Glucosinolates - biochemistry, genetics and biological activity

This paper provides a brief overview of the biochemistry, genetics and biological activity of glucosinolates and their degradation products. These compounds are found in vegetative and reproductive tissues of 16 plant families, but are most well known as the major secondary metabolites in the Brassicaceae. Following tissue disruption, they are hydrolysed to a variety of products of which isothiocyanates ('mustard oils') are the most prominent. The majority of genetic studies have concentrated on reducing the levels of these compounds in the seeds of oilseed Brassica crops due to antinutritional factors associated with 2-hydroxy-3-butenyl glucosinolate. However, current interest is concerned with the anticarcinogenic activity of isothiocyanates derived from cruciferous vegetables and salad crops.