was the major compound found in both extracts. The PS extract presented higher antioxidant levels and the better inhibition of human salivary and porcine pancreatic α-amylases when compared to the CW extract. Also, based on in vivo evaluations, the PS extract did not differ significantly from acarbose when compared to a control group. The most potent inhibitor of cholinesterases was the CW extract. No cytotoxicity toward normal cells was detected, and neither extract showed anti-inflammatory activity. The PS extract presented cytotoxic activity toward non-small-cell lung, cervical, hepatocellular and breast carcinoma cell lines. Overall, the results demonstrated the potential bioactivity of extracts obtained from pinhão bio-residues.

Antimicrobial activity, chemical composition and cytotoxicity of Lentinus crinitus basidiocarp.

Lentinus crinitus (L.) Fr. (Basidiomycota: Polyporales) is a wild mushroom with several biotechnological applications; however, there are few studies on its chemical composition and antimicrobial activity. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the chemical composition, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial activity of L. crinitus basidiocarp. For that, its nutritional value (AOAC procedures) and its composition in some hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds (chromatographic techniques) were assessed. Moreover, the potential hepatotoxic effects were evaluated using a primary cell culture obtained from porcine liver, and its growth inhibitory capacity was also evaluated against four human tumour cell lines (spectrophotometric assays). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by microdilution against eight bacteria and fungi. The basidiocarp has a high content of carbohydrates and, therefore, a relatively high energetic value. It is also rich in soluble sugars, ß-tocopherol, phenolic acids, mainly p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and organic acids, mainly malic acid. L. crinitus did not show cytotoxicity in non-tumour cells, but it did not inhibit the growth of human tumour cell lines either. The basidiocarp has a wide antimicrobial activity, inhibiting the growth of different species of bacteria and fungi. It showed minimum bactericidal and fungicidal concentration values similar to or lower than those verified by commercial antibiotics or food additives used as preservatives. The antimicrobial activity was more evident against Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, and Penicillium ochrochloron, followed by Aspergillus ochraceus and Trichoderma viride, when compared to the controls. The results obtained in this study showed that L. crinitus basidiocarp has great potential to be used by the industry without toxicity risks.

Effects of a Myrciaria jaboticaba peel extract on starch and triglyceride absorption and the role of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside.

The purpose of this study was to perform a parallel and comparative investigation of the effects of a Myrciaria jaboticaba (common name jabuticaba) peel extract and of its constituent cyanidin-3-O-glucoside on the overall process of starch and triglyceride intestinal absorption. The peel extract inhibited both the porcine pancreactic α-amylase and the pancreatic lipase but was 13.6 times more potent on the latter (IC50 values of 1963 and 143.9 µg mL-1, respectively). Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside did not contribute significantly to these inhibitions. The jabuticaba peel extract inhibited starch absorption in mice at doses that were compatible with its inhibitory action on the α-amylase. No inhibition of starch absorption was found with cyanidin-3-O-glucoside doses compatible with its content in the extract. The extract also inhibited triglyceride absorption, but at doses that were considerably smaller than those predicted by its strength in inhibiting the pancreatic lipase (ID50 = 3.65 mg kg-1). In this case, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside was also strongly inhibitory, with 72% inhibition at the dose of 2 mg kg-1. When oleate + glycerol were given to mice, both the peel extract and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside strongly inhibited the appearance of triglycerides in the plasma. The main mechanism seems, thus, not to be the lipase inhibition but rather the inhibition of one or more steps (e.g., transport) in the events that lead to the transformation of free fatty acids in the intestinal tract into triglycerides. Due to the low active doses, the jabuticaba peel extract presents many favourable perspectives as an inhibitor of fat absorption and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside seems to play a decisive role.

Potential anti-diabetic properties of Merlot grape pomace extract: An in vitro, in silico and in vivo study of α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition.

