title: Improvement of the nutraceutical quality of broccoli sprouts by elicitation.
abstract: Epidemiological studies show an inverse association between Brassica consumption and chronic diseases. Phytochemicals are thought to be beneficial for human health and therefore responsible for this protective effect. Increasing their levels into Brassica food is considered an expedient nutritional strategy that can be achieved through the manipulation of growth conditions by elicitors. In this work we systematically evaluated the influence of treatment with different elicitors (sucrose, mannitol, NaCl, 1-aminocyclopropane-L-carboxylic acid, salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate) on the phytochemical composition of broccoli sprouts. The content of total and single glucosinolates, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, total anthocyanins, vitamin C and E and β-carotene was assessed. The exposure to different elicitors produced concentration- and elicitor-dependent specific changes in the content of all the phytochemicals considered. Sucrose, identified as the most effective elicitor by principal component analysis, induced a significant increase of total and specific glucosinolates, vitamin C, total anthocyanins and polyphenols. Sucrose is likely to represent an effective tool to increase the nutritional value of broccoli sprouts.
authors: CREA-NUT, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Food and Nutrition Research Centre, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Roma, Italy. Electronic address: fausta.natella@entecra.it.
authors: Fausta
authors: F
authors: Natella
authors: Chemistry and Pharmacy Department, University of Sassari, via Muroni 23, 07100 Sassari, Italy. Electronic address: mtmaldini@uniss.it.
authors: Mariateresa
authors: M
authors: Maldini
authors: CREA-NUT, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Food and Nutrition Research Centre, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Roma, Italy. Electronic address: mirella.nardini@entecra.it.
authors: Mirella
authors: M
authors: Nardini
authors: CREA-NUT, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Food and Nutrition Research Centre, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Roma, Italy. Electronic address: elena.azzini@entecra.it.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Azzini
authors: CREA-NUT, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Food and Nutrition Research Centre, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Roma, Italy. Electronic address: mariastella.foddai@entecra.it.
authors: Maria Stella
authors: MS
authors: Foddai
authors: Department of Experimental Medicine, Medical Physiopathology, Food Science and Endocrinology Section, Food Science and Human Nutrition Research Unit, University "Sapienza" of Rome, p.le Aldo Moro, 5, 0085 Roma, Italy. Electronic address: annamaria.giusti@uniroma1.it.
authors: Anna Maria
authors: AM
authors: Giusti
authors: CREA-NUT, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Food and Nutrition Research Centre, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Roma, Italy. Electronic address: simona.baima@entecra.it.
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: Baima
authors: CREA-NUT, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Food and Nutrition Research Centre, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Roma, Italy. Electronic address: Giorgio.morelli@entecra.it.
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Morelli
authors: CREA-NUT, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Food and Nutrition Research Centre, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Roma, Italy. Electronic address: cristina.scaccini@entecra.it.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Scaccini
mesh_terms: D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000032:analysis*; D001937:Brassica / Q000737:chemistry*; D005961:Glucosinolates / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis*; D036226:Seedlings / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D005961:Glucosinolates; D010636:Phenols
keywords: Anthocyanin; Bioactive molecules; Broccoli sprouts; Elicitor; Glucosinolate; Phenolic compound