High hydrostatic pressure treatment induced microstructure changes and isothiocyanates biosynthesis in kale

[Display omitted] •High pressure changes microstructure of kale leaves.•High pressure treatment increasing the myrosinase activity in kale.•High pressure can promote conversion rate of myrosinase–glucosinolate system.•The highest degree of conversion (70%) of isothiocyanates was observed at 600 MPa. Effects of high-pressure processing (HPP) on the myrosinase activity, glucosinolate (GLS) content, isothiocyanate (ITC) conversion rate, color, and bacterial count of kale leaves were investigated. Thermal process at 100 °C were used as negative control groups. The sample processed at 600 MPa exhibited the highest myrosinase activity and ITC conversion rate of 70.4%, while the GLS content was significantly lower than those in the raw and the thermally processed samples. However, processing of the samples at elevated temperatures results in gradual loss of myrosinase activity. SEM images showed that HPP induces irregular crushing damage to the veins, edges, and surfaces of the leaves, thereby promoting the conversion process in the myrosinase–GLS–ITC system. Additionally, HPP caused less significant color change of the kale leaves than thermal treatment. HPP achieved the same level of pasteurization as thermal treatment in terms of bacterial count.