Brocstar high-sulforaphane broccoli for metabolic health and functional food applications

Overview

BrocStar is a unique, patented broccoli variety developed by a spin-out of the UK's Quadram Institute, delivering up to 5 times more glucoraphanin/sulforaphane (GR/SF) than standard broccoli varieties. GR/SF is a bioactive compound with a growing body of clinical evidence supporting metabolic health benefits, including weight management. Research indicates that GR/SF-rich diets can help reduce body fat through multiple mechanisms: suppressing fat cell accumulation, promoting appetite regulation via leptin signalling, stimulating fat burning through improved mitochondrial function, and supporting the conversion of white fat into metabolically active brown fat.

The broccoli can be incorporated into a wide variety of food products while maintaining its bioactivity, making it a versatile ingredient for functional food development. It is not classified as a novel food and is currently sold for human consumption in the UK, with an established direct-to-consumer product range.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Patented broccoli variety delivering up to 5x more glucoraphanin/sulforaphane than standard varieties
• Bioactivity based on consuming the whole broccoli head, with validated processing methods that preserve GR/SF content
• Significant new product development expertise in incorporating the material into diverse food matrices while maintaining bioactivity
• Grown in the UK with potential for cultivation in other suitable territories
• Not classified as a novel food, enabling streamlined regulatory pathways for product development
• Supported by a growing bank of scientific evidence for benefits in weight management and a range of metabolic conditions

The organization can provide samples for product development and trials, offer technical guidance on processing and formulation, and support large-scale deployment and product launch.

Technology readiness level

BrocStar broccoli is currently sold for human consumption in the UK through a direct-to-consumer product range, with advanced negotiations underway to supply products to a premium UK supermarket chain. Processing methods to maintain bioactivity are well established through substantial new product development work. The organization is seeking manufacturing partners to co-develop new products incorporating BrocStar broccoli, including potential applications in companion animal nutrition, and can support pilot trials and feasibility studies to validate efficacy and establish dosing regimens.