Abstract
Broccoli sprouts contain health-promoting phytochemicals that can be enhanced by applying ultraviolet light (UV) or phytohormones. The separate and combined effects of methyl jasmonate (MJ), UVA, or UVB lights on glucosinolate, phenolic, carotenoid, and chlorophyll profiles were assessed in broccoli sprouts. Seven-day-old broccoli sprouts were exposed to UVA (9.47 W/m2) or UVB (7.16 W/m2) radiation for 120 min alone or in combination with a 25 µM MJ solution, also applied to sprouts without UV supplementation. UVA + MJ and UVB + MJ treatments increased the total glucosinolate content by ~154% and ~148%, respectively. MJ induced the biosynthesis of indole glucosinolates, especially neoglucobrassicin (~538%), showing a synergistic effect with UVA stress. UVB increased the content of aliphatic and indole glucosinolates, such as glucoraphanin (~78%) and 4-methoxy-glucobrassicin (~177%). UVA increased several phenolics such as gallic acid (~57%) and a kaempferol glucoside (~25.4%). MJ treatment decreased most phenolic levels but greatly induced accumulation of 5-sinapoylquinic acid (~239%). MJ treatments also reduced carotenoid and chlorophyll content, while UVA increased lutein (~23%), chlorophyll b (~31%), neoxanthin (~34%), and chlorophyll a (~67%). Results indicated that UV- and/or MJ-treated broccoli sprouts redirect the carbon flux to the biosynthesis of specific glucosinolates, phenolics, carotenoids, and chlorophylls depending on the type of stress applied.
Highlights
Broccoli sprouts have gained recognition as nutraceutical foods due to their high content of health-promoting phytochemicals including phenolic compounds, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and glucosinolates, with concentrations several times greater than the adult plant [1,2]
Results discussed showed that simple pre-harvest treatments such as UV radiation, applied alone or in combination with exogenous Methyl Jasmonate (MJ), can be used as an effective emerging technology that allows the accumulation of specific phytochemicals in broccoli sprouts
Results demonstrated that the profile of glucosinolates accumulated in stressed broccoli sprouts could be tailored towards the over-production of most indole glucosinolates by applying 25 μM MJ alone or preferably in combination with a 120 min exposure to UVA or UVB radiation (9.47 and 7.16 W/m2, respectively) 24 h prior harvest
Summary
Broccoli sprouts have gained recognition as nutraceutical foods due to their high content of health-promoting phytochemicals including phenolic compounds, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and glucosinolates, with concentrations several times greater than the adult plant [1,2] These defense-related secondary metabolites have been positively linked to several biological properties such as anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity [2]. Glucosinolates and their hydrolysis products act as indirect antioxidants by modulating the activity of xenobiotic metabolizing (phase I and II) enzymes that trigger long-lasting antioxidant activity, reducing the oxidative stress status that leads to chronic degeneration [5] They exhibit cholesterol-lowering, anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory activity, being associated with reduced risks of cancer of the lungs, stomach, breasts, prostate, pancreas, skin, colon, and rectum [5,6,7]
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