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This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of germinated seeds and microgreens derived from Perilla frutescens var. crispa f. viridis, hypothesizing that microgreens would exhibit higher concentrations of nutrients and bioactive compounds compared to their precursors. Perilla frutescens was chosen for its popularity and wide use in Asian cuisine. A series of analytical methods was employed to quantify and qualify various components. The findings indicate that germinated seeds exhibit significantly higher quantities of lipids, proteins, sugars, free amino acids, and minerals, whereas microgreens possess significantly high concentration of vitamins and polyphenols. These results provide valuable insights into the nutritional differences between germinated seeds and microgreens, highlighting their distinct contributions to diet. Specifically, incorporating germinated seeds can enhance macronutrient intake, while microgreens can boost antioxidant intake. These findings can inform the development of targeted dietary recommendations, promoting the inclusion of both germinated seeds and microgreens to meet specific nutritional needs and improve health outcomes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The current study aimed to assess the effect of the germination process of wild mustard seeds on the phenolic profile, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic properties, and some relevant enzyme activities. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents increased 5- and 10-fold, respectively, and were maximized on 5-days sprouts. One new phenolic compound was identified on 5-days sprout extract using HPLC. The concentrations of the identified phenolic compounds increased 1.5-4.3 folds on 5-days sprouts compared with dry seeds. The total antioxidant activity multiplied 17- and 21-fold on 5-days sprouts using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays, respectively. The activity of carbohydrate-cleaving, phenolic-synthesizing and antioxidant enzymes also increased during germination. On 5-days sprouts, there was a substantial correlation between the highest β-glucosidase and peroxidase activities with highest phenolic and flavonoid levels and maximum antioxidant activity. The phenolic extract of 5-days sprouts exhibited antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and showed potent antidiabetic activity established by its inhibitory effect against α-amylase and α-glucosidase compared to dry seeds., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The consumption of plant sprouts as part of human day-to-day diets is gradually increasing, and their health benefit is attracting interest across multiple disciplines. The purpose of this review was to (a) critically evaluate the phytochemicals in selected sprouts (alfalfa, buckwheat, broccoli, and red cabbage), (b) describe the health benefits of sprouts, (c) assess the recent advances in sprout production, (d) rigorously evaluate their safety, and (e) suggest directions that merit special consideration for further novel research on sprouts. Young shoots are characterized by high levels of health-benefitting phytochemicals. Their utility as functional ingredients have been extensively described. Tremendous advances in the production and safety of sprouts have been made over the recent past and numerous reports have appeared in mainstream scientific journals describing their nutritional and medicinal properties. However, subjects such as application of sprouted seed flours in processed products, utilizing sprouts as leads in the synthesis of nanoparticles, and assessing the dynamics of a relationship between sprouts and gut health require special attention for future clinical exploration. Sprouting is an effective strategy allowing manipulation of phytochemicals in seeds to improve their health benefits.

Seven-day-old sprouts of fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), lentil ( Lens culinaris L.), and alfalfa ( Medicago L.) were studied. The legume seeds and then sprouts were soaked each day for 30 min during 6 days with water (control) or mixture of Fe-EDTA and sodium silicate (Optysil), or sodium silicate (Na-Sil) alone. Germination and sprout growing was carried out at temperature 20 ± 2 °C in 16/8 h (day/night) conditions. Phenolic compounds (free, ester, and glycosides) content were determined by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS using a multiple reaction monitoring of selected ions. Flavonoids and phenolic acids were released from their esters after acid hydrolysis and from glycosides by alkaline hydrolysis. The presence and high content of (-)-epicatechin (EC) in fenugreek sprouts was demonstrated for the first time. Applied elicitors decreased the level of free EC in fenugreek and alfalfa sprouts but enhanced the content of its esters. Besides, elicitors decreased the content of quercetin glycosides in lentil and fenugreek sprouts but increased the content of quercetin and apigenin glycosides in alfalfa sprouts. The applied elicitors decreased the glycoside levels of most phenolic acids in lentil and p-hydroxybenzoic acid in fenugreek, while they increased the content of this acid in alfalfa. The mixture of iron chelate and sodium silicate had less effect on changes in flavonoid and phenolic acid content in legume sprouts than silicate alone. In general, the used elicitors increased the content of total phenolic compounds in fenugreek and alfalfa sprouts and decreased the content in lentil sprouts. Among the evaluated elicitors, Optysil seems to be worth recommending due to the presence of iron chelate, which can be used to enrich sprouts with this element.sativa L.) were studied. The legume seeds and then sprouts were soaked each day for 30 min during 6 days with water (control) or mixture of Fe-EDTA and sodium silicate (Optysil), or sodium silicate (Na-Sil) alone. Germination and sprout growing was carried out at temperature 20 ± 2 °C in 16/8 h (day/night) conditions. Phenolic compounds (free, ester, and glycosides) content were determined by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS using a multiple reaction monitoring of selected ions. Flavonoids and phenolic acids were released from their esters after acid hydrolysis and from glycosides by alkaline hydrolysis. The presence and high content of (-)-epicatechin (EC) in fenugreek sprouts was demonstrated for the first time. Applied elicitors decreased the level of free EC in fenugreek and alfalfa sprouts but enhanced the content of its esters. Besides, elicitors decreased the content of quercetin glycosides in lentil and fenugreek sprouts but increased the content of quercetin and apigenin glycosides in alfalfa sprouts. The applied elicitors decreased the glycoside levels of most phenolic acids in lentil and p-hydroxybenzoic acid in fenugreek, while they increased the content of this acid in alfalfa. The mixture of iron chelate and sodium silicate had less effect on changes in flavonoid and phenolic acid content in legume sprouts than silicate alone. In general, the used elicitors increased the content of total phenolic compounds in fenugreek and alfalfa sprouts and decreased the content in lentil sprouts. Among the evaluated elicitors, Optysil seems to be worth recommending due to the presence of iron chelate, which can be used to enrich sprouts with this element.

