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Brassica

Sulforaphane & Glucoraphanin

The broccoli-derived compound at the centre of chemoprevention research — and broccoli microgreens carry 10–100× more of its precursor than mature florets.

What it is

Glucoraphanin is a glucosinolate concentrated in young Brassica seedlings. When the plant tissue is damaged, the plant enzyme myrosinase converts glucoraphanin into sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate studied for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive and neuroprotective activity through activation of the Nrf2 cellular-defence pathway.

Broccoli microgreens are among the richest known dietary sources of glucoraphanin, which makes them a strategic feedstock for standardized extract manufacturing.

Richest microgreen sources

Broccoli microgreens10–100× glucoraphanin vs mature broccoli — Fahey et al., 1997 (Johns Hopkins)
3–5-day broccoli sprouts20–50× glucoraphanin per gram vs mature florets
Kale, radish, mustard microgreensadditional glucosinolate profiles

Applications

Pharmaceutical R&D

Studied in oncology, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular research programmes.

Nutraceuticals

Broccoli extracts standardized to glucoraphanin / sulforaphane yield.

Cosmetics

Antioxidant and skin-protection actives (Nrf2 pathway).

Market

Why source it from our microgreens

What we supply

Deep processing: biomass is converted to functional powders and extract-ready material on our deep-processing line — the high-margin layer competitors selling only hardware don't offer.

Produce it — choose your system

Grow the biomass under controlled conditions, scale it on vertical-farm modules, and convert it to extract-ready material — all from one supplier, contracted through our Türkiye trading house.

Questions

Why microgreens instead of mature broccoli?

Young Brassica seedlings front-load defence compounds, so glucoraphanin runs 10–100× higher per gram than in mature florets — far less biomass for the same yield of active.

Can you standardize to a glucoraphanin content?

Yes — cultivar, light recipe and harvest day are controlled to hit a target precursor level, and we can supply to a specification.

What is the difference between glucoraphanin and sulforaphane?

Glucoraphanin is the stable precursor stored in the plant; the enzyme myrosinase converts it to the active sulforaphane when tissue is disrupted.

Research & references

For B2B ingredient sourcing. Statements describe published research and third-party market estimates; they are not medical advice, and no health claim is made for any finished product. Market figures vary by source and are indicative.

Other compounds

Need this compound to a specification?

Tell us the compound, target concentration and volume — we cultivate to spec and supply biomass, powder or extract-ready material.

Request a sample & spec →