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Selenium (Se) is an important trace element in human and animal health. Approximately 0.5–1 billion people worldwide are facing Se deficiency which can result in various endemic diseases. Cabbage is one of the most popular vegetables and can accumulate Se through biofortification. Therefore, producing Se-enriched cabbage may be an effective method to alleviate Se deficiency. In this study, the effects of different concentrations of selenite application on the growth and nutritional quality of cabbage were investigated and the results showed that the growth of cabbage was promoted at low concentrations of selenite (0.1–0.4 mmol/L) but inhibited at high concentrations (0.8–1.6 mmol/L). Concentrations of 0.1–0.2 mmol/L of selenite induced the accumulation of primary metabolites (soluble proteins, soluble sugars, and free amino acids), representative secondary metabolites (ascorbic acid, glucosinolates, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids), and important antioxidant enzyme (glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) activity to improve the nutritional quality of cabbages. In addition, a higher concentration (0.8–1.6 mmol/L) of selenite proved beneficial in the accumulation of total Se and representative organic Se in cabbages. The main organic Se species in cabbage were selenomethionine (SeMet), accounting for 12.10% of total Se, followed by selenocysteine (SeCys2), accounting for 2.96% of total Se. It is suggested that an appropriate dose of exogenous selenite could be selected for different production purposes in cabbage cultivation. These findings are helpful for us to deeply understand the effects of selenite on the growth and nutritional quality of cabbages and to provide reliable technical support for vegetable cultivation and Se biofortification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh-cut broccoli is a highly demanded product due to its convenience and high content of bioactive compounds. Unfortunately, this product shows rapid senescence and anoxia generation problems, especially when storage temperature varies. Therefore, perforation-mediated modified atmosphere packaging (PM-MAP) of broccoli florets, in different temperature scenarios, was studied. Polypropylene films with different levels of laser perforation were evaluated. After packaging, florets were stored at two temperatures: 2 °C, and 2 °C + 7 °C (during 2 d before sampling). PM-MAP slightly modified the internal composition of O2 (14–20 kPa) and CO2 (0.9–5 kPa) and allowed us to preserve the external quality and bioactive compounds of broccoli florets throughout 21 d, even at 7 °C. The generation of anoxia was avoided at both temperatures. PM-MAP kept broccoli mass loss below 0.5% and preserved its sensory quality. The perforation level affected evolution of firmness and glucosinolate content, especially with increasing temperature. Broccolis packaged in the film with fewer perforations showed higher firmness (0.73 ± 0.09 N/mm) and total glucosinolate content (10 ± 0.3 mg/g) compared to broccolis packaged in films with higher perforations (0.59 ± 0.05 N/mm and 8.60 ± 0.2 mg/g). Therefore, the perforation level should be taken into account in the design of packaging for fresh-cut products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) is an Andean tuber rich in phenolic compounds and glucosinolates, known for its consumption that allows the prevention and/or reduction of getting diseases. The present research evaluated the effect of different types of post-harvest management (sunny, bleached, and freeze-dried) on glucosinolate content and its relationship with myrosinase activity. It is also important to note that when plant cells are damaged and glucosinolates meet the plant's myrosinase, which hydrolyzes them and degrades them to other compounds. In the present research, the types of glucosinolates, the content of glucosinolates and the activity of myrosinase of the purple variety of fresh raw mashua and in mashua treated by several types of processing were evaluated, including the previous treatment (sunny and unscrewed), the boiling treatment and the microwave treatment, with whitening times of 3, 4, 5 and 6 minutes, being the condition of the tuber at the time of bleaching in whole form and by cutting, to then be subsequently subjected to lyophilization treatments. Five glucosinolatos (GSL) were identified: 5-methylsulfinilpentile, 4-hydroxybenzyl, 4-hydroxy-3-indolylmethyl, benzyl and 4-methoxybenzyl, of which 4-methoxybenzyl glucosinolate is the most abundant, symbolizing 98% and 95% of the total GSL in the purple ecotype. According to the total concentration of glucosinolates found in the studied variety (purple), it must be 74.22 and 110.60 micromoles per gram of dry base (μmol/g dry weight), so mashua can be considered, the edible plant with the highest existing GSL content.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia affecting millions of people worldwide. It is a progressive, irreversible, and incurable neurodegenerative disorder that disrupts the synaptic communication between millions of neurons, resulting in neuronal death and functional loss due to the abnormal accumulation of two naturally occurring proteins, amyloid β (Aβ) and tau. According to the 2018 World Alzheimer’s Report, there is no single case of an Alzheimer’s survivor; even 1 in 3 people die from Alzheimer’s disease, and it is a growing epidemic across the globe fruits and vegetables rich in glucosinolates (GLCs), the precursors of isothiocyanates (ITCs), have long been known for their pharmacological properties and recently attracted increased interest for the possible prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Epidemiological evidence from systematic research findings and clinical trials suggests that nutritional and functional dietary isothiocyanates interfere with the molecular cascades of Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis and prevent neurons from functional loss. The aim of this review is to explore the role of glucosinolates derived isothiocyanates in various molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and their potential in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. It also covers the chemical diversity of isothiocyanates and their detailed mechanisms of action as reported by various in vitro and in vivo studies. Further clinical studies are necessary to evaluate their pharmacokinetic parameters and effectiveness in humans.

Kimchi cabbage is a well-known glucosinolate (GLS)-containing vegetable, but its by-products are discarded despite the presence of GLS. The aim of this study was the optimization of the extraction and nanoencapsulation of GLS from kimchi cabbage by-products to enhance the intestinal absorption of GLS. The optimal GLS extraction conditions included steaming thrice as pretreatment, utilizing 70% methanol, and ultrasonication at 20% amplitude for 15 min. Under these conditions, 80.11 ± 4.40 mg/100 g of GLS extraction was obtained and the extraction yield was 81.70 ± 4.73%. The optimized kimchi cabbage by-product extract (KCE) was coated with chitosan-lipid nanoparticles (KCE-NPs) and their stability and release under simulated in vitro gastrointestinal conditions were evaluated. KCE-NPs protected the encapsulated GLS under acidic gastric conditions and released 91.63 ± 0.76% of GLS in the simulated intestinal medium. Therefore, the proposed KCE-NPs are a promising delivery system for increasing GLS absorption.

Raphanus sativus L. (Brassicaceae), commonly known as radish, is consumed worldwide as a vegetable. However, its benefits on mental health are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate its anxiolytic-like effects and safety using different experimental models. An aqueous extract of R. sativus sprouts (AERSS) was pharmacologically evaluated by intraperitoneal route (i.p.) at 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg and orally (p.o.) at 500 mg/kg on behavior by using open-field and plus-maze tests. In addition, its acute toxicity (LD50) was determined by the Lorke's method. Diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and buspirone (4 mg/kg, i.p.) were the reference drugs. A significant and anxiolytic-like dosage of AERSS (30 mg/kg, i.p.) resembling the effects of reference drugs was chosen to explore the involvement of GABAA/BDZs site (flumazenil, 5 mg/kg, i.p.) and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors (WAY100635, 1 mg/kg, i.p.) as a possible mechanism of action. A 500 mg/kg, p.o. dosage of AERSS produced an anxiolytic-like response equivalent to 100 mg/kg, i.p. No acute toxicity was observed since a LD50 > 2000 mg/kg, i.p. The phytochemical analysis allowed the identification and quantification of major presence of sulforaphene (2500 µM), sulforaphane (15 µM), iberin (0.75 µM), and indol-3-carbinol (0.75 µM), as major constituents. Both the GABAA/BDZs site and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors were involved in the anxiolytic-like activity of AERSS, depending on the pharmacological parameter or the experimental assay tested. Our results demonstrate that the anxiolytic activity of R. sativus sprouts involves GABAA/BDZs site and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors supporting its health benefits in the treatment of anxiety beyond the satisfaction of basic nutritional needs.

