Glucosinolates: Novel Sources and Biological Potential

Abstract

In this chapter, some of the most recent information on glucosinolate-containing plant families is presented. Glucosinolates (GLs) are structurally homogenous secondary metabolites present in the Brassicaceae, Capparidaceae, Moringaceae, and Resedaceae families, as well as in other less-studied families of the order Brassicales. Based on the GL contents, new subdivisions of GL-containing plants are suggested. It was shown that only a limited number of the reported ca 130 GLs are available in fair quantities, acceptable for further investigation of the biological potential. In recent years, degradation products of a limited number of GLs (e.g., gluconasturtiin, glucoraphanin, glucomoringin), mostly isothiocyanates, have been found to possess real pharmacological activity. Some of the biological aspects of GLs and isothiocyanates which have been in recent focus are presented.