Background: The sprouts of Brassica vegetables are known from their nutritional and chemopreventive values. Moreover, sprouts fortification with some trace elements, like selenium, may increase their importance in human diet. Thus, the aim of our study was to examine if selenium enrichment of kale and kohlrabi sprouts may influence their biochemical properties (phenolic acids and L-tryptophan content, antioxidant potential) or cytotoxic activity. Additional aim of the study was to evaluate the profile of selenium compounds and to describe the multidimensional interactions between the mentioned parameters., Methods: Selenium content in the sprouts was evaluated by double-channel atomic fluorescence spectrometer AFS-230 with the flow hydride-generation system. Separation of selenium species in water soluble fraction was performed by size-exclusion LC-ICP-MS. The identification and quantification of phenolic acids and L-tryptophan was performed by HPLC. For antioxidant activity DPPH and FRAP methods were used. Cytotoxic activity of the sprouts extracts on a panel of human metastatic carcinoma cells was evaluated by MTT test., Results: Selenium content in the fortified sprouts was several orders of magnitude higher than in the unfortified ones. Only small percentage of supplemented selenium (ca. 10 %) was incorporated into the sprouts as seleno-L-methionine, while the other detected selenium species remained unidentified. Selenium fortification differently stimulated the production of phenolic acids (sinapic, chlorogenic, isochlorogenic and caffeic acid) in the tested sprouts, depending on the particular species, selenium dose and the investigated compound. PCA analysis revealed strong correlation between antioxidant parameters and phenolic acids and L-tryptophan, while Se correlated only with caffeic acid. The sprouts extracts (≥1 mg/mL) showed cytotoxic potency to all the studied cancer cell lines (SW480, SW620, HepG2, SiHa), regardless the selenium supplementation., Conclusion: Se-fortified kale and kohlrabi sprouts are good candidates for functional food ingredients. Moreover, these results indicate that the sprouts enriched with sodium selenite show higher nutritional value, without significant changes in their cytotoxic activity., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Not exist., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

Background: With a growing market for functional foods, the nutraceutical properties of hemp sprouts have been investigated in recent studies. However, commercial mass production methods have yet to be developed. This study aimed to identify seed sizes suitable for segregating ripe seeds, which would improve the low germination rate in the high seed densities used in commercial hemp sprout production., Results: Seeds ranging in size from 2.80 to 3.3 mm, collected by sieving, were the most suitable for sprouting, based on the distribution rate (74.9%) and germination rate (70.0%) at a low seed density (0.016 grains mm -2 ). Seed segregation by sinking the seeds in 70% ethanol after 2 h or more of water infiltration generated high germination rates of 86.3% to 94.3% at low seed density, compared to a 64.0% germination rate in non-segregated seeds. The hemp seed germination rate decreased geometrically with increasing sowing density. The germination rate with a high seed density (0.29 grains mm -2 ) was increased from 19.9% when seeds were not mixed with sand to 58.7% when mixed with sand in a 3:1 ratio. The sprouting yield significantly increased from 1.64 kg kg -1 when seeds were not mixed with sand to 9.55 kg kg -1 in seeds germinating when mixed with sand. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol was not detected in hemp sprout., Conclusion: The production of hemp sprouts may be improved by identifying suitable seed sizes, segregating ripe seeds, and germinating seeds mixed with sand. This can be used in the commercial production of hemp sprouts. The sprouts were also found to be safe and without hallucinogenic effects. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Sprouts are considered a healthy ready-to-eat food and has gained popularity in recent years. The objective of the present study was to determine the dynamics of sprouts' microbiome during cold storage to the end of their shelf-life at home. The microbiological quality of fresh alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and mung bean (Vigna radiata) sprouts from two commercial brands was tested and the number of APC ranges from 5.0 to 8.7 log CFU/g in alfalfa and 6.7 to 9.3 log CFU/g in mung bean sprouts. In the case of alfalfa, but not mung beans, there were differences in the mean numbers of APC between the two brands. The number of coliform bacteria ranges from 4.3 to 7.7 log CFU/g in alfalfa and 4.1 to 8.1 log CFU/g in mung bean sprouts. Four independent batches of sprouts were used for DNA preparation and were sampled immediately after purchase and once a week during subsequent storage in refrigerator until the end of their shelf-life. Microbial population of the sprouts was determined using next generation sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons. Alfalfa sprouts were dominated by Pseudomonas throughout the storage time with relative abundance of >60% at 3 weeks. Fresh mung bean sprouts were dominated by both Pseudomonas and Pantoea, but Pantoea became the dominant taxa after 2 weeks of storage, with >46% of relative abundance. The bacterial communities associated with sprouts were largely dependent on the sprout type, and less dependent on the brand. The species richness and diversity declined during storage and the development of spoilage. Among the 160 genera identified on sprouts, 23 were reported to contain known spoilage-associated species and 30 genera comprise potential human pathogenic species. This study provides new insight into the microbiome dynamics of alfalfa and mung bean sprouts during cold storage., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a commercial Salmonella bacteriophage mixture (SalmoFresh™ 6-phage strains) and to compare its effectiveness with a chlorinated water treatment to reduce Salmonella on produce and seeds at different temperatures and storage times. Two sets of experiments were designed to test phage and chlorinated water effectiveness on produce at 2, 10 and 25 °C at different storage times (1, 24, 48 and 72 h). First, SalmoFresh™ was applied to the surface of lettuce, mung bean sprouts and mung bean seeds that were spot-inoculated with a five Salmonella strain mixture (Newport, Braenderup, Typhimurium, Kentucky, and Heidelberg, 10 5  CFU/mL) by spraying phages onto lettuce (n = 48 pieces, 3×3 cm 2 per treatment) and sprouts (n = 48 pieces per treatment). A second set of experiments (scaled-up) consisted in the application of phages by immersion to Salmonella adulterated lettuce (600 g), 300 g sprouts (300 g) or mung bean seeds (30 g) in a phage cocktail (10 8 PFU/mL) for 15 min (lettuce and sprouts) or 1 h (seeds). Another group of samples was washed with chlorinated water and yet another group was treated with a combination of chlorinated water followed by phage cocktail. Each experiment was repeated three times by quadruplicates. After the treatments for spot-inoculated and scaled-up experiments, lettuce and sprouts were separated into different lots (10 g/lot) and stored at 2, 10 and 25 °C; Salmonella was enumerated after 1, 24, 48 and 72 h. Adulterated phage-treated seeds were packaged and stored dry at 25 °C. Salmonella was enumerated after 72 h of storage. Groups of phage treated mung bean seeds (720 g) were germinated, and the reduction in Salmonella determined. Results of microplate virulence assays indicated that SalmoFresh™ reduced (P = 0.007) Salmonella by an average of 5.34 logs CFU/mL after 5 h at 25 °C. Spraying SalmoFresh™ onto lettuce and sprouts reduced Salmonella by 0.76 and 0.83 log 10 CFU/g, respectively (P < 0.01). Immersion of produce in a phage solution was better at killing Salmonella P < 0.05) than spraying it onto the surface, reducing Salmonella by 2.43 and 2.16 log 10 CFU/g on lettuce and sprouts, respectively. SalmoFresh™ was an effective biocontrol intervention to reduce Salmonella on lettuce and sprouts. On seeds, although a reduction was observed, Salmonella was able to grow exponentially during germination; therefore, the phage cocktail was not effective on mung bean seeds or sprouts obtained from adulterated seeds. The combination of hurdles, chlorination fallowed by the phage cocktail was the most effective treatment to reduce Salmonella on lettuce and sprouts., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Legume seeds and sprouts are a rich source of phytoestrogens in the form of isoflavonoids. For the first time, lactic acid fermentation of four types of legume sprouts was used to increase the content of isoflavonoids and microbiological safety. After germination, the highest content of isoflavonoids was observed in the clover and chickpea sprouts, which amounted to 1.1 g/100 g dw., whereas the lactic acid fermentation allowed the increase to as much as 5.5 g/100 g dw. The most beneficial properties were shown by fermented chickpea sprouts germinated in blue light. During fermentation the number of lactic acid bacteria increased by 2 Log 10 CFU/mL (LU), whereas mold decreased by 1 LU, E. coli and Klebsiella sp. by 2 LU, Salmonella sp. and Shigella sp. did not occur after fermentation, similar to Staphylococcus epidermidis, while S. aureus and S. saprophyticus decreased by 3 LU and in some trials were not detected., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to inactivate Salmonella Typhimurium loaded onto alfalfa seeds with sequential treatment of hydrogen peroxide, drying, vacuum packaging, and dry heat. Also, we verified the effect of vacuum packaging in