Fatty acid and glucosinolate patterns of seed from Isatis indigotica Fortune as bioproducts for green chemistry

• Seed composition of four Isatis indigotica accessions was investigated.
• Genetic backgrounds did not affect yield or other agronomic traits.
• Intra-species chemotypic variations in fatty acids and glucosinolates were found.
• High levels of unsaturated fatty acids were observed.
• Very high amounts of epi-proigotrin and progoitrin were recorded.

Isatis indigotica Fortune is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family, whose leaves and roots are rich in active compounds popularly used as natural dyes and/or for their pharmacological activity. Few studies are available on its seeds production and chemical composition. This study evaluated the seed yield and active compounds of I. indigotica Fortune (Chinese woad) with the aim to investigate its intra-species chemotypic, phenotypic and productive variations. A field experiment was carried out in Central Italy under Mediterranean climate, comparing four I. indigotica accessions. The plant phenological, morphological and productive characteristics (siliculas and seed yields) have been evaluated and the seeds analysed for fatty acid composition and glucosinolate patterns. The four accessions, grown as winter annual crop, showed similar phenological development but a different percentage of plants that turn to flower. All the genotypes showed good adaptability to the environmental conditions and good agronomical performances, with good siliculas yield (1.36 ± 0.08 t ha−1) and oil content (36.8 ± 0.82% w/w). Significant differences among the accessions were observed for the fatty acid and glucosinolate profiles. The oil was rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid (58% and 32% as mean value, respectively) with major differences for the oleic and α-linolenic acids. The erucic acid content ranged from 16 to 21%. In relation to the glucosinolates, the major differences were recorded for progoitrin, epi-progoitrin, gluconapin and glucobrassicin. The high polyunsaturated fatty acid concentration of I. indigotica seeds, together with its interesting glucosinolate content, open new perspectives for sustainable biobased production.