A practical approach to control glycemia in diabetes is to use plant natural products that delay hydrolysis of complex sugars and promote the diminution of the release of glucosyl units into the blood plasma. Polyphenolics have been described as being effective in inhibiting amylases and α-glucosidases. Grape pomace is an important sub product of the wine industry, still rich in many compounds such as polyphenolics. In this context, the purpose of this study was to search for possible effects of a grape pomace extract on salivary and pancreatic α-amylases and α-glucosidase, as well as on intestinal glucose absorption. The Merlot grape pomace extract (MGPE) was prepared using a hydroalcoholic mixture (40% ethanol + 60% water). In vitro inhibition was quantified using potato starch (for amylases) and maltose (for α-glucosidase) as substrates. In vivo inhibition was evaluated by running starch and maltose tolerance tests in rats with or without administration of MGPE. Ranking of the extract compounds for its affinity to the α-amylases was accomplished by computer simulations using three different programs. Both α-amylases, pancreatic and salivary, were inhibited by the MGPE. No inhibition on α-glucosidase, however, was detected. The IC50 values were 90 ± 10 µg/mL and 143 ± 15 µg/mL for salivary and pancreatic amylases, respectively. Kinetically this inhibition showed a complex pattern, with multiple binding of the extract constituents to the enzymes. Furthermore, the in silico docking simulations indicated that several phenolic substances, e.g., peonidin-3-O-acetylglucoside, quercetin-3-O-glucuronide and isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, besides catechin, were the most likely polyphenols responsible for the α-amylase inhibition caused by MGPE. The hyperglycemic burst, an usual phenomenon that follows starch administration, was substantially inhibited by the MGPE. Our results suggest that the MGPE can be adequate for maintaining normal blood levels after food ingestion.

Nutritional quality and staling of wheat bread partially replaced with Peruvian mesquite (Prosopis pallida) flour.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of partially replacing two types of wheat flour (low ash content [type 55] and high ash content [type 65]) with Peruvian Prosopis pallida (mesquite) pod flour (0, 5, 10, 15%) on the nutritional quality and staling of composite breads. Mesquite flour (MF) enhanced the nutritional quality by increasing the fibre contents and unsaturated fatty acids of the bread. MF did not affect crumb hardness either when prepared with wheat flour type 65 (p = 0.374) or 55 (p = 0.122), but reduced crumb resilience (p < 0.001) and water activity (p = 0.003) in both wheat flour types. When blended with wheat flour type 55, increasing levels of MF delayed the dehydration (p < 0.001) and resilience loss rates. Likewise, the higher the MF level, the slower the crumb hardening of composite breads formulated with wheat flour type 55 (p = 0.028). Thus, MF did not only enhance the nutritional profile of composite breads, but could also retard staling as a supplement of wheat flour type 55.

Nutritional value, physicochemical characterization and bioactive properties of the Brazilian quinoa BRS Piabiru.

Chenopodium quinoa Willd. is an ancient food crop that has provided nutrition to Andean populations for thousands of years. BRS Piabiru is a quinoa genotype developed and adapted to tropical climate by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. In this work, BRS Piabiru quinoa was evaluated concerning its nutritional, physicochemical and phenolic composition and also its bioactive properties. This variety showed high carbohydrate and protein contents and a low-fat level, composed of 86% of unsaturated fatty acids, 60% of which are polyunsaturated fatty acids. Four organic acids were detected, with quinic acid as the most abundant, while α- and γ-tocopherols were the vitamin E isoforms found. Quercetin and kaempferol glycosides were the main phenolic compounds in the quinoa extract, which also revealed relevant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, with no toxic effect. These results support the potential of BRS Piabiru quinoa as a nutritious food crop and a source of bioactive compounds.

Characterization and Application of Pomegranate Epicarp Extracts as Functional Ingredients in a Typical Brazilian Pastry Product.

