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Sulfur fertilization increases kale ( Brassica oleracea ) indolyl glucosinolates
Author(s) -
Webber David M,
Hanlon Paul R,
Barnes David M
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a732-a
Subject(s) - glucosinolate , chemistry , sulfur , myrosinase , brassica , cruciferous vegetables , brassica oleracea , seedling , sinigrin , human fertilization , brassicaceae , food science , horticulture , agronomy , botany , biology , organic chemistry , cancer , genetics
Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are a class of compounds derived from sulfur (S) rich glucosinolate (GLS) precursors common in cruciferous vegetables, which have been shown to increase anti‐proliferative effects in cancer cell models. Research demonstrates that soil S can affect the amount of GLSs formed in the plant and consequently, potential ITC production. In this study we applied graded levels of gypsum, a particularly high source of S (11.6%), and measured its impact on GLSs in kale. Soil applications, completed over four weeks, totaled: 0.0 (control, C), 0.6 (T1), 1.2 (T2), 4.8 (T3), and 12.0 kg/m 2 gypsum (T4). Mature plants were lyophilized and then analyzed for GLSs and ITCs. Glucobrassicin, a notable GLS and precursor to indole‐3‐carbinol, was significantly greater in T3 and T4 (6.78 and 7.29 μmol/g) compared to C, T1, and T2 (4.97, 5.60, and 5.21 μmol/g, respectively). Neoglucobrassicin, another indolyl GLS, followed the same trend, in contrast to aliphatic GLSs which did not. In addition, once hydrolyzed with endogenous myrosinase, total ITC content of T4 was more than twice that of any other treatment, while T2 and T3 were only slightly greater than C. However, gypsum retarded growth and compromised seedling survival, indicating that further studies are needed to pinpoint the concentration and source of S that optimize GLS content and plant growth in cruciferous vegetables. Work supported by Standard Process, Inc.