Beneficial and Adverse Effects of Natural, Bioactive Dietary Chemicals on Human Health and Food Safety

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Epidemiological studies reveal that intake of fruits and vegetables is reversibly associated with cancer incidences. Studies in vitro and in vivo demonstrate that isothiocyanates in cruciferous vegetables exhibit potent chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects against cancers. Conducted research will determine anti-cancer effects of phytochemicals or extracts of tropical fruits, vegetables and plants to benefit human health in chemoprevention and chemotherapy.<P>APPROACH: Tropical fruits, vegetables and plants contain unique phytochemicals that also possess anti-cancer effects. For example, benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), a potent anti-cancer compound, exists abundantly in papaya seeds (Kalkunte et al., 2006; Xiao et al., 2006; Zhang et al., 2006; Nakamura et al., 2007). Anthraquinone in the fruit of Morinda citrifolia (Noni) exhibits potent induction of quinine reductase activity and great antioxidant activity (Pawlus et al., 2005; Yang et al., 2006). Our long-term goal of the research is to determine anti-cancer effects of phytochemicals or extracts of tropical fruits, vegetables and plants to benefit human health in chemoprevention and chemotherapy. Selected classes of bioactive compounds show potential or adverse effects on human health.