Glucosinolates profile of Brassica rapa L. subsp Sylvestris L. Janch. var. esculenta Hort

Glucosinotates in different ecotypes of Brassica rapa L. subsp. sylvestris L. Janch. var. esculenta Hort. widely distributed in Southern Italy and locally known as friariello and cima di rapa, were characterized and their glucosinolate composition was compared with that of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica). Although these two vegetables have a similar morphologic aspect, they showed a very different glucosinolate profile. While glucoraphanin, glucobrassicin and 1-methoxyindol-3-ylmethyl were confirmed as the main compounds in broccoli, gluconapin and glucobrassicanapin were identified for the first time as the molecular markers of friarielli and other Brassica rapa plants. Broccoli can by grouped according to their glucosinolates concentration by PCA analysis. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.