Sisymbrium Officinale (the Singers’ Plant) as an Ingredient: Analysis of Somatosensory Active Volatile Isothiocyanates in Model Food and Drinks

Patrizia De Nisi,Leonardo Scaglioni,Angela Bassoli,Nicola Mangieri,Samuele Tramontana,Gigliola Borgonovo,Stefania Mazzini,Silvia Grassi,Claudia Picozzi

doi:10.3390/foods10020308

Abstract

Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop. (hedge mustard) is a wild common plant of the Brassicaceae family. It is known as “the singers’ plant” for its traditional use in treating aphonia and vocal disability. The plant is rich in glucosinolates and isothiocyanates; the latter has been demonstrated to be a strong agonist in vitro of the Transient Receptor Potential Ankirine 1 (TRPA1) channel, which is involved in the somatosensory perception of pungency as well as in the nociception pathway of inflammatory pain. Volatile ITCs are released by the enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis of GLSs (glucosinolates) during sample crushing and/or by the mastication of fresh plant tissues when the plant is used as an ingredient. Some functional food and drink model preparations have been realised: honey enriched with seeds and flowers, infusions, cold drink (voice drink), artisanal beer, and a fermented tea (kombucha). Using SPME-GCMS chromatography, we analysed samples of the plant and of the food preparations adopting conditions that simulate the release of isothiocyanates (ITCs) during oral assumption. Two active compounds, iso-propylisothiocyanate and 2-butylisothiocyanate, have been assayed. The concentration of ITCs varies according to temperature, pH, grinding conditions, and different plant organs used. Kombucha-type fermentation seems to eliminate the ITCs, whereas they are retained in beer. The ITCs’ concentration is higher when entire seeds and flowers are used.

Highlights

Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop. (Brassicaceae) (SO) is an annual plant that is spread mostly in the Eurasiatic Region and North Africa
The total ion chromatogram (TIC) spectrum of volatile ITCs released from SO flowers in water is reported in Figure 2, showing two main peaks of interest, one at a retention time 4.773 min and another at a retention time 6.085 min
For the peak at retention time 6.085 min, the database indicated two possible structures of the isothiocyanates with iso-butyl or sec-butyl side chain. The latter derives from glucocochlearin 3, which was previously identified in our samples; a direct comparison with an authentic sample allowed identifying this peak as SBITC, compound 4

Summary

Introduction

Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop. (Brassicaceae) (SO) is an annual plant that is spread mostly in the Eurasiatic Region and North Africa. (Brassicaceae) (SO) is an annual plant that is spread mostly in the Eurasiatic Region and North Africa. The plant is commonly named “hedge mustard”, “erysimum”, or “the singers’ plant”, and it is known for its traditional use in the treatment of mild voice and respiratory discomfort. SO properties and uses has been recently reviewed [1]. The chemical markers [2] of SO are glucosinolates (GLSs) and isothiocyanates (ITCs), which are their main metabolic breakdown products, and these are commonly found in many Brassicaceae. Sulphured compounds are reported to stimulate mucosal secretion and expectoration from the upper respiratory tract. The effect of SO phytopreparates on alleviating symptoms in patients with various degrees of vocal trait disability has been recently reported [7]

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