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We previously found that feeding rats with broccoli or cauliflower leads to the formation of characteristic DNA adducts in the liver, intestine and various other tissues. We identified the critical substances in the plants as 1-methoxy-3-indolylmethyl (1-MIM) glucosinolate and its degradation product 1-MIM-OH. DNA adduct formation and the mutagenicity of 1-MIM-OH in cell models were drastically enhanced when human sulfotransferase (SULT) 1A1 was expressed. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of SULT1A1 in DNA adduct formation by 1-MIM-OH in mouse tissues in vivo. Furthermore, we compared the endogenous mouse Sult1a1 and transgenic human SULT1A1 in the activation of 1-MIM-OH using genetically modified mouse strains. We orally treated male wild-type (wt) and Sult1a1-knockout (ko) mice, as well as corresponding lines carrying the human SULT1A1-SULT1A2 gene cluster (tg and ko-tg), with 1-MIM-OH. N2-(1-MIM)-dG and N6-(1-MIM)-dA adducts in DNA were analysed using isotope-dilution UPLC-MS/MS. In the liver, caecum and colon adducts were abundant in mice expressing mouse and/or human SULT1A1, but were drastically reduced in ko mice (1.2–10.6% of wt). In the kidney and small intestine, adduct levels were high in mice carrying human SULT1A1-SULT1A2 genes, but low in wt and ko mice (1.8–6.3% of tg-ko). In bone marrow, adduct levels were very low, independently of the SULT1A1 status. In the stomach, they were high in all four lines. Thus, adduct formation was primarily controlled by SULT1A1 in five out of seven tissues studied, with a strong impact of differences in the tissue distribution of mouse and human SULT1A1. The behaviour of 1-MIM-OH in these models (levels and tissue distribution of DNA adducts; impact of SULTs) was similar to that of methyleugenol, classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans". Thus, there is a need to test 1-MIM-OH for carcinogenicity in animal models and to study its adduct formation in humans consuming brassicaceous foodstuff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, there is a global surge in interest surrounding novel foods, particularly sprouts, microgreens, and baby leaves, attributed to their rich content of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic derivatives, glucosinolates, and vitamins. This study delves into the impact of exogenously applied melatonin on novel foods derived from Brassica oleracea L. Two distinct cultivars of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck), namely Sicilian sprouting broccoli (Broccolo nero) and a commercial variety (Cavolo Broccolo Ramoso Calabrese), were compared across the sprouts, microgreens, and baby leaves stages, adhering to organic farming practices. Various doses of melatonin (0, 50, and 100 µM) were administered at each harvesting stage. Plantlets were collected at different growth stages and assessed for key morphometric traits, including the weight, hypocotyl length, and cotyledon dimensions during the sprouts stage. For microgreens, the number and dimensions of the true leaves were recorded, while for baby leaves, the stem length was additionally measured. The analysis of glucosinolates was carried out using a high-performance liquid chromatograph with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). The results revealed significant variations among the experimental factors considered. Melatonin application significantly influenced the morphometric parameters at different growth stages, exhibiting notable variations in the weight, hypocotyl length, cotyledon width, and leaf width. The GLSs profile exhibited significant variations between the different growth stages and genotypes studied. Particularly noteworthy was the tendency for the GLSs content to be higher during the sprouts stage compared to the baby leaves stage, ranging from 24.07 to 4.61 µmol g−1 d.w. from sprouts to baby leaves, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants store chemical defenses that act as toxins against herbivores, such as toxic isothiocyanates (ITCs) in Brassica plants, hydrolyzed from glucosinolate (GLS) precursors. The fitness of herbivorous larvae can be strongly affected by these toxins, causing immature death. We modeled this phenomenon using a set of ordinary differential equations and established a direct relationship between feeding, toxin exposure, and the net energy of a larva, where the fitness of an organism is proportional to its net energy according to optimal foraging theory. Optimal foraging theory is widely used in ecology to model the feeding and searching behavior of organisms. Although feeding provides energy gain, plant toxins and foraging cause energy loss for the larvae. Our equations explain that toxin exposure and foraging can sharply reduce larval net energy to zero at an instar. Since herbivory needs energy, the only choice left for a larva is to stop feeding at that time point. If that is significantly earlier than the end of the last instar stage, the larva dies without food. Thus, we show that plant toxins can cause immature death in larvae from the perspective of optimal foraging theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory diseases are strongly associated with global morbidity and mortality. Several mediators are involved in this process, including proinflammatory interleukins and cytokines produced by damaged tissues that, somehow, act as initiators of the autoreactive immune response. Bioactive compounds present in plant-based foods and byproducts have been largely considered active agents with the potential to treat or prevent inflammatory diseases, being a valuable alternative to traditional therapeutic agents used nowadays, which present several side effects. In this regard, the present research uncovers the anti-inflammatory activity of the bioaccessible fraction of broccoli stalks processed, by applying different conditions that render specific concentrations of bioactive sulforaphane (SFN). The raw materials' extracts exhibited significantly different contents of total glucosinolates (GSLs) that ranged between 3993.29 and 12,296.48 mg/kg dry weight (dw), with glucoraphanin as the most abundant one, followed by GI and GE. The indolic GSLs were represented by hydroxy-glucobrassicin, glucobrassicin, methoxy-glucobrassicin, and neo-glucobrassicin, with the two latter as the most abundant. Additionally, SFN and indole-3-carbinol were found in lower concentrations than the corresponding GSL precursors in the raw materials. When exploring the bioaccessibility of these organosulfur compounds, the GSL of all matrices remained at levels lower than the limit of detection, while SFN was the only breakdown product that remained stable and at quantifiable concentrations. The highest concentration of bioaccessible SFN was provided by the high-ITC materials (~4.00 mg/kg dw). The results retrieved on the cytotoxicity of the referred extracts evidenced that the range of supplementation of growth media tested (0.002–430.400 µg of organosulfur compounds/mL) did not display cytotoxic effects on Caco-2 cells. The obtained extracts were assessed based on their capacity to reduce the production of key proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, and TNF-α) by the intestinal epithelium. Most of the tested processing conditions provided plant material with significant anti-inflammatory activity and the absence of cytotoxic effects. These data confirm that SFN from broccoli stalks, processed to optimize the bioaccessible concentration of SFN, may be potential therapeutic leads to treat or prevent human intestinal inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organic sulfur-containing compounds glucosinolates (GSLs) and the novel gasotransmitter H2S are known to have cardioprotective effects. This study investigated the antioxidant effects and H2S-releasing potential of three GSLs ((3E)-4-(methylsulfanyl)but-3-enyl GSL or glucoraphasatin, 4-hydroxybenzyl GSL or glucosinalbin, and (RS)-6-(methylsulfinyl)hexyl GSL or glucohesperin) in rat cardiac cells. It was found that all three GSLs had no effect on cardiac cell viability but were able to protect against H2O2-induced oxidative stress and cell death. NaHS, a H2S donor, also protected the cells from H2O2-stimulated oxidative stress and cell death. The GSLs alone or mixed with cysteine, N-acetylcysteine, glutathione, H2O2, iron and pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, or mouse liver lysates did not induce H2S release. The addition of GSLs also did not alter endogenous H2S levels in cardiac cells. H2O2 significantly induced cysteine oxidation in the cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) protein and inhibited the H2S production rate. In conclusion, this study found that the three tested GSLs protect cardiomyocytes from oxidative stress and cell death but independently of H2S signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucosinolates (GSLs), crucial secondary metabolites in cruciferous vegetables, hydrolyze upon consumption or mechanical damage, forming bioactive compounds with anti-cancer properties, such as glucoraphanin (GRA). Among cruciferous vegetables, broccoli stands out for its high GSL content, which varies significantly among different genotypes. This study aimed to characterize and quantify glucosinolate compounds in broccoli using LC-HRMS2 and UPLC. We identified thirteen GSLs in 191 broccoli genotypes, including seven aliphatic, five indole, and one aromatic glucosinolate. The GSL content in these genotypes ranged from 0.1705 to 5.8174 mg/g (DW). We also explored GSL diversity and content in seven developmental organs, finding high diversity and content in seedling roots and florets. Notably, genotype No. 300 had the highest GSL content (5.8174 mg/g, DW) and GRA (3.1545 mg/g, DW), along with a larger flower bulb diameter (13.4 cm) and a shorter growth stage (11 days), demonstrating its potential for breeding GRA-rich broccoli. To our knowledge, this study encompasses the largest number of broccoli genotypes to date, broadening our understanding of GSLs' diversity and content in broccoli. These findings may provide valuable resources for future breeding or the commercial cultivation of GRA-rich broccoli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyse the chemical profile and biological activities of 29 accessions of Brassica rapa (turnips) and 9 of Brassica napus (turnips and seeds) collections, maintained ex situ in Portugal. HPLC-HRMS allowed the determination of glucosinolates (GLS) and polyphenolic compounds. