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BACKGROUND: Broccoli (Brassicaceae) is a rich source of phytochemicals (glucosinolates and phenolic compounds) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Germinated broccoli sprouts contain much higher levels (10-100 times) of aliphatic (glucoraphanin) and indolic glucosinolates than the inflorescences. This quality characteristic of broccoli sprouts plays an important role in human health and disease prevention. Although it is known that genetic and environmental factors can affect the composition of broccoli inflorescences, the influence of such factors on the seeds and sprouts has not been widely reported. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine the effect of light versus dark growth conditions on the phytochemical composition (vitamin C, phenolic compounds and glucosinolates) of broccoli sprouts.

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Sulphur (S) fertilization is essential for primary and secondary metabolism in cruciferous foods. Deficient, suboptimal, or excessive S affects the growth and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in adult plants. Nevertheless, there is little information regarding the influence of S fertilization on sprouts and seedlings. An experiment was set up to evaluate the effect of S fertilization, supplied as K(2)SO(4) at 0, 15, 30, and 60 mg/L, on the glucosinolate content of broccoli sprouts during the germination course of 3, 6, 9, and 12 d after sowing. Glucosinolate concentration was strongly influenced by germination, causing a rapid increase during the first 3 d after sowing, and decreasing afterwards. The S supply increased aliphatic and total glucosinolate content at the end of the monitored sprouting period. S-treated sprouts, with S(15), S(30), and S(60) at 9 and 12 d after sowing presented enhanced glucosinolate content. Overall, both germination time and S fertilization were key factors in maximizing the bioactive health-promoting phytochemicals of broccoli. Practical Application: Germination with sulphate is a simple and inexpensive way to obtain sprouts that contain much higher levels of glucosinolates (health promoting compounds), than the corresponding florets from the same seeds.