The presented RNAseq data were obtained from Arabidopsis seeds dry and 6h imbibed to describe, in wild-type and glucosinolate (GSL)-deficient genotypes, the response at the RNA level to nitrogen compounds, i.e., potassium nitrate (KNO3, 10mM), potassium thiocyanate (KSCN, 8µM). The cyp79B2 cyp79B3 (cyp79B2/B3) double mutant deficient in Indole GSL, the myb28 myb29 (myb28/29) double mutant deficient in aliphatic GSL, the quadruple mutant cyp79B2 cyp79B3 myb28 myb29 (qko) deficient in total GSL in the seed and the WT reference genotype in Col-0 background were used for the transcriptomic analysis. Total ARN was extracted using NucleoSpin® RNA Plant and Fungi kit. Library construction and sequencing were performed with DNBseq™ technology at Beijing Genomics Institute. FastQC was used to check reads quality and mapping analysis were made using a quasi-mapping alignment from Salmon. Gene expression changes in mutant seeds compared to WT were calculated using DESeq2 algorithms. This comparison with the qko, cyp79B2/B3 and myb28/29 mutants made it possible to identify 30220, 36885 and 23807 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. Mapping rate result was merge into a single report using MultiQC; graphic results were illustrated through Veen diagrams and volcano plots. Fastq raw data and count files from 45 samples are available in the repository Sequence Read Archive (SRA) of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and can be consulted with the data identification number GSE221567 at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE221567.

Eruca sativa Miller (Brassicaceae) is an insect-pollinated diploid annual species which grows spontaneously in the entire Mediterranean basin from semi-arid to arid-hot conditions and is cultivated in Northern America, Europe, and Asia as either salad or oilseed crop. Here, some essential background was provided on this versatile crop, summarizing the present status of Eruca sativa research focusing on the wealth of bioactive ingredients in its seeds, which may find exploitation in agriculture, in the food industries and as nutraceuticals for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Fatty acids of Eruca sativa seed oil, gums, glucosinolates and soluble and insoluble phenol and flavonoid fractions in the defatted press cake are the main bioactive compounds considered to date by the scientific literature and that deserve attention for their physical and biological activities.

为筛选可高效降解菜籽饼粕中硫苷的细菌，给硫苷降解基因工程菌的构建提供实验数据，以堆放菜籽饼粕的土壤为分离源，通过硫苷选择培养基筛选及硫苷降解率测定，获得一株硫苷降解率最大的菌株C1，采用16S rRNA基因序列进行种属鉴定，通过第3代Illumina NovaSeq PE150测序，获得其基因组完成图并进行功能注释，借助比较基因组学探究C1降解硫苷的机制。结果表明：菌株C1为枯草芽孢杆菌 (Bacillus subtilis)，其硫苷降解率为 (68.98±4.74)%；C1菌株的基因组染色体全长为4 139 381 bp，鸟嘌呤和胞嘧啶含量为43.88%，编码区总长度占全基因组的比例为89.14%；C1菌株能编码大量的功能蛋白，主要涉及氨基酸转运与代谢；比较基因组学分析确认，C1与枯草芽孢杆菌的模式菌株 (NC000964.3) 共线性高，序列中未见大片段易位和倒置的区域，但C1序列中2.7 Mb处出现一个小片段的插入，2.1~2.4 Mb处出现小片段缺失，分别涵盖了2条黑芥子酶的相关基因，推测C1的硫苷降解机制为其可高效分泌黑芥子酶。C1菌株能够高效降解菜籽饼粕中的硫苷，是构建硫苷降解基因工程菌的可选材料。 In order to screen bacteria that can efficiently degrade glucosinolates in rapeseed meal and provide experimental data for the construction of glucosinolate-degrading genetically engineered bacteria, the soil stacked with rapeseed meal was used as the separation source, and a strain C1 with the greatest glucosinolate degradation rate was obtained by glucosinolate selection medium screening and glucosinolate degradation rate determination,and 16S rRNA gene sequence was used for C1 species identification and the third generation Illumina NovaSeq PE150 was used to sequencing the whole genome to obtain C1 genome completion map and functional annotation was carried out. The comparative genomics was used to explore the mechanism for glucosinolate degradation of strain C1. The results showed that strain C1 was Bacillus subtilis, and its glucosinolate degradation rate was (68.98±474)%. The genome chromosome of the strain C1 was 4 139 381 bp in length, and the guanine and cytosine content was 43.88%. The total length of the coding region accounted for 89.14% of the whole genome. Strain C1 could encode a large number of functional proteins, mainly related to amino acid transport and metabolism. Comparative genomics analysis confirmed that C1 was highly colinear with the model strain of Bacillus subtilis (NC000964.3), and there were no large fragment translocation and inversion regions in the sequence. However, a small fragment insertion was found at 2.7 Mb in C1 sequence, and a small fragment deletion appeared at 2.1-2.4 Mb,covering two gens of myrosinase, respectively, and the mechanism of glucosinolate degradation of C1 was presumed to efficiently secrete myrosinase. Strain C1 can efficiently degrade glucosinolates in rapeseed meal and is a potential material for constructing glucosinolate-degrading genetically engineered bacteria.

Glucosinolates (GSLs) in different plant parts of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italic) and rocket (Eruca vesicaria) were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively before and after treatment with sodium selenate (2 and 5 mM), by their desulfo-counterparts using the UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS technique. Twelve GSLs were detected in broccoli (five aliphatic, one arylaliphatic, and six indolic), where 4-(methylsulfanyl)butyl GSL (glucoerucin) was the main one in the roots (4.88–9.89 µmol/g DW), 4-(methylsulfinyl)butyl GSL (glucoraphanin) in stems (0.44–1.11 µmol/g DW), and 4-hydroxyindol-3-ylmethyl GSL (4-hydroxyglucobrassicin) in leaves (0.51–0.60 µmol/g DW). No GSL containing selenium was detected in the treated broccoli. Ten GSLs were detected in rocket (seven aliphatic and three indolic), where 4-(methylsulfanyl)butyl GSL (glucoerucin) was the main one in the roots (4.50–20.59 µmol/g DW) and 4-methoxyindol-3-ylmethyl GSL (4-methoxyglucobrassicin) in the aerial part (0.57–5.69 µmol/g DW). As a result of induced stress by selenium fertilization, the total GSL content generally increased in both plants. In contrast to broccoli, the roots and the aerial part of the rocket treated with a high concentration of sodium selenate contained 4-(methylseleno)butyl GSL (glucoselenoerucin) (0.36–4.48 µmol/g DW). Although methionine-derived GSLs are the most abundant in both plants, the plants’ ability to tolerate selenate and its regulation by selenoglucosinolate production is species- and growth-stage-dependent.

Scientific evidence increasingly supports the strong link between diet and health, acknowledging that a well-balanced diet plays a crucial role in preventing chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and certain types of cancer. This perspective opens the door to developing precision diets, particularly tailored for individuals at risk of developing cancer. It encompasses a vast research area and involves the study of an expanding array of compounds with multilevel “omics” compositions, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics, miRNomics, and metabolomics. We review here the components of the Southern European Atlantic Diet (SEAD) from both a chemical and pharmacological standpoint. The information sources consulted, complemented by crystallographic data from the Protein Data Bank, establish a direct link between the SEAD and its anticancer properties. The data collected strongly suggest that SEAD offers an exceptionally healthy profile, particularly due to the presence of beneficial biomolecules in its foods. The inclusion of olive oil and paprika in this diet provides numerous health benefits, and scientific evidence supports the anticancer properties of dietary supplements with biomolecules sourced from vegetables of the brassica genus. Nonetheless, further research is warranted in this field to gain deeper insights into the potential benefits of the SEAD’s bioactive compounds against cancer.

