Glucosinolates - biochemistry, genetics and biological activity

This paper provides a brief overview of the biochemistry, genetics and biol ogical activity of glucosinolates and their degradation products. These com pounds are found in vegetative and reproductive tissues of 16 plant familie s, but are most well known as the major secondary metabolites in the Brassi caceae. Following tissue disruption, they are hydrolysed to a variety of pr oducts of which isothiocyanates ('mustard oils') are the most prominent. Th e majority of genetic studies have concentrated on reducing the levels of t hese compounds in the seeds of oilseed Brassica crops due to antinutritiona l factors associated with 2-hydroxy-3-butenyl glucosinolate. However, curre nt interest is concerned with the anticarcinogenic activity of isothiocyana tes derived from cruciferous vegetables and salad crops.