Daikon Sprouts

ISHS Acta Horticulturae 765: XXVII International Horticultural Congress – IHC2006: International Symposium on Plants as Food and Medicine: The Utilization and Development of Horticultural Plants for Human Health. T.J. O’Hare, L.S. Wong, L.E. Force, C.B. Gurung, D.E. Irving, D.J. Williams

Daikon and radish sprouts contain high levels of glucoraphenin, a glucosinolate which hydrolyses to form sulphoraphene. Sulphoraphene, like sulphoraphane from broccoli, is a potent inducer of phase 2 detoxification enzymes and consequently has potential anti-cancer action. Unlike broccoli however, daikon and radish do not possess epithiospecifier protein, a protein that inhibits conversion of glucosinolates to isothiocyanates, and consequently they may represent more suitable sources of phytochemicals with anti-cancer potential. Concentrations of glucoraphenin were highest in the seed, declining exponentially with sprout development. The rate of decline was observed to vary considerably between varieties of daikon and radish, with some varieties maintaining significantly high levels of glucoraphenin. Varieties maintaining a high level of glucoraphenin included ‘Cherry Belle’ and ‘French Breakfast’.

A scientific paper was presented at the International Horticultural Congress in Seoul (Korea) in August 2006 entitled: “Glucosinolate Composition and Anti-Cancer Potential of Daikon and Radish sprouts”. A poster presentation was made at the 6th Annual Health and Medical Research Conference of Queensland.  (November, 2006).

RIRDC Project No DAQ-342A, June 2007,  Dr Tim O’Hare Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland Horticulture Institute, Gatton Research Station

Objectives

Identify daikon and radish varieties with highest anti-cancer activity, following on from DAQ-307A which identified daikon and radish sprouts as having extremely high anti-cancer potential. Provide labeling advice in relation to the strongest possible claims that can be made.

Progress (June 2007)

Daikon and radish were analyzed at the seed and sprouted-seed stage to identify cultivars high in the anti-cancer glucosinolate, glucoraphenin. Of the cultivars tested, ‘Cherry Belle’ and ‘Black Spanish’ maintained highest levels of glucoraphenin. Levels were highest in seed, and decreased with increasing sprout age. Decline in concentration was largely due to dilution associated with cell expansion, and partly due to other mechanisms. Differences in the latter appear to have impact on anti-cancer potential.

Analysis of mature daikon and radish tissue (roots and shoots) indicated that the principal glucosinolate in roots of all cultivars was glucodehydroerucin, which is estimated to have one tenth the potency of glucoraphenin, the principal glucosinolate found in seeds and young sprouts. By contrast, the principal glucosinolates present in mature shoots were glucoraphanin and glucoraphenin, both potent anti-cancer agents. Shoots were estimated to have approximately 20 times the anti-cancer potential of roots.

QUESTION:

Mr Sproutman,

Thanks so very much for publishing Sprouts The Miracle Food.  I cannot put this book down…there is so much I want to do…so much to learn. I’m graduating from the JAR !!!!

I recently purchased products to grow soil “MicroGreens”. A lot more work & more difficult to maintain proper climate, PH, etc. What I need to know: Are the Hydroponic seeds I purchased able to be used in the “Fresh Life Sprouter”? You also suggest to hatch the garlic & onion seeds first & then transfer them to a 6″ sprouter.  What is a 6″sprouter & where do I get it if it is not the Fresh Life Sprouter?

Thank you for your assistance.

Martha 

ANSWER:

Dear Martha,

I am delighted to hear that you enjoy my book Sprouts The Miracle Food.  First I would need to know the name of the seeds you are trying to sprout.  Second, ideally you can hatch garlic and onion seeds in a Sprout Bag and then transfer them to the Freshlife Automatic Sprouter or the Freshlife Manual Hand Watering Sprouter.  The Freshlife Sprouter is the replacement for the 6″ Sprouter.  Pictured are garlic sprouts.

Sincerely,

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