ARS | Publication request: Purification of a sinapine-glucoraphanin salt from broccoli seeds

Submitted to: American Journal of Plant Sciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 4, 2010
Publication Date: December 31, 2010
Citation: Berhow, M.A., Vermillion, K., Jham, G.N., Tisserat, B., Vaughn, S.F. 2010. Purification of a sinapine-glucoraphanin salt from broccoli seeds. American Journal of Plant Sciences. 1:113-118.

Interpretive Summary: Plants from the crucifer family (Brassicaceae), also known as the mustard family, have been touted for their health-enhancing effects when incorporated into diets of both humans and animals. Recently, a great deal of research attention has been focused on the glucosinolates (compounds containing sulfur and nitrogen) found in these plants. However, the seeds and sprouts of the crucifer plants also contain a number of other interesting compounds that may have key biological activities for both the plants and for the animals that consume them. Compounds isolated from seeds and sprouts from a variety of related species, including broccoli, show that some of these phenolic compounds are present in concentrations similar to those of the glucosinolates, and may have implications in the use of sprouts as a health-supplements. This research identified a more effective method to purify large quantities of two such compounds simultaneously for further testing and evaluation.

Technical Abstract: A sinapine (sinopoylcholine)-glucoraphanin salt has been isolated from broccoli seeds and characterized by NMR and mass spectrometry. This salt extraction method can be used to purify glucoraphanin free from contamination by glucoiberin.