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were determined by using relevant assays. The chemical profiles showed that glucosamine, gluconasturtiin, and neoglucobrassin were the most abundant GLS in the extracts from the turnip accessions. Minor forms of GLS include gluconapoleiferin, glucobrassicanapin, glucoerucin, glucobrassin, and 4-hydroxyglucobrassin. Both species exhibited strong antioxidant activity, attributed to glucosinolates and phenolic compounds. The methanol extracts of Brassica rapa accessions were assessed against a panel of five Gram-negative bacteria (Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar, and Yersinia enterocolitica) and three Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus). The extracts exhibited activity against S. enterica and S. aureus, and two showed inhibitory activity against E. coli and Y. enterocolitica. This study provides valuable insights into the chemical composition and biological properties of Brassica rapa and Brassica napus collections in Portugal. The selected accessions can constitute potential sources of natural antioxidants and bioactive compounds, which can be used in breeding programs and improving human health and to promote healthy food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassica crops are well known for the accumulation of glucosinolates—secondary metabolites crucial for plants' adaptation to various stresses. Glucosinolates also functioning as defence compounds pose challenges to food quality due to their goitrogenic properties. Their disruption leaves plants susceptible to insect pests and diseases. Hence, a targeted reduction in seed glucosinolate content is of paramount importance to increase food acceptance. GLUCOSINOLATE TRANSPORTERS (GTRs) present a promising avenue for selectively reducing glucosinolate concentrations in seeds while preserving biosynthesis elsewhere. In this study, 54 putative GTR protein sequences found in Brassica were retrieved, employing Arabidopsis GTR1 and GTR2 templates. Comprehensive bioinformatics analyses, encompassing gene structure organization, domain analysis, motif assessments, promoter analysis, and cis-regulatory elements, affirmed the existence of transporter domains and stress-related regulatory elements. Phylogenetic analysis revealed patterns of conservation and divergence across species. Glucosinolates have been shown to increase under stress conditions, indicating a potential role in stress response. To elucidate the role of GTRs in glucosinolate transportation under NaCl stress in two distinct Brassica species, B. juncea and B. napus, plants were subjected to 0, 100, or 200 mM NaCl. Based on the literature, key GTR genes were chosen and their expression across various plant parts was assessed. Both species displayed divergent trends in their biochemical profiles as well as glucosinolate contents under elevated salt stress conditions. Statistical modelling identified significant contributors to glucosinolate variations, guiding the development of targeted breeding strategies for low-glucosinolate varieties. Notably, GTR2A2 exhibited pronounced expressions in stems, contributing approximately 52% to glucosinolate content variance, while GTR2B1/C2 displayed significant expression in flowers. Additionally, GTR2A1 and GTR1A2/B1 demonstrated noteworthy expression in roots. This study enhances our understanding of glucosinolate regulation under stress conditions, offering avenues to improve Brassica crop quality and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lepidium draba (hoary cress) is a perennial plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family that produces two dominant glucosinolates (GLSs): glucoraphanin (GRN) and sinalbin (SBN). They represent the stored form, which is converted upon the myrosinase (Myr) hydrolysis activity to active compounds, mainly isothiocyanates (ITCs) such as sulforaphane (SFN) or p-hydroxybenzyl isothiocyanate (pHBITC). Research on ITCs that have proven anticancer, antimicrobial, and chemoprotective properties is usually conducted with pure commercially available compounds. However, these are chemically reactive, making it difficult to use them directly for preventive purposes in dietary supplements. Efforts are currently being made to prepare dietary supplements enriched with GLS and/or Myr. In this study, we report a simple but efficient chromatographic procedure for the isolation and purification of GLSs from MeOH extract from hoary cress based on a combination of ion exchange and gel permeation chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 and Sephadex LH-20. To obtain the Myr required for efficient hydrolysis of GLSs into antibacterial ITCs, we developed a rapid method for its extraction from the seeds of Lepidium sativum (garden cress). The yields of GLSs were 22.9 ± 1.2 mg GRN (purity 96%) and 10.4 ± 1.1 mg SBN (purity 92%) from 1 g of dry plant material. Both purified GLSs were used as substrates for the Myr. Analysis of the composition of hydrolysis products (HPs) revealed differences in their hydrolysis rates and in the degree of conversion from GLSs to individual ITCs catalyzed by Myr. When GRNs were cleaved, SFNs were formed in an equimolar ratio, but the formation of pHBITCs was only half that of cleaved SBNs. The decrease in pHBITC content is due to its instability compared to SFN. While SFN is stable in aqueous media during the measurement, pHBITC undergoes non-enzymatic hydrolysis to p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol and thiocyanate ions. Testing of the antimicrobial effects of the HPs formed from GRN by Myr under premix or in situ conditions showed inhibition of the growth of model prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. This observation could serve as the jumping-off point for the design of a two-component mixture, based on purified GLSs and Myr that is, usable in food or the pharmaceutical industry in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucosinolates, the main secondary metabolites accumulated in cruciferous flora, have a major impact on fortifying plant immunity against diverse pathogens. Although Botrytis cinerea exhibits varying sensitivity to these compounds, current research has yet to fully understand the intricate mechanisms governing its response to glucosinolates. Different species of the genus Botrytis were exposed to glucosinolate-derived isothiocyanates, revealing that B. fabae, B. deweyae, and B. convolute, species with the mfsG transporter gene (Bcin06g00026) not detected with PCR, were more sensitive to isothiocyanates than Botrytis species containing that gene, such as B. cinerea, B. pseudocinerea, and B. byssoidea. This finding was further corroborated by the inability of species with the mfsG gene not detected with PCR to infect plants with a high concentration of glucosinolate-derived isothiocyanates. These results challenge established correlations, revealing varying aggressiveness on different plant substrates. An expression analysis highlighted the gene's induction in the presence of isothiocyanate, and a bioinformatic investigation identified homologous genes in other Botrytis species. Our study underscored the importance of advanced biotechnology to help understand these proteins and thus offer innovative solutions for agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the glucosinolate (GSL) content in Brassica plants and utilized in silico analysis approach to assess their antioxidant capabilities. GSLs, present abundantly in Brassica vegetables, offer potential health advantages, including antioxidant effects. Employing Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), major GSLs were identified in 89 accessions from diverse species and subspecies. Statistical analysis and principal component analysis unveiled significant GSL variation and potential correlations among the Brassica germplasms. This study unveils the dominance of aliphatic GSLs over aromatic and indolyl compounds in all the accessions. Notably, Gluconapin (GNA) (33,049.23 µmol·kg−1 