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ABSTRACT
During the last decade consumption of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) has been highly recommended, based on the presence of secondary plant metabolites with health protective effects. Apart from these compounds, broccoli might apport high levels of minerals, however, they are likely to be affected by cultivar, environment and type of inflorescence. Bioavailability of calcium (Ca) in broccoli is compared to milk, reinforcing the importance of this vegetable in human diets. In this study the phosphorus (P), potassium (K), Ca, magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), and chloride (Cl) content was determined in the primary and secondary inflorescences of 11 broccoli cultivars grown in early and late seasons in order to highlight genotypical differences and seasonal effects on the mineral content. Results showed that the levels of all studied minerals, except K, were influenced by season. Calcium and Cl were higher (P<0.05) in spring/summer than in summer/winter whilst the opposite occurred for the other minerals. Calcium, S, and Cl levels were higher (P<0.001) in the secondary than in primary inflorescences whilst no difference was noted for the other minerals. Only Ca, Mg, and S seem to be dependent on genotype, which justifies the selection of a particular cultivar to increase the intake of these minerals. In this study the cultivar with the highest Ca levels was, on average, Tokyodome.