Germination Growth Research Articles

Ultraviolet-B Radiation Stimulates Flavonoid Biosynthesis and Antioxidant Systems in Buckwheat Sprouts.

Abiotic stress not only elevates the synthesis of secondary metabolites in plant sprouts but also boosts their antioxidant capacity. In this study, the mechanisms of flavonoid biosynthesis and antioxidant systems in buckwheat sprouts exposed to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation were investigated. The findings revealed that UV-B treatment significantly increased flavonoid content in buckwheat sprouts, with 3-day-old sprouts exhibiting a flavonoid content 1.73 times greater than that of the control treatment. UV-B radiation significantly increased the activities of key enzymes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, 4-coumarate-CoA ligase, cinnamate 4-hydroxylase, and chalcone synthase) and the relative expression levels of the corresponding genes. Although UV-B radiation caused damage to the cell membranes of buckwheat sprouts, promoting increases in hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde content and inhibiting the growth of sprouts, importantly, UV-B radiation also significantly increased the activities of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase as well as the relative expression levels of the corresponding genes, thus enhancing the antioxidant system of buckwheat sprouts. This enhancement was corroborated by a notable increase in ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP radical scavenging activities in 3-day-old sprouts subjected to UV-B radiation. Additionally, UV-B radiation significantly increased chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents in sprouts. These results suggest that UV-B radiation is advantageous for cultivating buckwheat sprouts with increased flavonoid content and enhanced antioxidant capacity.

Priming with multiwalled carbon nanotubes improved biomass accumulation, biological activityand metabolism of four horticultural plants during the sprouting stage.

It is imperative to enhance the quality of sprouts since they are a rich source of various primary and secondary metabolites. The objective of this work was to examine how multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) priming at various concentrations affected the nutritional qualities of four horticultural plants (T. foenum-graecum, L. grandiflorum, L. sativum and A. graveolens) and their sprouting processes. Among the four applied concentrations (10-60 mgL-1), MWCNTs at 10 and 40 mg L⁻¹ induced the highest biomass accumulation in L. grandiflorum and T. foenum-graecum, respectively, while 60 mg L⁻¹ was most effective for L. sativum and A. graveolent. MWCNTs induced growth by enhancing photosynthesis, as shown by increased chlorophyll content and rubisco activity, which rose by 27%, 17%, 23% and 12% in T. foenum-graecum, L. grandiflorum, L. sativum, and A. graveolens, respectively. Enhanced photosynthesis by MWCNTs improved sugar metabolism as indicated by increased activity of sugar metabolic enzymes such as amylase, starch synthase and invertase. This also supplied the carbon necessary for the production of primary (amino acids, fatty acids and organic acids) and secondary (flavonoids and polyphenols) metabolites. There was consistently higher activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase). Interestingly, species-specific reactions to MWCNT priming were observed, where L. sativum sprouts showed the highest antioxidant activity, followed by A. graveolens. MWCNT priming improves sprout growth and nutritional quality by boosting metabolic processes and antioxidant activity, presenting a promising approach for sustainable agriculture. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of Different Amounts of Codominant Stem Subordination on the Growth and Aesthetics ofAcer rubrum‘October Glory’

AbstractBackgroundCodominant stems are a common condition of concern on landscape trees. Understanding the impact of varying degrees of stem reduction can assist practitioners in making informed pruning decisions.MethodsTo determine this, a single reduction or removal cut was made on each pair of codominant stems on medium-agedAcer rubrum‘October Glory’ at approximately 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the diameter relative to the basal diameter at the shared union or left as nonpruned controls. Changes in stem diameter ratio, trunk diameter growth, sprout production, wound closure, and aesthetics were documented for 4 years starting in 2020.ResultsStem diameter ratio was significantly reduced in codominant stems pruned to a relative diameter of 50% or 75% after a single growing season. The 75% treatment reduced growth for 2 growing seasons. There were no significant differences in change of stem diameter ratio with any treatment after 3 growing seasons. Larger pruning cuts resulted in the growth of more sprouts and more exposed wood after 3 years. Aesthetics of trees following pruning were acceptable for nonpruned, 25%, and 50% treatments in all years but were rated as not acceptable or moderately acceptable for 75% and 100% treatments after 2 growing seasons. Trees with the 75% treatment became aesthetically acceptable after 3 growing seasons.ConclusionsPruning codominant stems ofA. rubrum‘October Glory’ with a cut that is 50% or 75% the diameter of the basal diameter at the shared union is appropriate at reducing stem diameter ratio, minimizing exposed wood, and maintaining overall aesthetic appearance after 2 to 3 years.

