Foods: Brussels sprouts

FENWICK G R, GRIFFITHS N M and HEANEY R K (1983) Bittemess in Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea L. vat gemmifera) The role of glucosinolates and their breakdown products , J Sci Food Agric, 34 73-80. 

VAN DOORN H E, VAN DER KRUK G C, VAN HOLST G-J, RAAIJMAKERS-RUIJS N C M E, POSTMA E, GROENEWEG B and JONGEN w H F (1998) The glucosinolates sinigrin and progoitrin are important determinants for taste preference and bitterness of Brussels sprouts , J Sci Food Agric, 78 30-38. 

WALLiGM A, KINGSTON s, STAACK R and JEFFEREY E H (1998) Induction of rat pancreatic glutathione S-transferase and qitinone reductase activities by a mixture of glucosinolate breakdown derivatives foimd in Brussels sprouts . Food Chem Toxicol, 36 365-73. 

A sample of hops which had been treated with tetraethyl pyrophosphate showed a negative chemical analysis. The plant material was also extracted and the extract added to the drinking water of test animals and sensitive insects. The animals and insects that drank this treated water for several days showed no reaction. With the sensitive insects it would have been possible to detect even a few parts per million. In addition, there have been extensive commercial field applications of the chemical in dust and spray form to crops such as apples, pears, grapes, celery, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and others up to within a few days of harvest there has been no detectable poison residue on any of the crops. The lack of poison residue with use of tetraethyl pyrophosphate is due to the fact that it hydrolyzes within a few hours of application, breaking down into transient nonresidual and nonpoisonous chemicals. Thus it is possible to use tetraethyl pyrophosphate well up to harvest time of food products without danger of residual poison on crops. The fact that the chemical is used in extremely small amounts is a definite advantage in respect to freedom from poison residue. 

Marks H S, Hilson J A, Leichtweis H C and Stoewsand G S (1992), S-Methylcysteine sulfoxide in Brassica vegetables and formation of methyl methanethiosulfinate from Brussels sprouts , J Agric Food Chem, 40, 2098-2101. 

And to add some fun to this process, the indoles found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and brussel sprouts are also inducers. In fact. Dr. Bruce Ames, UC Berkeley, a prominent voice in the great cancer debate, points out that there are positive and negative aspects to induction. That caused but natural foods such as broccoli may have a positive effect in ridding the body of cancer-causing xenobiotics. 

A number of reference materials for vitamins in foods are under development. Extensive analysis and stability testing have been conducted to assess the potential of vitamin-enriched milk powder, wholemeal flour, and margarine as well as lyophilized brussels sprouts, mixed vegetables, and pork liver for use as reference materials (193-196). The certification study for vitamin C in the brussels sprouts reference material has been completed. However, methodology problems continue to have a significant negative effect on the development of reference materials. 

An HPLC separation method with diode array detector and mass spectrometric (MS) detection equipped with atmospheric pressure ionization (API) was developed to determine flavone, flavonol, and flavanone in various vegetables, including green bean, broccoli, brussels sprouts, celery, kale, leek, onion, parsley, pepper (green, yellow, and red), and tomato (118). The flavonoids were analyzed as aglycones after acid hydrolysis. The extraction and acid hydrolysis conditions are based on previous work by Hertog et al. (119). Quercetin is the overall major flavonol, followed by kaempferol. The flavones, apigenin and luteolin, were found only in limited foods,... 

These data suggest that those vegetable products most likely to be contaminated with a mix of pesticides are green peppers, celery, tomato, spinach, mixed vegetables, lima beans, collards, green beans, brussels sprouts, potato with skin, and iceberg lettuce. All of these products purchased as USDA certified organic foods would not be expected to contain these pesticides. 

CANNABIS FLUVOXAMINE 1 levels, with risk of therapeutic failure Induction of CYP1 A2-mediated metabolism by any form of smoking. Foods (e.g. broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, chargrilled meat) also induce this isoenzyme Watch for poor response to fluvoxamine conversely, watch for toxic effects if a previously heavy cannabis user stops smoking... 

The RDA for vitamin K is 80 pg for the adult and 5 to 10 pg for the infant. Spinach, lettuce, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cabbage are good sources of vitamin fC. These plants may contain up to 8,0 mg vita min/kg of food- Cow s milk contains about 20 pg/liter human milk contains a lower, perhaps tenfold lower. 

An enzyme involved in cell cycle control has been identified as the target of a compound supplied by broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. One of the glucosinolates of these foods is the source of a chemical called indole 3-carbinol. Indole-3-carbinol enters the cell and influences the activity of a spixiat protein kinase that is used to control the cell cycle. The chemical prevents the synthesis of the enzyme, and thus reduces its activity. The action of this protein kinase (cyclin-dependent protein kinase 6) normally functions to make the cell embark on the G phase of the cell cycle, and thus to stimulate progression through the cell cycle. The chronic decrease in activity of this protein kinase serves to prevent cell division, but also prevents spontaneous cancers. The effect of mdoJe-3-carbinol has been shown to occur in cultured cells, as well as in animals (Cover ef o/ 1998). 

No particular therapy is effective. It is not known whether the minute quantities of phytomenadione that are present in some foods, such as parsley, kale, brussels sprouts, spinach, cucumber, soy bean oil, and green and black tea leaves, preclude effective dietary therapy. Since the mechanism of this reaction is thought to be delayed hypersensitivity, another potential therapeutic approach is topical application of tacrolimus (FK-506), a potent inhibitor of interleukin 2 and T cell activation. Tacrohmus up to now has only been shown to suppress allergic contact dermatitis to dinitrophenol. 

Supplements of folic acid (0.4 mg/day), or possibly less, can reduce the rate of NTDs. To achieve an extra 0.4 mg folic acid per day, using food, one would have to drink eight glasses of orange juice or eat three servings of Brussels sprouts per day (Wald and Bower, 1995). Since it is not likely that any population, as a whole, would be expected to consume folic acid supplements on a consistent, daily basis, food fortification has become an attractive option. Because neural tube formation occurs early in pregnancy, it is probably necessary for folic acid supplements (when taken) to be consumed for 2-3 weeks (every day) prior to the day of conception, and for 2-3 weeks (every day) after conception, in order for the vitamin to produce its apparent effect. 

The brassicas of importance as foods include turnips, rutabagas, mustards, and the cole crops — cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. The production of isothiocyanates in brassicas is via an enzymatic reaction on specific glycosides. Some of the isothiocyanates, especially allylthiocyanate, are highly pungent and are mainly responsible for the odors of brown mustard, horseradish, cabbage, and other crucifers. Any process that destroys or inactivates enzymes in these plants will cause decreases in aroma production, resulting in a less distinctive flavor. This is usually the case when brassica foodstuffs are commercially preserved. 

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