DW), Glucobrassicanapin (GBN) (9803.82 µmol·kg−1 DW), Progoitrin (PRO) (12,780.48 µmol·kg−1 DW) and Sinigrin (SIN) (14,872.93 µmol·kg−1 DW) were the most abundant compounds across the analyzed accessions. Moreover, in silico docking studies predicted promising antioxidant activity by evaluating the interactions of each GSL with antioxidant enzymes. Specifically, Sinigrin and Gluconapin exhibited a notably weaker influence on antioxidant enzymes. This provides key insights into the antioxidant potential of Brassica germplasm and highlights the importance of in silico analysis for evaluating bioactive properties. In general, the results of this study could be utilized in breeding programs to maximize GSL levels and antioxidant properties in Brassica crops and for developing functional foods with enhanced health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impact of Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA) application on the nutritional content and yield of five different colored radish microgreens. Microgreens were produced without substrate and subjected to 0.5 mM and 1.0 mM MeJA treatments on the 7th day, three days before harvest. The parameters measured included yield, dry matter, minerals, amino acids, secondary metabolites such as chlorophylls (Chls), anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolics, glucosinolates (GSLs), vitamin C, and antioxidant capacity. MeJA at 1.0 mM generally improved yield and dry weight across cultivars, and all microgreens exhibited rich mineral and amino acid composition, with the influence of cultivar being more significant than MeJA treatment. However, MeJA enhanced all cultivars' anthocyanins, GSLs, phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities. Generally, as the antioxidant capacity is the primary factor influencing the nutritional quality of microgreens, MeJA-treated microgreens, especially with selected superior cultivars such as 'Asia purple' and 'Koregon red', could offer a potential for cultivation of value-added, eco-friendly microgreens with substrate-free cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broccoli is a popular cruciferous vegetable that is well known for its abundant health-promoting biochemicals. The most important of these beneficial biochemicals are glucosinolates, including glucoraphanin and glucobrassicin. Glucoraphanin and glucobrassicin can be broken down by myrosinases into sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, which have been demonstrated to have potent cancer-preventive properties. Efforts to increase glucoraphanin in broccoli seedlings have long been a focus; however, increasing glucoraphanin and glucobrassicin simultaneously, as well as enhancing myrosinase activity to release more sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, have yet to be investigated. This study aims to investigate the impact of the combined application of tryptophan and methionine on the accumulation of sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, as well as their precursors. Furthermore, we also examined whether this application has any effects on seedling growth and the presence of other beneficial compounds. We found that the application of methionine and tryptophan not only increased the glucoraphanin content by 2.37 times and the glucobrassicin content by 3.01 times, but that it also caused a higher myrosinase activity, resulting in a1.99 times increase in sulforaphane and a 3.05 times increase in indole-3-carbinol. In addition, better plant growth and an increase in amino acids and flavonoids were observed in broccoli seedlings with this application. In conclusion, the simultaneous application of tryptophan and methionine to broccoli seedlings can effectively enhance their health-promoting value and growth. Our study provides a cost-effective and multi-benefit strategy for improving the health value and yield of broccoli seedlings, benefiting both consumers and farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucosinolates (GLSs) are a well-studied sulfur-containing compound found in Brassicaceae plants that play critical roles in plant resistance and human health. Correctly identifying and reliably quantifying the total and individual GLS content is of great importance. An improved method as an alternative to the ISO 9167-1 (ISO) method is developed in the present study. An efficient extraction and purification procedure is proposed with a commercially available dimethylaminopropyl (DEA)-based weak anion exchange solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge instead of using the self-prepared ion-exchange columns in the ISO method. The GLSs are identified and quantified by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The method demonstrates a comparable quantification of total and individual GLSs on certified rapeseeds and other Brassicaceae vegetables when compared to the ISO method. The developed SPE method is simpler and more efficient, thus allowing for applications to a large sample size with reduced analysis time, improved repeatability and accuracy, and possible automation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardamine violifolia, a species belonging to the Brassicaceae family, is a novel vegetable crop that is rich in glucosinolates. However, the specific glucosinolate profiles in this species remain unknown. In the present study, four parts of C. violifolia were collected including central leaves (CLs), outer leaves (OLs), petiole (P), and root (R). The highest level of total glucosinolate was observed in the R. A total of 19 glucosinolates were found in C. violifolia. The predominant glucosinolate compounds were 3-methylbutyl glucosinolate, 6-methylsulfinylhexyl glucosinolate, Indol-3-ylmethyl glucosinolate, 4-methoxyglucobrassicin, and neoglucobrassicin. A transcriptome analysis showed that 16 genes, including BCAT1, BCAT3-6, CYP79A2, CYP79B2-3, CYP83A1, CYP83B1, and SOT17-18, and nine metabolites, such as valine, tryptophan, and 1-methylpropyl glucosinolate, were enriched in the glucosinolate biosynthesis pathway. These genes may be involved in the regulation of glucosinolate accumulation among the four parts. A weighted gene co-expression analysis showed that five genes were predicted to regulate glucosinolate accumulation, including ABC transporter G family member 19, 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase 19, and pyruvate decarboxylase 1. This study deepens our understanding of the nutrient quality of C. violifolia and provides insights into the regulatory mechanism of glucosinolate accumulation in C. violifolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfur is an essential element for plant growth, development and resistance to environmental stresses. Glucosinolates (GSLs), a group of sulfur rich secondary metabolites found in Brassicaceae plants, are known for their defensive properties against pathogens and herbivores. Due to their integration of a large proportion of total sulfur, their biosynthesis and degradation are closely linked to sulfur metabolism. It has been demonstrated that GSLs can be broken down to release sulfur and facilitate the production of other thio-metabolites when the plant is under stress. However, the regulation of this process is still not fully understood. In this study, we constructed two broccoli LSU (low sulfur responsive) gene overexpressing lines, 35S::BoLSU1 and 35S::BoLSU2, to detect changes in GSL metabolism after sulfur deficiency treatment. The results showed that BoLSU1 and BoLSU2 inhibit the biosynthesis of aliphatic GSLs, while also promoting their degradation and increasing the content of glutathione (GSH), leading to the reallocation of sulfur from the GSL pool to other thio-metabolites such as GSH. Furthermore, this regulation of GSL metabolism mediated by BoLSU1 and BoLSU2 is found to be dependent on myrosinases BGLU28 and BGLU30. Our study provides insight into the physiological role of LSU proteins and their regulation of sulfur metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants in the genus Erysimum produce both glucosinolates and cardenolides as a defense mechanism against herbivory. Two natural isolates of Erysimum cheiranthoides (wormseed wallflower) differed in their glucosinolate content, cardenolide content, and their resistance to Myzus persicae (green peach aphid), a broad generalist herbivore. Both classes of defensive metabolites were produced constitutively and were not further induced by aphid feeding. To investigate the relative importance of glucosinolates and cardenolides in E. cheiranthoides defense, we generated an improved genome assembly, genetic map, and segregating F2 population. The genotypic and phenotypic analysis of the F2 plants identified quantitative trait loci, which affected glucosinolates and cardenolides, but not the aphid resistance. The abundance of most glucosinolates and cardenolides was positively correlated in the F2 population, indicating that similar processes regulate their biosynthesis and accumulation. Aphid reproduction was positively correlated with glucosinolate content. Although the overall cardenolide content had little effect on aphid growth and survival, there was a negative correlation between aphid reproduction and helveticoside abundance. However, this variation in defensive