Search

Edible sprouts are highly nutritious, containing numerous health-promoting phytochemicals and nutrients. However, the process of sprouting is subject to potential contamination by microorganisms attached to the seed coat. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of air anions generated by spray ionization on growth and sterilization of edible sprouts. Treatment with air anions has positive effects on plant growth and sterilization in 4 kinds of sprouts. Hypocotyl length in red cabbage and kale increased approximately 1.26-fold and radicle length of lettuce, red cabbage, and kale increased 1.4 to 1.6-fold compared to the control. The fresh weight of sprouts in the spray-ionization treatment was significantly (16.0-38.5%) higher than that of the controls. Radicle activity in sprouts exposed to anions was higher than that of the control in all species. Bacterial counts on lettuce, red cabbage, and tatsoi decreased significantly (by 41%, 66%, and 19%, respectively), and bacterial colonies also declined in drainage water. Our findings suggest that spray-ionization treatment is useful for improving sprout growth and for sterilizing sprouts.