Gen info
- The genus Brassica is known for its important agricultural and horticultural crops and includes a number of weeds. Brassica species and varieties commonly used for food include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, choy sum, rutabaga, turnip, and some seeds used in the production of canola oil and condiment mustard. There are over 30 wild species and hybrids are in cultivation. (23)
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Broccoli is an edible green plant belonging to the cabbage family, classified in the cultivar group of species Brassica oleracea. It has been used by ancient Greeks and Romans as food. It was introduced in Europe by Italy in the 16th century.
- Types are classified according to general appearance (Calabrian with large green heads and tender, green, thick stalks; Broccoli type, with smaller but more numerous heads, hard, white or red; Romanesque, green with yellow heads formed by conical protuberances; and Purple type, cauliflower-like, mainly grown in Spain and the UK), color of flower heads (white, green, or violet), and production time (early, late, or intermediate sprouting).
Botany
Broccoli is a headless member of the cabbage family.
The flowers are numerous in compact clusters. Stems come up from the roots and surrounded by leaves. Flower heads are usually green. Inflorescence acquire a conical shape. Unlike cauliflower which forms a central inflorescence, broccoli develops a central inflorescence and surrounded by many others. Leaves are grayish-green, with waxy deep lobes, and petioles with elongated limbs.
Distribution
Cultivated, especially
in the Baguio area.
Parts
used
Flowers and leaves.
Constituents
• Phytochemicals: Glucosinolates, dithiolthiones, indoles, glucoraphanin,
S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide, isothiocyanates, indole-3-carbinol.
• High in antioxidant and anticancer compounds.
• Besides glucoraphanin, which has been reported to have anticancer properties, broccoli also yields glucosinolate glucoraphanin (blood pressure and renal benefits), sulforaphane (normalize DNA methylation, antidiabetic and antimicrobial), isothiocyanate (cancer protective).
• Analysis per 100 g of fresh, raw broccoli yields: (Principle) energy 34 Kcal, carbohydrates 6.64 g, protein 2.82 g, total fat 0.37 g, cholesterol 0 mg, dietary fiber 2.60 g; (Vitamins) folates 63 µg, niacin 0.639 mg, pantothenic acid 0.573 mg, pyridoxine 0.175 mg, riboflavin 0.117 mg, thiamin A 623 IU, vitamin C 89.2 mg, vitamin E 0.17 mg, vitamin K 101.6 µg; (Electrolytes) sodium 33 mg, potassium 316 mg; (Minerals) calcium 47 mg, copper 0.049 mg, iron 0.73, magnesium 21 mg, manganese 0.210 mg, selenium 2.5 µg, zinc 0.41 mg; (Phytonutrients) carotene ß 361 µg, crypto-xanthin-ß 1 µg, lutein-zeaxanthin 1403 µg. (USDA National Nutrient Data Base) (13)
• Ethanol extract pf edible parts of stems and florets yielded carbohydrates, proteins, alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids. (see study below) (23)
* Study of broccoli florets isolated a new intact glucosinolate Cinnamoyl derivative [6-O-trans-(4"-hydroxy-cinnamoyl)-4-(methylsulphinyl) butyl glucosinolate]. (27)
Properties
• Considered anthelmintic,
cardiotonic, diuretic, laxative and stomachic.
• Leaves are cardiotonic and stomachic.
• Studies have suggested anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, wound healing, hepatoprotective, and renoprotective properties.  Uses
Edibility / Nutrition
- Immature flowers and thick stems are usually eaten.
- Good source of vitamin A,
vitamin B complex, vitamin C and minerals.
- High in dietary fiber.
- Good for anemia because of abundant iron content.
Folkloric
- Externally used for gout
and rheumatism.
- Decoction of flowers are carminative, emollient, diuretic.
- Poultice of leaves used for cleaning infected wounds – midrib
removed, leaf ironed and placed on wound while hot.
- Used for gastrointestinal maladies.
- Both leaves and flowers are used for scurvy and xerophthalmia.
Studies
• Antioxidative / Anti-Diabetic: Study on the
antioxidative effect and protective potential against diabetes in both
in vitro and diabetic rat model showed an antioxidative effect and protection
against diabetic-induced oxidative stress in an in-vivo model. (3) Study showed antioxidant and glucose lowering activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
• Biologic Activities / Constituents: (1) Studies show decreased
mortality rates in radiation-exposed lab animals fed broccoli and cabbage (2) Some isothiocyanates have been shown to inhibit tumors induced
by chemical carcinogens. (3) Rats fed with indole glucobrassicin showed lower incidence of chemically induced tumors (4) Studies also suggest compounds in broccoli can protect against
macular degeneration. (5) Indole-3-carbinol showed preventive
effects on endometrial carcinogenesis in mice. (6) Inhibitory effects of sulforaphane on H. pylori and prevents
benzo-a-pyrene-induced stomach tumors. (8) Cancer cells with a lot of Bcl-2 has increased resistance to
chemotherapy drugs. Study showed that Bcl-2 can not protect cancer cells
against vegetable photochemical isothiocyanates.