metabolites could not explain the differences in aphid growth on the two parental lines, suggesting that processes other than the abundance of glucosinolates and cardenolides have a predominant effect on aphid resistance in E. cheiranthoides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maca (Lepidium meyenii, Lepidium peruvianum) is part of the Brassicaceae family and grows at high altitudes in the Peruvian Andes mountain range (3500–5000 m). Historically, it has been used as a nutrient-dense food and for its medicinal properties, primarily in enhancing energy and fertility. Scientific research has validated these traditional uses and other clinical applications by elucidating maca's mechanisms of action, nutrition, and phytochemical content. However, research over the last twenty years has identified up to seventeen different colors (phenotypes) of maca. The color, hypocotyl size, growing location, cultivation, and post-harvest processing methods can have a significant effect on the nutrition content, phytochemical profile, and clinical application. Yet, research differentiating the colors of maca and clinical applications remains limited. In this review, research on the nutrition, phytochemicals, and various colors of maca, including black, red, yellow (predominant colors), purple, gray (lesser-known colors), and any combination of colors, including proprietary formulations, will be discussed based on available preclinical and clinical trials. The gaps, deficiencies, and conflicts in the studies will be detailed, along with quality, safety, and efficacy criteria, highlighting the need for future research to specify all these factors of the maca used in publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucosinolates are sulfur-containing phytochemicals generally abundant in cruciferous vegetables such as pak choy. Glucosinolates participate in a range of biological activities essential for promoting a healthy human body. In this study, we aimed to elucidate glucosinolate variability present in pak choy germplasm that are under conservation at the Rural Development Administration Genebank, Jeonju, Republic of Korea. The Acquity Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) analytical system was used in profiling the glucosinolate content in leaf samples of various accessions. We identified a total of 17 glucosinolates in the germplasm. Based on principal compoment analysis performed, three separate groups of the accessions were obtained. Group 1 contained the cultivar cheongsacholong which recorded high content of glucobrassicin (an indole), glucoerucin (aliphatic), gluconasturtiin (aromatic) and glucoberteroin (aliphatic). Group 2 consisted of six accessions, BRA77/72, Lu ling gaogengbai, 9041, Wuyueman, RP-75 and DH-10, predominatly high in aliphatic compounds including glucoiberin, glucocheirolin, and sinigrin. Group 3 comprised the majority of the accessions which were characterized by high content of glucoraphanin, epiprogoitrin, progoitrin, and glucotropaeolin. These results revealed the presence of variability among the pak choy germplasm based on their glucosinolate content, providing an excellent opprtunity for future breeding for improved glucosinolate content in the crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucosinolates (GSLs) extracted from various parts of Iberis sempervirens L., including seeds, stems, leaves, and flowers, were qualitatively and quantitatively assessed. The analyses of GSLs were performed by their desulfo counterparts using the UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS technique and by their volatile breakdown products, isothiocyanates, using the GC-MS technique. The GSL profile comprised various types, including those derived from: methionine, represented by methylsulfinylalkyl GSL (glucoiberin), and methylsulfanylalkyl GSL (glucoibervirin and glucoerucin); phenylalanine (glucotropaeolin); and tryptophan (4-methoxyglucobrassicin). Among these, the highest level of glucoiberin was detected in the leaves, reaching 35.37 µmol/g of dry weight (DW), while the highest level of glucoibervirin was detected in the seeds, reaching 18.51 µmol/g DW. To obtain GSL breakdown products, a variety of isolation methods were employed, including hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus (HD), CH2Cl2 after myrosinase hydrolysis for 24 h (EXT), microwave-assisted distillation (MAD), and microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity (MHG). Volatile isolates were tested for their antiproliferative activity using an MTT assay against the human lung cancer cell line A549 and the human bladder cancer cell line T24 during an incubation period of 72 h. HD and MAD showed the best activity against T24, with IC50 values of 0.61 µg/mL and 0.62 µg/mL, respectively, while EXT was the most effective against the A549 cell line, with an IC50 of 1.46 µg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cruciferous vegetables (Brassicaceae family) are a rich source of phytochemicals, in particular glucosinolates (GLS) and their hydrolysis products, isothiocyanates and nitriles. These phytochemicals may act as chemosensors, attracting insects, such as Pieris rapae, and stimulating oviposition. There is a lack of information on the concentrations of isothiocyanates and nitriles when an insect affects a Brassicaceae plant. In the current study, some GLS hydrolysis products were determined in healthy and Pieris rapae-infected organic cultivated broccoli plants, as well as the infesting insects' larvae, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This study investigated the following phytochemicals: phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), erucin (ER), 3-(methylthio)propyl isothiocyanate (3MIC), and 1-cyano-4-(methylthio)butane (5MITN). All these components were quantified in the aerial and underground parts of the plants and were found in high concentrations in the roots. Among the phytochemicals studied, 5MITN presented the highest concentration in all the broccoli samples but was especially high in the stalks of the infected plants. Moreover, the analysis of a sample of Pieris rapae larvae, fed from the hosted broccoli, revealed the presence of PEITC and ER. These findings indicate that the infestation of broccoli with Pieris rapae may affect the distribution of PEITC, ER, 3MIC, and 5MITN throughout the plant. An extension of our study to conventional cultivated broccoli showed that the roots are indeed rich in GLS hydrolysis products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the harvesting of the broccoli plant, the leaves are discarded, being considered a by-product that may be up to 47% of total broccoli biomass, representing a large amount of wasted material. The use of broccoli leaves is of great interest in the sense that this wasted material is rich in health promoter compounds, such as isothiocyanates. In this study, C57BL/6J mice ingested 790 mg/kg broccoli leaf flour, and the presence of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates in the plasma, liver, kidney, adipose tissue, faeces and urine was analysed at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h post-ingestion. In plasma, only glucoerucin (GE), glucobrassicin (GB), sulforaphane (SFN) and indol-3-carbinol (I3C) were detected, and all four compounds peaked between 4 and 8 h after ingestion. The compounds SFN, SFN-glutathione (SFN-GSH), SFN–cysteine (SFN-CYS) and SFN-N-acetyl-cysteine (SFN-NAC) were excreted in faeces at high levels, while glucoraphanin (GR), the precursor of SFN, was not detected in any biological samples other than urine. In the liver, the compounds GE, SFN-CYS, SFN-NAC and I3C were detected, while in the kidney, only GE, GB and SFN-GSH were present. None of the glucosinolates and isothiocyanates analysed were detected in fat tissue. These results demonstrate that glucosinolates and their derivatives were absorbed into the bloodstream and were bioavailable after ingestion of powdered broccoli leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broccoli by-products are an important source of health-promoting bioactive compounds, although they are generally underutilized. This study aimed to valorize non-compliant broccoli florets by transforming them into functional ingredients for biscuit formulation. A broccoli flour and three water/ethanol extracts (100:0, 75:25, 50:50; v/v) were obtained. The rheological properties and the content of bioactive compounds of the functional ingredients and biscuits were evaluated. The 50:50 hydroalcoholic extract was the richest in glucosinolates (9749 µg·g−1 DW); however, the addition of a small amount strongly affected dough workability. The enrichment with 10% broccoli flour resulted the best formulation in terms of workability and color compared to the other enriched biscuits. The food matrix also contributed to protecting bioactive compounds from thermal degradation, leading to the highest total glucosinolate (33 µg·g−1 DW), carotenoid (46 µg·g−1 DW), and phenol (1.9 mg GAE·g−1 DW) contents being present in the final biscuit. Therefore, broccoli flour is a promising ingredient for innovative healthy bakery goods. Hydroalcoholic extracts could be valuable ingredients for liquid or semi-solid food formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work is the