Growth and quality of soybean sprouts (Glycine max L. Merrill) as affected by gamma irradiation

Abstract

In this study, soybean seeds and sprouts (Glycine max L. Merrill) were exposed to radiation doses up to 3.0kGy. The irradiated and non-irradiated seeds were germinated, and then germination rate, sprouts length, vitamin C content, antioxidants and visual and olfactory quality were determined after irradiation. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in the germination rate and sprouts length between the control and 0.3kGy treated soybeans, however, the reductions in sprouts length of the 1.0kGy and 3.0kGy treated samples were quite significant with reductions of 20.4% and 58.8%, respectively. Irradiated sprouts had similar visual and olfactory quality as the non-irradiated one. Therefore, irradiation of seeds alone would have limited value in terms of commercial use due to reduced germination and length of sprouts. However, irradiation of sprouts at doses up to 3.0kGy was feasible to enhance microbial safety of sprouts.