Rocket plant (Eruca sativa) is a green leafy vegetable with significant levels of bioactive active components. Although, this plant is known in Bulgaria, scanty data concerning chemical composition of representatives with Bulgarian origin is available. The aim of this study was to evaluate and to compare the biological potential of Italian and Bulgarian rockets in terms of their antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and total hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. The micro- and macro elements were evaluated as well. The highest content of total phenolic content was detected in Bulgarian rocket – 4.45 mg gallic acid equivalent per g dry weight, while in Italian samples dominated the total hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives – 1.52 mg chlorogenic acid equivalent per g dry weight. The antioxidant activity was not significantly different in both samples. The presence Co and Al was reported for the first time, as in our study their values were higher in a rocket from Italian origin (75.6 and 595 mg/kg). Italian rocket contained arsenic (0.07 mg/g) in comparison with Bulgarian samples where it was not found. The results revealed the sample with Italian origin as a significant better source of antioxidants with potential beneficial effects. Bulgarian rocket was evaluated with smaller amount of some metals as nickel, arsenic, chromium, manganese, aluminum and sodium, but the concentrations of Pb (0.58 mg/kg) and Cd (0.27 mg/kg) were higher than accepted levels by EU.

The current study aimed to determine the major and minor nutritional constituents of Sorbus domestica L. fruits. It was revealed that palmitic acid was the most commonly occurring saturated fatty acid, while linoleic acid represented the major polyunsaturated fatty acid. The sterol fraction consisted mainly of β-sitosterol. Small amounts of lipophilic pigments were quantified. Potassium, iron, and boron were the most abundant macro-, micro-, and ultra-trace elements. The amino acid composition analysis suggested that the non-essential amino acids predominated over the essential ones. Soluble sugars (fructose and glucose) represented a large part of the total carbohydrate content, but pectin formed the major part of polysaccharides. Malic acid was the most abundant organic acid whereas quercetin-3-β-glucoside, neochlorogenic, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acids were the major phenolic constituents. Fruits exhibited free-radical scavenging and protecting ability against peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals. Service tree fruits provided valuable bioactive constituents having a high nutritional value and potential health benefits.