Spectral Analysis of Bioactive Compounds in Cold Methanolic Extracts of Commercial Broccoli Florets: Antioxidant Analysis and In vitro Cytotoxicity in A549 Lung Cancer Cells

The purpose of this study was to identify the bioactive components and evaluate in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of a cold methanolic extract of broccoli florets (CMEB). For identification of bioactive components, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography–mass-spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses were performed. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds including ethyl iso-allocholate, crinamine, heptadecane, and astaxanthin, among others. The LC-MS analysis in positive ionization mode identified ethyl iso-allocholate, lupeol, oleic acid, astaxanthin, and n-hexadecanoic acid, whereas in the negative mode, it identified compounds like botulin, cis-Vaccenic acid, heptadecane and phytol. The XRD analysis at 2θ showed specific diffraction peaks that corresponded to various bioactive compounds. Antioxidant tests indicated moderate activity in both DPPH and ABTS assays. Furthermore, CMEB displayed moderate cytotoxicity against A549 lung cancer cells at a concentration of 64.5µg/mL. Its moderate antioxidant activity and significant cytotoxic action against A549 lung cancer cells highlight its potential use in the development of antioxidant and anti-cancer molecules. However the results are extremely encouraging since commercially accessible florets of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica can be included in one’s regular diet and can have a protective effect against the onset of lung cancer, while also possibly serving as an additional treatment for individuals diagnosed with lung cancer.