The recent advances of glucosinolates and their metabolites: Metabolism, physiological functions and potential application strategies

Abstract

Glucosinolates and their metabolites from Brassicaceae plants have received widespread attention due to their anti-inflammatory effects. Glucosinolates occurs an “enterohepatic circulation” in the body, and the glucosinolates metabolism mainly happens in the intestine. Glucosinolates can be converted into isothiocyanates by intestinal bacteria, which are active substances with remarkable anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-obesity and neuroprotective properties. This biotransformation can greatly improve the bioactivities of glucosinolates. However, multiple factors in the environment can affect the biotransformation to isothiocyanates, including acidic pH, ferrous ions and thiocyanate-forming protein. The derivatives of glucosinolates under those conditions are usually nitriles and thiocyanates, which may impair the potential health benefits. In addition, isothiocyanates are extremely unstable because of an active sulfhydryl group, which limits their applications. This review mainly summarizes the classification, synthesis, absorption, metabolism, physiological functions and potential application strategies of glucosinolates and their metabolites.

Keywords:

• Glucosinolates
• isothiocyanates
• metabolic fate
• host health
• application strategy

Disclosure statement

There are no conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 31972086, 31801530), Science and Technology Plan Project of Zhenjiang (GJ2020008) and Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control in Jiangsu Province.