Date of Publication

12-6-2024

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Chemistry

Subject Categories

Plant Sciences

College

College of Science

Department/Unit

Chemistry

Thesis Advisor

Raymond S. Malabed

Defense Panel Chair

Mariafe N. Calingacion

Defense Panel Member

Marissa G. Noel
Rosario S. Sagum

Abstract/Summary

Glucosinolates and isothiocyanates from Brassica vegetables were found to possess biological activities against oxidative stress and cancer development. Interestingly, these compounds were found in non-brassica vegetables such as malunggay (Moringa oleifera L), alugbati (Basella alba L), and saluyot (Corchorus olitorius L) but must be fully characterized. This study aims to identify glucosinolates and isothiocyanates from non-brassica vegetables and to investigate their biological activities. Glucosinolates are secondary metabolites rich in sulfur and are responsible for strong flavors and pungent aroma. Glucosinolates are hydrolyzed by myrosinase to glucose and an unstable aglycone that rearranges to form isothiocyanates.

The profiling was done using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The activity of the myrosinase enzyme was investigated from fresh samples. Furthermore, the biological activities were determined using DPPH and PrestoBlue assays.

Six, three, and five different glucosinolates were found in the alugbati, saluyot, and malunggay seeds, respectively. However, isothiocyanates were not found in alugbati and saluyot, while the sodium adducts of Moringin in malunggay seeds were identified.

The non-brassica vegetables showed the presence of myrosinase by degradation of sinigrin with the highest activity from malunggay seeds with a Vmax of 83.00 + 0.20 µM/min and Km of 1068.90 + 2.43 µM.

Glucosinolates were not responsible for the antioxidant activity since they did not correlate with scavenging activity. In contrast, the crude isothiocyanates showed higher scavenging activity with IC50 of < 20 μg/mL for both alugbati and saluyot while 36.34 + 0.07 μg/mL for malunggay seeds.

The anticancer assay showed that alugbati, saluyot, and malunggay seeds crude isothiocyanates did not exhibit cytotoxicity against normal cells. In addition, Malunggay seeds crude isothiocyanates exhibited cytotoxicity against H69PR and MCF-7 with IC50 values of 10.23 + 0.23 μg/mL and 8.36 + 0.23 μg/mL, respectively. Saluyot leaves crude isothiocyanates exhibited cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells with 83.94 + 0.62 μg/mL. On the other hand, glucosinolates did not show cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines.

The outcome will open opportunities for further drug and formulation development, bioinformatics, and modeling to harness the potential of glucosinolates in various scientific fields.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Glucosinolates; Vegetables; Phytochemicals--Analysis

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Embargo Period

12-5-2026

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Available for download on Saturday, December 05, 2026

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