Supplementation of the Diet by Exogenous Myrosinase via Mustard Seeds to Increase the Bioavailability of Sulforaphane in Healthy Human Subjects after the Consumption of Cooked Broccoli

Abstract

Scope Broccoli contains glucosinolate glucoraphanin, which, in the presence of myrosinase, can hydrolyze to isothiocyanate sulforaphane, reported to have anticarcinogenic activity. However, the myrosinase enzyme is denatured on cooking. Addition of an active source of myrosinase, such as from powdered mustard seed, to cooked Brassica vegetables can increase the release of health beneficial isothiocyanates; however, this has not previously been proven in vivo. Methods and results The concentration of sulforaphane metabolite (sulforaphane N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine [SF‐NAC]) in 12 healthy adults after the consumption of 200 g cooked broccoli, with and without 1 g powdered brown mustard, was studied in a randomized crossover design. During the 24‐h period following the consumption of the study sample, all urine was collected. SF‐NAC content was assayed by HPLC. When study subjects ingested cooked broccoli alone, mean urinary SF‐NAC excreted was 9.8 ± 5.1 μmol per g creatinine, and when cooked broccoli was consumed with mustard powder, this increased significantly to 44.7 ± 33.9 μmol SF‐NAC per gram creatinine. Conclusion These results conclude that when powdered brown mustard is added to cooked broccoli, the bioavailability of sulforaphane is over four times greater than that from cooked broccoli ingested alone.

The Glucosinolates: A Sulphur Glucoside Family of Mustard Anti-Tumour and Antimicrobial Phytochemicals of Potential Therapeutic Application

“…More high-quality cohort studies with larger sample sizes and well controlled confounding factors are required to confirm the benefit of dietary cruciferous vegetable consumption; initial studies have delivered sufficient evidence to warrant such studies. The bioavailability of glucosinolates following different food processing methods has also been evaluated in order to improve the dietary content of bioactive forms of the glucosinolates [217] Supplementation of the diet with broccoli sprouts or myrosinase containing mustard products have also been examined as a means of increasing the dietary SFN and AITC content [218]. The effective delivery of SFN and AITCs to the target cells in solid tumours is a difficult proposition.…”

Eat Your Broccoli: Oxidative Stress, NRF2, and Sulforaphane in Chronic Kidney Disease

“…Blanching and freezing broccoli to extend shelf life can also decrease the amount of SFN [97,98]. SFN levels can be increased if cooked broccoli is consumed with an exogenous source of myrosinase (such as powdered mustard seed) [99].…”

Human, Animal and Plant Health Benefits of Glucosinolates and Strategies for Enhanced Bioactivity: A Systematic Review

“…Their bioavailability can be enhanced by increasing the hydrolysis enzyme activity and/or treating extracts in mild heat [ 182 ]. Continuous consumption of GSs rich foods is exogenously treated with myrosinase [ 183 , 184 , 185 , 186 ] or intake of diverse GSs rich foods which increase the activity of the GSs degradation enzyme in the gut results into the bioavailability of GSs/GSHPs [ 187 ]. The content of these compounds in prepared and processed food is essential and therefore, post-harvest processing techniques, food processing, and treatment methods that affect the contents of GSs and the biological activities should be carefully chosen.…”