Selenium, Sulfur, and Methyl Jasmonate Treatments Improve the Accumulation of Lutein and Glucosinolates in Kale Sprouts.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Laboratory plant experiment without human data (CEBM level 5).
PubMed 35567272 · doi:10.3390/plants11091271
What was done
Red Russian and Dwarf Green kale were grown in chambers and treated with various concentrations of selenium (10, 20, and 40 mg/L), sulfur (30, 60, and 120 mg/L), and methyl jasmonate (25, 50, and 100 µM). Sprouts were harvested every 24 hours over a 7-day period to measure changes in lutein, glucosinolates, and phenolic compounds.
What was found
Lutein peaked at day 7 following treatment with 120 mg/L sulfur in Red Russian sprouts (178% increase) and 40 mg/L selenium in Dwarf Green sprouts (199% increase). Methyl jasmonate decreased most phenolic compounds, but 25 µM increased kaempferol and quercetin by more than 70% in both varieties. In Red Russian kale at 7 days, 120 mg/L sulfur increased glucoraphanin by 262.4%, glucoerucin by 510.8%, 4-methoxy-glucobrassicin by 430.7%, and glucoiberin by 1150%.
Why it matters
Pre-harvest nutrient and phytohormone treatments offer a targeted agronomic method to optimize the nutritional and bioactive profile of brassica sprouts for dietary or functional food applications.
Limits
This was a growth-chamber plant experiment; findings may not translate directly to commercial-scale agriculture. The abstract does not report baseline absolute concentrations, sample replicates, or statistical variance. No human bioavailability, safety, or clinical endpoints were evaluated.
Cited by
- supports Most kale varieties lack significant glucoraphanin, but Red Russian kale contains a substantial amount.