Effects of calcium chloride treatment on bioactive compound accumulation and antioxidant capacity in germinated brown rice

Abstract

In this study, the effects of calcium chloride on bioactive compound accumulation and antioxidant capacity were investigated in germinated brown rice. Brown rice treated with CaCl2 (50–200 mM) during germination showed higher accumulation of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and γ-aminobutyric acid in a concentration-dependant manner. These results were associated with activation of bioactive compound-triggering enzymes such as glutamate decarboxylase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase compared to ungerminated or CaCl2-untreated germinated brown rice. Furthermore, CaCl2 treatment in germinated brown rice significantly enhanced its antioxidant capacity, including reducing power and free radical scavenging activity, and considerably improved the cell viability up to 92.83% against hydrogen peroxide-mediated cell damage and oxidative stress in C2C12 myoblast cells. Cellular generation of ROS and depletion of reduced form of glutathione (GSH) were significantly reduced by CaCl2-treated germinated brown rice. These findings suggest that CaCl2 treatment during germination of brown rice is an effective strategy to improve its nutritional value and health-promoting properties.