Effects of Combined Nitrogen-Phosphorus on Biomass Accumulation, Allocation, and Allometric Growth Relationships in Pinus yunnanensis Seedlings after Top Pruning.

Pinus yunnanensis (Franch), a species endemic to southwestern China, provides significant ecological and economic benefits. The quality of afforestation can be enhanced by promoting high-quality sprout growth. This study analyzed the effects of six fertilization treatments following top pruning: T1 (N: 0 g/plant-1; P: 0 g/plant-1), T2 (N: 0 g/plant-1; P: 2 g/plant-1), T3 (N: 0 g/plant-1; P: 4 g/plant-1), T4 (N: 0.6 g/plant-1; P: 0 g/plant-1), T5 (N: 0.6 g/plant-1; P: 2 g/plant-1), and T6 (N: 0.6 g/plant-1; P: 4 g/plant-1). The accumulation and allocation of aboveground biomass in roots, stems, and leaves of P. yunnanensis were measured, as well as changes in biomass per plant at 90 days (early stage), 180 days (middle stage), and 270 days (late stage) post-fertilization. At 90 days, root biomass accumulation in T3 was significantly higher, by 13.31%, compared to that in T1 (p < 0.05). The growth rates of stem and plant biomass followed the order T6 > T1 > T3 > T5 > T4 > T2. The biomass of sprouts and individual plants exhibited allometric growth under T1, T5, and T6 treatments. At 180 days, needle biomass allocation in T1 and T4 increased by 7.47% and 8.6%, respectively, compared to 90 days. Combined nitrogen-phosphorus fertilization significantly influenced aboveground biomass allocation, promoting growth more effectively than other treatments. By 270 days, the stem and individual biomass in T2 and T3 treatments showed significant differences (p < 0.01) compared to other treatments. Overall, root, stem, and sprouts were primarily influenced by phosphorus fertilization, while nitrogen fertilization notably promoted needle and leaf growth in later stages. The aboveground components were more affected by phosphorus fertilization. The combination of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers enhanced early-stage stem and sprouts, as well as late-stage root development.

Mechanical and hydraulic characteristics of unvegetated or vegetated loess soils amended with xanthan gum

With the development of western and central China, the increasing construction of transportation infrastructures (e.g., roads, railways, etc.) has been producing a large number of man-made slopes in loess regions. Biopolymer as an eco-friendly stabilizing material, has a great potential to amend soils for the purpose of ground improvement and slope stabilization, with its application in vegetated soils particularly at the initial growing stage to support vegetation growth as well as offer reinforcement to unprotected soils being reported recently. In the current study, the contribution of xanthan gum (XG) to both mechanical and hydraulic behaviors of the unvegetated and vegetated loess soils subjected to climatic wetting–drying cycles under the impacts of degree of compaction and biopolymer content are explored, whilst the effectiveness of the two XG-based soil reinforcing methods (with and without vegetation) are compared. Results indicate that XG treatment improved the water-retention capacity of loess soils to an extent that even the degradation of water retention upon initial wetting–drying cycles could be mitigated particularly at higher degrees of compaction. The strengthened shear resistance of loess soils was observed, mainly attributed to the increased soil cohesion, whilst the friction angle remained almost constant. The unvegetated loess soils basically had an increased cohesion proportional to the XG content up to 1.00% of the dry soil mass, whilst the vegetated soils had the highest soil cohesion at a fixed XG content of 0.50% which corresponded to the mostly promoted vegetation growth. Although a dense soil structure inhibited the seed germination and growth of sprouts and roots, it contributed to the overall shear strength of the vegetated soils similar to its effect on the unvegetated soils. XG amendment outperformed planting vegetation at enhancing soil shear strength at a degree of compaction of 95% (comparable to those adopted for design of highway subgrade), whilst providing XG in combination with vegetation was able to result in a more sizable strength increment over the summation of gains in strength by utilizing XG and vegetation separately, suggesting the considerable potential of XG in assisting vegetated soils for ecological slope stabilization. The results obtained from the current research support the broader usage of biopolymers (either used alone or in combination with vegetation) as reliable geotechnical engineering materials in practical implementations.

