Variability for seed glucosinolates in a germplasm collection of the genus Brassica

A renewed interest in glucosinolates (GSLs) as compounds with biocidal and anticarcinogenic activity demands evaluation of the available variability in germplasm collections. The objective of the present study was to evaluate a germplasm collection of the genus Brassica for total content and profile of seed GSLs. A total of 1708 entries from 20 Brassica species were nondestructively analysed by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy. The total GSL content and the concentrations of sinigrin, progoitrin, gluconapin, glucoerucin, glucoiberin, and 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin were estimated by means of previously developed calibration equations. One hundred and fifty entries, having either high GSL content or potentially interesting GSL profiles, were selected and further analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The collection contained great variability for GSL content and profile. Very high GSL contents (>200 μmol g-1) were measured in accessions of B. montana, B. nigra, and B. oleracea. The greatest intraspecific variability occurred in B. oleracea, where six contrasting GSL profiles were identified. The detected variability might be useful for the development of Brassica crops containing high GSL content and specific GSL profiles.