sulforaphane

sulforaphane

English

Structure diagram of sulforaphane

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

sulforaphane (uncountable)

1. (organic chemistry, medicine) An antimicrobial compound, 1-isothiocyanato-4-methylsulfinylbutane, that is found in many brassicas and exhibits anticancer activity.
   • 1999, Alan Bryson, Healing Mind, Body & Soul: Healing The Mind And Soul, 2000, page 100,

     One of the first phytochemicals to receive media attention was sulforaphane, which is present in broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, turnips and kale. A diet rich in sulforaphane is believed to be effective in reducing the incidence of breast cancer.

   • 2001, Natural Toxins and Chemopreventives in Plants, William Helferich, Carl K. Winter (editors), Food Toxicology, page 154,

     Sulforaphane (Figure 6.10) is a recently discovered powerful chemoprotective found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables.

   • 2006, David E. Thurston, Chemistry and Pharmacology of Anticancer Drugs, page 258,

     More importantly, in contrast to direct antioxidants that neutralize radicals on a one-for-one basis and are destroyed themselves in the process, indirect antioxidants such as sulforaphane are longer lasting, triggering an ongoing process that may continue for days after it has left the body.

   • 2008 January–February, “70 Ways to Improve Every Day of the Week”, in Men's Health, volume 23, number 1, ISSN 1054-4836, page 134:

     6 turbocharge your turkey Commit yourself to healthy, varied lunches, and start by topping your turkey club sandwich with broccoli sprouts. Compared with mature broccoli, these have up to 100 times the potent compound sulforaphane, which is shown to fight cancer.

See also

• raphanin