Improvement of the nutraceutical quality of broccoli sprouts by elicitation

•Phytochemical composition of broccoli sprouts exposed to different elicitors was studied.•Biotic (ACC, MeJA, SA and sucrose) and abiotic (mannitol and NaCl) elicitors were used.•Glucosinolates, vitamin C and E, β-carotene, total phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins were measured.•The effect on bioactive molecules was concentration-dependent and elicitor-specific.•Sucrose elicitation was the best condition to improve phytochemical composition.