Currently, there is a clear tendency to incorporate natural ingredients into food and pharmaceutical formulations. Besides being well-accepted by consumers, these ingredients have less adverse side effects than their artificial counterparts. The pomegranate processing industry produces large quantities of by-products that are discarded as bio-residues, despite containing bioactive compounds. Accordingly, the epicarp of two pomegranate varieties (Mollar de Elche and Purple Queen) was tested as a potential source of bioactive compounds with food application. The phenolic profile was identified by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS, revealing fourteen phenolic compounds in both varieties (Purple Queen showed also three anthocyanins), with punicalagin isomers as the major compounds. Nonetheless, Mollar de Elche presented greater antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Despite this result, Purple Queen was selected to be tested as a new natural colouring and functionalizing ingredient in a Brazilian pastry product. The incorporation of the selected extract maintained the nutritional profile and provided a higher antioxidant activity compared to the traditional product. In this way, this work confirmed the possible use of pomegranate epicarp as a natural ingredient in the food industry, conferring dyeing and functionalizing effects, and anticipating a possible valorisation of this bio-residue.

Jabuticaba residues (Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg) are rich sources of valuable compounds with bioactive properties.

Jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg) is a Brazilian berry, very appreciated for in natura consumption. However, its epicarp is not normally consumed due to its stiffness and astringent taste, and in manufacture of products from jabuticaba fruit, it is responsible for the generation of large amounts of residues. The exploration of by-products is becoming important for the obtainment of valuable bioactive compounds for food and pharmaceutical industries. In this context, jabuticaba epicarp was studied regarding its chemical composition, namely in terms of phenolic compounds, tocopherols, and organic acids, and its bioactive properties, such as antioxidant, anti-proliferate, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. A total of sixteen phenolic compounds, four tocopherols and six organic acids were identified in jabuticaba epicarp. Regarding bioactive properties, it showed high antioxidant activity, also presenting moderate anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and antimicrobial activities. The extract did not present hepatotoxicity, confirming the possibility of its applications without toxicity issues.

Chemical composition and bioactive properties of byproducts from two different kiwi varieties.

Kiwis are an example of fruits with excellent bioactive properties worldwide appreciated and consumed generating tons of waste. Thus, the objective of this work was to compare two varieties of kiwi: Actinidia deliciosa cv. "Hayward" (green) and Actinidia spp. (red) regarding the nutritional value of their pulps, chemical composition and bioactivities of each pulp and peel. The results revealed that pulps have a high water content and low amount of other macronutrients. Both parts of red kiwi presented the highest tocopherols content and red kiwi pulp presented the highest content in ascorbic acid. In general, the peels exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and green kiwi peels showed cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity, which could be related to its higher content in phenolic compounds, especially B-type (epi)catechin dimer. Therefore, kiwi components currently underutilized may be indicated as a source of natural functionalizing ingredients with several benefits for human health.

Phytochemical Composition and Bioactive Effects of Salvia africana, Salvia officinalis 'Icterina' and Salvia mexicana Aqueous Extracts.

In the present study, aqueous extracts of Salvia africana, Salvia officinalis 'Icterina' and Savia mexicana origin were screened for their phenolic composition and for antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties. The three aqueous extracts contained distinct phenolic compounds, with S. africana presenting the highest total levels (231.6 ± 7.5 µg/mg). Rosmarinic acid was the dominant phenolic compound in all extracts, yet that of S. africana origin was characterized by the present of yunnaneic acid isomers, which overall accounted for about 40% of total phenolics. In turn, S. officinalis 'Icterina' extract presented glycosidic forms of apigenin, luteolin and scuttelarein, and the one obtained from S. mexicana contained several simple caffeic acid derivatives. S. africana aqueous extract exhibited high antioxidant potential in four methods, namely the DPPH• (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging ability, iron-reducing power, inhibition of ß-carotene bleaching and of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), for which EC50 values were equal or only 1.3-3.1 higher than those of the standard compounds. Moreover, this extract was able to lower the levels of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages (EC50 = 47.8 ± 2.1 µg/mL). In addition, the three sage aqueous extracts showed promising cytotoxic effect towards hepatocellular HepG2, cervical HeLa, and breast carcinoma cells MCF-7. Overall this study highlights the potential of three little-exploited Salvia species, with commercial value for applications in food or pharmaceutical industries.

A new variety of purple tomato as a rich source of bioactive carotenoids and its potential health benefits.

