Stability of Bioactive Compounds in Broccoli as Affected by Cutting Styles and Storage Time

Abstract

Broccoli contains bioactive molecules and thus its consumption is related with the prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases. The application of wounding stress to horticultural crops is a common practice, since it is the basis for the fresh-cut produce industry. In this study, the effect of four different cutting styles (CSs) (florets (CS1), florets cut into two even pieces (CS2), florets cut into four even pieces (CS3), and florets processed into chops (CS4)) and storage time (0 and 24 h at 20 °C) on the content of bioactive compounds in broccoli was evaluated. Immediately after cutting, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid and caffeic acid content increased by 122.4% and 41.6% in CS4 and CS2, respectively. Likewise, after storage, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid increased by 46.7% and 98.2%, respectively in CS1. Glucoerucin and gluconasturtiin content decreased by 62% and 50%, respectively in CS3; whereas after storage most glucosinolates increased in CS1. Total isothiocyanates, increased by 133% immediately in CS4, and after storage CS1 showed 65% higher levels of sulforaphane. Total ascorbic acid increased 35% after cutting in CS2, and remained stable after storage. Results presented herein would allow broccoli producers to select proper cutting styles that preserve or increase the content of bioactive molecules.

Decontamination of Listeria innocua from fresh-cut broccoli using UV-C applied in water or peroxyacetic acid, and dry-pulsed light

“…We observed that glucoraphanin (GP) was the most abundant glucosinolate in the broccoli samples, as it has been previously reported for several broccoli varieties (Jones, Faragher, & Winkler, 2006;Torres-Contreras, Nair, Cisneros-Zevallos, & Jacobo-Velázquez, 2017). Both GP and sulforaphane content increased 24 h after processing.…”

“…The activation of the glucosinolates synthesis pathways is one of many plant responses to wounding (Mikkelsen, 2003). Different cutting styles have shown to induce variations in specific glucosinolates as well as their transformation into thiocyanates due to the releasing of myrosinase enzyme from specialized cells after cutting (Chen & Andreasson, 2001;Torres-Contreras et al, 2017). UV radiation (specifically the wavelengths in the UV-B spectrum) at low doses (0.45 kJ m -2 ) has also been demonstrated to elevate glucosinolates levels in broccoli sprouts which has been associated to the up-regulation of genes involved the biosynthetic pathway of aliphatic glucosinolates as well as of genes related to the response of pathogens and herbivores (Mewis et al, 2012).…”

New food ingredients from broccoli by‐products: physical, chemical and technological properties

“…It was previously reported that the caffeic acid in broccoli was present at trace level (Filannino et al ., ). Others have described that the content of caffeic acid was significantly increased after cutting, which could be related with increase in extractability due to the cell wall disruption (Torres‐Contreras et al ., ). The supernatant and juice fractions which have high phenolic compounds may potentially be used as functional beverages.…”

Measuring Sulforaphane and Its Metabolites in Human Plasma: A High Throughput Method

“…However, it also required extensive plasma clean-up during sample preparation, limiting the number of samples that could be handled at any given time. Given the relative fast thermal degradation of sulforaphane and its conjugates in human plasma at room temperature, with a reported half-life at 24 • C of between 6.16 and 0.49 h [27][28][29] and problems associated with sample degradation during lengthy plasma clean-up, a more rapid sample preparation methodology ahead of LC-MS would both allow processing of high numbers of samples, as would be required in large scale clinical trials, and may improve measurement accuracy. To that end, here we present a modified, cheaper, and high throughput method for the measurement of sulforaphane and its metabolites ( Figure 1) using LC-MS.…”