Brassicaceae: a rich source of health improving phytochemicals

Brassicaceae Burnett (syn. Cruciferae A.L. de Jussieu) include many important economic plants used as edible or ornamental which are commonly known as the mustard plant family due to the sharp, potent flavour of their sulfur metabolites, the glucosinolates. Brassicas also produce phenolics, tocopherols and peculiar seed oils. Current scientific knowledge attributes to species belonging to this botanical family several health benefits such as reduced risk of cancer. This review summarizes information on the phytochemical profile of Brassicaceae plants, with a special regard to glucosinolates and their derived degradation products, the isothiocyanates. In addition, their role as antioxidant and cancer protective metabolites is discussed.