• Anti-cancer: Compounds
found in cruciferous vegetables were found to block lung cancer progression
in animal studies and tests on human lung cancer cells. (8)
• Antioxidant / COPD / Smoking:
Study showed broccoli can boost antioxidants that counter chemical triggers
to COPD and other negative effects of tobacco smoke. (5)
• Antioxidative: Study on the
antioxidative effect and protective potential against diabetes in both
in vitro and diabetic rat model showed an antioxidative effect and protection
against diabetic-induced oxidative stress in an in-vivo model.
• Wound Healing: Administration of topical cabbage extract and egg while once a day in second degree burn wounds showed enhancement of healing. Results were comparable to silver sulfadiazine group. (2)
• Hepatoprotective / Antioxidant: Study suggests broccoli possesses hepatoprotective activity probably through it antioxidative effects on hepatocytes due to its flavonoids and sulfurated compounds. (9)
• Diabetic Nephropathy Amelioration : Daily ingestion of RC polar extract ameliorates oxidative stress and ameliorates diabetic nephropathy. (9)
• Antigenotoxic / Seeds: Study of seed extract of B. oleracea L. var. italica using Allium cepa root chromosomal aberration assay against ciluron herbicide showed dose dependent antigenotoxic effects. (14)
• Antibacterial / Seeds / Florets and Stems: Study evaluated the antibacterial activity of broccoli (B. oleracea L. var. italica) against six food borne bacteria viz., Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Salmonella typhimurium MTCC 3224 and Shigella flexneri ATCC. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were recorded against most of the pathogens with the acetone and methanol extracts. B. subtilis and B. cereus were the most sensitive organisms.
(15)
Study evaluated the antibacterial activity of ethanol extracts of edible part of florets and stems of broccoli against certain human pathogenic bacteria viz. S. aureus, S. pyogenes B. subtilis, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and K. pneumonia. Results showed predominant effect against B. subtilis, and least action against K. pneumonia. (see constituents above) (23)
• Free Radical Scavenging Activity: Study evaluated the antioxidant activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of B. oleracea L. var italica using different antioxidant tests including DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, inhibition of microsomal lipid peroxidation, reduction of power, and metal iron chelating activities. The ethanolic extract showed higher antioxidant activity in DPPH radical and superoxide anion scavenging than that of the aqueous extract. B. oleracea L. var. italica is a natural source of antioxidants with potential in reducing the level of oxidative stress. (16)
• Antidiabetic: Study
evaluated the antidiabetic potential of B. oleracea L. var. italica in type 2 diabetic Sprague Dawley rats induced by high fat diet and streptozotocin. Metformin was used as standard antidiabetic drug. At highest dose of 800 mg/kg, there was significant attenuation in blood glucose. Results showed potential for the vegetable or its extract for control of hyperglycemia. (17)
• Effect of Processing: Study evaluated the effect of processing on biochemical properties of broccoli. Steaming and drying result in
an increment of sulforaphane content as well as antioxidant activity, most likely due to an increase in extractability of antioxidants and sulforaphane. Freezing and boiling diminish polyphenol concentration due to volatilization and leaching into cooking water. Optimization of broccoli processing that may help maximize the content of bioactive compounds should be investigated in greater depth. (18)
• Antiproliferative / Antioxidant: Broccoli in three different stages of maturity were subjected to biofortification with selenium and evaluated for antioxidant and antiproliferative activities. Antioxidant trials showed maturattion stages fortified with selenium had significantly higher amounts of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities. Although non-polar extracts showed antiproliferative activity, the broccoli seedlings fortifed with selenium showed higher antioxidant and antiproliferative activity. with cytocidal activity for a glioma line (U251, GI50 28.5 mg/L). (19)
• Effect of Boiling on Antioxidant Properties of Florets: Caffeic, ferulic, sinapinic acids and kaempferol were identified in extracts of fresh raw and frozen broccoli.
