Basis for the new challenges of growing broccoli for health in hydroponics

BACKGROUND: Variations in the contents of phytochemicals with biological activity in broccoli could originate as a result of genetic and environmental factors. An understanding of the effects of growth conditions on the bioactive compounds in broccoli is essential for improving its quality and nutritive value. Using salinity (40 mmol L−1 NaCl), and foliar sprayed compounds (methionine, tryptophan and chitosan) as different stress conditions, broccoli developed in soilless culture in the greenhouse was analysed for biologically active phytochemicals (glucosinolates, caffeoyl-quinic, ferulic and sinapic derivatives and vitamin C). RESULTS: The application of elicitors during head formation could be beneficial for the enrichment in phytochemicals in broccoli. Management practices for increasing a given phytochemical (e.g., glucoraphanin or glucobrassicin) may be related to a decreased level of natural antioxidants (hydroxycinnamic acids). Growing broccoli hydroponically in the greenhouse in winter (Mediterranean climate) needs the supporting treatment of abiotic stress during development (i.e., NaCl, elicitors). CONCLUSION: The use of hydroponic growth conditions for broccoli and the application of stress factors (elicitors) at head induction and during development may serve the purpose of enhancing its nutritional quality to deliver a health-promoting food. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry

[1]  Brian L. Lindshield,et al.  Combinations of tomato and broccoli enhance antitumor activity in dunning r3327-h prostate adenocarcinomas. , 2007, Cancer research.

[2]  A. Krumbein,et al.  Influence of sulphur and nitrogen supply on flavour and health-affecting compounds in Brassicaceae , 2001 .

[3]  F. Tomás-Barberán,et al.  Changes in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Var. italica) health-promoting compounds with inflorescence development. , 2003, Journal of agricultural and food chemistry.

[4]  I. Raskin,et al.  Elicitation, a new window into plant chemodiversity and phytochemical drug discovery. , 2003, Journal of medicinal chemistry.

[5]  Young-Sang Lee,et al.  Changes in the Respiration, Growth, and Vitamin C Content of Soybean Sprouts in Response to Chitosan of Different Molecular Weights , 2005 .

[6]  K. Herrmann,et al.  Flavonole und Flavone der Gemüsearten , 1974 .

[7]  F. Tomás-Barberán,et al.  Effect of climatic and sulphur fertilisation conditions, on phenolic compounds and vitamin C, in the inflorescences of eight broccoli cultivars , 2003 .

[8]  J. Fahey,et al.  Genetic and environmental effects on glucosinolate content and chemoprotective potency of broccoli , 2004 .

[9]  A. Allende,et al.  Microbial, nutritional and sensory quality of rocket leaves as affected by different sanitizers , 2006 .

[10]  David E. Williams,et al.  Cruciferous vegetables and human cancer risk: epidemiologic evidence and mechanistic basis. , 2007, Pharmacological research.

[11]  A. Krumbein,et al.  Effect of methionine foliar fertilization on glucosinolate concentration in broccoli and radish. Auswirkungen einer Methionin-Blattdüngung auf die Glucosinolatkonzentration in Brokkoli und Radies , 2005 .

[12]  R. Yadav,et al.  Growth, Yield, and Dietary Antioxidants of Broccoli as Affected by Fertilizer Type , 2006 .

[13]  A. Gliszczyńska-Świgło,et al.  The effect of solar radiation on the flavonol content in broccoli inflorescence , 2007 .

[14]  G. Lester.  Environmental regulation of human health nutrients (ascorbic acid, β-carotene, and folic acid) in fruits and vegetables , 2006 .

[15]  M. Schreiner,et al.  Vegetable crop management strategies to increase the quantity of phytochemicals , 2005, European journal of nutrition.

[16]  B. P. Klein,et al.  Variation in content of bioactive components in broccoli , 2003 .

[17]  K. Hikosaka,et al.  Leaf canopy as a dynamic system: ecophysiology and optimality in leaf turnover. , 2004, Annals of botany.

[18]  F. Tomás-Barberán,et al.  Total and individual glucosinolate contents in inflorescences of eight broccoli cultivars grown under various climatic and fertilisation conditions , 2003 .

[19]  W. Wildanger,et al.  Flavonole und Flavone der Gemüsearten , 1973 .

[20]  W. W. Adams,et al.  Antioxidants in Photosynthesis and Human Nutrition , 2002, Science.

[21]  H. Kläring,et al.  Effect of temperature increase under low radiation conditions on phytochemicals and ascorbic acid in greenhouse grown broccoli , 2007 .

[22]  M. Carvajal,et al.  Chemical and biological characterisation of nutraceutical compounds of broccoli. , 2006, Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis.

[23]  F. Tomás-Barberán,et al.  Health-promoting compounds in broccoli as influenced by refrigerated transport and retail sale period. , 2003, Journal of agricultural and food chemistry.

[24]  F. Tomás-Barberán,et al.  Potential bioactive compounds in health promotion from broccoli cultivars grown in Spain , 2002 .

[25]  F. Tomás-Barberán,et al.  Glucosinolates and vitamin C content in edible parts of broccoli florets after domestic cooking , 2002 .

[26]  M. Carvajal,et al.  Are Root Hydraulic Conductivity Responses to Salinity Controlled by Aquaporins in Broccoli Plants? , 2005, Plant and Soil.

[27]  K. Singh,et al.  Antioxidant phytochemicals in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck) cultivars , 2006 .

[28]  A. Svatoš,et al.  Interactions between aboveground and belowground induction of glucosinolates in two wild Brassica species. , 2004, The New phytologist.