Chemoprotectant Broccoli in the Offing? - Brief Article

Agricultural Research, Sept, 2001

Broccoli florets and young seedlings are rich sources of glucoraphanin and its breakdown product sulforaphane, which helps protect mammals against cancer. Sulforaphane induces mammalian detoxification enzyme activity and inhibits early tumor growth in rodent models. Little is known about variations of these two compounds in broccoli varieties.

Now USDA scientists in cooperation with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, have screened 71 USDA broccoli varieties and 5 commercial hybrids for glucoraphanin and their potential to induce mammalian detoxification enzymes. Using information from this work, breeders may exploit genetic variation to produce new broccoli varieties with enhanced chemoprotective response against cancer. Mark Farnham, USDA-ARS U.S. Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, South Carolina; phone (843) 556-0840, e-mail mfarnham@awod.com.