Bioavalability and new biomarkers of cruciferous sprouts consumption

Abstract

The evaluation of the bioavailability of cruciferous compounds is one of several challenges in the design of clinical trials. A 7-days-cross-over study with fourteen women was undertaken to compare the bioavailability of glucosinolates from broccoli and radish sprouts. The urinary excretion of isothiocyanates, indoles and metabolites was analysed by UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS. Even though the bioavailability of broccoli compounds has been studied, as far as we are aware, there are not any biomarkers established for radish sprouts intake. For the first time, sulforaphene, sulforaphane-N-acetyl-L-cysteine (SFN-NAC) and 3,3’diindolylmethane (DIM), were studied as biomarkers of dietary exposure to radish. The SFN-NAC and DIM were already considered biomarkers of broccoli consumption. Higher excretion of conjugated isothiocyanates and homogeneous excretion of indoles were found during the first 12 h after ingestion. Metabolites were excreted homogeneously during the study, suggesting no accumulation. These results provide valuable information to better understand the bioavailability of cruciferous bioactives.