Influence of Cooking Methods on Bioactive Compound Content and Antioxidant Activity of Brussels Sprouts

Prev Nutr Food Sci. 2017 Dec;22(4):353-358. doi: 10.3746/pnf.2017.22.4.353. Epub 2017 Dec 31.

Abstract

The effects of different cooking methods on total bioactive compound content were determined, and in vitro antioxidant activity in 80% ethanolic extracts of Brussels sprouts was evaluated by spectrophotometric methods. Compared to uncooked, steamed, and microwaved Brussels sprouts extracted with 80% ethanol contained higher amounts of total polyphenols. Uncooked Brussels sprouts contained the highest amounts of total flavonoids. Microwaved Brussels sprouts contained the highest amounts of total carotenoids (0.35 mg/g) and chlorophylls (3.01 mg/g), followed by steamed and uncooked samples. Uncooked fresh Brussels sprouts showed the highest antioxidant activity followed by microwaved and steamed sprouts. Antioxidant activity was measured with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and hydroxyl racial scavenging assays as well as the reducing power activity assay, and antioxidant activity was found to increase in a concentration-dependent manner. Based on these results, cooking or heat treatment may decrease antioxidant activities, although their effect on bioactive compound content remains controversial.

Keywords: Brussels sprouts; antioxidant activity; bioactive compound; cooking.