Ionic titanium is expected to improve the nutritional quality of Tartary buckwheat sprouts through flavonoids and amino acid metabolism

Tartary buckwheat sprouts are highly valued by consumers for their superior nutritional content. Ionic titanium (Ti) has been shown to enhance crop growth and improve nutritional quality. However, there is limited research on the impact of ionic Ti on the nutritional quality of Tartary buckwheat sprouts. This study cultivated Tartary buckwheat sprouts with ionic Ti and found that the high concentration of ionic Ti significantly increased the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids (increased by 25.5%, 27.57%, and 15.11%, respectively). The lower concentration of ionic Ti has a higher accumulation of total flavonoids and total polyphenols. Metabolomics analysis by LC-MS revealed 589 differentially expressed metabolites and 54 significantly different metabolites, enriching 82 metabolic pathways, especially including amino acid biosynthesis and flavonoid biosynthesis. This study shows that ionic Ti can promote the growth of Tartary buckwheat sprouts, improve nutritional quality, and have huge development potential in food production.

Exploring the potential of ultrasound combined with sucrose treatments for germination and growth of sunflower sprouts

Ultrasound is a promising physical method for enhancing the germination of leguminous plants, while sucrose supplementation can boost plant growth and metabolism. However, limited studies have explored the synergistic effects and metabolic mechanisms of ultrasound and sucrose on sunflower sprouts. This study comprehensively investigated the impacts of ultrasound, sucrose, and their combination (US-Suc) on the germination and seedling growth of sunflower seeds. Overall, the combine treatment significantly increased the germination rate, length and weight of sunflower sprouts, compared to either individual treatment. Scanning electron microscope images showed that the US-Suc combination induced a distinct microstructural alteration, enhancing the water absorption capacity of sunflower seeds. Additionally, sunflower seeds exhibited increased activity of endogenous enzymes with antioxidant properties following US-Suc treatment. Lastly, Nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics analysis demonstrated that the US-Suc treatment had a distinct regulatory impact on the metabolic profile compared to either treatment alone. The metabolism of carbohydrates and phenolic compounds was significantly up-regulated upon US-Suc treatment, leading to improved plant growth and resistance to environmental stress. In conclusion, pre-treating with ultrasound in combination with external sucrose application showed great promise in seed germination, enhancing nutrient accumulation in sunflower sprouts by accelerating water uptake and boosting enzyme activity. Thus, US-Suc represents an effective approach to increase both yield and nutritional value of sunflower sprouts.

Resprouting Control of Ailanthus altissima by Means of Cut and Stump Covering: Experimental Evidence for a Promising Technique

Ailanthus altissima is an invasive tree threatening the biodiversity in natural and disturbed habitats of temperate regions, primarily because of its high resprouting vigor. To test the effect of light exclusion on stem and root sprouting, black covers were applied on the cut stumps of 3-year-old saplings grown in pots. The treatments were as follows: SL, stumps exposed to light; SH, only stumps covered; SPH, the entire pot covered; C, intact control plants. The covers were removed when the root sprouts appeared. The emergence of stem and root sprouts was checked weekly, and their number and biomass were determined at the growth peak (cut I and III) and the end (cut II and IV) of two seasons after cutting. Stem sprouts were produced only in the first growth season in SL and SH and never in SPH and the controls. The number and biomass of the root sprouts were the highest in SH at cut I and in SL in the following cuts. In SH, the sprouting ceased completely after cut I, suggesting a rapid consumption of root reserves, while in SL and SPH, repeated cutting progressively reduced the sprouting vigor. We concluded that covering the stems after cutting is a promising technique to control ailanthus resprouting without the use of herbicides.