Melatonin has been shown to be effective as a post-harvest agent in fruits and vegetables. Melatonin has been used in the preservation of Brassicaceae such as broccoli, but not in broccolini. Here, fresh-cut broccolini (baby broccoli or BIMI®) were treated with different concentrations of melatonin (50 and 100 µM) for 15 or 30 min and cold stored for 28 days. Melatonin-treated broccolini had a longer shelf life than control samples, as seen by fresh weight (weight loss rate), hue angle (expresses color quality), and chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations. Treatments with 50 µM melatonin for 15 min appear to be the most effective, reducing water loss by around 28% compared to the control and increasing the shelf life of fresh-cut broccolini, presenting an optimal conservation time of 7 days, and this could even be extended up to 14 days with acceptable quality. In addition, antioxidant, phenolic, and flavonoid contents were improved in melatonin-treated broccolini plants. Lipid peroxidation damage by cold storage was decreased in melatonin-treated broccolini, with a relevant decrease in malondialdehyde contents, especially 50 µM, on all days of storage. This study demonstrates for the first time the effectiveness of melatonin treatments in extending the shelf life of broccolini during cold storage. The possible commercial use of these treatments will be subject to the processes in the product management and marketing chain. However, more specific research about changes in organoleptic properties is necessary.

Glucosinolates are a group of thioglucosides that belong to the class of plant nitrogen-containing natural products. So far, very little biological activity has been associated with intact glucosinolates. The hydrolysis of glucosinolates has, for long, attracted attention because of the potent biological activity of the hydrolysis products. From allelopathic to antiparasitic, antimicrobial and antineoplastic effects, the activity spectrum of the degradation products of typical glucosinolates has been the subject of much research. The present review seeks to address the various means of glucosinolate degradation (thermal, enzymatic, or chemical degradation) and the ensuing products. It also aims to draw a comparative profile of the various antimicrobial effects of these degradation products to provide a further understanding of the biological function of these important compounds.

Abstract Strigolactones regulate shoot branching and many aspects of plant growth, development, and allelopathy. Strigolactones are often discussed alongside auxin because they work together to inhibit shoot branching. However, the roles and mechanisms of strigolactones and how they act independently of auxin are still elusive. Additionally, there is still much in general to be discovered about the network of molecular regulators and their interactions in response to strigolactones. Here, we conducted an experiment in Arabidopsis with physiological treatments and strigolactone mutants to determine transcriptional pathways associated with strigolactones. The three physiological treatments included shoot tip removal with and without auxin treatment and treatment of intact plants with the auxin transport inhibitor, N‐1‐naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA). We identified the glucosinolate biosynthesis pathway as being upregulated across strigolactone mutants indicating strigolactone–glucosinolate crosstalk. Additionally, strigolactone application cannot restore the highly branched phenotype observed in glucosinolate biosynthesis mutants, placing glucosinolate biosynthesis downstream of strigolactone biosynthesis. Oxidative stress genes were enriched across the experiment suggesting that this process is mediated through multiple hormones. Here, we also provide evidence supporting non‐auxin‐mediated, negative feedback on strigolactone biosynthesis. Increases in strigolactone biosynthesis gene expression seen in strigolactone mutants could not be fully restored by auxin. By contrast, auxin could fully restore auxin‐responsive gene expression increases, but not sugar signaling‐related gene expression. Our data also point to alternative roles of the strigolactone biosynthesis genes and potential new signaling functions of strigolactone precursors. In this study, we identify a strigolactone‐specific regulation of glucosinolate biosynthesis genes indicating that the two are linked and may work together in regulating stress and shoot branching responses in Arabidopsis. Additionally, we provide evidence for non‐auxin‐mediated feedback on strigolactone biosynthesis and discuss this in the context of sugar signaling.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the addition of fresh kale and processing conditions on extruded pellet antioxidant activity and selected physicochemical properties. The results of the applied DPPH, FRAP, and TPC methods indicated that, for both 60 and 100 rpm screw speeds, snack pellet antioxidant activity and phenolic content were strongly linked to the fresh kale content, and these properties increased with the addition of this plant. The amount of fresh kale and the applied processing variables (extruder screw speed and the moisture content of the raw material blends) were also found to significantly affect the water absorption index, water solubility index, fat absorption index, fatty acid profile, and basic chemical composition of the obtained extrudates. The sample with the highest phenolic content (72.8 μg GAE/g d.w.), the most advantageous chemical composition (protein, ash, fat, carbohydrates, and fiber content), and high antioxidant properties was produced at a fresh kale content of 30%, a 36% moisture content, and a 100 rpm screw speed. The following phenolic acids were identified in this sample: protocatechuic, 4-OH-benzoic, vanillic, syringic, salicylic, caffeic, coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic. Sinapic acid was the prevailing phenolic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucosinolates (GSLs) are a unique class of thioglucosides that evolved as defense mechanisms in the 16 families of the Brassicales order and present molecular tags which can be placed in a robust phylogenetic framework through investigations into their evolution and diversity. The GSL profiles of three Resedaceae species, Reseda alba, R. lutea, and R. phyteuma, were examined qualitatively and quantitatively with respect to their desulfo-counterparts utilizing UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS. In addition, NMR analysis of isolated 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl desulfoGSL (d31) was performed. Three Phe-derived GSLs were found in R. lutea, including glucotropaeolin (11) (0.6–106.69 mol g−1 DW), 2-(α-L-ramnopyranosyloxy)benzyl GSL (109) (8.10–57.89 μmol g−1 DW), glucolepigramin (22) (8.66 μmol g−1 DW in flower), and Trp-derived glucobrassicin (43) (0.76–5.92 μmol g−1 DW). The Phe-derived GSLs 109 (50.79–164.37 μmol g−1 DW), gluconasturtiin (105) (1.97 μmol g−1 DW), and 11 (tr), as well as the Trp-derived GSL glucobrassicin (43) (3.13–11.26 μmol g−1 DW), were all present in R. phyteuma. R. alba also contained Phe-derived 105 (0.10–107.77 μmol g−1 DW), followed by Trp-derived 43 (0.85–3.50 μmol g−1 DW) and neoglucobrassicin (47) (0.23–2.74 μmol g−1 DW). However, regarding the GSLs in R. alba, which originated from Leu biosynthesis, 31 was the major GSL (6.48 to 52.72 μmol g−1 DW) and isobutyl GSL (62) was the minor GSL (0.13 to 1.13 μmol g−1 DW). The discovered Reseda profiles, along with new evidence provided by GSL characterizations, were studied in the context of the current knowledge on GLSs in the Resedaceae family. With the exception of R. alba, the aliphatic GSLs of which were outliers among the Resedaceae species studied, this family typically contains GSLs derived primarily from Trp and Phe biosynthesis, which modifications resulted in GSLs unique to this family, implying presence of the specific genes. responsible for this diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucosinolates (GSLs) in Brassica oleracea L. convar. acephala var. viridis (collard) flower, leaf, stem, and root were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively via their desulfo-counterparts using UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS. Twelve GSLs were identified, including Met-derived GSLs (sinigrin, glucoibervirin, glucoerucin, glucoiberin, glucoraphanin, progoitrin), Trp-derived GSLs (4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, glucobrassicin, 4-methoxyglucobrassicin, and neoglucobrassicin), and Phe-derived GSLs (glucotropaeolin and gluconasturtiin). Total GSL content was highest in the root, having 63.40 μmol/g dried weight (DW), with gluconasturtiin (34.02 μmol/g DW) as the major GSL, followed by sinigrin and glucoibervirin (12.43 and 7.65 μmol/g DW, respectively). Total GSL contents in the flower, leaf, and stem were lower than in root, having 6.27, 2.64, and 1.84 μmol/g DW, respectively, with Trp and/or Met-derived GSLs as the predominant ones. GSL breakdown products were obtained via microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity (MHG) and volatile breakdown products were analyzed using GC-MS techniques. Volatile isolates were tested for their cytotoxic activity using MTT assay. MHG volatile extract from the root demonstrated the best cytotoxic activity against human bladder cancer cell line T24 and breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 during an incubation time of 72 h (IC50 21.58, and 11.62 μg/mL, respectively). The activity of the root extract can be attributed to its major volatile, 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate (gluconasturtiin breakdown product). