Brassica oleracea L.var. italica: A nutritional supplement for weight loss

The florets of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica (Brassicaceae) are an important nutritional supplement containing a high percentage of sulphur compounds. GC/MS analysis of the volatiles produced by the action of endogenous cystine lyase on S-methyl-cysteine sulphoxide present in Broccoli florets showed three sulphur components: dimethyl disulphide, dimethyl trisulphide and 3,5-dimethyl-1,2,4-trithiolane. Four isothiocyanate compounds were also present. Cystine lyase enzymatic fission of endogenous myrosinase gave the unsaturated glucosinolates ethenyl isothiocyanate and allylisothiocyanate, together with the saturated 4-methylthiobutyl isothiocyanate (Erucin) and the aromatic 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate.

When an LD₅₀ test was performed on the crude extract of broccoli, no toxicity was observed up to 10g/kg body weight in rats. The chloroform extract, the combined ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts and the crude extract of broccoli florets showed significant loss in body weight of female rats at 5% (LSD 24.9) and 1% (LSD 33.7) of diet, according to statistical tests (1) (180, 85, and 75g total loss in body weight, respectively). When these results were compared with the water extract of green tea (117g loss), the chloroform extract was more active.

References: [1] Snedecor, W.G., Cochran, G.W. (1982) Statistical Methods, 10^th ed., Iowa State University Press, USA.