Sulforaphane Bioavailability in Healthy Subjects Fed a Single Serving of Fresh Broccoli Microgreens

Cruciferous vegetable consumption is associated with numerous health benefits attributed to the phytochemical sulforaphane (SFN) that exerts antioxidant an

John A. Bouranis, Carmen P. Wong, Laura M. Beaver, Sandra L. Uesugi, Ethan M Papenhausen, Jaewoo Choi, Edward W. Davis, Adilson Nunes Da Silva, Newton Kalengamaliro, Rekha Chaudhary, Jordan Kharofa, Vinita Takiar, Thomas J. Herzog, William Barrett, Emily Ho

Foods · 2023 · https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12203784

Abstract

Cruciferous vegetable consumption is associated with numerous health benefits attributed to the phytochemical sulforaphane (SFN) that exerts antioxidant and chemopreventive properties, among other bioactive compounds. Broccoli sprouts, rich in SFN precursor glucoraphanin (GRN), have been investigated in numerous clinical trials. Broccoli microgreens are similarly rich in GRN but have remained largely unexplored. The goal of this study was to examine SFN bioavailability and the microbiome profile in subjects fed a single serving of fresh broccoli microgreens. Eleven subjects participated in a broccoli microgreens feeding study. Broccoli microgreens GRN and SFN contents and stability were measured. Urine and stool SFN metabolite profiles and microbiome composition were examined. Broccoli microgreens had similar GRN content to values previously reported for broccoli sprouts, which was stable over time. Urine SFN metabolite profiles in broccoli microgreens-fed subjects were similar to those reported previously in broccoli sprouts-fed subjects, including the detection of SFN-nitriles. We also reported the detection of SFN metabolites in stool samples for the first time. A single serving of broccoli microgreens did not significantly alter microbiome composition. We showed in this study that broccoli microgreens are a significant source of SFN. Our work provides the foundation for future studies to establish the health benefits of broccoli microgreens consumption.

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John A. Bouranis; Carmen P. Wong; Laura M. Beaver; Sandra L. Uesugi; Ethan M Papenhausen; Jaewoo Choi; Edward W. Davis; Adilson Nunes Da Silva; Newton Kalengamaliro; Rekha Chaudhary; Jordan Kharofa; Vinita Takiar; Thomas J. Herzog; William Barrett; Emily Ho (2023). Sulforaphane Bioavailability in Healthy Subjects Fed a Single Serving of Fresh Broccoli Microgreens. Foods. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12203784 Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Hosted by EVEC Athens (microgreens.org.gr). No changes were made to this article. Provided as-is, without warranties. EVEC Athens is not affiliated with, and this copy is not endorsed by, the authors or the publisher.

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