ascorbic-acid and glucoraphanin

Effect of melatonin treatment on visual quality and contents of health-promoting compounds of broccoli florets under room temperature was investigated in the present study. Broccoli florets were treated with 1 μM melatonin and then stored at room temperature. Results showed that melatonin treatment could delay the post-harvest senescence of broccoli, and performed well in maintaining higher levels of antioxidants, such as carotenoids, vitamin C and total phenols, as well as higher antioxidant capacity than the control. Besides, 1 μM melatonin treatment sustained higher content of glucosinolates, and also resulted in increased percentage of the most potent anticarcinogenic profile, glucoraphanin. Further analysis revealed that 1 μM melatonin strongly induced the expression of glucosinolate biosynthesis-related genes BoMYB28, BoMYB34, BoCYP79F1, and BoCYP79B2, as well as BoTGG1, a gene involved in glucosinolate hydrolysis. In conclusion, post-harvest treatment with 1 μM melatonin is potential in maintaining visual quality and health-promoting properties of broccoli florets.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Brassica; Carotenoids; Glucosinolates; Imidoesters; Melatonin; Oximes; Phenols; Sulfoxides; Temperature

The variation of glucosinolates and quinone reductase (QR) activity in fourteen varieties of Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra Bailey) was investigated in the present study. Results showed that gluconapin (GNA), instead of glucoraphanin (GRA), was the most predominant glucosinolate in all varieties, and QR activity was remarkably positively correlated with the glucoraphanin level. AOP2, a tandem 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase, catalyzes the conversion of glucoraphanin to gluconapin in glucosinolate biosynthesis. Here, antisense AOP2 was transformed into Gailan-04, the variety with the highest gluconapin content and ratio of GNA/GRA. The glucoraphanin content and corresponding QR activity were notably increased in transgenic plants, while no significant difference at the level of other main nutritional compounds (total phenolics, vitamin C, carotenoids and chlorophyll) was observed between the transgenic lines and the wide-type plants. Taken together, metabolic engineering is a good practice for improvement of glucoraphanin in Chinese kale.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Brassica; Glucosinolates; Imidoesters; Metabolic Engineering; Oximes; Phenols; Plants, Genetically Modified; Quinone Reductases; Sulfoxides

Current evidence supports the positive association between the consumption of plant foods and health. In this work, we assessed the effect of consuming a half-serving (30 g) or one serving (60 g) of broccoli sprouts on the urinary concentrations of biomarkers of oxidative stress (isoprostanes) and inflammation (prostaglandins and thromboxanes). Twenty-four volunteers participated in the project. A quantitative determination of sulforaphane and its mercapturic derivatives, eicosanoids, and total vitamin C in urine was performed. The intake of broccoli sprouts produced an increase in the urinary concentrations of sulforaphane metabolites and vitamin C. Among the 13 eicosanoids analyzed, tetranor-PGEM and 11β-PGF2α as well as 11-dehydro-TXB2 showed a significant decrease in their urinary concentrations after the ingestion of broccoli sprouts. Therefore, the consumption of broccoli sprouts modulated the excretion of biomarkers linked to inflammation and vascular reactions without exerting a significant influence on the oxidation of phospholipids in vivo.

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Biomarkers; Brassica; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cross-Over Studies; Female; Glucosinolates; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Imidoesters; Inflammation; Isoprostanes; Isothiocyanates; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidative Stress; Oximes; Plant Extracts; Prostaglandins; Sulfoxides; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Thromboxane B2; Vascular Diseases; White People; Young Adult

