Methanethiol production, S-Methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide content, and C-S lyase activity in broccoli cultivars, cabbage and Chinese cabbage

Productions of methanethiol, S-Methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO) level an d C-S lyase activities in flowers and leaves of broccoli (17 cultivars), ca bbage and Chinese cabbage under anaerobic conditions were measured. Methane thiol production from flower buds was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that from leaves in cabbage, Chinese cabbage and broccoli. SMCSO content (p < 0.01) and C-S lyase activity (p < 0.05) were also significantly higher i n flower buds than those in leaves. Among the 17 broccoli cultivars, levels of methanethiol in flower buds ranged from 1391 to 4302 mu g/kg f.w. under anaerobic conditions. The maximum level of SMCSO content and C-S lyase act ivity were nearly double the minimum within the broccoli cultivars.