to form a secondary gene pool is hypothesized to improve both the yield and
resistance to disease in B. nigra cultivars. The advantage in this aspect when it
comes to B. nigra is that the Brassica species can be crossbred with other members,
thereby leading to better crops and superior agricultural produce (Pradhan and Pental
2011).
8.11 Conclusions
B. nigra remains an important crop when it comes to the oilseed industry. While its
medicinal properties have been made evident through several in vitro and in vivo
studies, through ascertaining the existence of bioactive compounds such as sinigrin
and sinapin, its food and agricultural applications have been widely recognized in
the recent past. However, when it comes to the functional properties of the plant, its
seed and the oil, further investigations need to be targeted at isolation and identification of bioactive compounds of interest, following which clinical trials need to be
conducted on their efficacy and dosages. Further research needs to be targeted
towards the production of disease-resistant B. nigra crops with a higher produce as
well. In terms of safety and consumption, awareness needs to be raised on possible
toxic and allergenic effects of the seed and the oil. This aspect is relatively less
known and, thus, warrants more attention in order to safeguard consumers from any
adverse effects extending from consumption of the seed and the oil.
Conflicts of Interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to report, financial or otherwise.
References
Abdollahi Fard M, Shojaii A (2013) Efficacy of Iranian traditional medicine in the treatment of
epilepsy. BioMed Res Int 2013:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/692751
Alam MB, Hossain MS, Haque ME (2011) Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the leaf
extract of Brassica nigra. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2(2):303–310
Alvarez PA, Boye JI (2012) Food production and processing considerations of allergenic food
ingredients: a review. J Allergy 2012:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/746125
Amare A, Hadush A, Aregawi H, Kide N (2015) Antibacterial activity of oil extracts of black
mustard (Brassica nigra) seeds against bacteria isolated from fresh juice in selected areas of
Axum town. Int J Integr Sci Innov Technol (IJIIT) 4(4):15–18
Anand P, Murali K, Tandon V, Chandra R, Murthy P (2007) Preliminary studies on
antihyperglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Brassica nigra (L.) Koch in streptozotocin
induced diabetic rats. Indian J Exp Biol 45(8):696–701
Anand P, Murali YK, Tandon V, Murthy PS, Chandra R (2009) Insulinotropic effect of aqueous
extract of Brassica nigra improves glucose homeostasis in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 117(06):251–256. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1080917
Andersen KE, Bjergegaard C, Møller P, Sørensen JC, Sørensen H (2005) Compositional variations
for α-galactosides in different species of leguminosae, brassicaceae, and barley: a
206
H. K. S. De Zoysa and V. Y. Waisundara
resistance to disease in B. nigra cultivars. The advantage in this aspect when it
comes to B. nigra is that the Brassica species can be crossbred with other members,
thereby leading to better crops and superior agricultural produce (Pradhan and Pental
2011).
8.11 Conclusions
B. nigra remains an important crop when it comes to the oilseed industry. While its
medicinal properties have been made evident through several in vitro and in vivo
studies, through ascertaining the existence of bioactive compounds such as sinigrin
and sinapin, its food and agricultural applications have been widely recognized in
the recent past. However, when it comes to the functional properties of the plant, its
seed and the oil, further investigations need to be targeted at isolation and identification of bioactive compounds of interest, following which clinical trials need to be
conducted on their efficacy and dosages. Further research needs to be targeted
towards the production of disease-resistant B. nigra crops with a higher produce as
well. In terms of safety and consumption, awareness needs to be raised on possible
toxic and allergenic effects of the seed and the oil. This aspect is relatively less
known and, thus, warrants more attention in order to safeguard consumers from any
adverse effects extending from consumption of the seed and the oil.
Conflicts of Interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to report, financial or otherwise.
References
Abdollahi Fard M, Shojaii A (2013) Efficacy of Iranian traditional medicine in the treatment of
epilepsy. BioMed Res Int 2013:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/692751
Alam MB, Hossain MS, Haque ME (2011) Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the leaf
extract of Brassica nigra. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2(2):303–310
Alvarez PA, Boye JI (2012) Food production and processing considerations of allergenic food
ingredients: a review. J Allergy 2012:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/746125
Amare A, Hadush A, Aregawi H, Kide N (2015) Antibacterial activity of oil extracts of black
mustard (Brassica nigra) seeds against bacteria isolated from fresh juice in selected areas of
Axum town. Int J Integr Sci Innov Technol (IJIIT) 4(4):15–18
Anand P, Murali K, Tandon V, Chandra R, Murthy P (2007) Preliminary studies on
antihyperglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Brassica nigra (L.) Koch in streptozotocin
induced diabetic rats. Indian J Exp Biol 45(8):696–701
Anand P, Murali YK, Tandon V, Murthy PS, Chandra R (2009) Insulinotropic effect of aqueous
extract of Brassica nigra improves glucose homeostasis in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 117(06):251–256. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1080917
Andersen KE, Bjergegaard C, Møller P, Sørensen JC, Sørensen H (2005) Compositional variations
for α-galactosides in different species of leguminosae, brassicaceae, and barley: a
206
H. K. S. De Zoysa and V. Y. Waisundara