development of a new fermented beverage ('kombucha'-like), enriched with broccoli by-products as an ingredient, a source of organosulfur compounds, which could be biotransformed into more bioaccessible, bioavailable, and bioactive metabolites. The new beverages have shown variations in the physicochemical (pH, 3.6–6.3; acidity, 0.65–1.39 g/L; °Brix, 4.63–8.20). Moreover, the phytochemical characterization has demonstrated different degrees of metabolization of the glucosinolates, leached during the infusion of the plant material into isothiocyanates (sulforaphane in concentrations up to 31.39 µg/100 mL) and its metabolic derivatives (sulforaphane-N-acetylcysteine in concentrations up to 5.37 µg/100 mL). Therefore, these results demonstrate that the increase in the concentration of the bioactive compounds concentration would provide higher bioavailability and health benefits. This is especially relevant with regard to anti-inflammatory activity. Reporting additional proof of enhanced biological benefits will boost the development of new functional beverages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf mustard, characterized by its purple/red/green leaves with a green/white midrib, is known for its thick, tender, and spicy leaves with a unique taste and flavor. There were only a few studies reported on leaf mustard for its morphological and biochemical traits from Korea. A total of 355 leaf mustard accessions stored at the GenBank of the National Agrobiodiversity Center were evaluated for 25 agro-morphological traits and seven intact glucosinolates (GSLs). The accessions showed a wide variation in terms of most of the traits. The quantitative agro-morphological traits varied from 16.0 (leaf length) to 48.7% (petiole width) of the coefficient of variation (CV). The highest variation was observed in glucoiberin (299.5%, CV), while the total GSL showed a CV of 66.1%. Sinigrin, followed by gluconapin and gluconasturtiin, was the most abundant GSL, accounting for as high as 75% of the total GSLs, while glucobrassicanapin and glucoiberin were the least abundant, contributing 0.7% and 0.1% on average, respectively. Sinigrin had a positive significant correlation with all GSLs but gluconasturtiin, while glucobarbarin and gluconasturtiin were highly positively correlated to each other, but least correlated with other GSLs. The leaf length was negatively correlated with sinigrin and glucoiberin. The width of the petiole showed a positive correlation with gluconapin, glucobrassicanapin, and glucobrassicin, while the length of the petiole had a negative correlation with sinigrin, glucobrassicanapin, glucoiberin, glucobrassicin, and the total GSLs. A higher width of the midrib was associated with higher contents of gluconapin, glucobrassicanapin, and glucobrassicin. A PCA analysis based on the agro-morphological traits showed that the first and second principal components accounted for 65.2% of the overall variability. Accessions that form a head tend to exhibit a longer leaf length, a larger plant weight, a thicker midrib, and higher widths of the midrib, petiole, and leaf. The GSLs showed inconsistent inter-and intra-leaf variation. Accessions that identified for various traits in their performance, such as, for example, Yeosu66 and IT259487 (highest total glucosinolates) and IT228984 (highest plant weight), would be promising lines for developing new varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salvia hispanica (chia) is a highly nutritious food source and has gained popularity due to its high omega-3 fatty acid content. Red spider mites are a serious problem in the production of S. hispanica. However, no study has been conducted to analyze the defensive response to the infestation of red spider mites in S. hispanica. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the defensive response of S. hispanica to red spider mites, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of S. hispanica when infested by red spider mites. In the comparative assessment of leaf transcriptomes, a total of 1743 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between control and mite-infested S. hispanica. From these, 1208 (69%) transcripts were upregulated and 535 (31%) were downregulated. The DEGs included transcription factors, defense hormones, and secondary metabolites that were either suppressed or activated in response to spider mite herbivory. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that plant secondary metabolites, such as glucosinolates, and signaling pathways, including the jasmonic acid signaling pathway, may play an important role in the defense against red spider mites. This study provides novel insights into the defense response of S. hispanica to insect herbivory and could be a resource for the improvement of pest resistance in the chia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of plants to release chemicals that affect the growth of other plants offers potential benefits for weed management and sustainable agriculture. This review explores the use of Camelina sativa as a promising cover crop with weed control potential. Camelina sativa, known for its high oil content and adaptability to diverse climatic conditions, exhibits allelopathic potential by releasing chemical compounds that inhibit weed growth. The crop's vigorous growth and canopy architecture contribute to effective weed suppression, reducing the prevalence and spread of associated pathogens. Furthermore, the chemical compounds released by camelina through the solubilization of compounds from leaves by rain, root exudation, or deriving from microbial-mediated decay of camelina's tissues interfere with the growth of neighbouring plants, indicating allelopathic interactions. The isolation and identification of benzylamine and glucosinolates as allelochemicals in camelina highlight their role in plant–plant interactions. However, the studies carried out on this species are outdated, and it cannot be excluded that other chemicals deriving from the breakdown of the glucosinolates or belonging to other classes of specialized metabolites can be involved in its allelopathic potential. Camelina sativa also demonstrates disease suppression capabilities, with glucosinolates exhibiting fungicidal, nematocidal, and bactericidal activities. Additionally, camelina cover crops have been found to reduce root diseases and enhance growth and yields in corn and soybeans. This review sheds light on the allelopathic and agronomic benefits of Camelina sativa, emphasizing its potential as a sustainable and integrated pest management strategy in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucosinolates (GSLs) are not only a unique flavor substance from leaf B. juncea but also a major secondary metabolite produced in response to abiotic stresses. Cold stress is one of the most common abiotic stresses in leaf B. juncea; however, the metabolic response pattern of GSLs in leaf B. juncea under cold stress has not yet been reported. In the present study, we analyzed the GSLs content of leaf B. juncea under cold stress and found that it increased and subsequently decreased. According to RNA-seq data, genes related to the synthesis of aliphatic GSLs were significantly upregulated following 24 h of cold stress; genes related to the synthesis of indole GSLs were significantly upregulated following 48 h of cold stress; and BjBGLU25 and BjBGLU27 were significantly upregulated. Further analysis of the correlation between transcription factors and GSLs content revealed that MYB, ERF, IQD, and bHLH may be involved in regulating the GSLs response pattern in leaf B. juncea under cold stress. In particular, an unreported transcription factor, BjMYBS3 (BjuVA05G33250), was found to play a possible role in the synthesis of aliphatic GSLs. And the external application of GSLs increased the ability of leaf B. juncea to cope with cold stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizome extracts exhibited antioxidant, anti-fatigue, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypoglycemic and immunological activities. The extracts of biomass showed high or moderate antioxidant activity (3 in vitro tests), high activity against G(+) bacterial strains and strong antifungal activity. 36838616 8 Oubihi A., Ballaoui F.Z., Imtara H., Jaber H., Ettouil A., Haida S., Ouhssine M., Noman O.M., Mothana R.A., Tarayrah M. Phytochemical Compounds, Acute Toxicity, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of Thymus leptobotrys Murb Essential Oil. Go'sciniak A. et al. [[11]] optimized the extraction conditions (% of methanol, time and temperature) for pomegranate flower extract (a raw material from Albania) with high antidiabetic effect, high antioxidant activity (DPPH test) and high content of pelargonidin- 3,5-glucoside, anthocyanin with antidiabetic activity. [Extracted from the article]

