Antioxidant activity and the physicochemical composition of young caper shoots (Capparis spinosa L.) of different Spanish cultivars

Abstract

The cultivation of Capparis spinosa is widespread in the Mediterranean basin. The caper is a perennial and deciduous creeping shrub, of which different aerial parts are edible, such as the flower buds, fruit and caper shoots, however the level of consumption of caper shoots is less widespread. The caper shoots are quite typical of the south-eastern part of Spain and their consumption is usually as a side in salads. The present investigation tries to raise awareness of the nutritional value of this aerial part of the caper plant and promote higher levels of consumption of this specific part, by means of the study of different cultivars located in different geographic zones. According to the present investigation, it has been observed that the tender stems have good biochemical characteristics, providing higher nutritional value than the flower buds and caper fruits. The cultivar ʻORI 1ʼ located in Orihuela (Alicante) has presented the best biochemical characteristics, due to its significantly higher values in polyphenols, flavonoids, flavonols and antioxidant activity. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to encourage the consumption of caper shoots, introducing them as one more ingredient in the Mediterranean diet. The caper is a high value crop, due to its ability to adapt to climate change and drought, in addition to the beneficial properties that the different aerial parts contribute to human health.