Polyphenol concentration was 2.69 mg/g fresh mass and 0.96 mg/g fresh mass in fresh raw broccoli and frozen raw broccoli, respectively. Boiling significantly reduced the amounts of phenolic compounds in fresh broccoli while boiling increased polyphenol concentration in frozen broccoli by 38%. Fresh broccoli extracts neutralized free radicals by 19.87%, and boiling significantly reduced its antiradical activity to 15.06%. (20)
• Anti-Helicobacter Activity // Sulforaphane / Sprouts: Study evaluated a crude methanolic extract prepared from fresh broccoli sprouts, ferulic,
A chloroform extract showed greatest inhibition zone (<5cm) for Helicobacter pylori strain, followed by the hexane extract (5.03 cm). Sulforaphe and five sulforaphane-related compounds were identified in the chloroform extract, with 5-methylsulfinylpentylnitrile with highest concentration (475.7 mg/kg of fresh sprouts). Among 18 sulphoraphane and related compounds synthesized, 2 amines, 6 isothiocyanates, and 1 nitrile exhibited <5 cm inhibitory zones for the H. pylori strain. Results suggest broccoli sprouts is a potential food source for medicinal substances. (21)
• Enhancement of Broccoli Indole Glucosinolates / No Effect on Prostate Carcinogenesis: Broccoli is rich in bioactive compounds like sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, which may impact cancer risk. Glucosinate profile of broccoli can be manipulated by treatment with
plant stress hormone methyl jasmonate (MeJa). Study evaluated the broccoli with enhanced levels of indole glucosinolate and assess its impact on prostate carcinogenesis. MeJA-treated broccoli significantly increased levels of glucobrassicin, neoglucobrassicin, and gluconasturtin (p<0.05).
While broccoli powder was ineffective at reducing prostate carcinogenesis in the TRAMP model in mice, study demonstrated the feasibility of employing plant stress hormones exogenously to stimulate changes in phytochemical profiles, which may be useful for optimizing bioactive component patterns in food for chronic disease prevention study. (22)
• Immunostimulant: Study evaluated the innate immunostimulating activities of hot water extracts
of various vegetables using the silkworm muscle contraction assay system. Results showed broccoli contains a strong innate immunostimulant, which comprised of galacturonic acid, galactose, glucose, arabinose, and rhamnose, with a pectic-liike polysaccharide structure. (24)
• Immunomodulatory / Sulforaphane: Study evaluated the effect of sulforaphane on the immmune system using BALB/c mice. Sulforaphane at a dose of 500 mg/dose/animal/day enhanced total WBC count,
increased bone marrow cellularity and number of α-esterase positive cells. Sulforaphane along with antigen, sheep RBC enhanced circulating antibody titer and number of plaque forming cells in the spleen. There was also enhancement of phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages. There was also significant reduction of elevated TNF-α production by LPS-stimulated macrophages. Results suggest imuno-modulatory activity of sulforaphane. (25)
• Glucosinolates and Polyphenols in Broccoli Discards: The agrifood industry produces tons of waste and substandard products that are discarded a great expense. With broccoli, production yields
greater than 25% rejects. Study characterized and quantified industrial broccoli by-products for glucosinolates and polyphenol contents. UPLC MS/MS study showed the by-products were high in glucosinolates (0.2-2% dw sample), with polyphenols at less than 0.02% dw sample. Valorization of industrial residues the production of high value functional food ingredients along with socio-economic sustainability. (26)
• Antioxidant / Florets: Study evaluated water and ethanol extracts of broccoli florets for in-vitro antioxidant properties. Both extracts exhibited strong total antioxidant activity, effective reducing power, free radical scavenging. superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and metal chelating activities. (28)
• Gold and Silver Nanoparticles / Antimicrobial: Study reports on the synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles. Functional metabolites identified were phenols, alcohols, aldehydes, vitamins and proteins. The NPs inhibited the growth of tested bacterial and fungal
pathogens at concentration of 50 µg/mL. (29)
• Mitigation of Effects of Food Preservatives and Chemical Colorants: Study evaluated the biochemical influence of broccoli and beet extracts on selected individual additives NaNO2 or sunset yellow treated rats, in addition to expression of some antioxidant enzymes. Results showed rats co-administered with beet or broccoli extracts had significant decrease in AST, ALT, ALP, urea, total lipids and triglycerides, as well as significant increase in GSH, GSH-px and SOD enzyme activities. Study showed broccoli and beet extracts have protective effect against NaNO2 or sunset yellow treated groups. (30)
• Apoptotic Role of Sulforaphane in Lung Carcinogenesis: Sulforaphane (SFN) is a naturally occurring isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli. Study evaluated the rehabilitating role in alleviating the oxidative damage caused by benzo(a)pyrene [B(q)P] to biomolecules and the apoptotic cascade mediated by orally administered SFN against induced pulmonary carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice. SFN treatment decreased H2O2 production (p<0.001) in cancer-induced animals, proving its antioxidant potential. Results showed the rehabilitating role of SFN in B(a)P induced lung carcinogenesis. (31)
• Effect on Role of Sulforaphane in Lung Carcinogenesis: Sulforaphane
• Anti- Anxiety Effect: Study evaluated the anti anxiety activity of extracts of broccoli in experimental animals using Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), hole board and mirror chamber tests. The hydroalcoholic extract showed marked anxiolytic activity as evidenced by dose dependent increase in average time spent and frequency of entries in the open arms of the EPM. decreased latency, increased time spent and frequency of entries in the mirror chamber, increased number of head dips in the hole board test. Effects were comparable to effect by diazepam. (32)
Availability
Cultivated. |