Carotenoid-rich fractions (CRF) from pulp and peel of a new variety of purple tomato were investigated in comparison to a Red Cherry variety regarding carotenoids characterization, antioxidant capacity, and inhibition of proliferation of four tumor cell lines. CRF from peel of Purple tomato contains lutein, lycopene, and ß-carotene up to 6, 1.5, and 2.5 times more than that of Red Cherry and it exhibited the highest antioxidant activity at 400 µg/mL, reaching 82% and 97% in DPPH and ABTS•+ assays, respectively. Besides that, the Purple peel showed the highest scavenging lipoperoxides capacity as well as displayed the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power compared to the other CRF. In turn, the Red Cherry pulp CRF showed the highest antiproliferative activity against four tumor cell lines (MCF-7, NCI-H460, HeLa, and HepG2) at non-toxic concentrations. High concentration of neurosporene, and lycopene in Red Cherry pulp CRF show to be related to the good antiproliferative activity found on it. Therefore, this new variety of nutrient-rich purple tomato could be explored as well as the commercial variety Red Cherry, since both are good sources of dietary carotenoids with health-promoting properties.

Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze extract as a source of phenolic compounds in TPS/PBAT active films.

There is growing interest in the development of biodegradable packaging materials containing natural antioxidant extracts. In this sense, the use of extracts obtained from agro-industrial byproducts has proved to be a sustainable alternative. In this study, Pinhão extract, a byproduct of Pinhão (Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze) seed consumption, was characterized by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn, demonstrating the presence of eight phenolic compounds, (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin being the most abundant molecules. TPS/PBAT films containing Pinhão extract were produced by blown extrusion and their properties (tensile properties, thermal characteristics and microstructure) were evaluated in order to determine the effect of the presence of extracts. Results suggested that the interaction between the phenolic compounds of the extract and the polymeric matrix caused the reduction in the crystallinity degree, and an increase in the starch glass transition temperature. The presence of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze extract significantly (p < 0.05) affected the color and opacity of the film. Regarding water vapor permeation, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was detected. However, the water solubility and the contact angle with water (polar solvent) and diiodomethane (non-polar solvent) significantly changed due to the extract addition. Moreover, the Pinhão extract conferred significant antioxidant capacity to the TPS/PBAT films as determined by DPPH, suggesting that this material can be applied as an active packaging material.

Yerba mate aqueous extract improves the oxidative and inflammatory states of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Healthy and adjuvant-induced arthritic rats were treated for 23 days with daily doses of 400 and 800 mg kg-1Ilex paraguariensis extract. This treatment (a) diminished the ROS levels in the liver and brain, (b) decreased oxidative protein and lipid damage in liver and brain, (c) increased the plasma antioxidant capacity, (d) increased the GSH levels and the GSH/GSSH ratio in both the liver and the brain, (e) almost restored the enzymatic activities linked to the metabolism of GSH-GSSG, and (f) reversed the modified activities of xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase. The anti-inflammatory actions (firstly) and the antioxidant actions (in the second place) of the yerba mate constituents (e.g., chlorogenic acid derivatives) are the causes of these beneficial effects. Daily ingestion of traditional yerba mate beverages may be effective in attenuating the symptoms of inflammatory diseases, especially in older adults.

Nutritional composition and bioactivity of Umbilicus rupestris (Salisb.) Dandy: An underexploited edible wild plant.

The inclusion of edible wild plants in human diet has been receiving an increasing attention, as they represent an easily accessible source of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants. In this work, the leaves of Umbelicus rupestris (Salisb.) Dandy, an edible species for which only scarce data is available in literature, were thoroughly evaluated for its nutritional profile, chemical characterization and bioactive properties. Being considered a succulent plant, the leaves revealed a very high content of moisture, with several beneficial compounds, including omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols and different polyphenols. A total of twelve flavonoids, three phenolic acids and one phenylpropanoid glucoside were identified in the decoction and/or hydroethanolic extracts, with most of them being described for the first time in this plant. Both extracts showed antioxidant activity and potential to inhibit some of the assayed bacteria, while not presenting cytotoxic effects on a non-tumour primary cell culture.