Abstract
The aim was to investigate the effects of buckwheat sprout treated with plasma-activated water (PAW) and their quality, nutrients (protein, amino acids, fat, and carbohydrates), functional active ingredients (total flavonoids, total phenolic acids, γ-gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), and polysaccharides), and antioxidant activity during germination. PAW had no negative effects on the germination rate, but promoted the stem growth instead, which indicated 1.12-fold higher germination rate compared with the control group. The results of sensory evaluation demonstrated that the obtained sprouts were bright green, shinning, crisp and smooth, with sufficient moisture, and easy to chew. During germination (1–9 days), the water content, amino acids, and reducing sugars of sprouts showed an increasing trend and were basically higher in the PAW group than in the control group, while protein, carbohydrate, and crude fat presented a decreasing trend. The results were that the flavonoid, phenolic acid, γ-GABA, polysaccharides content, and antioxidant activity during germination showed a gradual upward trend but with slight differences, and the antioxidant properties of buckwheat sprouts might be related to the phenolic acid and polysaccharides content. These data show that the PAW treatment on buckwheat sprout have great potential as a dietary source of antioxidant function with health benefits.
Highlights
Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.) is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the Polygonaceae family, which is a traditionally edible and medicinal plant [1]
The stem length, shoot weight, and germination rate of buckwheat sprouts in the plasma-activated water (PAW) group increased significantly (p < 0.05) compared with the control group, and the germination rate reached 93 ± 0.66%, the control group was only 83 ± 0.67%, indicating that the PAW treatment has a positive effect on buckwheat germination, which can promote the growth of roots and facilitate the uptake of water during the seed reproduction
The increase in moisture content for the reproductive process of water absorption has a positive effect, and is beneficial to the root growth, indicating that the treatment of PAW can promote seed germination and growth of buckwheat sprouts, which means a better hydration of the plants [35]
Summary
Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.) is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the Polygonaceae family, which is a traditionally edible and medicinal plant [1]. Buckwheat grains are mainly composed of high-quality starch and dietary fiber, protein, lipids, vitamins, amino acids, etc. It is rich in flavonoids [5], phenols [6], proteins and peptides [7], sugar alcohols, D-Chiral inositol [8], polysaccharides [9], steroids, and other bioactive substances, which has a high antioxidant effect by inhibiting the oxidative stress, beneficial to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, and reduce triglycerides [10], total cholesterol, so it has a very good healthcare, medicinal value [11]. There is fagopyrin substance in buckwheat, which is a phototoxic naftodianthrone related to hypericin [12]. The phototoxic dose of fagopyrin for humans is still unknown [13], some researchers have estimated the recommended daily intake of buckwheat sprouts to be less than 40 g, based on a comparison to hypericin toxicity [14]
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