Abstract: In order to explore the effect of selenium-sulfur interaction on the glucosinolate content and antioxidant properties of Chinese cabbage sprouts, the seeds were sprayed with 4 mmol/L ZnSO4, 50 or 100 μmol/L Na2SeO3 or their combination during sprouting and the changes in the major physiological and biochemical indexes, antioxidant capacity and glucosinolates content of Chinese cabbage sprouts were analyzed. The results showed that the application of ZnSO4 alone caused growth stress on Chinese cabbage sprouts, while the application of Na2SeO3 alone increase the length and fresh mass of sprouts per plant. The combined application of Na2SeO3 and ZnSO4 could effectively alleviate the inhibitory effect of ZnSO4 on the growth and development of Chinese cabbage sprouts. Moreover, compared with the control group (deionized water), ZnSO4 combined with Na2SeO3 significantly increased total selenium content and the contents of total glucosinolates (P < 0.05), and the combined application of ZnSO4 and 50 μmol/L Na2SeO3 resulted in an approximate 50% increase in the total content of glucosinolates. The contents of total selenium and total glucosinolates were significantly higher on the sixth day than on the fourth day of sprouting. The results of the study provide data support for the production of functional Chinese cabbage sprouts rich in selenium and glucosinolates.

Key words: Chinese cabbage sprouts; Na2SeO3; ZnSO4; glucosinolates; antioxidant activity