Sulforaphane is a sulfur-containing compound formed from glucoraphanin, a glucosinolate found in cruciferous plants. Glucoraphanin occurs in roughly 120 plant species and is present at its highest concentration in broccoli. Conversion to sulforaphane depends on the enzyme myrosinase, released when plant tissue is disrupted, which is why glucoraphanin-standardised and sulforaphane-standardised ingredients are specified separately.
Where it occurs
Sulforaphane is not present in intact plant tissue. It is produced when glucoraphanin and myrosinase come into contact, a reaction that occurs on chopping, chewing or processing. The glucoraphanin pool is concentrated in the seed, which is why broccoli seed is the usual starting material for standardised extracts, while the aerial parts carry lower concentrations.
How it is standardised
Commercial broccoli seed extract is supplied either glucoraphanin-standardised or sulforaphane-standardised, with content measured by HPLC. The two grades behave differently in formulation because the sulforaphane yield from a glucoraphanin-standardised material depends on the enzyme activity remaining in the powder. Standard market grades are available and custom standardisation can be produced to order.
Research status
Sulforaphane is widely studied as a plant-derived antioxidant. Published work includes in-vitro and animal studies alongside a small number of human studies. These are research findings only; they do not establish an effect in humans and do not support any claim on a finished-product label. Buyers positioning a sulforaphane product should review the permitted claim language of the destination market before writing label copy.
Sourcing considerations
Buyers comparing broccoli seed extract should ask for the marker compound the material is standardised on, the assay method, the residual myrosinase activity if the glucoraphanin route is used, and a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis. Specifications for our grades are listed on the broccoli extract sulforaphane powder product page; we also supply broccoli extract and antioxidant-grade broccoli extract.
For specifications, pricing and lead time, contact us at liu@wellgreenxa.com.
This page describes an industrial botanical ingredient for business-to-business use. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and is not intended for direct consumer use.