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recovery of bioactive compounds from crop byproducts leads to a new perspective way of waste reutilization as a part of the circular economy. The present study aimed at an exhaustive metabolite profile characterization of globe artichoke and cauliflower byproducts (leaves, stalks, and florets for cauliflower only) as a prerequisite for their valorization and future implementations. The metabolite profile of aqueous and organic extracts of byproducts was analyzed using the NMR-based metabolomics approach. Free amino acids, organic acids, sugars, polyols, polyphenols, amines, glucosinolates, fatty acids, phospho- and galactolipids, sterols, and sesquiterpene lactones were identified and quantified. In particular, globe artichoke byproducts are a source of health-beneficial compounds including chiro-inositol (up to 10.1 mg/g), scyllo-inositol (up to 1.8 mg/g), sesquiterpene lactones (cynaropicrin, grosheimin, dehydrocynaropicrin, up to 45.5 mg/g in total), inulins, and chlorogenic acid (up to 7.5 mg/g), whereas cauliflower byproducts enclose bioactive sulfur-containing compounds S-methyl-L-cysteine S-oxide (methiin, up to 20.7 mg/g) and glucosinolates. A variable content of all metabolites was observed depending on the crop type (globe artichoke vs. cauliflower) and the plant part (leaves vs. stalks). The results here reported can be potentially used in different ways, including the formulation of new plant biostimulants and food supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is one of the major challenges of global crop production, and its severity is increasing because of climate change. This abiotic stress is an important target for Brassica species, which are generally grown in arid and semi-arid climates. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of water deficit on a set of accessions belonging to the Brassica core collection of the EU H2020 BRESOV project, represented by Brassica oleracea L. crops and Brassica oleracea complex species (n = 9). In particular, the variation in the amount and profile of the glucosinolates (GLSs) compounds was analyzed on the root and the leaf tissues. The plant morphometric traits and GLSs amount and profile were detected for the plants grown in cold greenhouse in Catania (Sicily) during the autumn–winter season for ten weeks. The results showed a wide qualitative and quantitative variation among the Brassica accessions. The GLSs profile varied qualitatively and quantitively among both genotypes and portions of the plants (hypogenous-root and epigeous-leaf). Plants grown under drought stress, for the last two weeks of the growing cycle under consideration, showed a higher amount of GLS in their leaves (190.1 ± 8.9 µmol. g−1 d.w.) compared to their roots (17.3 ± 1.9 µmol. g−1 d.w.). Under water stress conditions, the highest increase in the glucosinolate amount was detected in broccoli (the accession BR1) with 85.4% and in cauliflower (the accession CV1) with 72.8% in the roots and leaves, respectively. Positive correlations were found between the major leaf and root GLSs identified. The selection of chemotypes allows for an important time reduction during the breeding programs after crossing accessions with the specific profiles of glucosinolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rocket salad is an important vegetable for the ready-to-eat sector, normally cultivated under greenhouse conditions, either in soil or soilless systems. In the latter case, as well as in the nurseries, its cultivation is usually carried out by using peat as a growing medium—a non-renewable substrate—for which it is urgent to find a replacement. Similarly to peat, compost may be used as a growing medium; however, depending on its origin, the chemical and physical characteristics may not bet suitable for plants' cultivation. In this study, we propose the use of agro-industrial compost as a substitute for peat for rocket salad cultivation. Plants grown in compost, alone or in combination with the second cut of rocket salad, gave better results in several biometric parameters, without negatively affecting yield and dry weight percentage. As a mechanistic approach to further understand how compost can affect plants' stress, the qualitative profile of phytochemicals (glucosinolates and (poly)phenols)—recognized markers of biotic and abiotic plant stress—were monitored and exhibited a decreasing trend in plants grown using compost relative to those cultivated with peat. The analysis of vitamin C provided information on the achievement of an enhanced concentration by the compost, especially in the second cut. It can be inferred from the results obtained that the compost used as a growing medium may be used as a peat-free substrate for rocket crop cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenolic compounds and glucosinolates are secondary plant metabolites that play fundamental roles in plant resistance to abiotic stress. These compounds have been found to increase in stress situations related to plant adaptive capacity. This review assesses the functions of phenolic compounds and glucosinolates in plant interactions involving abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, high temperature, metals toxicity, and mineral deficiency or excess. Furthermore, their relation with water uptake and transport mediated through aquaporins is reviewed. In this way, the increases of phenolic compounds and glucosinolate synthesis have been related to primary responses to abiotic stress and induction of resistance. Thus, their metabolic pathways, root exudation, and external application are related to internal cell and tissue movement, with a lack of information in this latter aspect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During Agrobacterium rhizogenes–plant interaction, the rolB gene is transferred into the plant genome and is stably inherited in the plant's offspring. Among the numerous effects of rolB on plant metabolism, including the activation of secondary metabolism, its effect on plant defense systems has not been sufficiently studied. In this work, we performed a proteomic analysis of rolB-expressing Arabidopsis thaliana plants with particular focus on defense proteins. We found a total of 77 overexpressed proteins and 64 underexpressed proteins in rolB-transformed plants using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI mass spectrometry. In the rolB-transformed plants, we found a reduced amount of scaffold proteins RACK1A, RACK1B, and RACK1C, which are known as receptors for activated C-kinase 1. The proteomic analysis showed that rolB could suppress the plant immune system by suppressing the RNA-binding proteins GRP7, CP29B, and CP31B, which action are similar to the action of type-III bacterial effectors. At the same time, rolB plants induce the massive biosynthesis of protective proteins VSP1 and VSP2, as well as pathogenesis-related protein PR-4, which are markers of the activated jasmonate pathway. The increased contents of glutathione-S-transferases F6, F2, F10, U19, and DHAR1 and the osmotin-like defense protein OSM34 were found. The defense-associated protein PCaP1, which is required for oligogalacturonide-induced priming and immunity, was upregulated. Moreover, rolB-transformed plants showed the activation of all components of the PYK10 defense complex that is involved in the metabolism of glucosinolates. We hypothesized that various defense systems activated by rolB protect the host plant from competing phytopathogens and created an effective ecological niche for A. rhizogenes. A RolB → RACK1A signaling module was proposed that might exert most of the rolB-mediated effects on plant physiology. Our proteomics data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD037959. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is a major limiting factor of Brassica napus (rapeseed) and potassium (K) plays important roles in rapeseed drought tolerance. Previous studies have reported that rapeseed cultivars characterized by different K status showed contrasting drought tolerance. However, the molecular mechanism underlying drought tolerance remains unclear. In this study, comparative transcriptome analysis was conducted between drought-tolerant cultivar Youyan57 and drought-sensitive cultivar Chuanyou36 exposed to PEG6000 simulated drought stress with two K levels (1.0 and 0.01 mM K2SO4, referred to NK and LK, respectively). A total of 1689 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at NK. DEGs involved in photosynthesis, glutathione biosynthesis, IAA signal transduction were up-regulated in Youyan57 at NK. By contrast, the down-regulated DEGs were significantly enriched in biosynthesis of amino acids, cysteine and methionine metabolism and glucosinolate biosynthesis. Transcription profile was affected seriously at LK treatment since only 1050 DEGs were identified. DEGs involved in biosynthesis of amino acids reduced largely. Furthermore, the conspicuous up-regulation of protein phosphatase 2 C in Chuanyou36 could lead to more severe drought stress at LK, which negatively participated in abscisic acid (ABA) signal transduction. Taken together, the comparative transcriptome analysis identified a set of drought-regulated genes involved in several pathways, and provided important information about molecular mechanisms underlying rapeseed drought tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variation in patterns of recombination in plant genomes provides information about species evolution, genetic diversity