Combination of white and green/red LED lights influence growth, antioxidant properties, mineral composition and ginsenosides content of Panax ginseng sprouts in controlled environment system

Combination of white and green/red LED lights influence growth, antioxidant properties, mineral composition and ginsenosides content of Panax ginseng sprouts in controlled environment system

Impact of cutting types and commercial plant growth regulators on the propagation of red star begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum)

Begonia is an ornamental plant known for its beautiful, variegated leaves. Propagation of this plant via vegetative means, particularly using leaves, often encounters challenges such as drying, rotting, and mortality of cuttings, necessitating the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) to support their development. This study aims to determine the optimal combination of cutting type and commercial PGR concentration for the growth of red star begonia leaf cuttings. A factorial completely randomized design (CRD) was employed with two factors: cutting type (whole leaves and leaf slices) and PGR concentration (250 ppm, 300 ppm, 350 ppm, and 400 ppm), each replicated three times. The results indicated that the best combination for leaf number, root length, primary root number, and survival rate was whole leaves with a PGR concentration of 400 ppm. For the earliest sprout emergence, the best treatment was a PGR concentration of 350 ppm. These findings can enhance the efficiency of vegetative propagation of red star begonia, reduce propagation failure rates, and provide practical guidance for growers and ornamental plant enthusiasts in selecting optimal methods and PGR concentrations.

Crosstalk between ethylene and melatonin activates isoflavone biosynthesis and antioxidant systems to produce high-quality soybean sprouts

Isoflavone, which are mainly found in soybeans, are a secondary metabolite with a variety of physiological functions. In recent years, increasing the isoflavone content of soybeans has received widespread attention. Although ethephon treatment significantly increased isoflavone content in soybean sprouts, it also had a certain inhibitory effect on the growth of sprouts. Melatonin (MT), as a new type of plant hormone, not only alleviated the damage caused by abiotic stress to plants, but also promoted the synthesis of secondary metabolites. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism of exogenous MT in regulating the growth and development, and the metabolism of isoflavone in soybean sprouts under ethephon treatment. The results indicated that MT alleviated the adverse effects of ethephon treatment on soybean sprouts by increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and the expression of their corresponding genes, as well as decreased the content of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide. In addition, MT further increased the isoflavone content by up-regulating the expression level of isoflavone synthesis genes and increased the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase under ethephon treatment. This study provided technical support and reference value for the production of high-quality soybean sprouts to a certain extent.

Do essential oils suppress potato sprout growth?

Worldwide, potatoes are an essential food crop; however, substantial post-harvest losses due to sprouting during storage have been a significant issue. Chemical sprout suppressants have been widely used to extend potato dormancy and reduce or eliminate sprouting in storage. However, chlorpropham (CIPC), the most effective and the most widely used chemical suppressant worldwide has been banned in the European Union and other countries due to potential health and environmental risks. Essential oils (EOs) from various plants have been investigated and are being used as environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic chemical suppressors. This study aimed to investigate EOs that were not previously tested for preventing potato sprout suppression at room temperature. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of twenty EOs in three potato cultivars, Ranger Russet, Terra Rosa, and TrailBlazer minitubers, on the suppression of sprouts at room temperature. The results showed that Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl and Origanum majorana L. EOs suppressed sprouting in all potato cultivars throughout the storage period while maintaining potato quality during storage. Furthermore, Lavandula x intermedia Emeric ex Loisel. EO showed the ability to shorten and restrict sprouts relative to the controls. The GC analysis of C. camphora EO identified eight constituents with linalool being the dominant one at 95.5 %, whereas the main EO constituents of O. majorana were terpinen-4-ol (40.3 %), γ-terpinene (14.6 %), sabinene (7.2 %), α-terpinene (6.9 %), para cymene (6.2 %), and limonene (4.1 %) in addition to other compounds. 1,8-Cineole and linalool were the major compounds in L. x intermedia EO. This work is the first report on these specific EOs as sprout suppressors. These EOs offer a potential for environmentally safe substitutes to conventional sprout inhibitors for potato storage and could be utilized in the development of commercial products for potato sprout control at room temperature.

