Assessment of the anticancer compounds Se-methylselenocysteine and glucosinolates in Se-biofortified broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) sprouts and florets

J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Jul 3;61(26):6216-23. doi: 10.1021/jf4016834. Epub 2013 Jun 24.

Abstract

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) is a rich source of chemopreventive compounds. Here, we evaluated and compared the effect of selenium (Se) treatment on the accumulation of anticancer compounds Se-methylselenocysteine (SeMSCys) and glucosinolates in broccoli sprouts and florets. Total Se and SeMSCys content in sprouts increased concomitantly with increasing Se doses. Selenate was superior to selenite in inducing total Se accumulation, but selenite is equally effective as selenate in promoting SeMSCys synthesis in sprouts. Increasing sulfur doses reduced total Se and SeMSCys content in sprouts treated with selenate, but not in those with selenite. Examination of five broccoli cultivars reveals that sprouts generally have better fractional ability than florets to convert inorganic Se into SeMSCys. Distinctive glucosinolate profiles between sprouts and florets were observed, and sprouts contained approximately 6-fold more glucoraphanin than florets. In contrast to florets, glucosinolate content was not affected by Se treatment in sprouts. Thus, Se-enriched broccoli sprouts are excellent for simultaneous accumulation of chemopreventive compounds SeMSCys and glucoraphanin.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / analysis
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / metabolism*
  • Brassica / chemistry
  • Brassica / growth & development
  • Brassica / metabolism*
  • Fertilizers / analysis
  • Glucosinolates / analysis
  • Glucosinolates / biosynthesis*
  • Hydroponics
  • Inflorescence / chemistry
  • Inflorescence / growth & development
  • Inflorescence / metabolism*
  • Plant Shoots / chemistry
  • Plant Shoots / growth & development
  • Plant Shoots / metabolism*
  • Selenium Compounds / metabolism*
  • Selenocysteine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Selenocysteine / analysis
  • Selenocysteine / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Fertilizers
  • Glucosinolates
  • Selenium Compounds
  • Selenocysteine
  • selenomethylselenocysteine