and crop improvement. We investigated meiotic crossovers generated in biparental segregating and reciprocal backcross populations of the allopolyploid genome of rapeseed (Brassica napus) (AACC, 2n = 38). A structured set of 1445 intercrossed lines was derived from two homozygous de novo genome-assembled parents that represented the major genetic clusters of semi-winter Chinese and winter European rapeseeds, and was used to increase QTL resolution and achieve genomic reciprocal introgression. A high-density genetic map constructed with 6161 genetic bins and anchored centromere regions was used to establish the pattern of recombination variation in each chromosome. Around 93% of the genome contained crossovers at a mean rate of 3.8 cM Mb-1, with the remaining 7% attributed to centromeres or low marker density. Recombination hotspots predominated in the A genome, including two-thirds of those associated with breeding introgression from B. rapa. Genetic background might affect recombination variation. Introgression of genetic diversity from European winter to Chinese semi-winter rapeseed showed an increase in crossover rate under the semi-winter environment. Evidence for an elevated recombination rate having historically contributed to selective trait improvement includes accumulation of favorable alleles for seed oil content on hotspots of chromosome A10. Conversely, strong artificial selection may affect recombination rate variation, as appears to be the case with a coldspot resulting from strong selection for glucosinolate alleles on A09. But the cold region would be promptly reactivated by crossing design indicated by the pedigree analysis. Knowledge of recombination hotspots and coldspots associated with QTL for 22 traits can guide selection strategies for introgression breeding between the two gene pools. These results and rich genomic resources broaden our understanding of recombination behavior in allopolyploids and may advance rapeseed genetic improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broccoli is a vegetable appreciated by consumers for its nutritional properties, particularly for its high glucosinolate (GLS) content. However, broccoli shows a high rate of senescence during postharvest and the GLS content in inflorescences decreases sharply. Usually, postharvest studies on broccoli focus on inflorescences, ignoring the other tissues harvested such as the stems and main stalk. In this work, GLS metabolism in whole heads of broccoli (including inflorescences, small stems and stalk) was analysed during postharvest senescence. The content of GLS content, expression of GLS metabolic genes, and expression of GLS transport-associated genes were measured in the three parts of harvested broccoli. A marked decrease in the content of all GLSs was detected in inflorescences, but an increase in the stems and stalk. Also, decreased expressions of GLS biosynthesis and degradation genes were detected in all tissues analysed. On the other hand, an increase in the expression of one of the genes involved in GLS transport was observed. These results suggest that GLSs would be transported from inflorescences to stems during postharvest senescence. From a commercial point of view, broccoli stems are usually discarded and not used as food. However, the accumulation of GLSs in the stems is an important factor to consider when contemplating potential commercial use of this part of the plant. • The glucosinolate content of broccoli inflorescences decreases during senescence. • The glucosinolate content of broccoli stems increases during senescence. • Expression of glucosinolate synthesis and degradation genes decreases during senescence. • Expression of a glucosinolate transporter gene increases during broccoli senescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rhizosphere microbiome influences many aspects of plant fitness, including production of secondary compounds and defence against insect herbivores. Plants also modulate the composition of the microbial community in the rhizosphere via secretion of root exudates. We tested both the effect of the rhizosphere microbiome on plant traits, and host plant effects on rhizosphere microbes using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of Brassica rapa that differ in production of glucosinolates (GLS), secondary metabolites that contribute to defence against insect herbivores. First, we investigated the effect of genetic variation in GLS production on the composition of the rhizosphere microbiome. Using a Bayesian Dirichlet‐multinomial regression model (DMBVS), we identified both negative and positive associations between bacteria from six genera and the concentration of five GLS compounds produced in plant roots. Additionally, we tested the effects of microbial inoculation (an intact vs. disrupted soil microbiome) on GLS production and insect damage in these RILs. We found a significant microbial treatment × genotype interaction, in which total GLS was higher in the intact relative to the disrupted microbiome treatment in some RILs. However, despite differences in GLS production between microbial treatments, we observed no difference in insect damage between treatments. Together, these results provide evidence for a full feedback cycle of plant–microbe interactions mediated by GLS; that is, GLS compounds produced by the host plant "feed‐down" to influence rhizosphere microbial community and rhizosphere microbes "feed‐up" to influence GLS production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: A newly identified non-AUG-initiated ORF, ORF3a, encoded by members of the genus Polerovirus, is required for long-distance movement in plants. However, its functions in host protein interactions still remain unclear. Here, we systemically investigated Brassica yellows virus (BrYV)-P3a interacting proteins in plants. In total, 138 genes with annotations were obtained. Furthermore, Arabidopsis thaliana purine permease 14, glucosinolate transporter 1, and nitrate transporter 1.7 were verified to interact with P3a in vivo and were downregulated in response to BrYV during the late stages of viral infection. We used pup14, gtr1, and nrt1.7, the T-DNA insertion mutants, to preliminarily characterize their roles in the BrYV infection process. Viruses are obligate parasites that only undergo genomic replication in their host organisms. ORF3a, a newly identified non-AUG-initiated ORF encoded by members of the genus Polerovirus, is required for long-distance movement in plants. However, its interactions with host proteins still remain unclear. Here, we used Brassica yellows virus (BrYV)-P3a as bait to screen a plant split-ubiquitin-based membrane yeast two-hybrid (MYTH) cDNA library to explain the functional role of P3a in viral infections. In total, 138 genes with annotations were obtained. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that the genes from carbon fixation in photosynthetic, photosynthesis pathways, and MAPK signaling were affected. Furthermore, Arabidopsis thaliana purine permease 14 (AtPUP14), glucosinolate transporter 1 (AtGTR1), and nitrate transporter 1.7 (AtNRT1.7) were verified to interact with P3a in vivo. P3a and these three interacting proteins mainly co-localized in the cytoplasm. Expression levels of AtPUP14, AtGTR1, and AtNRT1.7 were significantly reduced in response to BrYV during the late stages of viral infection. In addition, we characterized the roles of AtPUP14, AtGTR1, and AtNRT1.7 in BrYV infection in A. thaliana using T-DNA insertion mutants, and the pup14, gtr1, and nrt1.7 mutants influenced BrYV infection to different degrees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucosinolates (GSLs) are secondary plant metabolites that are enriched in rapeseed and related Brassica species, and they play important roles in defense due to their anti-nutritive and toxic properties. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study of six glucosinolate metabolites (mGWAS) in rapeseed, including three aliphatic glucosinolates (m145 gluconapin, m150 glucobrassicanapin and m151 progoitrin), one aromatic glucosinolate (m157 gluconasturtiin) and two indole glucosinolates (m165 indolylmethyl glucosinolate and m172 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin), respectively. We identified 113 candidate intervals significantly associated with these six glucosinolate metabolites. In the genomic regions linked to the mGWAS peaks, 187 candidate genes involved in glucosinolate biosynthesis (e.g., BnaMAM1, BnaGGP1, BnaSUR1 and BnaMYB51) and novel genes (e.g., BnaMYB44, BnaERF025, BnaE2FC, BnaNAC102 and BnaDREB1D) were predicted based on the mGWAS, combined with analysis of differentially expressed genes. Our results provide insight into the genetic basis of glucosinolate biosynthesis in rapeseed and should facilitate marker-based breeding for improved seed quality in Brassica species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been used for centuries to produce fermented foods. Cruciferous vegetables contain large amounts of health-promoting compounds such as glucosinolates (GLSs) and phenolics. GLSs and phenolics have been linked to antioxidant, anticancer, and immunosuppressive effects. However, it has been reported that some LAB strains are able to metabolize and enhance the activities and amounts of biomolecules through decarboxylation and/or reduction activities, with positive impacts on human diet and colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention. In the present work, the bioprocessing of broccoli by lactic fermentation was evaluated to produce a functional food using both spontaneous and induced fermentation (Levilactobacillus