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Session: Big Data and Omics in Bioactives Research (Oral 15)

(OR15-03-23) Discovery of Novel Metabolomic Signatures Following the Consumption of Broccoli Sprouts Using Untargeted Metabolomics

Monday, July 24, 2023
8:24 AM – 8:36 AM ET
Location:  Commonwealth
Disclosure(s):
Laura M. Beaver, PhD MS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Objectives: While the benefits of broccoli sprouts are typically attributed to sulforaphane, other phytochemicals from broccoli sprouts could play a synergistic role in health. Furthermore, microbial metabolism may also play a role in generating novel bioactive compounds, however, the relationship between specific microbes and the abundance of metabolites from broccoli sprouts remains unclear. The goals of this study were to characterize the urine metabolome following broccoli sprout consumption, to identify metabolites that may be contributing to health benefits, and identify relationships between these metabolites and gut microbes.

Methods: 32 healthy adult subjects, consumed broccoli sprouts (containing 100 micromol SFN equivalents) or an equivalent mass of alfalfa sprouts with a standardized breakfast. Total urine and daily stool samples were collected for 72h and untargeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were completed.

Results: 323 metabolites were differentially abundant between broccoli sprout and alfalfa sprout consumers at matched time points (q < 0.05). 75% of significant metabolites increased with broccoli sprout consumption, relative to alfalfa controls, while 25% of metabolites were more abundant with alfalfa sprout consumption. Some anti-cancer compounds of interest that increased with broccoli sprout consumption include sinapic acid, 5-caffeoylquinic acid, iberin-N-acetyl-cysteine, and sulforaphane-N-acetyl-cysteine. PLS-DA identified 6 sulfur-containing metabolites, and sulforaphane-nitrile, which persist in urine and discriminate between broccoli- and alfalfa-sprout consumers. Microbiome composition was not affected by broccoli nor alfalfa sprout consumption, but work is ongoing to characterize relationships between gut bacteria and metabolites associated with broccoli consumption.

Conclusions: This investigation identifies new metabolite signatures that may be a unique biological signature of broccoli sprout consumption and may be contributing to the health benefits associated with cruciferous vegetables.

Funding Sources: United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture