Stability of glucosinolates and glucosinolate degradation products during storage of boiled white cabbage

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of storage on the contents of glucosinolates (GLS) and their degradation products in a boiled white cabbage. A 24h storage at 4°C resulted in a decrease in GLS content (20–40%, depending on the cooking time applied) in the edible parts. The most significant losses were observed for sinigrin (20–45%), and the least for glucobrassicin (12–32%). Storage had a diversified effect on GLS breakdown products (indole-3-acetonitrile, indole-3-carbinol, ascorbigen and 3,3′-diindolylmethane released from glucobrassicin and 4-methylsulfinylbutanenitrile released from glucoiberin) in the boiled cabbage. The increase in the content of indole-3-acetonitrile, especially considerable within the first 24h of storage (and a simultaneous decrease in glucobrassicin) clearly indicates that degradation of GLS may occur during storage or cooling to 4°C.