Influence of light on health‐promoting phytochemicals of broccoli sprouts

Abstract

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.

Optimisation of enzymatic production of sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts and their total antioxidant activity at different growth and storage days

“…Similar results were reported by Fahey, who found that 3-day-old sprouts contain maximun amount of sulforaphane (20-fold compared with that in mature broccoli) (Fahey et al 1997). Previous research has shown that broccoli sprouts exhibit decreased sulforaphane production during the first 3-7 days (Pérez-Balibrea et al 2008). Glucoraphanin contents and sulforaphane formation also decline with sprout growth (Guo et al 2014b).…”

On farm and fresh produce management

“…Levels of glucoraphanin were in the range 17.4 ± 1.5 to 49.5 ± 1.9 tmol g-1 DW depending on seedling age and growth temperature [131]. A similar decline in glucosinolate content with sprout age was noted by Perez-Balibrea et al (2008) and levels of total glucosinolates, total phenolics and vitamin C were observed to be highest in cotyledons than in roots or stems of the seedlings [132].…”

“…Reported levels of total glucosinolates in seed are in the region of 500 mg per 1 00g (cv. Marathon) [132].…”

“…In an additional study it was reported that phytochemical content of sprouted broccoli seeds (cv. Marathon) was light responsive, with sprouted seed grown under a 1 6h light/8 h dark photoperiod showing enhanced levels of glucosinolates, phenolic compounds and vitamin C than dark grown sprouts [132]. Levels of total glucosinolates, total phenolics and vitamin C were 33%.…”

LED Lights Enhance Metabolites and Antioxidants in Chinese Cabbage and Kale

“…Plants generally respond to environmental stresses by inducing health-promoting phytochemicals as plant defense responses. Light condition can induce the levels of GSL in broccoli sprouts compared to the dark condition (Perez-Balibrea et al 2008). No., the elution order of glucosinolates from HPLC chromatograms.…”