Our research group previously found that broccoli sprouts possess neuroprotective effects during pregnancy. The active compound has been identified as sulforaphane (SFA), obtained from glucosinolate and glucoraphanin, which are also present in other crucifers, including kale. Sulforaphene (SFE), obtained from glucoraphenin in radish, also has numerous biological benefits, some of which supersede those of sulforaphane. It is likely that other components, such as phenolics, contribute to the biological activity of cruciferous vegetables. Notwithstanding their beneficial phytochemicals, crucifers are known to contain erucic acid, an antinutritional fatty acid. The aim of this research was to phytochemically examine broccoli, kale, and radish sprouts to determine good sources of SFA and SFE to inform future studies of the neuroprotective activity of cruciferous sprouts on the fetal brain, as well as product development. Three broccoli: Johnny's Sprouting Broccoli (JSB), Gypsy F1 (GYP), and Mumm's Sprouting Broccoli (MUM), one kale: Johnny's Toscano Kale (JTK), and three radish cultivars: Black Spanish Round (BSR), Miyashige (MIY), and Nero Tunda (NT), were analyzed. We first quantified the glucosinolate, isothiocyanate, phenolics, and DPPH free radical scavenging activity (AOC) of one-day-old dark- and light-grown sprouts by HPLC. Radish cultivars generally had the highest glucosinolate and isothiocyanate contents, and kale had higher glucoraphanin and significantly higher sulforaphane content than the broccoli cultivars. Lighting conditions did not significantly affect the phytochemistry of the one-day-old sprouts. Based on phytochemistry and economic factors, JSB, JTK, and BSR were chosen for further sprouting for three, five, and seven days and subsequently analyzed. The three-day-old JTK and radish cultivars were identified to be the best sources of SFA and SFE, respectively, both yielding the highest levels of the respective compound while retaining high levels of phenolics and AOC and markedly lower erucic acid levels compared to one-day-old sprouts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassica carinata has received considerable attention as a renewable biofuel crop for semi-arid zones due to its high oil content and polyunsaturated fatty acids contents. It is important to develop new drought-resistant cultivars of B. carinata production to expand its areas into more arid regions. The accumulation of leaf cuticular wax on plant surfaces is one mechanism that reduces non-stomatal water loss, thus increasing drought resistance in plants. To explore phenotypic variations in cuticular wax in B. carinata, leaf waxes were extracted and quantified from a diversity panel consisting of 315 accessions. The results indicate that the accessions have a wide range of total leaf wax content (289–1356 µg dm−2), wax classes, and their components. The C29 and C31 homologues of alkanes, C29 ketone homologue, C29 secondary alcohol, and C30 aldehyde were the most abundant leaf waxes extracted from B. carinata accessions. The high heritability values of these waxes point to the positive selection for high wax content during early generations of future B. carinata breeding programs. Positive correlation coefficients, combined with the effects of these waxes on leaf wax content accumulation, suggest that modifying specific wax content could increase the total wax content and enhance cuticle composition. The identified leaf wax content and compositions in B. carinata will lead to the future discovery of wax biosynthetic pathways, the dissection of its genetic regulatory networks, the identification of candidate genes controlling production of these waxes, and thus, develop and release new B. carinata drought-tolerant cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional processing of Dendrobium officinale (DO) is performed in five necessary processing steps: processing fresh strips, drying at 85 °C, curling, molding, and drying at 35 °C (Fengdou). The antioxidant activity of DO is increased after it is processed into Fengdou. To comprehensively analyze the changes in the functional components, a plant-wide target metabolomics approach was employed. In total, 739 differential chemical components were identified in five processing treatments, mainly highlighting differences in the levels of phenolic acids, flavonoids, lipids, and amino acids and their derivatives, and the glycosylation of aglycone resulted in the upregulation of flavonoid glycoside levels. Temperature is a key factor in DO processing during production. In addition, the enrichment of specific differential chemical components was found mainly in five different metabolic pathways: glucosinolate biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and ubiquinone and other terpene quinone biosynthesis. A correlation analysis clarified that total phenols and flavonoids show a significant positive correlation with antioxidant capacity. This study provides new insights into the influence of the processing processes on DO quality, which may provide guidance for the high-quality production of DO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a severe need to develop a sustainable, affordable, and nutritious food supply system. Broccoli microgreens have attracted attention due to their rich nutritional content and abundant bioactive compounds, constituting an important opportunity to feed the ever-increasing population and fight global health problems. This study aimed to measure the impact of the combined application of biofertilizers and zinc and iron nanofertilizers on plant growth and the biofortification of glucosinolates (GLSs) and micronutrients in broccoli microgreens. Biofertilizers were based on plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacterial consortia previously isolated and characterized for multiple PGP traits. Nanofertilizers consisted of ZnO (77 nm) and γ-Fe2O3 (68 nm) nanoparticles synthesized with the coprecipitation method and functionalized with a Pseudomonas species preparation. Treatments were evaluated under seedbed conditions. Plant growth parameters of plant height (37.0–59.8%), leaf diameter (57.6–81.1%) and fresh weight (112.1–178.0%), as well as zinc (122.19–363.41%) and iron contents (55.19–161.57%), were mainly increased by nanoparticles subjected to the functionalization process with Pseudomonas species and uncapped NPs applied together with the biofertilizer treatment. Regarding GLSs, eight compounds were detected as being most positively influenced by these treatments. This work demonstrated the synergistic interactions of applying ZnO and γ-Fe2O3 nanofertilizers combined with biofertilizers to enhance plant growth and biofortify micronutrients and glucosinolates in broccoli microgreens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In August 2020, the Eruca sativa cultivar "Rucola della Piana del Sele" obtained from the European Union the prestigious PGI (protected geographical indication) label, which certifies the uniqueness of its characteristics and increases its prestige both nationally and, above all, internationally. This plant is recognized as a product of excellence, with a unique flavor and unmistakable aroma. Therefore, since there are no methods to characterize the PGI product, a metabolomic approach was applied to characterize E. sativa grown in the Piana del Sele and different geographical areas. As E. sativa has very wide cultivation, this study sought to compare the metabolite profiles of rocket grown in Piana del Sele, Bergamo, and Brescia, as well as in Switzerland, making a comparison also with the metabolite profile of E. sativa grown spontaneously. To determine the best procedure to distinguish "Rucola della Piana del Sele" from the others, different extraction procedures were carried out using different solvents and fresh or freeze-dried plant matrices. The different extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry experiments, using chemometric analyses to identify biomarker metabolites that characterize the PGI product. The LC-ESI-Q-Exactive-MS/MS profiles of methanol and hydroalcoholic extracts of different cultivars of E. sativa were found to be rich in bioactive compounds such as glucosinolates, glycosylated flavonoids, fatty acids, and lipids. The LCMS data were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA); the score scatter plot shows significant separation among Eruca samples grown in different geographical areas. In detail, loading the scatter plot revealed Eruca grown in Piana del Sele to be richer than other cultivars in glycosylated quercetin 3,3′,4′-O-triglucoside (7), quercetin-3,4′-O-diglucoside-3′-O-(6-sinapoyl-glucoside) (10), and quercetin diglucoside (30). Finally, considering the biological interest in erucin, the myrosinase product of glucoerucin, the latter was quantified in the extracts by LC-ESI/QTrap/MS/MS using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method; E. sativa from Piana del Sele showed the highest content of glucoerucin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a vegetable with high nutritional value, broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and anti-cancer compounds. Glucosinolates (GLs) are one of the important functional components widely found in cruciferous vegetables, and their hydrolysate sulforaphane (SFN) plays a key function in the anti-cancer process. Herein, we revealed that blue light significantly induced the SFN content in broccoli sprouts, and salicylic acid (SA) was involved in this process. We investigated the molecular mechanisms of SFN accumulation with blue light treatment in broccoli sprouts and the relationship between SFN and SA. The results showed that the SFN accumulation in broccoli sprouts was significantly