brevis and Lactococcus lactis as starter co-culture). Changes in the proximal composition, GLSs, and phenolic content as well as the antioxidant, antiproliferative, and immunosuppressive effect of the fermented product were evaluated in in vitro cellular models to validate their potential in CRC chemoprevention. The results demonstrated that fermented broccoli extracts increased the antioxidant activity in Caco2 cells and inhibited the proliferation of HT29 and HT116 cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner, with the best results on day 6 at a concentration of 600 µg/mL. Our findings also provide evidence that fermented broccoli could have an anti-inflammatory effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trends toward a healthier diet are increasing attention to clean-label products. This has led to the search for new ingredients that avoid the use of chemical additives. Food industries are responding to these demands by incorporating natural preservatives into their products, which consumers perceive as healthy. Leafy vegetables would fit this strategy since they are common components of the diet and are associated with beneficial health effects. The objective of this chapter is to offer an overview of the large number of bioactive compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, glucosinolates, and sulfur compounds) present in these plants, which would be responsible for their activity as potential preservatives. Its incorporation into food would improve the quality and extend the shelf life by reducing oxidative processes and inhibiting or retarding the microbial growth that occurs during processing and storage without reducing the organoleptic characteristics of the product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to evaluate the functional potential of common duckweed (Lemna minor L.) as a source of bioactive compounds of nutraceutical interest. The untargeted profiling of the bioactive components of common duckweed was carried out through ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS), in parallel with assessing in vitro antioxidant and enzymatic inhibition properties. The optimization of extraction parameters was determined using the response surface methodology (RSM) through a 3-factor central composite design. The process parameters included extraction temperature, % of ethanol, and ultrasound power, while the response variables were the phenolic content (considering each main phenolic class), total glucosinolates, total carotenoids, the antioxidant potential, and enzyme inhibition activities. The results revealed that common duckweed was a rich source of carotenoids and total flavonoids (mainly flavones and flavonols), followed by phenolic acids, low-molecular-weight phenolics, and glucosinolates. Interestingly, the total flavones, total flavonols and total carotenoid equivalents showed the highest and most positive correlation values with the bioactive properties measured. Finally, the combined RSM approach and unsupervised statistics allowed us to point out the pivotal impact of ethanol percentage in the extraction solvent to recover the highest amounts of bioactive compounds efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nutritional quality and biomass of various sprouts can be enhanced by Zn and red-blue light, especially the Brassica sprouts. However, the combined effects of this two on sprouts are rarely reported. In this study, different Zn concentrations (0, 1.74, 3.48, 10.43 and 17.39 mM) were combined with two ratios of red-blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (R: B = 1:2, 1R2B; R: B = 2:1, 2R1B, at 70 μmol m−2 s−1 PPFD, 14 h/10 h, light/dark) to investigate their mutual effects on the growth, mineral elements, and nutritional quality in flowering Chinese cabbage sprouts (FCCS). Fresh weight, dry weight, contents of organic Zn, soluble sugar, vitamin C, total flavonoids, total polyphenol, FRAP (ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power) and DPPH (radical inhibition percentage of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) were significantly increased by Zn supplement (10.43 and 17.39 mM) and 2R1B, while hypocotyl length and moisture content were decreased remarkably by Zn supplement. Total glucosinolates contents in the sprouts increased dramatically under 2R1B compared with 1R2B, while photosynthetic pigments contents decreased. Heat map and principal component analysis showed that 2R1B + 17.39 mM Zn was the optimal treatment for the accumulation of biomass and health-promoting compound in FCCS, suggesting that a suitable combination of light quality and Zn supplement might be beneficial to zinc-biofortified FCCS production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlled environment agriculture in artificial lighting facilities has enormous potential for improving crop quality and production capacity. Light conditions, including light quality, photoperiod, and light intensity, significantly affect the growth and functional component accumulation of crops. Several studies have been conducted to assess the effects of light conditions on different crops, but research on Chinese kale has been limited, especially its hydroponic growth in plant factories. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of light quality, photoperiod, and light intensity on Chinese kale growth and glucosinolate content during different growth stages of cultivation in a plant factory. Different light treatments, including four types of light (red (R): blue (B): white (W), R:W, R:B, and fluorescent), five photoperiods (12/12, 14/10, 16/8, 18/6, and 20/4 h), and five light intensities (100, 130, 160, 190, and 220 µmol m−2 s−1) were implemented, while the ambient environmental parameters were maintained using a wireless monitoring and control network system. After specific periods of transplantation, samples were collected for growth evaluation and glucosinolate estimation. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's multiple mean range test were conducted to compare the means and determine statistical significance. Better leaf growth rate was observed under the R:B light source. Total glucosinolates were greater under R:B (63.38 µmol g−1 DW) and R:B:W (118.51 µmol g−1 DW) LED combinations at first and second samplings, respectively. A cyclic photoperiod of 16/8 and 18/6 h fostered optimal growth, but greater glucosinolate content was observed under 18/6 and 14/10 photoperiods at the first and second sampling times, respectively. Although light intensities of 160 and 220 µmol m−2 s−1 were good for physical growth, 160 and 130 µmol m−2 s−1 were better for glucosinolate accumulation at the first and second sampling times, respectively. The current findings may be of use for cultivating high quantities of nutrient-rich Chinese kale in protected crop cultivation facilities using artificial lighting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The glucosinolate transporters 1/2/3 (GTR1/2/3) from the Nitrate and Peptide transporter Family (NPF) play an essential role in the transport, accumulation, and distribution of the specialized plant metabolite glucosinolates. Due to representing both antinutritional and health-promoting compounds, there is increasing interest in characterizing GTRs from various plant species. We generated seven artificial glucosinolates (either aliphatic or benzenic) bearing different fluorophores (Fluorescein, BODIPY, Rhodamine, Dansylamide, and NBD) and investigated the ability of GTR1/2/3 from Arabidopsis thaliana to import the fluorescent glucosinolates (F-GSLs) into oocytes from Xenopus laevis. Five out of the seven F-GSLs synthesized were imported by at least one of the GTRs. GTR1 and GTR2 were able to import three F-GSLs actively above external concentration, while GTR3 imported only one actively. Competition assays indicate that the F-GSLs are transported by the same mechanism as non-tagged natural glucosinolates. The GTR-mediated F-GSL uptake is detected via a rapid and sensitive assay only requiring simple fluorescence measurements on a standard plate reader. This is highly useful in investigations of glucosinolate transport function and provides a critical prerequisite for elucidating the relationship between structure and function through high-throughput screening of GTR mutant libraries. The F-GSL themselves may also be suitable for future studies on glucosinolate transport in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac glycosides are a large class of secondary metabolites found in plants. In the genus Asclepias, cardenolides in milkweed plants have an established role in plant–herbivore and predator–prey interactions, based on their ability to inhibit the membrane-bound Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme. Milkweed seeds are eaten by specialist lygaeid bugs, which are the most cardenolide-tolerant insects known. These insects likely impose natural selection for the repeated derivatisation of cardenolides. A first step in investigating this hypothesis is to conduct a phytochemical profiling of the cardenolides in the seeds. Here, we report the concentrations of 10 purified cardenolides from the seeds of Asclepias curassavica. We report the structures of new compounds: 3-O-β-allopyranosyl coroglaucigenin (1), 3-[4′-O-β-glucopyranosyl-β-allopyranosyl] coroglaucigenin (2), 3′-O-β-glucopyranosyl-15-β-hydroxycalotropin (3), and 3-O-β-glucopyranosyl-12-β-hydroxyl coroglaucigenin (4), as well as six previously reported cardenolides (5–10). We test the in vitro inhibition of these compounds on the sensitive porcine Na+/K+-ATPase. The least inhibitory compound