Combination of light quality and melatonin regulates the quality in mustard sprouts

Mustard sprouts is a new form of vegetable product that is gaining attention due to its high content of health-promoting compounds such as glucosinolates. This study investigated the effects of different light qualities (white, red, and blue) alone and in combination with 100 μmol L−1 melatonin on the growth and health-promoting substance content of mustard sprouts. The results showed that white light + melatonin treatment promoted the accumulation of glucosinolates in sprouts (compared with white light increased by 47.89%). The edible fresh weight of sprouts treated with red light + melatonin was the highest, followed by white light + melatonin treatment. In addition, the sprouts treated with blue light + melatonin contained more ascorbic acid, flavonoids, and total phenolics. Therefore, the combined treatment of light quality (especially white light) and melatonin can provide a new strategy to improve the quality of mustard sprouts.

Melatonin mediates phenolic acids accumulation in barley sprouts under MeJA stress.

Phenolic acids are secondary metabolites in higher plants, with antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-aging effects on the human body. Therefore, foods rich in phenolic acids are popular. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) promoted phenolic acids accumulation but also inhibited sprout growth. Melatonin (MT) was a new type of plant hormone that not only alleviated plants' abiotic stress, but also promoted the synthesis of plant-stimulating metabolism. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of exogenous MT on the growth and development, and phenolic acids metabolism of barley sprouts under MeJA treatment. The results showed that MT increased the phenolic acids content in sprouts by increasing the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase, and up-regulating the gene expression of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase, 4-coumarate: coenzyme a ligase, and ferulic acid-5-hydroxylase. MT attenuated the growth inhibition of barley sprouts under MeJA stress by increasing the activities of regulated antioxidant enzymes and the expression of their corresponding genes. Furthermore, MT increased the NO content and induced Ca2+ burst in barley sprouts under MeJA stress. These events were inhibited by DL-4-Chlorophenylalanine. These results suggested that MT ameliorated growth inhibition and promoted the biosynthesis of phenolic acids in barley sprouts under MeJA stress.

THE ROLE OF CYTOKININ AND GIBBERELLIN IN POTATO TUBER SPROUTING

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a highly sensitive crop to tuber dormancy. This can be initiated by various factors, including moisture stress, high or low temperature, day length, hormonal imbalance, and heredity. Breaking of tuber dormancy is therefore important for seed potato multiplication, rapid post-harvest disease testing, and early production in the field or green house. Cytokinin (CK) and gibberellin (GA) in combination will terminate dormancy and increase sprout growth earlier than using GAs alone. And also using only CK will terminate dormancy earlier than using GAs alone, but subsequent sprout growth will be hampered. In this review, the current knowledge and possible utilization of CK and GA, which can be used for termination of dormancy and sprout growth of potato tubers, have been reviewed and discussed. The role of CK and GA to mitigate the harmful effects of endogenous and environmental stresses in potato sprouting is also examined. In addition, numerous biochemical and physiological processes principal to improved potato sprouting under the consequence of these hormones are discoursed in detail.

Changes in physio-biochemical metabolism, phenolics and antioxidant capacity during germination of different wheat varieties

Changes in physio-biochemical metabolism, phenolics and antioxidant capacity during germination were studied in eight different wheat varieties. Results showed that germination enhanced sprout growth, and caused oxidative damage, but enhanced phenolics accumulation. Ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid were the main phenolic acids in wheat sprouts, and dihydroquercetin, quercetin and vitexin were the main flavonoids. The phenolic acid content of Jimai 44 was the highest on the 2th and 4th day of germination, and that of Bainong 307 was the highest on the 6th day. The flavonoid content of Hei jingang was the highest during whole germination. The enzymes activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (C4H) and 4-coumarate coenzyme A ligase (4CL) were up-regulated. The activities of catalase, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase were also activated. Antioxidant capacity of wheat sprouts was enhanced. The results provided new ideas for the production of naturally sourced phenolic rich foods.