dry heat treatment. Populations of Salmonella on alfalfa seeds after sequential treatment were not detected after 8 or 3 h of dry heat treatment at 70 or 73 °C. Salmonella populations including injured cells were also reduced to below the detection limit after 8 or 4 h of dry heat treatment. The germination rate of alfalfa seeds subjected to the harshest treatment was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from that of untreated seeds. Vacuum packaging is conducive to preserving the moisture content of alfalfa seed and improving the efficiency of dry heat treatment. This study suggests that sequential treatment is recommended and applicable for decontaminating alfalfa seeds for sprout production., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Several outbreaks of illness have been associated with consumption of alfalfa sprouts contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Salmonella. The ozone application was investigated as an intervention. Alfalfa seeds were inoculated with cocktails of 3 Salmonella strains, including serotypes Typhimurium, Agona and Saintpaul, and 3 strains of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) including serotypes O104:H4, O157:H7 and O121:H19 with a final load of 7.0 log CFU/ml. Then, the inoculated seeds, and the sprouts obtained from these seeds were separately subjected to aqueous ozone treatment containing (5 mg/L) ozone for varied times of exposure. The mean log reductions for Salmonella achieved on seeds after 10, 15, and 20 min of ozone exposure were 1.6 ± 0.5, 1.7 ± 0.3, 2.1 ± 0.5, respectively and 1.5 ± 0.4, 1.6 ± 0.4, 2.1 ± 0.5 for STEC, respectively. For sprouts obtained from the inoculated seed, the mean log reductions for Salmonella after 10, 15, and 20 min exposure times were 0.7 ± 0.2, 1.1 ± 0.4, 3.6 ± 0.2, respectively, whereas the mean log reductions for STEC were 0.7 ± 0.1, 1.2 ± 0.3 and 1.8 ± 0.2, respectively. At each contact time, there were no differences in log reductions between pathogens on seeds (P > 0.05), whereas on sprouts, the reductions obtained at 20 min were significantly greater (P < 0.05) for Salmonella than for STEC. On both seeds and sprouts, the exposure time had significant (P < 0.05) effects on log reductions of Salmonella and STEC. The weight, color properties and shelf life of ozonated sprouts were also tested. The ozonation did not have negative effects on germination (%), color and mass of sprouts in comparison with the controls. This study confirmed that it is possible to substantially reduce Salmonella and STEC by using a low ozone concentration (5 mg/L) and reduce food safety risk with less concern about the safety for processing workers of this treatment, this without affecting seed germination. This procedure may be a promising intervention to reduce Salmonella and STEC from alfalfa seeds and sprouts., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the presence and content of selected phytochemicals, namely glucosinolates, fatty acids and phenolic compounds, in rutabaga (Brassica napus L. var. napobrassica) sprouts grown under various light conditions, in comparison to rutabaga seeds and roots. As rutabaga sprouts are likely to become new functional food, special emphasis was placed on the related risks of progoitrin and erucic acid presence - compounds with proven antinutritive properties., Results: Time of sprouting significantly decreased progoitrin content, especially after 10 days (by 91.5%) and 12 days (by 97.5%), as compared to 8 days. In addition, sprouts grown under dark conditions showed 27%, 60% and 17% reduction in progoitrin level in 8, 10 and 12 days after sowing, respectively, as compared to sprouts grown under natural conditions. Progoitrin was found to be the predominant glucosinolate in rutabaga seeds (804.07 ± 60.89 mg 100 g -1 dry weight (DW)), accompanied by glucoerucin (157.82 ± 21.04 mg 100 g -1 DW), also found in the roots (82.20 ± 16.53 mg 100 g -1 DW). Among the unsaturated fatty acids in rutabaga sprouts, erucic, linoleic, linolenic and gondoic acids decreased significantly, and only oleic acid increased as germination days progressed. The amount of harmful erucic acid in rutabaga sprouts was found to vary between 1.8% and 7%, depending on the day of seeding or light conditions, as compared to 42.5% in the seeds., Conclusion: The evaluated rutabaga products showed a wide content range of potentially antinutritive compounds, sprouts having the lowest amounts of erucic acid and progoitrin. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.)

We report the spectrophotometric determination of total polyphenols, flavonoids, glucosinolates and antioxidant activity in seeds, seedlings and leaves of Tuscan black kale. The highest content of phytochemicals was observed in 10 days sprouts and antioxidant activity was maximum in 2, 4 days seedlings. Identification and characterisation of phytochemicals were performed by mass spectrometry (MS), high resolution and tandem MS with electrospray ionisation mode. Low-molecular-weight metabolites were evidenced in seeds while metabolites at high m/z range were detected in cotyledons and leaves. MS spectra evidenced different phenolic compounds (flavonoid caffeoyl glucose, hydroxycinnamic acid sinapine) and glucosinolates (glucoerucin, glucobrassicin and glucoraphanin) in function of developmental stage; galactolipids ω3 and ω6 were observed in leaves. Identification of stages with the highest phytochemicals content encourages the consumption of black kale sprouts and young leaves. Our research can support food and pharmaceutical industries for production of health promoting products from black kale.

Vegetable seeds contaminated with bacterial pathogens have been linked to fresh-produce-associated outbreaks of gastrointestinal infections. This study was undertaken to observe the physiological behavior of Salmonella enterica and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) cells artificially internalized into vegetable seeds during the germination process. Surface-decontaminated seeds of alfalfa, fenugreek, lettuce, and tomato were vacuum-infiltrated with four individual strains of Salmonella or EHEC. Contaminated seeds were germinated at 25°C for 9 days, and different sprout/seedling tissues were microbiologically analyzed every other day. The internalization of Salmonella and EHEC cells into vegetable seeds was confirmed by the absence of pathogens in seed-rinsing water and the presence of pathogens in seed homogenates after postinternalization seed surface decontamination. Results show that 317 (62%) and 343 (67%) of the 512 collected sprout/seedling tissue samples were positive for Salmonella and EHEC, respectively. The average Salmonella populations were significantly larger ( P < 0.05) than the EHEC populations. Significantly larger Salmonella populations were recovered from the cotyledon and seed coat tissues, followed by the root tissues, but the mean EHEC populations from all sampled tissue sections were statistically similar, except in pregerminated seeds. Three Salmonella and two EHEC strains had significantly larger cell populations on sprout/seedling tissues than other strains used in the study. Salmonella and EHEC populations from fenugreek and alfalfa tissues were significantly larger than those from tomato and lettuce tissues. The study showed the fate of internalized human pathogens on germinating vegetable seeds and sprout/seedling tissues and emphasized the importance of using pathogen-free seeds for sprout production. IMPORTANCE The internalization of microorganisms into vegetable seeds could occur naturally and represents a possible pathway of vegetable seed contamination by human pathogens. The present study investigated the ability of two important bacterial pathogens, Salmonella and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), when artificially internalized into vegetable seeds, to grow and disseminate along vegetable sprouts/seedlings during germination. The data from the study revealed that the pathogen cells artificially internalized into vegetable seeds caused the contamination of different tissues of sprouts/seedlings and that pathogen growth on germinating seeds is bacterial species and vegetable seed-type dependent. These results further stress the necessity of using pathogen-free vegetable seeds for edible sprout production., (Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.)

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruits are used mainly by the juice industry, for which seeds are a by-product to be disposed of, though they could potentially be a source of bioactive compounds. In this work, germination (total germination percentage, G; mean germination time, MGT; time to reach 80% of germination, TG80; seedling shoot length, fresh weight and dry matter), and nutritional value (total phenolics, TP; total flavonoids, TF; total non-tannins, TNT; antioxidant activities) of pomegranate seeds and sprouts were determined on four commercial pomegranate cultivars (Akko, Dente di Cavallo, Mollar de Elche and Wonderful). Seeds were removed from ripe fruits and incubated in plastic trays containing sterile cotton wetted with distilled water. Sprout shoots were harvested when they reached the complete cotyledon expansion, i.e., the ready-to-eat stage. Akko showed the best germination performance (G = 98%; MGT = 14 days after sowing, DAS; TG80 = 16 DAS), followed by Mollar de Elche. Sprouting dramatically increased TP, TF, TNT and antioxidant activity in all genotypes, with the highest values recorded in Mollar de Elche and Dente di Cavallo. Overall, based on germination performance, Akko and Mollar de Elche would be the best cultivars for sprouting. Sprouting pomegranate seeds appears to be a suitable way of utilizing by-products of the juice industry to obtain bioactive compounds.

