Sulforaphane

Sulforaphane (sometimes sulphoraphane in British English) is a phytochemical^[1] within the isothiocyanate group of organosulfur compounds.^[2] It is produced when the enzyme myrosinase transforms glucoraphanin, a glucosinolate, into sulforaphane upon damage to the plant (such as from chewing or chopping during food preparation), which allows the two compounds to mix and react.

Sulforaphane

Names
Preferred IUPAC name 1-Isothiocyanato-4-(methanesulfinyl)butane
Identifiers
CAS Number	4478-93-7 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:47807 N
ChEMBL	ChEMBL48802 N
ChemSpider	5157 N
PubChem CID	5350
UNII	41684WL1GL Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID8036732
InChI InChI=1S/C6H11NOS2/c1-10(8)5-3-2-4-7-6-9/h2-5H2,1H3 N Key: SUVMJBTUFCVSAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N N InChI=1/C6H11NOS2/c1-10(8)5-3-2-4-7-6-9/h2-5H2,1H3 Key: SUVMJBTUFCVSAD-UHFFFAOYAY
SMILES CS(=O)CCCCN=C=S
Properties
Chemical formula	C6H11NOS2
Molar mass	177.29 g/mol
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Sulforaphane is present in cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage.^[2]

Sulforaphane has two possible stereoisomers due to the presence of a stereogenic sulfur atom.^[3]

The R-sulforaphane enantiomer occurs naturally, while the S-sulforaphane can be synthesized.^[4]

Glucoraphanin, the glucosinolate precursor to sulforaphane

Occurrence and isolation

Sulforaphane occurs in broccoli sprouts, which, among cruciferous vegetables, have the highest concentration of glucoraphanin, the precursor to sulforaphane.^[2][5] It is also found in cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, kale, collards, mustard greens, and watercress.^[2]

Research

Although there has been basic research on how sulforaphane might exert effects in vivo, there is no conclusive clinical evidence that consuming cruciferous vegetables or sulforaphane supplements reduces the risk of cancer or other diseases, as of 2025.^[2][6]

See also

• Raphanin