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Journal ArticleDOI

The nutritional significance, biosynthesis and bioavailability of glucosinolates in human foods

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TLDR
An overview of the evidence for a beneficial role for glucosinolates in human health is provided, and the current state of knowledge regarding the genetics and biosynthesis of glucos inolates, their chemical analysis, their behaviour during cooking and processing, and their bioavailability to humans are described.
Abstract
The glucosinolates are a large group of sulphur-containing compounds which occur in all the economically important varieties of Brassica vegetable. Their common structure comprises a β-D-thioglucose group, a sulphonated oxime moiety and a variable side-chain derived from methionine, tryptophan or phenylalanine. When the plant tissue is damaged the glucosinolates are hydrolysed by the endogenous enzyme ‘myrosinase’ (thioglucoside glycohydrolase EC 3:2:3:1), to release a range of breakdown products including the bitter, biologically active isothiocyanates. Although these compounds exert antinutritional effects in animals there is also substantial evidence that they are the principal source of anticarcinogenic activity in Brassica vegetables, and this provides a strong motive for the manipulation of glucosinolate levels in vegetables for human consumption. This review provides an overview of the evidence for a beneficial role for glucosinolates in human health, and describes the current state of knowledge regarding the genetics and biosynthesis of glucosinolates, their chemical analysis, their behaviour during cooking and processing, and their bioavailability to humans. As the genetic basis of glucosinolate biosynthesis becomes more apparent, and tools for marker-assisted plant breeding become more available, the selective breeding of horticultural brassicas with different levels and types of glucosinolates, whether by conventional means or genetic manipulation, is becoming a practical possibility. However before this strategy becomes commercially viable, the health benefits of glucosinolates for human beings must be unequivocally established. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry

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Journal ArticleDOI

The chemical diversity and distribution of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates among plants

TL;DR: This review addresses the complex array of glucosinolates, the precursors of isothiocyanates, present in sixteen families of dicotyledonous angiosperms including a large number of edible species including Brassica vegetables.
Journal ArticleDOI

Glucosinolate metabolism and its control

TL;DR: Recent progress in glucosinolate research is highlighted, with particular emphasis on the biosynthetic pathway and its metabolic relationships to auxin homeostasis and emerging insight into the signaling networks and regulatory proteins that control glucosInolate accumulation during plant development and in response to environmental challenge.
Journal ArticleDOI

Glucosinolate research in the Arabidopsis era.

TL;DR: There is a strong interest in the ability to regulate and optimize the levels of individual glucosinolates tissue-specifically to improve the nutritional value and pest resistance of crops.
Journal ArticleDOI

Profiling glucosinolates and phenolics in vegetative and reproductive tissues of the multi-purpose trees Moringa oleifera L. (horseradish tree) and Moringa stenopetala L.

TL;DR: Tissues of M. oleifera and M. stenopetala and leaves of both species contained quercetin 3-O-rhamnoglucoside (rutin) and 5-caffeoylquinic acid, and proanthocyanidins nor anthocyanins were detected in any of the tissues of either species.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI

Fruit, vegetables, and cancer prevention: A review of the epidemiological evidence

TL;DR: It would appear that major public health benefits could be achieved by substantially increasing consumption of fruit and vegetable consumption, and in particular in cancers of the esophagus, oral cavity, and larynx, for which 28 of 29 studies were significant.
Journal ArticleDOI

Glucosinolates and their breakdown products in food and food plants

TL;DR: This review surveys the occurrence, analysis, and properties of glucosinolates and derived compounds in plants and products intended for humans and animal consumption and places particular emphasis on members of the Brassica family.
Journal ArticleDOI

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Journal ArticleDOI

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TL;DR: It was concluded that consumption of higher levels of vegetables and fruit is associated consistently, although not universally, with a reduced risk of cancer at most sites, and particularly with epithelial cancers of the alimentary and respiratory tracts.
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