Pea Shoots

Phytonutrients & Phytochemicals in Pea Shoots

1. Flavonoids

Flavonoid subclasses present in Pisum sativum shoots:

• Kaempferol glycosides
• Quercetin glycosides
• Apigenin derivatives
• Luteolin derivatives
• Rutin
• Catechins (flavan-3-ols)

2. Phenolic Acids

• Common phenolic acids in pea tissues:
• Caffeic acid
• Ferulic acid
• p‑Coumaric acid, sinapic acid
• Gallic acid
• Vanillic acid

These contribute to antioxidant capacity.

3. Carotenoids

• β‑carotene
• Lutein
• Zeaxanthin
• Violaxanthin
• Neoxanthin

4. Chlorophylls

• Chlorophyll a
• Chlorophyll b
• Pheophytins (degradation products)

6. Saponins

• Soyasaponins (A, B, and E groups)
• Triterpenoid saponins

These contribute to immune-modulating and cholesterol-lowering effects.

7. Alkaloids (Low Levels)

• Pisatin (an isoflavonoid phytoalexin)
• Other minor legume alkaloids

Pisatin is especially interesting for plant defense education.

8. Amino Acid–Derived Phytochemicals

Young pea tissues contain:

• γ‑Aminobutyric acid (GABA)
• Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine)
  Important for cell division and growth.

9. Organic Acids

Contribute to antioxidant and metabolic effects:

• Malic acid
• Citric acid
• Oxalic acid
• Succinic acid

10. Peptides & Bioactive Proteins

Legume shoots contain:

• Antioxidant peptides
• Lectins (reduced in shoots vs. seeds)
• Protease inhibitors (trace)

11. Vitamins (as phytonutrients)

• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
• Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone)
• Folate
• Vitamin A precursors (carotenoids)

12. Minerals (not phytochemicals but essential cofactors)

• Iron
• Calcium【5**
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Manganese
• Zinc

Consolidated Master List (Phytochemicals Only)

Flavonoids

Kaempferol, quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, rutin, catechins

Phenolic Acids

Caffeic, ferulic, p‑coumaric, sinapic, gallic, vanillic

Carotenoids

β‑carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, violaxanthin, neoxanthin

Chlorophylls

Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, pheophytins

Saponins

Soyasaponins A/B/E, triterpenoid saponins

Alkaloids

Pisatin, minor legume alkaloids

Amino Acid–Derived Compounds

GABA, polyamines

Organic Acids

Malic, citric, oxalic, succinic

Bioactive Proteins

Antioxidant peptides, lectins, and protease inhibitors

Vitamins (as phytonutrients)

Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Provitamin A carotenoids