Chemoprotectants From Crucifer Seeds And Sprouts

Abstract

The present invention is directed to chemoprotectant precursor compositions provided from crucifer seeds and sprouts and methods for their preparation. Treatment of aqueous extracts from crucifer seeds or sprouts with adsorbents substantially increases the ratio of certain highly chemoprotectant precursor compounds (alkyl glucosinolates such as glucoraphanin, a.k.a. sulforaphane glucosinolate) to undesirable compounds such as indole glucosinolates (for example 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin). The method provides an extract which has a ratio of glucoraphanin to 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin of about 70 or greater. The resulting extract has improved color and odor and may be dried or used directly as an additive in a variety of foodstuffs.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A chemoprotectant precursor enhanced extract containing crucifer seeds or sprouts formed by a process comprising:
 forming an aqueous extract of crucifer seeds or sprouts;   contacting the aqueous extract with an adsorbent; and   separating the adsorbent from the aqueous extract to provide the chemoprotectant precursor enhanced extract,   the method effective for providing a number ratio of alkyl glucosinolates to indole glucosinolates of at least about 30 in the chemoprotectant precursor enhanced extract.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the alkyl glucosinolates are glucoraphanin. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the indole glucosinolates are 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the ratio of a number of alkyl glucosinolates to indole glucosinolates is about 30 to about 1000. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the ratio of a number of alkyl glucosinolates to indole glucosinolates is about 1000 or greater. 
     
     
         20 . The chemoprotectant precursor enhanced extract of  claim 15 , wherein the crucifer seeds or sprouts are selected from the group consisting of broccoli, kale, collard, curly kale, marrowstem kale, thousand head kale, Chinese kale, cauliflower, Portuguese kale, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, Jersey kale, savoy cabbage, collards, borecole, radish and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The chemoprotectant precursor enhanced extract of  claim 20 , wherein the crucifer seeds or sprouts are broccoli. 
     
     
         22 . The chemoprotectant precursor enhanced extract of  claim 20 , wherein the crucifer seeds are defatted prior to forming an aqueous extract. 
     
     
         23 . The chemoprotectant precursor enhanced extract of  claim 15 , wherein the aqueous extract of crucifer seeds or sprouts is formed by contacting crucifer seeds or sprouts with water having a temperature of about 60° to about 110° C. for at least about 5 minutes. 
     
     
         24 . The chemoprotectant precursor enhanced extract of  claim 15 , wherein the adsorbent is selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, silica, chemically-modified silica, bleaching clay, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The chemoprotectant precursor enhanced extract of  claim 24 , wherein the adsorbent is activated carbon. 
     
     
         26 . The chemoprotectant precursor enhanced extract of  claim 15 , wherein about 1 to about 20 weight percent adsorbent is mixed with the aqueous extract. 
     
     
         27 . The chemoprotectant precursor enhanced extract of  claim 25 , wherein about 8 to about 12 weight percent adsorbent is mixed with the aqueous extract. 
     
     
         28 . The chemoprotectant precursor enhanced extract of  claim 15 , wherein the aqueous extract is added to a column containing adsorbent. 
     
     
         29 . The chemoprotectant precursor enhanced extract of  claim 15 , wherein the aqueous extract is dried, cooled, frozen or freeze-dried. 
     
     
         30 . The chemoprotectant precursor enhanced extract of  claim 15 , wherein the aqueous extract is ultrafiltered through at least a 500 MWCO membranes. 
     
     
         31 . A food product comprising an effective amount of the extract of claim  1 . 
     
     
         32 . The food product of  claim 31 , wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of food supplements, drinks, shakes, baked goods, teas, soups, cereals, pills, tablets, salads, sandwiches, granolas, salad dressings, sauces, coffee, cheeses, yogurts, energy bars and mixtures thereof.