was also the most abundant in the seeds—4′-O-β-glucopyranosyl frugoside (5). Gofruside (9) was the most inhibitory. We found no direct correlation between the number of glycosides/sugar moieties in a cardenolide and its inhibitory effect. Our results enhance the literature on cardenolide diversity and concentration among tissues eaten by insects and provide an opportunity to uncover potential evolutionary relationships between tissue-specific defense expression and insect adaptations in plant–herbivore interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on whole seeds of oilseed rape as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The NF consists of seeds of oilseed rape, in particular double low white flowering varieties of Brassica napus (oilseed rape Brassica napus L. emend. Metzg). The NF's oilseed rape is produced following drying, cleaning and storage procedures traditionally used for oilseed rape in oil production. The NF is proposed to be used as an ingredient in 'Bread and rolls with special ingredients added' and 'Gluten free bread'. The target population is the general population. The highest daily intake of the NF was estimated for young children as 92.6 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day. The Panel notes that intakes of the NF can result in considerably increased levels of glucosinolates consumption as compared to intakes of glucosinolates from background diets. The Panel asked the applicant for additional studies to support the safety of the NF, but these were not provided. The Panel concludes that the safety of whole seeds of oilseed rape under the proposed conditions of use has not been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan is a polycationic polysaccharide derived from chitin, and β-cyclodextrin is a type of macrocyclic oligosaccharide linked by α-1,4 glycosidic bonds. These compounds are recognized as effective elicitors in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in plants. These elicitors were studied to assess the growth of shoots and the synthesis of glucosinolates (GSLs) from elicited shoots in Chinese cabbage under controlled in vitro conditions for the first time. Chitosan at 150 mg L−1 supplemented in the optimized shoot induction recovered maximum quantities of total GSLs (7.344 μmol g−1 DW) at the end of 5th week of culture duration, followed by β-cyclodextrin (15 mg L−1) with the synthesis of GSLs (6.379 μmol g−1 DW) at the end of 4th week of culture. The application of chitosan completely deteriorated the growth of shoots, whereas β-cyclodextrin did not affect and even increased the growth of shoots (4.66 g DW). Upon elicitation, the individual got GSLs contents exhibited various fold changes (1.78-to-23.5-fold). Real-time PCR analysis of essential GSLs biosynthesis genes like MAM1, ST5b, AOP2, FMOGS-OX1, CYP83B1, CYP81F2, ST5a , and CYP81F4 revealed substantial higher expression upon elicitation. This present study would provide a steady production of GSLs in Chinese cabbage shoots with the influence of carbohydrate-based elicitors for pharmaceutical or food companies in the future. • An effective elicitor for enhancing glucosinolates content was optimized under in vitro condition. • Chitosan treatment increased glucosinolates in Chinese cabbage shoot culture. • Chitosan treatment triggered expression of glucosinolates biosynthesis genes. • Concentration and incubation time with shoot culture played an important role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Camelina sativa is an oil crop with low input costs and resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. The presence of glucosinolates, plant metabolites with adverse health effects, restricts the use of camelina for human and animal nutrition. Cas9 endonuclease‐based targeted mutagenesis of the three homeologs of each of the glucosinolate transporters CsGTR1 and CsGTR2 caused a strong decrease in glucosinolate amounts, highlighting the power of this approach for inactivating multiple genes in a hexaploid crop. Mutagenesis of the three homeologs of each of the transcription factors CsMYB28 and CsMYB29 resulted in the complete loss of glucosinolates, representing the first glucosinolate‐free Brassicaceae crop. The oil and protein contents and the fatty acid composition of the csgtr1csgtr2 and csmyb28csmyb29 mutant seeds were not affected. The decrease and elimination of glucosinolates improves the quality of the oil and press cake of camelina, which thus complies with international standards regulating glucosinolate levels for human consumption and animal feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium (Se) is not yet conclusively classified as an essential nutrient required for plant growth. However, much attention has been devoted to its important role in human health since Se enrichment affects the production of primary and secondary metabolites. A strong link between low levels of Se and cancer and cardiac diseases has been proven. Thus, Se enrichment of crops has been established as a pioneering strategy to enhance Se intake by animals and humans. It has been proven that Se biofortification through a foliar application or in the growth medium has increased Se levels in plant tissues without loss of productivity or qualitative properties. However, to achieve the desirable level of Se and promote human health, Se accumulation in plants should be quantified and balanced because Se enrichment may affect their nutrient balance. This timely review provides a broad overview of the metabolic changes induced in plants by Se enrichment. Additionally, it highlights the contrasting effects of Se biofortification on the up-and-down-regulation of several secondary metabolites including phenolics, flavonoids, and their derivatives, as well as glucosinolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review discusses the chemical composition of radish pods and their utilization and health perspective. Radish pods are green vegetables usually consumed in East Asia. Radish pods have gained much interest due to their high chemical composition and antioxidant activity. They contain various chemical compounds, including coumarins, phenols glucosinolates, antioxidants etc. In East Asia, radish pods are usually consumed in households and can also be used commercially as an additive ingredient. However, it can be used in the household as a vegetable, mixed vegetable and additive materials. Radish pods play an important role against cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and allergies via diverse pathways. It also acts as a hepatoprotective, platelet aggregation and immunity booster. Hence, the radish pods can be used in households for improvement of chronic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this review is develop to phytochemicals-based functional products against obesity and cancer management. Natural products have been made from reliable sources in past centuries. Phytochemicals are natural compounds that are available in vegetables, legumes, tea crops, fruits and various spices. Phytochemicals are known as secondary metabolites including carotenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, saponins, cyanogenic glycosides, and glucosinolates. These phytochemicals are played direct or indirect role against several chronic diseases. However, these compounds have ability to act against various chronic diseases containing diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The literature reports the different potential properties of dietary phytochemicals such as anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Capparis spinosa is a widespread charismatic plant, in which the nocturnal floral habit contrasts with the high visitation by diurnal bees and the pronounced scarcity of hawkmoths. To resolve this discrepancy and elucidate floral evolution of C. spinosa, we analyzed the intrafloral patterns of visual and olfactory cues in relation to the known sensory biases of the different visitor guilds (bees, butterflies, and hawkmoths). Methods: We measured the intrafloral variation of scent, reflectance spectra, and colorimetric properties according to three guilds of known visitors of C. spinosa. Additionally, we sampled visitation rates using a motion‐activated camera. Results: Carpenter bees visited the flowers eight times more frequently than nocturnal hawkmoths, at dusk and in the following morning. Yet, the floral headspace of C. spinosa contained a typical sphingophilous scent with high emission rates of certain monoterpenes and amino‐acid derived compounds. Visual cues included a special case of multisensory nectar guide and color patterns conspicuous to the visual systems of both hawkmoths and bees. Conclusions: The intrafloral patterns of sensory stimuli suggest that hawkmoths have exerted strong historical selection on C. spinosa. Our study revealed two interesting paradoxes: (a) the flowers phenotypically biased towards the more inconsistent pollinator; and (b) floral display demands an abundance of resources that seems maladaptive in the habitats of C. spinosa. The transition to a binary pollination system accommodating large bees has not required phenotypic changes, owing to specific eco‐physiological adaptations, unrelated to pollination, which make this plant an unusual case in pollination ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucosinolates are specialized defensive metabolites characteristic of the Brassicales order. Among them, aliphatic and indolic glucosinolates (IGs) are usually highly abundant in species from the Brassicaceae family. The exceptions this trend are species representing a subclade of the Camelineae