Metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis of cold plasma promoting biosynthesis of active substances in broccoli sprouts.

Introduction: Broccoli sprouts have great health and commercial value because they are rich in sulforaphane, a special bioactive compound that helps to prevent chronic diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to increase the levels of active substances in broccoli sprouts and understand their metabolic mechanisms.

Methodology: Metabolomics based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and transcriptome analysis were combined to analyse the enrichment of metabolites in broccoli sprouts treated with cold plasma.

Results: After 2 min of cold plasma treatment, the contents of sulforaphane, glucosinolates, total phenols, and flavonoids, as well as myrosinase activity, were greatly improved. Transcriptomics revealed 7460 differentially expressed genes in the untreated and treated sprouts. Metabolomics detected 6739 differential metabolites, including most amino acids, their derivatives, and organic acids. Enrichment analyses of metabolomics and transcriptomics identified the 20 most significantly differentially expressed metabolic pathways.

Conclusions: Overall, cold plasma treatment can induce changes in the expression and regulation of certain metabolites and genes encoding active substances in broccoli sprouts.