How does one identify a good source of broccoli seeds? | Jed Fahey
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Broccoli sprouts are concentrated sources of sulforaphane, a type of isothiocyanate. Damaging broccoli sprouts – when chewing, chopping, or freezing – triggers an enzymatic reaction in the tiny plants that produces sulforaphane.
In our Sprouting Guide PDF, you'll learn the basics of sprouting, read the science of sulforaphane, and gain insights from one of the in the field of chemoprotection.
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Key players in the glucoraphanin variability in broccoli sprouts are the seeds from which the tiny plants germinate. Seeds house all the nutrients and protective compounds (such as glucoraphanin) the future plant will require as it sprouts and begins to grow. Although many seed vendors provide quality seeds that are free of pesticides and have high germination rates, determining the glucoraphanin content in broccoli seeds requires laboratory analysis that may be cost-prohibitive for most home growers. In this clip, sulforaphane expert Dr. Jed Fahey describes some of the problems associated with choosing a good source of seeds for sprouting.
[Dr. Patrick]: Well, one of the questions that popped up as you were talking about variation in the glucoraphanin content and broccoli seeds, "Do you have a preferred seed vendor for broccoli sprout seeds?"
[Dr. Fahey]: Yeah. No, that's a good question. So I don't buy broccoli seeds myself really anymore. So when we were doing experiments in the lab, we, for a long time, bought them from Johnny's Selected Seeds in Albion, Maine. And they were a source of organic broccoli seeds and we had tested some. But when Paul Talalay first hired me in 1993, he had gotten some seeds from them and we tested them and they were high in glucoraphanin. We worked with...I worked with a plant...a broccoli breeder who was a USDA scientist for many years and we did a variety of crossing and were looking at the potency of broccoli genotypes and, yeah, we developed some germ plasm that was high in glucoraphanin. More importantly, I guess I should say that the company that we founded does breed and make their own broccoli seeds, and this is obviously a big venture and they test their seeds all the time.
So the very practical answer is when I want broccoli seeds, I ask them for some freebies, and they give them to me, and I've grown my sprouts that way. But it's very...they don't sell broccoli seeds. And there are, you know, many companies now that sell seeds for sprouting, but I don't...I'm not aware of any of them that certify the level of glucoraphanin in those seeds.
So, again, it's difficult for the consumer to know what they're getting. And I hope that we get to a place very soon where the expectation is driven by consumers maybe that, you know, a company that's going to sell seeds for sprouting characterizes the glucoraphanin level, that would be easy for them to do and it cost them $100, $200 to do the test.
The genetic constitution of an individual organism. The combination of genotype and environment determine an organism's physical characteristics – known as the phenotype.
A glucosinolate (see definition) found in certain cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and mustard. Glucoraphanin is hydrolyzed by the enzyme myrosinase to produce sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate compound that has many beneficial health effects in humans.
An essential mineral present in many foods. Iron participates in many physiological functions and is a critical component of hemoglobin. Iron deficiency can cause anemia, fatigue, shortness of breath, and heart arrhythmias.
A chemical that causes Parkinson's disease-like symptoms. MPTP undergoes enzymatic modification in the brain to form MPP+, a neurotoxic compound that interrupts the electron transport system of dopaminergic neurons. MPTP is chemically related to rotenone and paraquat, pesticides that can produce parkinsonian features in animals.
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Sulforaphane News
- Sulforaphane extends lifespan and healthspan in worms via insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling.
- Paul Saladino, MD explains how we may have overstated the health benefits of plants and especially sulforaphane
- NRF2 much of a good thing (December 2017)
- A pilot trial finds sulforaphane treatment increased glutathione levels in the blood & hippocampus region of the brain in healthy people.
- A new study found sulforaphane (found in broccoli sprouts) improved behavior & social responsiveness in children with autism.
