title: Glucosinolates in broccoli sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. italica) as conditioned by sulphate supply during germination.
abstract: Sulphur (S) fertilization is essential for primary and secondary metabolism in cruciferous foods. Deficient, suboptimal, or excessive S affects the growth and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in adult plants. Nevertheless, there is little information regarding the influence of S fertilization on sprouts and seedlings. An experiment was set up to evaluate the effect of S fertilization, supplied as K(2)SO(4) at 0, 15, 30, and 60 mg/L, on the glucosinolate content of broccoli sprouts during the germination course of 3, 6, 9, and 12 d after sowing. Glucosinolate concentration was strongly influenced by germination, causing a rapid increase during the first 3 d after sowing, and decreasing afterwards. The S supply increased aliphatic and total glucosinolate content at the end of the monitored sprouting period. S-treated sprouts, with S(15), S(30), and S(60) at 9 and 12 d after sowing presented enhanced glucosinolate content. Overall, both germination time and S fertilization were key factors in maximizing the bioactive health-promoting phytochemicals of broccoli. Practical Application: Germination with sulphate is a simple and inexpensive way to obtain sprouts that contain much higher levels of glucosinolates (health promoting compounds), than the corresponding florets from the same seeds.
authors.affiliation: Phytochemistry Lab. Dept. of Food Science and Technology, CEBAS-CSIC, Campus Universitario de Espinardo, Post Box 164, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pérez-Balibrea
authors.forename: Diego A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: García-Viguera
mesh_terms: D001937:Brassica / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000378:metabolism; D005308:Fertilizers; D018525:Germination; D005961:Glucosinolates / Q000378:metabolism*; D018527:Hydroponics / Q000379:methods; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D036226:Seedlings / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D013431:Sulfates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005308:Fertilizers; D005961:Glucosinolates; D007211:Indoles; D013431:Sulfates; C031512:potassium sulfate