Which sulfur-containing compounds found in the cruciferous vegetable family of turnips break down into isothiocyanates?
Answer
Glucosinolates
Turnips belong to the cruciferous family, which is characterized by containing glucosinolates, these are sulfur-containing compounds. When the vegetable tissue is physically broken down—through chopping, chewing, or digestion—an enzyme reaction causes these glucosinolates to break down further into biologically active compounds, prominently including isothiocyanates. These resulting isothiocyanates are recognized for possessing potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that aid in neutralizing free radicals and mitigating oxidative stress.
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