tribe, including Capsella and Camelina genera, which have reduced capacity to produce and metabolize IGs. Our study addresses the contribution of specific glucosinolate-related myeloblastosis (MYB) transcription factors to this unprecedented backward evolution of IG biosynthesis. To this end, we performed phylogenomic and functional studies of respective MYB proteins. The obtained results revealed weakened conservation of glucosinolate-related MYB transcription factors, including loss of functional MYB34 protein, in the investigated species. We showed that the introduction of functional MYB34 from Arabidopsis thaliana partially restores IG biosynthesis in Capsella rubella , indicating that the loss of this transcription factor contributes to the backward evolution of this metabolic pathway. Finally, we performed an analysis of the impact of particular myb mutations on the feedback loop in IG biosynthesis, which drives auxin overproduction, metabolic dysregulation and strong growth retardation caused by mutations in IG biosynthetic genes. This uncovered the unique function of MYB34 among IG-related MYBs in this feedback regulation and consequently in IG conservation in Brassicaceae plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimony (Sb), a common rare heavy metal, is found naturally in soils at low concentrations. This study aimed to understand the effect of low Sb concentrations on plant growth and metabolism. To this end, canola (Brassica napus L. var. napus) and turnip roots (Brassica rapa L. var. rapa) were treated with Sb at low concentrations (8 mg/kg soil) to explore the effect Sb on their growth, photosynthesis, glucosinolate metabolism, redox status, and biological activity. Our results revealed that Sb significantly promoted growth by 1.34 and 1.14-fold in B. napus and B. rapa compared to control conditions. This increase can be explained by the observed increase in photosynthesis as indicated by increased chlorophyll content. Low Sb concentration significantly improved total glucosinolate accumulation, through improved amino acid production, namely alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. There were increases in myrosinase activity, which stimulated glucosinolate hydrolysis to yield health-promoting sulforaphane. In contrast, a low level of ineffective sulforaphane nitrile was detected. Sb also improved antioxidant metabolites (tocopherol) and enzymes (CAT, POX, SOD) in both species but to a bigger extent in B. napus by 1.98, 2.77, 2.46, and 2.05 fold, respectively. In conclusion, although high Sb concentrations are toxic, low Sb concentrations can promote biomass and bioactive compound accumulation in Brassica spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the effect of different nutrient-solution depths on the growth and phytochemicals accumulation of kale, three different nutrient-solution depth treatments (De-1: 1 cm, De-2: 2 cm, and De-3: 3 cm) were applied in the plant factory with artificial lighting. The maximum levels of plant height, stem diameter, total leaf area, total root length, and root surface area as well as fresh and dry weight of the shoot and root were all noted in De-2 at 24 days after treatment. Low nutrient-solution depth treatments (De-1 and De-2) were beneficial for total chlorophyll accumulation and nutrient ions uptake (N, P, K, Ca, S, and Zn). However, there were no obvious differences in DPPH and FRAP as well as contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids. In high nutrient-solution depth treatment (De-3), the contents of carotenoid, soluble sugars, and vitamin C were higher than those in De-1 and De-2. The contents of total glucosinolates (GLs), aliphatic GLs, and indole GLs significantly increased in kale under De-3. Higher contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), oxalate oxidase (OXO), and proline were observed in kale roots under De-2 and De-3. Overall, 2 cm of nutrient-solution depth could be used to promote kale growth, and 3 cm may represent a potential approach for improving kale quality in a plant factory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is an important insect pest of cruciferous crops. Understanding its preference patterns can lead to more efficient management methods, such as trap crops. Several strains of P. xylostella were used to test whether there were differences in oviposition preference in a four-choice setting, on abaxial versus adaxial leaf surfaces in 28 different plant species, and on substrates with different concentrations of sinigrin (allylglucosinolate). Additionally, the larval preference of P. xylostella was studied with 17 plant species of known glucosinolate content that were compared to Arabidopsis thaliana L. in two-choice tests. Our research shows that the diet on which P. xylostella has fed hardly affects multiple-choice host-plant preference, abaxial and adaxial oviposition preference, or oviposition response to pure glucosinolates. Our study also shows that glucosinolate content affects larval preference, which together with the known correlation between glucosinolate content and P. xylostella oviposition, indicates that crops with high glucosinolate content could be more susceptible to damage by P. xylostella than crops with low glucosinolate content. These findings are discussed in regards to their significance in the management of P. xylostella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted during the 2018-2019 season in one of the private fields in Karma City, Anbar Governorate, Iraq to study the effects of organic fertilizer levels (0, 5 and 10 tons ha-1) and spraying with amino acid arginine at concentrations of 0, 100, 200 mg L-1 on growth and also yield characteristics in addition to some medicinally-active compounds in watercress seeds, Eruca sativa Mill. The study factors were arranged as splitplot experiment according to the randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replications. According to the results, the fertilizer level at 10 tons ha-1 exhibited a significant elevation in the characteristics of growth, yield, oil rate (%), and seed contents of glucosinolate glycoside and Astragalin alkaloid, whereas spraying arginine at 200 mg L-1 showed significant differences in the characteristics of yield, oil rate (%), and seed content of glucocinolate glycoside and Astragalin alkaloid. In addition, the interaction of the studied characteristics displayed a significant effect. So that, the plants given 10 tons ha-1 of organic fertilizer under the influence of spraying with 200 mg L-1 arginine, revealed the highest rate of 1000-seed weight, oil rate (%), in addition to the seed content of glucocinolate glycoside and Astragalin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is a herbaceous annual plant of the Cruciferous family, the Cabbage genus. This oilseed crop is widely used in many areas of industry and agriculture. High-quality oil obtained from rapeseed can be found in many industrial food products. To date, extracts with a high content of biologically active substances are obtained from rapeseed using modern extraction methods. Brassica napus L. seeds contain polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, phytosterols, flavonoids, vitamins, glucosinolates and microelements. The data in this review show that rapeseed biocompounds have therapeutic effects in the treatment of various types of diseases. Some studies indicate that rapeseed can be used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, hypoglycemic and anticancer agent. In the pharmaceutical industry, using rapeseed as an active ingredient may help to develop new forms drugs with wide range of therapeutic effects. This review focuses on aspects of the extraction of biocompounds from rapeseed and the study of its pharmacological properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium is a micronutrient with a wide range of functions in animals, including humans, and in microorganisms such as microalgae. However, its role in plant metabolism remains ambiguous. Recent studies of Se supplementation showed that not only does it increase the content of the element itself, but also affects the accumulation of secondary metabolites in plants. The purpose of this review is to analyze and summarize the available data on the place of selenium in the secondary metabolism of plants and its effect on the accumulation of some plant metabolites (S- and N-containing secondary metabolites, terpenes, and phenolic compounds). In addition, possible molecular mechanisms and metabolic pathways underlying these effects are discussed. It should be noted that available data on the effect of Se on the accumulation of secondary metabolites are inconsistent and contradictory. According to some studies, selenium has a positive effect on the accumulation of certain metabolites, while other similar studies show a negative effect or no effect at all. The following aspects were identified as possible ways of regulating plant secondary metabolism by Se-supplementation: changes occurring in primary S/N metabolism, hormonal regulation, redox metabolism, as well as at the transcriptomic level of secondary metabolite biosynthesis. In all likelihood, the confusion in the results can be explained by other, more complex regulatory mechanisms in which selenium is involved and which affect the production of metabolites. Further study on the involvement of various forms of selenium in metabolic and signaling pathways is crucial for a deeper understanding of its role in growth, development, and health of plants, as well as the regulatory mechanisms behind them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]