The Glucosinolate Content of Some Fodder Brassicas

Abstract

Abstract The glucosinolate contents of six kales and five cabbages ( Brassica oleracea L.), four stubble turnips and six turnips ( B. campestris L.), and six swedes and six fodder rapes ( B. napus L.) were determined. As fodder brassica breeders wish to reduce the goitrogenicity of these crops, the concentrations of 2‐hydroxybut‐3‐enylglucosinolate (5‐vinyloxazolidine‐2‐thione is the goitrogenic hydrolysis product) and 3‐indolylmethylglucosinolate (the thiocyanate ion is the goitrogenic hydrolysis product) were of particular interest. High concentrations (mmol kg −1 dry matter) of 2‐hydroxybut‐3‐enylglucosinolate were found in stubble turnip leaf (8.12) and bulb (9.20), turnip bulb (9.97), swede bulb (5.66), and rape leaf (8.99) and stem (21.81) but not in kale or cabbage. In contrast, the concentration of 3‐indolylmethylglucosinolate was relatively high in cabbage head (6.39) and kale leaf (3.25) but not in the other crops.