Effect of developmental stages on glucosinolate contents in kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the amounts of glucosinolates (GSL) in kale at various development stages. Kale varieties ‘Manchoo Collard’ and ‘TBC’ were cultivated from 20 February 2012 to 3 July 2013 in the greenhouse at Chungnam National University. During the cultivation periods, samples were harvested at 35, 63, 91, 105, 119, and 133 days after sowing (DAS) and the amount of GSL quantified by HPLC. Ten types of GSL (progoitrin, sinigrin, glucoalyssin, gluconapin, glucoiberverin, 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, glucobrassicin, 4-methoxyglucobrassicin, gluconasturtiin, and neoglucobrassicin) were observed in ‘TBC’, whereas nine types of GSL (the same as above, except glucoiberverin) were identified in ‘Manchoo Collard’. The amount of total GSL in ‘Manchoo Collard’ was comparatively higher at 133 DAS (mean 8.64 μmol･g-1) and lower at 35 DAS (1.16 μmol･g-1 dry weight, DW) of cultivation. In the case of ‘TBC’, the amount of GSL was higher at 91 DAS (mean 13.41 μmol･g-1) and lower at 35 DAS (0.31 μmol･g-1 dry weight, DW). Sinigrin was the most abundant GSL (57% of total GSL) in ‘Manchoo Collard’ at 133 DAS and was also highest (44%) in ‘TBC’ at 91 DAS. Together, progoitrin, sinigrin, glucobrassicin, and gluconasturtiin, the precursor of crambene, allylisothiocyanate, indol-3-cabinol, and phenethylisothiocyanate accounted for 94 and 78% of GSL in ‘Manchoo Collard’ and ‘TBC’, respectively. Our results demonstrate that the amounts of GSL, which have potential anti-carcinogenic activity, change during development in kale.