Estimated Dietary Intake of Thiocyanate from Brassicaceae Family in Korean Diet

Abstract

Glucosinolate, sulfur-containing organic anions bonded to glucose, is found in plants including the family of Brassicaceae. Glucosinolate is hydrolyzed by myrosinase and produces various by-products that possess biological activities. Among the decomposed products, thiocyanate is known for its adverse effects on thyroid metabolism due to competition with iodine. This is of concern in that Korean dietary habits consist of consumption of large amounts of Brassicaceae vegetables such as cabbage and radishes, which may be correlated with high incidence of thyroid dysfunction. Thus, quantification of thiocyanate in Brassicaceae vegetables was performed by hydrolysis and spectrophotometrical detection. Average daily intake of Brassicaceae vegetables was obtained from the Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES III), 2005—Nutrition Survey and from The Vegetable Production Statistics, 2007. Average daily intake of thiocyanate through Brassicaceae vegetables in Korea was estimated to be 16.3 μmol SCN⁻/d/person. When this was compared to published animal studies, average thiocyanate intake per person was lower than doses required to produce adverse effects. However, further studies may be warranted to ensure safety with sufficient margins of safety.

This study was supported by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare, grant 03-PJ1-CH10-002.