We profiled and quantified glucosinolates (GSLs), anthocyanins, free amino acids, and vitamin C metabolites in forty-five lines of green and red cabbages. Analysis of these distinct cabbages revealed the presence of 11 GSLs, 13 anthocyanins, 22 free amino acids, and vitamin C. GSL contents were varied amongst the different lines of cabbage. The total GSL content was mean 10.6 μmol/g DW, and sinigrin was the predominant GSL accounted mean 4.0 μmol/g DW (37.7% of the total) followed by glucoraphanin (1.9) and glucobrassicin (2.4). Amongst the 13 anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-(sinapoyl) diglucoside-5-glucoside levels were the highest. The amounts of total free amino acids in green cabbage lines ranged 365.9 mg/100g fresh weight (FW) to 1089.1mg/100g FW. Vitamin C levels were much higher in red cabbage line (129.9 mg/100g FW). Thus, the amounts of GSLs, anthocyanins, free amino acids, and vitamin C varied widely, and the variations in these compounds between the lines of cabbage were significant.

Topics: Amino Acids; Anthocyanins; Ascorbic Acid; Brassica; Food Analysis; GABA Agents; Glucosinolates; Imidoesters; Indoles; Oximes; Sulfoxides; Vitamins

Health-promoting compounds, antioxidant and myrosinase activity in the sprouts of three broccoli cultivars under 40 mM, 80 mM and 160 mM NaCl were investigated. LangYan (LY) sprouts had the richest health-promoting compounds among the evaluated cultivars. Treatment of 40 mM and 80 mM NaCl significantly decreased the content of ascorbic acid and total phenolic as well as antioxidant activity, but did not affect glucoraphanin, sulforaphane and myrosinase activity compared to the control. However, 160 mM NaCl treatment significantly enhanced the level of total phenolic, glucoraphanin, sulforaphane, antioxidant and myrosinase activity, while significantly decreased ascorbic acid content. The results suggest that 160 mM NaCl treatment would enhance antioxidant activity and sulforaphane yield in broccoli sprouts. The health-promoting value of broccoli sprouts depends on plant genotype and could be affected by NaCl stress.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Brassica; China; Down-Regulation; Functional Food; Glucosinolates; Glycoside Hydrolases; Imidoesters; Isothiocyanates; Oximes; Phenols; Plant Proteins, Dietary; Plant Shoots; Salinity; Species Specificity; Stress, Physiological; Sulfoxides; Up-Regulation

Total aliphatic and indole glucosinolates, phenolic compounds (flavonoids and hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives), and vitamin C contents were evaluated in freshly harvested broccoli (Brassica oleracea L., var. italica, cv. Marathon) inflorescences. These were film-wrapped and stored for 7 days at 1 degrees C to simulate a maximum period of commercial transport and distribution. After cold storage, inflorescences were kept for 3 days at 15 degrees C to simulate a retail sale period. For wrapping, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) of 11 microm thickness was used. Gas composition was about 17% O(2) and 2% CO(2) during cold storage and about 16% O(2) and 3-4% CO(2) during shelf life within packages. The predominant glucosinolates were 4-methylsulfinylbutyl-glucosinolate (glucoraphanin), 3-indolylmethyl-glucosinolate (glucobrassicin), and 1-methoxy-3-indolylmethyl-glucosinolate (neoglucobrassicin). The predominant hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives were identified as 1,2,2'-trisinapoylgentiobiose, 1,2-diferuloylgentiobiose, 1,2'-disinapoyl-2-feruloylgentiobiose, and 3-O-caffeoyl-quinic (neochlorogenic acid). Results showed major losses at the end of both periods, in comparison with broccoli at harvest. Thus, the respective losses, at the end of cold storage and retail periods, were 71-80% of total glucosinolates, 62-59% of total flavonoids, 51-44% of sinapic acid derivatives, and 73-74% caffeoyl-quinic acid derivatives. Slight differences in all compound concentrations between storage and retail sale periods were detected. Distribution and retail periods had minimal effects on vitamin C. Weight loss was monitored at the end of both periods.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Brassica; Carbon Dioxide; Cold Temperature; Coumaric Acids; Flavonoids; Food Packaging; Food Preservation; Glucose; Glucosinolates; Health Promotion; Imidoesters; Indoles; Oximes; Oxygen; Phenols; Plant Structures; Sulfoxides; Time Factors; Transportation