The aim of this study was to investigate the application of elicitors (500 μM ascorbic acid, 50 μM folic acid, 5 mM glutamic acid and 50 ppm chitosan in 5 mM glutamic acid) during lentil germination up to 8 days as a strategy to increase germination rate and to enhance the accumulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and phenolic compounds. The effect of elicitation on the protein profile and antioxidant and angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of sprouted lentils was also evaluated. The application of elicitors did not negatively affect the germination yield of lentils and no significant changes on the protein pattern of lentils germinated in the presence of elicitors were observed. Chitosan/glutamic acid increased by 1.6-fold the GABA content in lentil sprouts, whilst ascorbic and folic acids as well as chitosan/glutamic acid were highly effective to enhance the total content of phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of sprouted lentils. All elicited lentil sprouts showed ability to inhibit ACE activity (IC50: 9.5-11.9 μg peptides/mL). Therefore, elicitation can be considered a promising approach to improve the content of compounds with antioxidant and potential antihypertensive activities in lentil sprouts.

The incidence of foodborne illness associated with the consumption of fresh produce has continued to increase over the past decade. Sprouts, such as mung bean, alfalfa, radish, and broccoli, are minimally processed and have been sources for foodborne illness. Currently, a 20,000 ppm calcium hypochlorite soak is recommended for the treatment of sprouting seeds. In this study, the efficacy of an antimicrobial carvacrol nanoemulsion was tested against Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Enteritidis (ATCC BAA-1045) or EGFP expressing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ATCC 42895) contaminated sprouting seeds. Antimicrobial treatments were performed by soaking inoculated seeds in nanoemulsions (4000 or 8000 ppm) for 30 or 60 min. Following treatment, surviving cells were determined by performing plate counts and/or Most Probable Number (MPN) enumeration. Treated seeds were sprouted and tested for the presence of pathogens. Treatment successfully inactivated low levels (2 and 3 log CFU/g) of S. Enteritidis and E. coli on radish seeds when soaked for 60 min at concentrations ≥4000 (0.4%) ppm carvacrol. This treatment method was not affective on contaminated broccoli seeds. Total sprout yield was not influenced by any treatments. These results show that carvacrol nanoemulsions may be an alternative treatment method for contaminated radish seeds., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Both sprouts and microgreens are popular tender produce items, typically grown and harvested in indoor facilities which allow a higher degree of control compared to open field production. While sprouts, which have frequently been implicated in foodborne illness outbreaks, are the subject of numerous national and international standards for their production and distribution, there is a lack of data pertaining to the microbiological safety of microgreens. In this study, sprouts and microgreens were produced from radish seeds inoculated with Escherichia coli O157: H7 or O104: H4 and E. coli populations on the harvested products compared to assess the potentials of product contamination from contaminated seeds during sprouting and microgreen production. Both E. coli O157:H7 and O104:H4 grew rapidly during sprouting, reaching levels of 5.8-8.1 log cfu/g and 5.2-7.3 log cfu/g, respectively, depending on the initial inoculation levels of the seeds (1.5-4.6 log cfu/g and 0.8-4.3 log cfu/g on radish seeds, respectively). In comparison, E. coli O157:H7 and O104:H4 populations on harvested microgreens ranged from 0.8 to 4.5 log cfu/g and from 0.6 to 4.0 log cfu/g, respectively. Although harvested microgreens carried significantly less (P < 0.001) E. coli than sprouts germinated from seeds inoculated at the same levels, proliferation of E. coli O157:H7 and O104:H4 occurred during both sprouting and microgreen growth., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

This study reports the effects of two different illumination conditions during germination (12 h light/12 h dark vs 24 h dark) in lentils (Lens culinaris L.) and kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on the content of melatonin and phenolic compounds, as well as the antioxidant activity. Germination led to relative increase in melatonin content and significant antioxidant activity, while the content of phenolic compounds decreased. The highest melatonin content was obtained after 6 days of germination under 24 h dark for both legumes. These germinated legume seeds with improved levels of melatonin might play a protective role against free radicals. Thus, considering the potent antioxidant activity of melatonin, these sprouts can be consumed as direct foods and be offered as preventive food strategies in combating chronic diseases through the diet.

Outbreaks of foodborne illness from consumption of sprouts have been linked to contaminated seeds prior to germination. Due to the long sprouting period at ambient temperatures and high humidity, germinating seeds contaminated with low pathogen levels (0.1logCFU/g) can result in sprouts with high numbers (≥10(8)CFU/g) of pathogens. Currently, the recommended treatment method involves soaking seeds in 20,000ppm (2%) calcium hypochlorite prior to germination. In this study, an alternative treatment involving soaking seeds in a carvacrol nanoemulsion was tested for its efficacy against Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Enteritidis (ATCC BAA-1045) or EGFP expressing E. coli O157:H7 (ATCC 42895) contaminated mung bean and alfalfa seeds. The antimicrobial treatment was performed by soaking inoculated seed batches in the spontaneous nanoemulsion (4000 or 8000ppm) for 30 or 60min. The spontaneous nanoemulsion was formed by titrating the oil phase (carvacrol and medium chain triglycerides) and water-soluble surfactant (Tween 80®) into sodium citrate buffer. Following treatment, the numbers of surviving cells were determined by suspending the seeds in TSB and performing plate counts and/or Most Probable Number (MPN) enumeration. Treated seeds were sprouted and tested for the presence of the appropriate pathogen. This treatment successfully inactivated low levels (2 and 3logCFU/g) of S. Enteritidis and E. coli on either seed types when soaked for either 30 or 60min at nanoemulsion concentrations corresponding to 4000 (0.4%) or 8000 (0.8%) ppm carvacrol. Inoculated alfalfa seeds treated with 4000ppm nanoemulsion, required a 60min treatment time to show a similar 2-3 log reduction. Complete inactivation was confirmed by germinating treated seeds and performing microbiological testing. Total sprout yield was not compromised by any of the tested treatments. These results show that carvacrol nanoemulsions may be an alternative antimicrobial treatment method for mung bean and alfalfa seeds., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of germination on the phenolic acids and flavonoids profile, as well as antioxidant activity (AA), in selected edible seeds of mung beans, radish, broccoli and sunflower. Germination increased the total phenolic (TP) and flavonoid (TF) levels, as well as the AA of the seeds, and influenced the profile of free and bound phenolic compounds. Among the samples, mung bean was characterised by lowest levels of TP and TF, as well as AA, evaluated using ABTS, DPPH and FRAP assays. Sunflower and radish sprouts were the most rich in phenolic compounds. Insignificant amounts of free phenolic acids were found in the free phenolic acid fraction; alkaline hydrolysis of the seeds and sprouts extracts provided the majority of the phenolic acids. The amounts of free and bound flavonoids were inconsiderable both for seeds and sprouts., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the use of gaseous ozone (O3) to promote the germination of edible seeds. While its ability to improve seedling vigor and stimulate germination is acknowledged, there has been limited research on the impact of gaseous O3 on the biochemical profile, including phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant activity, of cereals, seeds, and their sprouts. The lack of information has led to the initiation of this study, which aims to assess the impact of ozone treatment duration at a concentration of 50 ppm 1 L min−1, ranging from 1 to 5 h, on the biochemical attributes of broccoli (Brassica oleracea), radish (Raphanus sativus), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) seeds, and sprouts, as well as wheat (Triticum aestivum) grains and sprouts. By optimizing O3 exposure parameters, including duration, this approach has the potential to serve as a valuable tool for enhancing the microbiological and nutritional quality of seeds