Food safety evaluation of broccoli and radish sprouts

Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 May;46(5):1635-44. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2008.01.004. Epub 2008 Jan 8.

Abstract

Three cultivars of broccoli seeds (Brassica oleracea var. italica), cv. Tiburon, cv. Belstar and cv. Lucky, and two cultivars of radish seeds (Raphanus sativus), cv. Rebel and cv. Bolide, were germinated for three and five days and safety aspects such as microbiological counts and biogenic amines were investigated. Cytotoxicity evaluation was also carried out. Broccoli and radish sprouts contained numbers of mesophilic, psychrotrophic, total and faecal coliform bacteria which are the usual counts for minimally processed germinated seeds. Putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, tyramine, spermidine and spermine increased during sprout production although these levels were below those permitted by legislation (5 mg/100 g of edible food). Broccoli and radish sprouts demonstrated no toxic effects on proliferation and viability of HL-60 cells and should be included in our diets as healthy and safe fresh foods.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biogenic Amines / analysis
  • Brassica / microbiology*
  • Brassica / toxicity*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Enterobacteriaceae
  • Germination
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Humans
  • Raphanus / microbiology*
  • Raphanus / toxicity*
  • Seeds / chemistry

Substances

  • Biogenic Amines