Glucoraphanin is converted to sulforaphane by the enzyme myrosinase.[5] In plants, sulforaphane deters insect predators and acts as a selective antibiotic.[6]
Sulforaphane and other isothiocyanates have been studied for their potential biological effects.[3] The isothiocyanates formed from glucosinolates are under laboratory research to assess the expression and activation of enzymes that metabolizexenobiotics, such as carcinogens.[3]Observational studies have been conducted to determine if consumption of cruciferous vegetables affects cancer risk in humans, but there is insufficient clinical evidence to indicate that consuming glucoraphanin and other isothiocyanates in cruciferous vegetables is beneficial, according to a 2017 review.[3]
Cultivars of broccoli have been bred to contain two to three times more glucoraphanin than standard broccoli.[9]Romanesco broccoli may contain up to ten times more glucoraphanin than typical broccoli varieties.[10] Frostara, Black Tuscany, and red cabbage also contain higher levels of glucoraphanin than broccoli.[10]
^Jeffery, E. H.; Brown, A. F.; Kurilich, A. C.; Keck, A. S.; Matusheski, N.; Klein, B. P.; Juvik, J. A. (2003). "Variation in content of bioactive components in broccoli". Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. 16 (3): 323–330. doi:10.1016/S0889-1575(03)00045-0.
^ abcd"Isothiocyanates". Micronutrient Information Center, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
^Cuomo, Valentina; Luciano, Fernando B.; Meca, Giuseppe; Ritieni, Alberto; Mañes, Jordi (26 November 2014). "Bioaccessibility of glucoraphanin from broccoli using an gastrointestinal digestion model". CyTA - Journal of Food. 13 (3): 361–365. doi:10.1080/19476337.2014.984337. S2CID96578211.
^Fredd Vergara; et al. (Nov 2008). "Determination of the absolute configuration of the glucosinolate methyl sulfoxide group reveals a stereospecific biosynthesis of the side chain". Phytochemistry. 69 (15): 2737–2742. Bibcode:2008PChem..69.2737V. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2008.09.008. PMID18945459.
^Cheng, Maria (October 26, 2011). "UK scientists grow super broccoli". Boston.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 3 June 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2011.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^ abHahn, Christoph; Müller, Anja; Kuhnert, Nikolai; Albach, Dirk (2016-04-27). "Diversity of Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica): Glucosinolate Content and Phylogenetic Relationships". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 64 (16): 3215–3225. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.6b01000. ISSN0021-8561. PMID27028789.