and cereals. The findings revealed that O3 treatment generally had an adverse impact on TPC in seeds, cereals, and sprouts, resulting in a significant reduction in TPC post O3 treatment. Wheat grains, in particular, displayed the lowest TPC following ozone exposure, with an average decrease of 39.4% compared to the untreated sample. However, it is noteworthy that alfalfa seeds exhibited a positive response to 4 and 5 h O3 treatment, manifesting an average increase in TPC of 13.0% and 27.7%, respectively. In turn, broccoli, radish, and wheat sprouts displayed the lowest TPC, with values of 47.7%, 20.2%, and 18.0% lower than the control samples, respectively. This study revealed that plant responses to O3 exposure varied, and the effects of O3 treatment on TPC levels depended on O3 exposure time. Furthermore, the effect of O3 on the sugar content of the seeds, cereals, and sprouts varied among different plant types, with some showing an increase in content and others showing no substantial changes. This suggests that, depending on the type of seed, O3 may have both positive and neutral effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sprouts of various seeds have garnered considerable regard amid consumers due to its verdure, crispiness, and germination potential, offering a cost-effective and straightforward process. The moist and warm conditions are very conducive to germination, fostering the growth of microorganisms and thereby raising food safety concerns. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of ozone on Enterobacteriaceae counts by subjecting wheat (Triticum aestivum) grains, alfalfa (Medicago sativa), radish (Raphanus sativus) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea) seeds to ozone gas treatment. Additionally, the grain and seeds were rinsed with ozonated water during germination. Three different treatment methods were employed for seeds and grains. In the first method, samples were exposed to ozone gas at 20 ppm for 10 minutes, with subsequent rinsing every 12 hours during germination until the rinse water appeared visually clean, at a concentration of 2.0 mg L-1 of ozone. The second method involved rinsing with ozonated water at a concentration of 2.0 mg L-1 for durations of 20, 40, and 60 minutes. The third method - treated with ozone gas at 50 ppm and the exposure time of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 h. Untreated samples were used as controls. Evaluation of the samples revealed that Enterobacteriaceae was virtually undetectable in dry seeds. However, after 72 hours of germination in both the control and ozonetreated sprouts and following 7 days of storage at 4±2 °C, Enterobacteriaceae were found at an average of 7 to 8.1 log CFU g-1 in all samples, irrespective of the treatment method. Additionally, mould was observed only in wheat and radish sprouts during the assessment period. The study showed that there was no significant reduction in the number of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, moulds and Enterobacteriaceae then treated with ozone gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigates the impact of a new geometry Atmospheric Cold-Plasma (ACP) system on mung bean (Vigna radiata) seed germination and seedling growth. Plasma is produced using a bipolar pulse power source, providing superior control of the generated species. A substantial increase in germination rates (86.67%–91.67%) and optimal seedling growth after 40 s of treatment is reported. The functional and morphological features have shown improvements. Plasma treatment significantly increases the specific surface area (7.695 m2/g) and total pore volume (0.007 cc/g) of the seeds compared to the control (2.214 m2/g and 0.001 cc/g, respectively), suggesting potential enhancements in water absorption and nutrient exchange. Radicle growth stimulation is also observed without alterations in the seed's chemical structure. These findings highlight the potential of the ACP system for enhancing mung bean sprout germination and seedling development, which is helpful for agriculture applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial titled "Seed dormancy, germination, and pre-harvest sprouting, volume II" discusses the issue of pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) in crops, specifically in cereal crops. PHS occurs when seeds germinate prematurely in the mother plants before harvest, leading to poor grain quality and economic losses. The editorial emphasizes the importance of understanding the genetic and molecular basis of seed dormancy and PHS and highlights recent advancements in research on this topic. It also mentions the role of plant hormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin acid (GA) in seed dormancy and germination. The document further discusses recent research on seed dormancy, germination, and PHS in crops like quinoa and mungbean, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms and genetic factors that influence these processes. The authors stress the need for further research in areas such as genome editing, multi-omics approaches, and the interaction of environmental factors with PHS. [Extracted from the article]

A ten-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the performance of rabbits fed diets containing graded levels of sprouted Moringa seed meal (SMSM). Twenty-four male growing rabbits of mixed breeds were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments. Each treatment group was further subdivided into three (3) replicates of two (2) rabbits each in a completely randomized design (CRD). Four diets were formulated to include SMSM at varying inclusion levels of 0, 5, 10, and 15% for treatments T1, T2, T3, and T4 respectively, which were pelletized. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Data were collected on the growth performance of rabbits fed the experimental diets. Results revealed that the average daily feed intake (71.57 ± 3.73 - 85.07 ± 3.83 g) decreased across the dietary treatments as the SMSM inclusion levels increased but a rise was noticed at the highest inclusion level of SMSM (T4). The weight gains and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not significantly influenced (p>0.05) by the dietary treatments. It can be concluded that SMSM can be supplemented in growing rabbit's diet without any deleterious effects on the performance. The utilization of SMSM can be used up to 15% on diets and increased income from diets of weaner rabbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite regulatory and technological measures, edible sprouts are still often involved in foodborne illness and are considered a high-risk food. The present study explored the potential of spore-forming Bacillus isolates to mitigate Salmonella and Escherichia coli contamination of alfalfa sprouts. Food-derived Bacillus strains were screened for antagonistic activity against S. enterica serovar Typhimurium SL1344 (STm) and enteropathogenic E. coli O55:H7. Over 4 days of sprouting, levels of STm and E. coli on contaminated seeds increased from 2.0 log CFU/g to 8.0 and 3.9 log CFU/g, respectively. Treatment of the contaminated seeds with the most active Bacillus isolate, strain BX77, at 7 log CFU/g seeds resulted in substantial reductions in the levels of STm (5.8 CFU/g) and E. coli (3.9 log CFU/g) in the sprouted seeds, compared to the control. Similarly, coculturing STm and BX77 in sterilized sprout extract at the same ratio resulted in growth inhibition and killed the Salmonella. Confocal-microscopy experiments using seeds supplemented with mCherry-tagged Salmonella revealed massive colonization of the seed coat and the root tip of 4-day-old sprouted seeds. In contrast, very few Salmonella cells were observed in sprouted seeds grown with BX77. Ca-hypochlorite disinfection of seeds contaminated with a relatively high concentration of Salmonella (5.0 log CFU/g) or treated with BX77 revealed a mild inhibitory effect. However, disinfection followed by the addition of BX77 had a synergistic effect, with a substantial reduction in Salmonella counts (7.8 log CFU/ g) as compared to untreated seeds. These results suggest that a combination of chemical and biological treatments warrants further study, toward its potential application as a multi-hurdle strategy to mitigate Salmonella contamination of sprouted alfalfa seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility to stimulate the production of some nutraceutical properties of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) sprouts by non-thermal plasma (NTP) processing of the seeds in different conditions was studied. The non-thermal plasma used in this work was a surface dielectric barrier discharge. Two types of processing were performed: direct NTP treatment and NTP with a cover treatment, to simulate the processing of packaged seeds. For all treatments, the effect of pre-soaking of the seeds was studied as well. The