Glucosinolates and metabolism

Metabolism of glucosinolates (GSLs) in Brassicaceae/Cruciferous plants has been well studied; however, relatively little research has been conducted in humans. The first step of the GSLs degradation is gut, where different chemical reactions are carried out, depending on the processing that cruciferous have before consumption. Metabolism produces various components, such as isothiocyanates, nitriles, oxazolidine-2-thiones, and indole-3-carbinols, by the action of myrosinase enzyme or intestinal microbiota. These products of GSLs hydrolysis are important to human health, for example, the isothiocyanates have anticancer properties as well as other beneficial roles. The metabolism of GSLs can be affected by numerous factors, such as the storage time of vegetables, temperature, type of packaging, or the inactivation of myrosinase. This chapter aims to inform an update on the metabolism of GSLs, the influence of bacteria in the intestine, and the degradation chemicals of these metabolites.