SOME FACTORS INFLUENCING FREE STEROLS CONTENT IN BROCCOLI (BRASSICA OLERACEA L. VAR. BOTRYTIS ITALICA PLENCK.)

The aim of this study was to determine free sterol accumulation in edible parts of broccoli cultivars of different vegetation periods, in relation to a part of the plant and growing term. Broccoli cvs. "Chevalier" F-1, "Marathon" F-1 and "Cezar" were cultivated as a spring, summer or autumn crop. Sterol compounds were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography in the top part (florets) and in the lower part (stems) of broccoli. The florets contained higher amount of sterols than the stems. The dominant sterol, both in florets and stems, were beta-sitosterol and brassicasterol, but sterol content differed between the cultivars. Total amount of free sterols in florets reached 230 mg/100 g dw. "Chevalier" was the cultivar of the highest content of sterols in florets and "Cezar," of the lowest. The concentration of sterols differed for the terms of growing and was the lowest for the spring term. Sterol content changed during florets development and was the lowest at the nonmature stage of the broccoli. Cooking of broccoli increased free sterol content in fresh and dry weights of the edible part. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Many authors point out that consumption of broccoli positively influences the health condition of humans. There are data showing high phytosterol content in this vegetable. Phytosterols are very valuable components of the human diet due to high biological activity of these phytochemicals. In this study, the differentiation in free phytosterol accumulation between some standard cultivars of broccoli is shown. The differentiation in free phytosterol concentration in various sections of the edible part of broccoli, as well as the differentiation resulting from the plants' development, was also found as important to a potential consumer.