analyses of the seeds after processing indicated an increase of the hydrophilicity of their surface for NTP direct treatment as resulted from the water contact angle measurements, which could be due to the strong etching evidenced by scanning electron microscopy imaging. A significant (p < 0.05) increase of the seedling growth, by up to 50%, was found especially for the pre-soaked seeds. These results were correlated with the increase of chlorophyll pigments concentrations, with higher concentrations in the case of NTP direct treatment than for the NTP with cover treatments. Direct NTP treatment for 30 s of dry seeds led to the highest increase of the flavonoid concentration of about three times compared to that obtained for untreated seeds. For the polyphenols and antioxidant activity, NTP with cover treatments proved to be better, with a significant increase, especially for 90 s treatment of the pre-soaked seeds. All the results indicate the possibility of tuning the nutraceutical properties of fenugreek sprouts by NTP treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of germination on nutritional and antioxidant properties of papaya seeds was evaluated. Germination began with soaking of dried seeds and germinating at room temperature for 15 days. The experiment were designed as a 2×2 factorial (papaya varieties and germination) with four replicates. Total germination was higher in Bangkok than in California. Crude protein and moisture contents were higher, while crude fat, total energy and energy from fat were lower in Bangkok than its counterpart. Total unsaturated fatty acids (FA) and n-3 polyunsaturated FA were higher in California than in Bangkok. Amino acids (L-serine, L-alanine, L-lysine, L-tyrosine, L-proline and L-threonine) differed between Bangkok and California. Antioxidant activity was higher in California. Sprouting increased crude protein, crude fibre and moisture, while decreasing ash, crude fat, total energy and energy from fat. Germination decreased total saturated FA, while increasing n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated FA. Sprouting increased antioxidant activity and amino acid L-phenylalanine and L-threonine, L-alanine, L-aspartate, L-proline, L-serine and L-tyrosine. In conclusion, Bangkok variety showed better germination indexes, higher crude protein and lower crude fat and energy than those of California. California papaya had higher unsaturated FA and n-3 polyunsaturated FA. Sprouting increased crude protein, crude fibre, moisture, n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated FA, amino acids and antioxidant activity, while decreasing ash, crude fat, energy and saturated FA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adlay is an annual plant known for its abundant bioactive compounds and diverse pharmacological activities. Coixol, a key component found in various parts of adlay, significantly contributes to its biological activity. This study was conducted to extract adlay sprouts and seeds using different solvents (methanol and ethanol) and extraction methods (reflux and ultrasonic extraction). The extracts were then evaluated for their total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant ability (DPPH and ABTS+). Additionally, the coixol content of these extracts was analyzed using HPLC/DAD analysis. The results showed that the extraction methods and solvents used impacted the bioactive compounds and their activities in the samples. Adlay sprouts exhibited a higher compound content and stronger antioxidant capacity than adlay seeds. Moreover, a substantial amount of coixol was found in the sprouts, while it was not detected in the seeds. This study emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate extraction methods to optimize the biological activities of adlay sprouts and seeds. Adlay sprouts, with their enriched phytochemical compounds and enhanced antioxidant ability, could serve as a valuable material for health product applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite regulatory and technological measures, edible sprouts are still often involved in foodborne illness and are considered a high-risk food. The present study explored the potential of spore-forming Bacillus isolates to mitigate Salmonella and Escherichia coli contamination of alfalfa sprouts. Food-derived Bacillus strains were screened for antagonistic activity against S. enterica serovar Typhimurium SL1344 (STm) and enteropathogenic E. coli O55:H7. Over 4 days of sprouting, levels of STm and E. coli on contaminated seeds increased from 2.0 log CFU/g to 8.0 and 3.9 log CFU/g, respectively. Treatment of the contaminated seeds with the most active Bacillus isolate, strain BX77, at 7 log CFU/g seeds resulted in substantial reductions in the levels of STm (5.8 CFU/g) and E. coli (3.9 log CFU/g) in the sprouted seeds, compared to the control. Similarly, co-culturing STm and BX77 in sterilized sprout extract at the same ratio resulted in growth inhibition and killed the Salmonella. Confocal-microscopy experiments using seeds supplemented with mCherry-tagged Salmonella revealed massive colonization of the seed coat and the root tip of 4-day-old sprouted seeds. In contrast, very few Salmonella cells were observed in sprouted seeds grown with BX77. Ca-hypochlorite disinfection of seeds contaminated with a relatively high concentration of Salmonella (5.0 log CFU/g) or treated with BX77 revealed a mild inhibitory effect. However, disinfection followed by the addition of BX77 had a synergistic effect, with a substantial reduction in Salmonella counts (7.8 log CFU/g) as compared to untreated seeds. These results suggest that a combination of chemical and biological treatments warrants further study, toward its potential application as a multi-hurdle strategy to mitigate Salmonella contamination of sprouted alfalfa seeds.

Background: Gambier has a problem with low production levels which is caused by the use of inferior quality plants that come from inferior seeds. This study aims to determine the optimal harvesting age for producing gambir seeds with optimal physiological quality. The maturity phase of the fruit became the basis for determining the timescalation of the harvest that count from the day after anthesis. The research was carried out from June to December of 2021. This research was conducted at the Seed Technology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University, Padang. The plant material utilized is the seed of the Mancik Riau gambier. Methods: The research employed a completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments based on days after anthesis (DAA) because at this phase the plants pollinated and the fruit maturity phase begin and it used three replication: seeds harvested at 110-112 DAA, 107-109 DAA, 104-106 DAA, 101-103 DAA and 98-100 DAA. Quantitative data are analyzed at a 5% significance level using Analysis of Variance; if the effect is significant, the Duncan's multiple range test (MRT) is performed; and qualitative data are presented descriptively. Result: The results revealed that the harvest age of 98-100 DAA provided the highest viability and vigor, as measured by germinated power testing at 80.50%, seed growth potential testing at 81.83%, T50 test, index value testing at 11.04 and soil emergence testing at 84.33%, indicating that the plant had reached physiological maturity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sprouts are increasingly present in the human diet, being tasty and healthy foods high in antioxidant compounds. Although there is a body of literature on the sprouting of many plant species, Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz has not yet been studied for this purpose. This study aimed to characterize the main bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential of seeds and sprouts of five different Camelina cultivars (ALBA, CO46, CCE43, JOELLE, and VERA). In particular, the contents of phenolic compounds (PCs), phenolic acids (PAs), and glucosinolates (GLSs) were investigated. PCs, PAs, GLSs, and the antioxidant activity of seeds differed among cultivars and were greatly increased by sprouting. A PCA analysis underlined both the effect of the cultivar (PC2) and the germination (PC1) on the nutritional properties of Camelina. The best nutritional properties of seeds were observed for ALBA and CCE43, while the best nutritional properties of sprouts were recorded for CCE43 and JOELLE, since the latter cultivar showed a greater enhancement in phytochemical content and antioxidant activity with sprouting. Finally, a UHPLC-UV procedure for the analysis of GLSs in Camelina was developed and validated. The performance criteria of the proposed method demonstrated that it is useful for the analysis of GLSs in Camelina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metalloenzymes play an important role in the regulation of many biological functions. An effective way to prevent