The present invention relates to methods for producing isothiocyanate containing products from Brassicaceae material and lactic acid bacteria for use in such methods. The present invention also relates to isothiocyanate containing products from Brassicaceae material produced by such methods.

The inventors have observed that aqueous mustard seed extract appears to be cytotoxic to fibroblast cells. The cytotoxicity of the aqueous mustard seed extract appears to abate when the extract is heat treated at 120 C. for 15 minutes. The heat treated aqueous mustard seed extract when combined with exogenous myrosinase is not cytotoxic but can induce a modest increase in HO-1 content in cultured fibroblasts and thus would be expected to be useful in a topical composition for treating/preventing itchy skin, particularly the scalp. This invention thus relates to the provision of a topical composition for treating/preventing itchy skin, particularly the scalp.

The present invention relates to methods for producing isothiocyanate containing products from Brassicacede material and lactic acid bacteria for use in such methods. The present invention also relates to isothiocyanate containing products from Brassicacede material produced by such methods.

The invention relates to the combination of a sulforaphane precursor, an enzyme capable of converting the sulforaphane precursor to sulforaphane, an enzyme potentiator, and a milk thistle extract or powder. The invention also relates to the combination of a sulforaphane or a derivative thereof and a milk thistle extract or powder. The invention also relates to the combination of a broccoli extract or powder and a milk thistle extract or powder. The invention provides compositions and methods relating to these combinations.

Compositions and methods for converting at least one glucosinolate to an isothiocyanate using Bacillus subtilis 839, Bacillus subtilis CO4_4, Pediococcus pentosaceus M3_H01, and/or Pediococcus pentosaceus M2_H12, or active variants thereof, are provided. Conversion of glucosinolates, such as glucoraphanin, to isothiocyanates, such as sulforaphane, leads to the stimulation of the Nrf2/Keap pathway and phase II enzymes, providing chemoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Accordingly, provided herein are compositions comprising Bacillus subtilis 839, Bacillus subtilis CO4_4, Pediococcus pentosaceus M3_H01, and/or Pediococcus pentosaceus M2_H12, or active variants thereof, for administration to subjects for increasing isothiocyanate (e.g., sulforaphane) production, increasing the expression of genes regulated by the Nrf2 transcription factor, including phase II enzymes, decreasing inflammation, and treating or preventing an inflammatory disorder or a cancer. The composition can comprise at least one glucosinolate or a plant, plant part or an extract thereof comprising glucosinolate(s).

The claimed invention provides therapeutic as well as protective measures against colorectal cancer by utilizing genetically modified gut bacteria (101) in conjunction with an optimized diet high in cruciferous vegetable intake. According to the claimed system and method, engineered gut bacteria maximize the therapeutic value of the cruciferous vegetable diet to eradicate, offset or prophylactically prevent the onset of colorectal cancer. In the claimed invention gut bacteria Escherichia coli bind specifically to the heparan sulphate proteoglycan on colorectal cancer cells to secrete the enzyme myrosinase to transform host-ingested glucosinolates which are natural components of cruciferous vegetables to sulphoraphane, an organic small molecule with known anti-cancer activity.

A sulforaphane supplement in gummy form, including an active ingredient composition comprising sulforaphane, glucoraphanin, and myrosinase. The supplement including a matrix structure in which sulforaphane, glucoraphanin, and myrosinase are disposed in pores and immobilized therein.