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Influence of sulfur and nitrogen supply on growth, nutrient status and concentration of benzyl‐isothiocyanate in cress ( Lepidium sativum L.)
Author(s) -
Gerendás Jóska,
Sailer Manuela,
Fendrich MarieLuise,
Stahl Thorsten,
MerschSundermann Volker,
Mühling Karl H
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.3374
Subject(s) - lepidium sativum , glucosinolate , chemistry , sinigrin , isothiocyanate , sulfur , sativum , nitrogen , dry matter , nutrient , nitrate , sulfate , brassica , agronomy , zoology , food science , biology , biochemistry , organic chemistry , germination
BACKGROUND: The supply of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) exerts an interactive effect on glucosinolate (GS) accumulation in Brassica vegetables, but the consequences for the concentration of isothiocyanates (ITCs), released after decomposition of GS by myrosinase, have rarely been investigated. In addition to their phytosanitary function GS have also been discussed as transient S reservoir. RESULTS: Cress ( Lepidium sativum , L.) plants were cultivated with varied supply of N (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g pot −1 ) and S (0, 0.05 and 0.2 g pot −1 ). Concentrations of total N and S and hence the N/S ratio responded significantly, as did the concentrations of nitrate and sulfate. Concentrations of benzyl‐ITC, derived from glucotropaeolin (benzyl‐GS), ranged from 6.7 to almost 30 µmol (g dry matter) −1 and were negatively affected by high N supply. For a given S supply the benzyl‐ITC concentration was inversely related to the N/S ratio, an indicator of the S nutritional status. CONCLUSION: The results do not support the view that GS act as a transient S reservoir. Rather, moderate N and adequate S supplies lead to increased concentrations of this pharmacologically important constituent of cress. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry