Pak choi (Brassica rapa L. subsp. chinensis): Phytochemical Diversity, Biological Activities, and Emerging Applications in Nutrition, Health and Cosmetics
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Pathobiochemistry and Interdisciplinary Applications of Ion Chromatography, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodźki St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- 2Doctoral School of the Medical University of Lublin, Medical University of Lublin, 7 Witolda Chodźki St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- 3Department of Medicinal Plant and Mushroom Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 9 Medyczna St., 30-688 Cracow, Poland
- 4Doctoral School of Medical and Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 16 Św. Łazarza St., 30-530 Cracow, Poland
- 5Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, 1H Konstantynów St., 20-708 Lublin, Poland
Abstract
Brassica rapa L. subsp. chinensis (pak choi) is an important leafy vegetable with increasing global relevance as a source of biologically active phytochemicals. Despite extensive research on individual compounds, a comprehensive and integrative understanding of its phytochemical profile and functional potential remains limited. This review critically synthesizes current knowledge on the chemical composition, biological activities, and emerging applications of pak choi, with particular emphasis on its nutraceutical and biotechnological significance. Pak choi is characterized by a diverse spectrum of bioactive constituents, including glucosinolates, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, which collectively contribute to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive, and metabolic regulatory effects. A major challenge highlighted in this analysis is the high variability of phytochemical composition, driven by genotype, developmental stage, environmental conditions, cultivation systems, and post-harvest processing. Importantly, this review advances current understanding by integrating phytochemical, biological and technological perspectives, emphasizing the interplay between compound composition, bioactivity, and processing-dependent transformations. Particular attention is given to glucosinolate-derived metabolites and their role in modulating key molecular pathways. Furthermore, both beneficial and adverse aspects of pak choi consumption are addressed, including antinutritional factors, contamination risks, and the impact of culinary processing on compound stability and bioavailability. Emerging applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and plant biotechnology are also discussed, including the potential of in vitro culture systems and targeted metabolite production. Taken together, pak choi represents a multifunctional plant resource at the interface of food science, pharmacology, and biotechnology, with strong potential for future translational applications.
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BibTeX
@article{kniaziewicz2026choi,
title = {{Pak choi (Brassica rapa L. subsp. chinensis): Phytochemical Diversity, Biological Activities, and Emerging Applications in Nutrition, Health and Cosmetics}},
author = {Magdalena Kniaziewicz and Aleksandra Łukaszyk and Anita Kanik and Małgorzata Tatarczak-Michalewska and Inga Kwiecień and Katarzyna Czarnek and Agnieszka Szopa and Eliza Blicharska},
journal = {Molecules},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/molecules31213919},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3919},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Pak choi (Brassica rapa L. subsp. chinensis): Phytochemical Diversity, Biological Activities, and Emerging Applications in Nutrition, Health and Cosmetics
AU - Magdalena Kniaziewicz
AU - Aleksandra Łukaszyk
AU - Anita Kanik
AU - Małgorzata Tatarczak-Michalewska
AU - Inga Kwiecień
AU - Katarzyna Czarnek
AU - Agnieszka Szopa
AU - Eliza Blicharska
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Molecules
DO - 10.3390/molecules31213919
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3919
AB - Brassica rapa L. subsp. chinensis (pak choi) is an important leafy vegetable with increasing global relevance as a source of biologically active phytochemicals. Despite extensive research on individual compounds, a comprehensive and integrative understanding of its phytochemical profile and functional potential remains limited. This review critically synthesizes current knowledge on the chemical composition, biological activities, and emerging applications of pak choi, with particular emphasis on its nutraceutical and biotechnological significance. Pak choi is characterized by a diverse spectrum of bioactive constituents, including glucosinolates, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, which collectively contribute to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive, and metabolic regulatory effects. A major challenge highlighted in this analysis is the high variability of phytochemical composition, driven by genotype, developmental stage, environmental conditions, cultivation systems, and post-harvest processing. Importantly, this review advances current understanding by integrating phytochemical, biological and technological perspectives, emphasizing the interplay between compound composition, bioactivity, and processing-dependent transformations. Particular attention is given to glucosinolate-derived metabolites and their role in modulating key molecular pathways. Furthermore, both beneficial and adverse aspects of pak choi consumption are addressed, including antinutritional factors, contamination risks, and the impact of culinary processing on compound stability and bioavailability. Emerging applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and plant biotechnology are also discussed, including the potential of in vitro culture systems and targeted metabolite production. Taken together, pak choi represents a multifunctional plant resource at the interface of food science, pharmacology, and biotechnology, with strong potential for future translational applications.
SN - 1420-3049
ER -