biostudies-literatureFantasma FMinistero dell'università e della ricercaUniversity of SalernoItalian Association for Cancer Research184https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12787455biostudies-literatureUnknown31(1)<i>Vicia faba</i> L. is a widely cultivated legume known to contain numerous specialised metabolites. In this study, the seed coats and cotyledons of two ancient <i>V. faba</i> L. varieties, historically consumed in southern Italy and distinguished by black and purple seed coats, were extracted using 80% methanol and 80% ethanol. Extracts were analysed for total polyphenol, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents, and antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The purple seed coats exhibited the highest levels of phenolics and antioxidant capacity, exceeding those of black seed coats. Next, liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-HR-MS) was used to characterise the bioactive metabolites in both seed coats and cotyledons. The purple variety Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)Potential Nutraceutical Properties of &lt;i&gt;Vicia faba&lt;/i&gt; L: LC-ESI-HR-MS/MS-Based Profiling of Ancient Faba Bean Varieties and Their Biological Activity.PMC12787455PRIN 2022 PNRR project - grant number "P2022MWY3PIG 2023 - ID. 28846 project(FARB 2023) ORSA238540Lauro GDe Felice VCapuano AD'Urso GFantasma FBifulco GColarusso EAliberti MSaviano GIorizzi MGrassi FBrunese MCReginelli AChini MGCasapullo AfalsePotential Nutraceutical Properties of &lt;i&gt;Vicia faba&lt;/i&gt; L: LC-ESI-HR-MS/MS-Based Profiling of Ancient Faba Bean Varieties and Their Biological Activity.<i>Vicia faba</i> L. is a widely cultivated legume known to contain numerous specialised metabolites. In this study, the seed coats and cotyledons of two ancient <i>V. faba</i> L. varieties, historically consumed in southern Italy and distinguished by black and purple seed coats, were extracted using 80% methanol and 80% ethanol. Extracts were analysed for total polyphenol, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents, and antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The purple seed coats exhibited the highest levels of phenolics and antioxidant capacity, exceeding those of black seed coats. Next, liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-HR-MS) was used to characterise the bioactive metabolites in both seed coats and cotyledons. The purple variety 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Jan2026-07-05T03:18:19.489Z2026-07-05T03:08:29.186ZS-EPMC127874554151548010.3390/molecules31010184