Comprehensive polar lipid profile of “Cavolfiore della Piana del Sele” PGI (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) inner leaves by LC-ESI/HRMS/MS analysis and evaluation of tyrosinase inhibitory activity

Cauliflower ( Brassica oleracea var. botrytis ) is widely cultivated worldwide. “Cavolfiore della Piana del Sele”, a variety from Campania region, Italy, recently obtained EU PGI recognition. With the aim to characterize the polar lipid composition of cauliflower inner leaves and to assess their potential tyrosinase inhibitory activity, EtOH and EtOH:H2O (50:50) extracts of “Cavolfiore della Piana del Sele” PGI (cauliflower) inner leaves were investigated. In particular, in the first step, an LC-ESI/HRMS/MS analysis was performed to highlight the presence of polar lipids that could contribute to the bioactivity profile of cauliflower inner leaves. 78 polar lipids (oxylipins, glycolipids, phospholipids, and sphingolipids) were identified. Considering that some polar lipids are known to exert potential neuroprotective effects, the tyrosinase inhibitory activity of “Cavolfiore della Piana del Sele” inner leaves extracts was evaluated. EtOH and EtOH:H2O (50:50) extracts exhibited IC50 values of 55.00 and 61.62 μg/mL, respectively.