Masahiko Ishida

Glucosinolate metabolism, functionality and breeding for the improvement of Brassicaceae vegetables

Unique secondary metabolites, glucosinolates (S-glucopyranosyl thiohydroximates), are naturally occurring S-linked glucosides found mainly in Brassicaceae plants. They are enzymatically hydrolyzed to produce sulfate ions, D-glucose, and characteristic degradation products such as isothiocyanates. The functions of glucosinolates in the plants remain unclear, but isothiocyanates possessing a pungent or irritating taste and odor might be associated with plant defense from microbes. Isothiocyanates have been studied extensively in experimental in vitro and in vivo carcinogenesis models for their cancer chemopreventive properties. The beneficial isothiocyanates, glucosinolates that are functional for supporting human health, have received attention from many scientists studying plant breeding, plant physiology, plant genetics, and food functionality. This review presents a summary of recent topics related with glucosinolates in the Brassica family, along with a summary of the chemicals, metabolism, and genes of glucosinolates in Brassicaceae. The bioavailabilities of isothiocyanates from certain functional glucosinolates and the importance of breeding will be described with emphasis on glucosinolates.

Small variation of glucosinolate composition in Japanese cultivars of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) requires simple quantitative analysis for breeding of glucosinolate component

To reveal varietally differing glucosinolate (GSL) contents in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cultivated in Japan, the total and individual GSLs of 28 cultivars were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. In these cultivars, GSL types including three aliphatic GSLs (glucoraphenin, glucoerucin, and 4-methylthio-3-butenyl GSL (4MTB-GSL)) and three indolyl GSLs (4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, glucobrassicin, and 4-methoxy-glucobrassicin) were detected. No cultivar-specific type of GSL was identified. The dominant GSL was 4MTB-GSL, but its contents differed remarkably: 8.6 μmol/g in ‘Koushin’ to 135.7 μmol/g in ‘Karami 199’. Over about 90% of all GSLs in Japanese radish type are 4MTB-GSL, a higher percentage than in Chinese or European garden radish cultivars. A simple, rapid method for estimating total GSL contents in crude extracts was established because of the small variation of glucosinolate composition in Japanese cultivars. The total GSL content can be estimated using an equation for prediction with absorbance at 425 nm in a mixture of GSL crude extract and palladium (II) chloride solution: Total GSL (μmol/g) = 305.47 × A425 − 29.66. Its coefficient of determination (R2) and standard error of prediction (SEP) are 0.968 and 8.052. This method enables total GSL content estimation from more than 200 samples per person per day.

Genetic Profile of Glucosinolate Biosynthesis

Recent advances in science have clarified the biosynthesis pathway and functional role of secondary metabolites. They play a major role not only for completion of the plant life cycle but also for communication with other organisms. In Brassicaceae, including radish, the most well-characterized secondary metabolite is glucosinolate. Glucosinolates are sulfur-containing metabolite and their associated degradation products have distinctive benefits for human diet and defense against pests. Plants produce approximately 200 types of different glucosinolates and those from different species show great diversity, with their contents being affected by the environment, cultivation conditions, and genetic background. The profile of glucosinolates in radish is attractive, but its biosynthesis pathway remains unclear. Here, we highlight recent progress in glucosinolate research of model plant Arabidopsis thaliana . To compare researches on glucosinolate between radish and A. thaliana, we further discuss with specificity the nature of glucosinolate in radish.