deficiencies of essential minerals in human diets is the biofortification of plant materials. The process of enriching crop sprouts under hydroponic conditions is the easiest and cheapest to conduct and control. In this study, the sprouts of the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties Arkadia and Tonacja underwent biofortification with Fe, Zn, Mg, and Cr solutions in hydroponic media at four concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 200 µg g−1) over four and seven days. Moreover, this study is the first to combine sprout biofortification with UV-C (λ = 254 nm) radiation treatment for seed surface sterilization. The results showed that UV-C radiation was effective in suppressing seed germination contamination by microorganisms. The seed germination energy was slightly affected by UV-C radiation but remained at a high level (79–95%). The influence of this non-chemical sterilization process on seeds was tested in an innovative manner using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and EXAKT thin-section cutting. The applied sterilization process reduced neither the growth and development of sprouts nor nutrient bioassimilation. In general, wheat sprouts easily accumulate Fe, Zn, Mg, and Cr during the applied growth period. A very strong correlation between the ion concentration in the media and microelement assimilation in the plant tissues (R2 > 0.9) was detected. The results of the quantitative ion assays performed with atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) using the flame atomization method were correlated with the morphological evaluation of sprouts in order to determine the optimum concentration of individual elements in the hydroponic solution. The best conditions were indicated for 7-day cultivation in 100 µg g−1 of solutions with Fe (218% and 322% better nutrient accumulation in comparison to the control condition) and Zn (19 and 29 times richer in zinc concentration compared to the sprouts without supplementation). The maximum plant product biofortification with magnesium did not exceed 40% in intensity compared to the control sample. The best-developed sprouts were grown in the solution with 50 µg g−1 of Cr. In contrast, the concentration of 200 µg g−1 was clearly toxic to the wheat sprouts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, a laboratory experiment was conducted at the Institute of Ornamental and Medicinal Plants - Sofia with seed material from two types of monarda. After the morphological characteristics of the seeds of Monarda fistulosa and Monarda didyma, the influence of light on the germination and germination energy of their sown material was studied. The biometric indicators of the developed sprouts were monitored. As a result of the conducted research, it has been established, that the species Monarda didyma is characterized by larger seeds. The seeds of both types of monarda, are influenced by light as a factor determining their germination. The reported germination on days 7 and 14 shows that the seeds in both species germinat light. The species Monarda didyma is characterized by higher % germinated seeds 53% and 76%. Compared to it, Monarda fistulosa has 11% lower germination on day 7, and on 14 with 18.5%. The seeds of Monarda fistulosa show better germination energy on day 5, while in Monarda didyma they are characterized by higher germination on day 14. In the light, in both species, better root development is observed compared to the stems of the formed sprouts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges for humanity in the 21st century. Production and consumption of meat contributes to global warming by causing emissions of climate-relevant gases. Freshly grown sprouts are part of an alternative, as they are less polluting but still a nutritious food. However, warm humid sprouting conditions may cause pathogenic microorganisms to thrive. Decontamination methods for raw sprouts are therefore relevant. Photodynamic Inactivation (PDI) is a novel approach that uses photoactivatable molecules (photosensitisers, PS) and visible or near-infrared light to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS kill microorganisms by oxidative processes. Here, we test the application of PDI based on sodium-magnesium-chlorophyllin (Chl, approved as food additive E140) for photo-decontamination of mung bean, radish, and buckwheat seeds. Seeds were contaminated with Listeria innocua, serving as a model system for Listeria monocytogenes, subjected to PDI using an LED array with 395 nm and tested for remaining bacterial contamination by CFU counting. PDI based on 100 µM Chl reduces the bacterial load of mung bean and radish seeds by 99.9% (radiant exposure 56.4 J/cm2 and 28.2 J/cm2, respectively), and of buckwheat seeds by <90% reduction after illumination with 28.2 J/cm2. Neither weight nor the germination rates of seeds are affected by PDI. Interestingly, the effect of PDI on seeds is partially maintained on stored sprouts after germination: The bacterial load on mung bean sprouts is reduced by more than 99.9% after phototreatment of seeds with 100 µM Chl and illumination at 56.4 J/cm2. In conclusion, we suggest PDI based on Chl as an effective and biocompatible method for the decontamination of seeds and sprouts for human consumption from Listeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concern over microbial contamination limits the adoption of home production of sprouts as a nutritious and sustainable food. Simple, accessible approaches to seed disinfection could support safe home seed sprouting. Here, we quantify bacterial and fungal contamination of seeds of 14 plant cultivars sold for home sprout production and test a range of chemical and physical methods for seed disinfestation appropriate for home use. Most seeds are contaminated with a variety of bacteria and fungi, and those microbes are usually limited to the seed surface. Heat treatments are not effective for seed disinfection because the high temperatures needed to effectively reduce microbial contamination also reduce seed germination. Two chlorine-based chemical disinfectants—dilute household bleach (0.6% sodium hypochlorite) and freshly generated hypochlorous acid (800 ppm chlorine)—were the most effective disinfection agents tested (up to a 5-log reduction in bacteria) that also did not harm seed germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing interest in the development of meat processed products enriched with antioxidant dietary fiber to augment the consumption of these health beneficial compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional, nutraceutical, and antioxidant potential, as well as the physicochemical properties of minced tilapia fillets (meat) gels with added amaranth seed or sprout flours (0%, 2%, 4%, 8%, and 10% w/w). Dietary fiber content was significantly increased with the addition of amaranth seed (1.25–1.75-fold) and sprout flours (1.99–3.21-fold). Tilapia gels with added 10% amaranth seed flour showed a high content of extractable dihydroxybenzoic acid and cinnamic acid, whereas the addition of 10% amaranth sprout flour provided a high and wide variety of bioactive compounds, mainly amaranthine and bound ferulic acid. The addition of amaranth seed and sprout flours increased hardness (1.01–1.73-fold) without affecting springiness, decreased luminosity (1.05–1.15-fold), and increased redness and yellowness. Therefore, amaranth seed and sprout flours could be used as functional ingredients for the development of fish products rich in bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sprouts are increasingly present in the human diet, being tasty and healthy foods high in antioxidant compounds. Although there is a body of literature on the sprouting of many plant species, Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz has not yet been studied for this purpose. This study aimed to characterize the main bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential of seeds and sprouts of five different Camelina cultivars (ALBA, CO46, CCE43, JOELLE, and VERA). In particular, the contents of phenolic compounds (PCs), phenolic acids (PAs), and glucosinolates (GLSs) were investigated. PCs, PAs, GLSs, and the antioxidant activity of seeds differed among cultivars and were greatly increased by sprouting. A PCA analysis underlined both the effect of the cultivar (PC2) and the germination (PC1) on the nutritional properties of Camelina. The best nutritional properties of seeds were observed for ALBA and CCE43, while the best nutritional properties of sprouts were recorded for CCE43 and JOELLE, since the latter cultivar showed a greater enhancement in phytochemical content and antioxidant activity with sprouting. Finally, a UHPLC-UV procedure for the analysis of GLSs in Camelina was developed and validated. The performance criteria of the proposed method demonstrated that it is useful for the analysis of GLSs in Camelina.