increased under blue light illumination, and the expression of SFN synthesis-related genes was particularly up-regulated by SA under blue light. Moreover, blue light considerably decreased the SA content compared with white light, and this decrease was more suppressed by paclobutrazol (Pac, an inhibitor of SA synthesis). In addition, the transcript level of SFN synthesis-related genes and the activity of myrosinase (MYR) paralleled the trend of SFN accumulation under blue light treatment. Overall, we concluded that SA participates in the SFN accumulation in broccoli sprouts under blue light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) is a cruciferous plant cultivated worldwide that serves as a source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Most turnip studies have focused on a few compounds or on part of the plant. The establishment of a complete chemical profile of different plant parts would facilitate its use for nutritional and medicinal purposes. In the current study, mineral elements, soluble sugars, free amino acids (FAA), total phenols (TP), total flavonoids (TF), and glucosinolates (GS) were quantified in the leaves, stems, and roots. Results were compared for 20 strains of turnip. The outcomes showed significant differences between parts of the plant and strains. The leaves exhibited the highest TF, TP, indispensable FAA, and microelement levels, and they showed a higher GS. Moreover, the stems had a high content of GS and macroelements. Furthermore, the roots showed high levels of free sugars and total FAA. The findings of this work provide the basis for utilizing each part of the turnip plant based on its chemical composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive oxidative stress and inflammatory responses are associated with the development of various diseases, including cancer. Glucosinolates (GSLs) are phytochemicals known for their antioxidant properties, and doubled haploid lines (DHLs) of Brassica rapa with high GSL contents (HGSL) were intentionally developed from two edible subspecies of Brassica rapa: B. rapa subsp. trilocularis and B. rapa subsp. chinensis. The purpose of the present study is to assess the capacity of HGSL DHLs to mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, compared to pak choi as a parental control. Our findings demonstrate that HGSL DH lines effectively suppressed the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, leading to the reduced levels of nitric oxide at non-toxic concentrations. Additionally, these lines exhibited scavenging activity against reactive oxygen species and free radicals. The enhanced antioxidant capacity of HGSL DHLs was mechanistically attributed to the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes, such as NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), the glutamate–cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), and heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1). Furthermore, we confirmed that these effects were mediated through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) signaling pathway via p38 phosphorylation. Moreover, HGSL DHLs demonstrated inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory cytokines and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation. Collectively, our results indicate that HGSL DHLs possess better antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties compared to the parental control pak choi in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, suggesting that HGSL DHLs of Brassica rapa could be considered as a beneficial daily vegetable for reducing the risk of inflammation-associated diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining plant responses to hazardous air pollutants is critical in predicting food security programs and challenges in the future. This study aimed to determine the effects of various ozone levels on plant growth responses (leaf area, dry matter, and number of leaves) and biochemical quality (photopigments and glucosinolates) on Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis (Pak-Choi). The experiment was conducted within test chambers under different ozone concentrations (60, 150, and 240 ppb for 2 h/day). Leaf area and dry matter were negatively correlated with increasing ozone concentrations, but the number of leaves was not affected by ozone treatment. Lycopene and chlorophylls also showed the same tendency. Even if the ambient ozone concentration was only elevated for a short time, various glucosnilates (GLS) have been diversely affected. The total aliphatic GLS content was reduced. In contrast, the total indole GLS increased at the highest ozone concentration, and the aromatic GLS significantly increased and then decreased as the ozone concentration level increased. These results provide evidence of the strong effect of ozone stress on the plant quality of Pak-Choi with respect to certain secondary plant metabolites. These findings provide an understanding of elevated ozone effects in urban horticulture sites on the growth and metabolite profiling of Brassica plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the Brassica oleracea L. crops, kale has gained increased global recognition in recent years as a healthy food item due to its high nutritional value and versatility. Additionally, the diversity of different kale varieties has started to be explored across large latitudes from the Mediterranean to north temperate climates. Specifically, glucosinolates are the predominant phytochemicals found in kale leaves, contributing to the specific taste of this vegetable, and they are affected by environmental factors such as temperature. To date, no study has investigated the effect of chilling on glucosinolate diversity and, thus, the taste in genetically different kale cultivars at the same time. Given the variability of glucosinolates observed among cultivars, we evaluated the impact of acclimation to cold temperatures on glucosinolate levels in curly kale, Lacinato kale, and a feral type using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS). We targeted the short-term impact (after 12 h) on glucosinolates as well as the longer-term effect (after seven days) of cold acclimation. Our results revealed different molecular patterns regarding the change in glucosinolates in the feral type compared to curly kale and Lacinato-type kale. In the latter ones, primary aliphatic glucosinolates were induced (the glucoraphanin in Lacinato kale increased by more than 200%). The indole glucobrassicin was not significantly affected. Conversely, in the feral type the indole glucobrassicin was reduced by 35% after cold acclimation, whereas aliphatic glucosinolates were hardly affected. The results indicate that both genetic and environmental factors are important for the composition of glucosinolate patterns in kale. In conclusion, to obtain plants with an improved nutritional value, considering both temperature and the choice of cultivar is crucial during kale cultivation. Future breeding attempts of kale should also emphasize the cultivar-dependent cold acclimation patterns reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity can have various negative consequences on agricultural products, from their quality and production to their aesthetic traits. In this work, the possibility to use salt-affected vegetables, that otherwise would be discarded, as a source of nutraceuticals was explored. To this aim, rocket plants, a vegetable featuring bioactive compounds such as glucosinolates, were exposed to increasing NaCl concentrations in hydroponics and analysed for their content in bioactive compounds. Salt levels higher than 68 mM produced rocket plants that did not comply with European Union regulations and would therefore be considered a waste product. Anyway, our findings, obtained by Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry, demonstrated a significant increase in glucosinolates levels in such salt-affected plants. opening the opportunity for a second life of these market discarded products to be recycled as glucosinolates source. Furthermore, an optimal situation was found at NaCl 34 mM in which not only were the aesthetic traits of rocket plants not affected, but also the plants revealed a significant enrichment in glucosinolates. This can be considered an advantageous situation in which the resulting vegetables still appealed to the market and showed improved nutraceutical aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is mainly characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver. It spans a spectrum of diseases from hepatic steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Brassica juncea is rich in glucosinolates and has been proven to possess many potential pharmacological properties, including hypoglycemic, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic activities. This study aims to investigate whether whole-plant Brassica juncea (WBJ) and its glucosinolates extracts (BGE) have hepatoprotective effects against a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD and further explore the mechanism underlying this process in vivo and in vitro. WBJ treatment significantly reduced body fat, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, liver injury, and inflammation; WBJ treatment also reversed