In 1992, Paul Talalay, M.D. and Jed W. Fahey M.S., Sc.D from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine identified glucoraphanin from broccoli as the most potent naturally occurring inducer of Phase 2 detoxification enzymes. These enzymes are critical to our health and well-being because they help remove free radicals and toxins from our bodies. By 1997, the researchers were ready to share their technology with the world and Brassica Protection Products LLC was born.
Dr. Talalay’s research originally concentrated on the cancer preventive properties of diet, particularly vegetables. In 1992 and 1994, Dr. Talalay published research showing that broccoli contains glucoraphanin, a very potent natural inducer of Phase 2 enzymes that helps the body detoxify carcinogens. The global publicity generated by this research was the key factor in consumers’ belief that broccoli is among the most important vegetables in the diet to protect against cancer.
“Dr. Paul Talalay was one of the most impactful scholars in the history of Johns Hopkins and his mentorship, scientific discoveries, and leadership have forever changed the field of medicine.”
In September 1997, Dr. Talalay and Dr. Fahey, in collaboration with other Johns Hopkins scientists, published a paper in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, USA explaining that broccoli sprouts are an exceptionally rich source of glucoraphanin. Broccoli sprouts contain levels 20-50 times more concentrated than mature broccoli and are more consistent in composition.
Today, there are over 1700 published scientific studies on the physiological health benefits of GR and SF.
TrueBroc® was initially founded and launched as a line of fresh broccoli sprouts with consistent and high levels of glucoraphanin under the BroccoSprouts® brand.
Eventually, the sprouts business was sold in order to focus on the nutritional ingredient side of the business. Today, TrueBroc® brand of glucoraphanin as a nutritional ingredient for use in dietary supplements and functional foods and beverages. You can find a number of tasty TrueBroc® teas and coffee offerings here, or search for a high quality nutritional supplement here.
Milestones
| 1997 | Founded by Paul Talalay, MD and Jed W. Fahey M.S., Sc.D from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine |
| 1998 | Became the exclusive licensee of Johns Hopkins’s technology surrounding glucoraphanin and sulforaphane from broccoli and broccoli sprouts |
| 1998 | Introduced BroccoSprouts® branded fresh broccoli sprouts in U.S. |
| 2000 | Introduced BroccoSprouts® into Japan |
| 2001 | First developed SGS™ branded glucoraphanin from broccoli seeds for use as a nutritional ingredient in supplements, functional foods and Brassica® Tea |
| 2009 | Experienced significant growth in ingredient sales for supplement use in the US |
| 2015 | Rebranded SGS™ to TrueBroc® |
| 2015 | Launched Brassica® Light and Dark Roasted Coffee containing TrueBroc® |