The study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant potential of sprout and seed extracts from three species of plants, namely Glycine max (GMsp-sprouts, GMsd-seeds), Anethum graveolens (AGsp-sprouts, AGsd-seeds) and Pimpinella anisum (PAsp-sprouts, PAsd-seeds), which are widely accepted by consumers and have various applications in food flavoring, and also in natural medical treatments in the pharmaceutical industries. These plants are rich in valuable compounds that show a remarkable antioxidant power and are associated with many health benefits. Ethanol extracts were obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction and they were comparatively evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant properties. The extracts were characterized by HPTLC, HPLC-DAD, total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) analysis and antioxidant activities with different assays, such as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation decolorization assay (ABTS), 1,1-diphenyl 1-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and iron binding ability of chelators. Our results showed that the sprout and seed extracts of the studied plants exhibited a high content of phytochemicals and promising antioxidant properties. The highest polyphenols content was detected for AGsd (53.02 ± 0.57 mg/g DW), PAsd (48.75 ± 0.34 mg/g DW) and the highest flavonoids content for PAsp (26.84 ± 0.57 mg/g DW). Moreover, the presence of valuable compounds was demonstrated by using HPTLC, FT-IR and HPLC-DAD techniques. In order to have a better understanding of the relationship between the biological properties and the electronic structure, a molecular modelling study of genistein was also conducted. Our approach to the comparative assessment of these three plant species was based on a priori knowledge from literature data; however, this study demonstrated that these plant extracts of seeds and also sprouts are excellent sources of natural antioxidants. Significant additional differences that were found in the phytochemical composition could be exploited in future research for pharmaceutical purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai, an ornamental plant, contains a wide range of phytochemicals having pharmaceutical properties. The use of different plant-based extracts for the enhancement of yield and/or quality of soybean sprouts, one of the most inexpensive but nutritious food products, is common. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of A. distichum flower extract (ADE) on the yield and nutritional value of soybean sprouts. Soybean seeds were soaked in ADE solutions with concentrations (w/v) of 0.5% (ADE-0.5), 1% (ADE-1), 3% (ADE-3), and 5% (ADE-5). The effect of ADE concentration on the yield and different nutrient components varied. The highest soybean sprout yield and vitamin C content were found with ADE-3. The most abundant essential amino acid content was detected in ADE-1, whereas the greatest amounts of total isoflavones and total minerals were determined in ADE-5 and the ADE-untreated control, respectively. Overall results of yield, color, and contents of vitamin C, amino acids, and isoflavones suggest that 1% or 3% of A. distichum extract could be an optimum concentration to soak the soybean seeds for higher sprout yield and nutrient content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A popular food in China, soybean seeds and sprouts contained many biologically active substances which are beneficial to the human body, such as flavonoids. Northeast of China is the main producing area of soybean. The experimental materials came from the main soybean producing areas in Northeast China, this study compared flavonoids of two China cultivars of soybeans, Heinong52(HN52) and Heinong71(HN71). Here, we also considered the effects of germination on the chemical profile of flavonoids. Using a LC–ESI–MS/MS system, 114 differential flavonoid metabolites were identified. A total of 18 metabolites were significantly different between the two soybean varieties before germination, of which 14 were up-regulated and 4 were down-regulated. After germination, 33 significantly different metabolites were found in the two soybean sprouts, of which 19 were up-regulated and 14 were down-regulated. These experimental results revealed significant up-regulation of metabolites in soybean sprouts compared with soybean seeds, thus suggesting that soybean germination may increase content of flavonoid metabolites. There are six main pathways for the synthesis of flavonoids: isoflavonoid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids. Soybean seeds lack flavone and flavanol biosynthesis and develop the capacity for this biosynthetic pathway after germination as sprouts. Isoflavonoid biosynthesis is the most abundantly utilized pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The aim of this research was to study the influence of duration of storage and pre-sowing electromagnetic treatment on the development of primary root system of seeds of five Bulgarian cotton varieties - Chirpan-539, Trakia, Helius, Natalia and Nelina, stored before their treatment for one and two years. The seeds of each variety were treated in five electromagnetic fields, with different intensity and duration of exposure. It was found that the selected values of controllable factors had stimulating effect on the mass of sprout (8,9-13,8%) and mass of root (3,5-11,3%). The total sprout and root mass increased by 7.8 - 12.7% and the best treatment options were 1 [U =(8…5)kV,τ =(15…35)s] and 4 [U=(6…3) kV, τ =(5… 25)s]. Electromagnetic treatments had stronger positive effect on the total mass of sprout and root of seeds stored for one year, the increase was of 10.8-16.5%, and less for the seeds stored for two years (1.8 - 3.9%). Compared to the control variant Chirpan-539, untreated seeds stored for one year, higher sprout mass was accounted for the same variety, treatment option 5 [U =(4…2) kV, τ =(5…25) s]. Higher mass of root and total mass of sprout and root was reported for Nelina variety, treatment options 1 [U =(8…5)kV, τ =(15…35)s] and 2 [U =(6…3)kV, τ =(15…35)s].The strongest stimulating effect of treatments on studied characteristics was observed for the Helius variety. As for seeds stored for one year, best treatment option was 1 [U =(8…5)kV, τ =(15…35)s], the increase in sprout mass was by 36.0-57.1%, in root mass was by 0.9 -24.8%, the total mass of sprout and root increased by 27.1-48.5% compared to the variety corresponding control (untreated seeds, one-year storage). In the case of seeds stored for two years, the increase in the total mass of sprout and root was by 6.5-23.0%, and the best treatment option was 4 [U =(6…3)kV, τ =(5…25)s]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges for humanity in the 21st century. Production and consumption of meat contributes to global warming by causing emissions of climate-relevant gases. Freshly grown sprouts are part of an alternative, as they are less polluting but still a nutritious food. However, warm humid sprouting conditions may cause pathogenic microorganisms to thrive. Decontamination methods for raw sprouts are therefore relevant. Photodynamic Inactivation (PDI) is a novel approach that uses photoactivatable molecules (photosensitisers, PS) and visible or near-infrared light to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS kill microorganisms by oxidative processes. Here, we test the application of PDI based on sodium-magnesium-chlorophyllin (Chl, approved as food additive E140) for photo-decontamination of mung bean, radish, and buckwheat seeds. Seeds were contaminated with Listeria innocua, serving as a model system for Listeria monocytogenes, subjected to PDI using an LED array with 395 nm and tested for remaining bacterial contamination by CFU counting. PDI based on 100 µM Chl reduces the bacterial load of mung bean and radish seeds by 99.9% (radiant exposure 56.4 J/cm2 and 28.2 J/cm2, respectively), and of buckwheat seeds by 2. Neither weight nor the germination rates of seeds are affected by PDI. Interestingly, the effect of PDI on seeds is partially maintained on stored sprouts after germination: The bacterial load on mung bean sprouts is reduced by more than 99.9% after phototreatment of seeds with 100 µM Chl and illumination at 56.4 J/cm2. In conclusion, we suggest PDI based on Chl as an effective and biocompatible method for the decontamination of seeds and sprouts for human consumption from Listeria.

Seed-borne Streptomyces can transmit vertically from generation to generation and be a mutualism between the endosymbionts and hosts. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize endophytic Streptomyces strains from wheat sprouts, and to investigate their protection against wheat seed pathogenic fungi Penicillium. Endophytic Streptomyces sp. F6 and Streptomyces sp. F39 were isolated from wheat sprouts germinated under sterile conditions. Both Streptomyces strains could produce siderophores, and showed antagonistic activities against the seed pathogenic fungi Penicillium sp. Z17. The inoculation of Streptomyces sp. F39 and F6 could protect wheat seed germination and promote seedling growth under Penicillium sp. Z17 infection. However, the protection efficiency was impacted by the Streptomyces spore concentrations, the concentration ratios of Streptomyces spores to pathogen spores, and inoculation methods. The results suggested that wheat sprouts harbored diverse endophytic Streptomyces species which derived from wheat seeds, these strains should be more likely transmitted to the next generation, and confer competitive ability to pathogens on the offspring. Owing to the more intimate correlation between sprout endophytic flora with host plants, these strains are more suitable for mature plant interiors compared with those from rhizosphere soils and root interiors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]