To date, over 130 glucosinolates have been identified, with
about 30 occurring in Brassica species. With regard to their chemical
structure, they contain a glucose molecule and an amino acid
side group, according to which they are classified as aliphatic, aromatic
or indolic types In plants, glucosinolates
are present in a non-active form. Only after cell damage (cutting,
comminuting) and leakage of the cell fluid are they enzymatically hydrolyzed by enzymes belonging to the myrosinase group,
releasing isothiocyanate, thiocyanate, indoles, nitriles or epithionitriles
depending on the glucosinolate structure