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Purple flowering stalks and green flowering stalks of Brassica campestris are widely cultivated in the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Here, concentrations of the main health-promoting compounds and antioxidant capacity levels were characterized in different parts (leaves, peel, flesh, and inflorescences) of purple and green flowering stalks. There were significant differences in the concentrations of health-promoting compounds between the two variants; the concentrations of pigments, especially anthocyanidins, and gluconapin, were significantly higher in purple flowering stalks than in green flowering stalks, and the progoitrin content was significantly higher in green flowering stalks than in purple flowering stalks. The leaves were judged to be the most nutritional edible part because they had the highest concentrations of pigments, ascorbic acid, proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, and total phenolics. Antioxidant capacity was also highest in the leaves, and it was positively correlated with the concentration of health-promoting compounds. Purple flowering stalks and green flowering stalks were found to be rich in health-promoting compounds, especially glucosinolates. Overall, our findings indicate that consumption of the leaves and peel would provide the most health benefits. Some suggestions are provided regarding the processing and utilization of these edible components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mustard sprouts are rich in health-promoting compounds and antioxidant activities. • Root mustard contained optimum levels of antioxidants and antioxidant activities. • Stem mustard and half of root mustard have higher glucosinolates content. • The level of glucosinolates determine different flavors and application of mustard. • S1, L4, and R11 can be used as functional cultivars or future hybrid breeding. Mustard has nutritional benefits to human health and come in diverse flavors, while the edible sprouts have a short cycle, high nutrition, and hygienic characteristics. This study was designed to investigate the differences in chlorophyll, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activities, and glucosinolates in the sprouts of three mustard types (root, stem, and leaf mustards) from a core collection of 41 cultivars. The content of chlorophyll and carotenoids was only slightly different among the three types. Root mustard cultivars had considerable phenolic compound content (17.31 mg g −1) and antioxidant activities. In addition, twelve glucosinolates were identified in the mustard sprout cultivars, and the stem mustard and nearly half of the root mustard had the highest averages (140.38 μmol g −1 and 159.98 μmol g −1, respectively), while the lowest average was detected in leaf mustard (78.00 μmol g −1). Root mustard sprouts are suitable for pickling and processing, stem mustard sprouts contribute to mustard-flavored condiments, and leaf mustard sprouts are widely used for fresh eating or making mild mustard condiments based on the glucosinolates content. S1, L4, and R11 would be useful as functional cultivars or elite crossbreeding germplasms due to their excellent carotenoids, antioxidant activity, and glucosinolates traits, respectively. In conclusion, mustard sprouts were assigned nutritional characteristics and can be diversely popularized and utilized for their edible value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]