the antioxidant enzyme activity to attenuate oxidative stress in HFD-fed rat liver. Moreover, WBJ and BGE enhanced the activation of AMPK to reduce SREBPs, fatty acid synthase, and HMG-CoA reductase but increased the expression of CPT-I and PPARα to improve hepatic steatosis. In addition, WBJ and BGE could ameliorate NAFLD by inhibiting TNF-α and NF-κB. Based on the above results, this study demonstrates that WBJ and BGE ameliorate HFD-induced hepatic steatosis and liver injury. Therefore, these treatments could represent an unprecedented hope toward improved strategies for NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxic breakdown products of young Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz, glucosinolates can eliminate microorganisms in the soil. Since microorganisms are essential for phosphate cycling, only insensitive microorganisms with phosphate-solubilizing activity can improve C. sativa's phosphate supply. In this study, 33P-labeled phosphate, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and pot experiments unveiled that not only Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas laurentiana used as phosphate-solubilizing inoculants, but also intrinsic soil microorganisms, including Penicillium aurantiogriseum, and the assemblies of root-colonizing microorganisms solubilized as well phosphate from apatite, trigger off competitive behavior between the organisms. Driving factors in the competitiveness are plant and microbial secondary metabolites, while glucosinolates of Camelina and their breakdown products are regarded as key compounds that inhibit the pathogen P. aurantiogriseum, but also seem to impede root colonization of T. viride. On the other hand, fungal diketopiperazine combined with glucosinolates is fatal to Camelina. The results may contribute to explain the contradictory effects of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms when used as biofertilizers. Further studies will elucidate impacts of released secondary metabolites on coexisting microorganisms and plants under different environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is becoming increasingly challenging to maintain crop yields and quality as the global climate changes. The aim of this study was to determine whether and how the profile of health-promoting and taste-related compounds of radishes changes within a growing season. A total of 16 radish (Raphanus sativus L.) genotypes that are commercially available on the Czech market were assessed by means of chemical analysis. Radishes were cultivated in three independent growing cycles under controlled conditions, and the effects of the genotype and growing cycle, as well as their interactions, on the chemical traits were evaluated. Most of the variability in chemical composition was associated with the growing cycle, which accounted for 51.53% of total variance, followed by the genotype (26% of total variance). The interaction between the growing cycle and genotype explained 22.47% of total variance. The growing cycle had the strongest effect on amino acid profiles. More specifically, the amino acids that are known to contribute to overall taste (glycine, along with glutamic and aspartic acids) showed the highest degree of variation, while the amino acids related to glucosinolate biosynthesis (methionine, isoleucine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine) showed relatively low variability. On the other hand, indole glucosinolates were found to differ the most between genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sprouts are increasingly present in the human diet, being tasty and healthy foods high in antioxidant compounds. Although there is a body of literature on the sprouting of many plant species, Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz has not yet been studied for this purpose. This study aimed to characterize the main bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential of seeds and sprouts of five different Camelina cultivars (ALBA, CO46, CCE43, JOELLE, and VERA). In particular, the contents of phenolic compounds (PCs), phenolic acids (PAs), and glucosinolates (GLSs) were investigated. PCs, PAs, GLSs, and the antioxidant activity of seeds differed among cultivars and were greatly increased by sprouting. A PCA analysis underlined both the effect of the cultivar (PC2) and the germination (PC1) on the nutritional properties of Camelina. The best nutritional properties of seeds were observed for ALBA and CCE43, while the best nutritional properties of sprouts were recorded for CCE43 and JOELLE, since the latter cultivar showed a greater enhancement in phytochemical content and antioxidant activity with sprouting. Finally, a UHPLC-UV procedure for the analysis of GLSs in Camelina was developed and validated. The performance criteria of the proposed method demonstrated that it is useful for the analysis of GLSs in Camelina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for soil fumigants of natural origin such as glucosinolates (GSLs) has increased due to the general prevention of manmade soil fumigants. GSLs and other phytochemicals (vitamin C and phenols) present in Brassica vegetables such as turnips, arugula, and mustard have antioxidant properties, and hence have important health attributes. The study examined how different soil amendments (chicken manure CM, vermicompost Vermi, horse manure HM, sewage sludge SS, elemental inorganic fertilizer Inorg, organic fertilizer Org, and biochar) impact the concentrations of glucosinolates (GSLs), vitamin C, phenols, and reducing sugars in three varieties of turnips (Purple Top White Globe PTWG, Scarlet Queen Red SQR, and Tokyo Cross TC), arugula, and mustard greens grown under field conditions. The results showed that mustard greens contained higher concentrations of GSLs (974 µg g−1 fresh shoots) than arugula (651 µg g−1 fresh shoots), and the TC variety of turnip had the highest concentrations of GSLs, vitamin C, and sugars. Additionally, amending the soil with SS, CM, and HM significantly increased the vitamin C content in mustard shoots by 82%, 90%, and 31%, respectively, and the total phenols by 77%, 70%, and 36%, respectively, compared to the control treatment. The increased inorganic fertilizers cost, and availability of large amounts of animal manure made animal manure application to cropland an attractive disposal option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) is an excellent source of glucosinolates (GLS) that could reduce the risk of chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological traits, pigment contents, color, and GLS content of 13 cabbage varieties. This study found that there were significant differences in the GLS content for various developmental stages of cabbage varieties, and the accumulation of GLS in young leaves was higher than that in mature stages. In most of the samples, the GLS content accumulated in different parts and changed as inner leaf > middle leaf > condensed stem > root. Double haploids of the M18-15 variety may be good candidates for future breeding programs and consumers, due to their high GLS content (ranging from 201.10 to 396.25 nmol mg−1 FW). GLS also act as a defense substance, and the data related to GLS accumulation patterns in different leaf locations and root parts may be useful for understanding leaf defense mechanisms and potential source–sink relationships. In addition, the observed interspecific variability is beneficial for breeders to develop Brassica varieties with high GLS content, as well as for the development of new functional food additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matthiola longipetala subsp. livida is an annual herb in Brassicaceae that has received little attention despite the family's high reputation for health benefits, particularly cancer prevention. In this study, UPLC-HRMS-MS analysis was used for mapping the chemical constituents of different plant parts (i.e., flowers, leaves, and roots). Also, spectral similarity networks via the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) were employed to visualize their chemical differences and similarities. Additionally, the cytotoxic activity on HCT-116, HeLa, and HepG2 cell lines was evaluated. Throughout the current analysis, 154 compounds were annotated, with the prevalence of phenolic acids, glucosinolates, flavonol glucosides, lipids, peptides, and others. Predictably, secondary metabolites (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and glucosinolates) were predominant in flowers and leaves, while the roots were characterized by primary metabolites (peptides and fatty acids). Four diacetyl derivatives tentatively assigned as O-acetyl O-malonyl glucoside of quercetin (103), kaempferol (108 and 112), and isorhamnetin (114) were detected for the first time in nature. The flowers and leaves extracts showed significant inhibition of HeLa cell line propagation with LC50 values of 18.1 ± 0.42 and 29.6 ± 0.35 µg/mL, respectively, whereas the flowers extract inhibited HCT-116 with LC50 24.8 ± 0.45 µg/mL, compared to those of Doxorubicin (26.1 ± 0.27 and 37.6 ± 0.21 µg/mL), respectively. In conclusion, the flowers of M. longipetala are responsible for the abundance of bioactive compounds with cytotoxic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]