Resources and potential for utilization of low-exergy heat from mung bean sprouts cultivation – case study

Poland is a significant producer of vegetable sprouts, which, due to the high content of nutrients, are produced for food purposes. The cultivation cycle of these plants, especially the mung beans (Vigna radiata), is associated with significant exploitation of natural resources (as much as 275 dm3 of water per 1 kg of dry seeds) and requires appropriate temperature conditions. However, since producing of vegetable sprouts is an exothermic process, there are reasons to organize the growth conditions of these plants in a quasi-autonomous manner. Estimated preliminary studies show that during the entire period of sprout growth, as much as 2.86 MJ of heat from 1 kg of dry seeds can be used, which, taking into account the scale of production of these plants, places them among the significant sources of low-temperature waste heat. The paper presents the results of temperature measurements carried out in a growth chamber used for the industrial production of the mung bean vegetable sprouts. Based on the prepared energy balance, the total amount of heat generated (4.9 GJ) and recovered (3.3 GJ) in the seed germination process was determined. The amount of energy lost in the process of imbibition and the amount of heat needed to ensure optimal plant growth conditions were determined. The study shows that the use of low-temperature heat generated by plants allows for a significant reduction in the energy consumption of the production process.

Effects of combined treatment of light quality and melatonin on health-promoting compounds in Chinese kale sprouts

Chinese kale sprouts have garnered attention owing to its rich health-promoting compounds. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different light qualities (white, blue, and red light) and melatonin (100 μmol L−1), both individually and in combination, on the growth and accumulation of health-promoting compounds in Chinese kale sprouts. Red light positively influenced sprout growth (compared with white light, plant height and fresh weight increased by 16.67 % and 4.87 %, respectively), and the red light + melatonin treatment further enhanced growth (compared with single red light, the plant height and fresh weight increased by 14.97 % and 12.29 %, respectively), while increasing glucosinolate accumulation through the up-regulation of glucosinolate biosynthetic genes (UGT74B1, CYP83B1, SOT18 and IGMT1). Conversely, blue light inhibited sprout growth, elevated the expression levels of PAL, CHS, CHI, GGP, and PAX, improved antioxidant levels, and accelerated the accumulation of aliphatic glucosinolates, reducing indolic glucosinolates. The blue light + melatonin treatment promoted the accumulation of sprout biomass and anthocyanins (11.91 % and 13.33 % higher than that of single blue light). The study unveiled various pathways influencing plant growth, development, and secondary metabolite accumulation, including plant circadian rhythms, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and glucosinolate biosynthesis.

Physiological and molecular mechanisms associated with potato tuber dormancy.

Tuber dormancy is an important physiological trait that impacts post-harvest storage and end-use qualities of potatoes. Overall, dormancy regulation of potato tubers is a complex process driven by genetic as well as environmental factors. Elucidation of the molecular and physiological mechanisms that influence different dormancy stages of tubers has wider potato breeding and industry-relevant implications. Therefore, the primary objective of this review is to present current knowledge of the diversity in tuber dormancy traits among wild relatives of potatoes and discuss how genetic and epigenetic factors contribute to tuber dormancy. Advancements in understanding of key physiological mechanisms involved in tuber dormancy regulation, such as apical dominance, phytohormone metabolism, and oxidative stress responses, are also discussed. This review highlights the impacts of common sprout suppressors on the molecular and physiological mechanisms associated with tuber dormancy and other storage qualities. Collectively, the literature suggests that significant changes in expression of genes associated with the cell cycle, phytohormone metabolism, and oxidative stress response influence initiation, maintenance, and termination of dormancy in potato tubers. Commercial sprout suppressors mainly alter the expression of genes associated with the cell cycle and stress responses and suppress sprout growth rather than prolonging tuber dormancy.

Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) Treatment of Alfalfa Seeds in Different Voltage Conditions Leads to Both Positive and Inhibitory Outcomes Related to Sprout Growth and Nutraceutical Properties.

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) has proven to be a green method in the agricultural field for the stimulation of germination, growth, and production of nutraceutical compounds in some cases. However, the process is far from being fully understood and depends on the targeted plant species and the NTP used. In this work, we focus on the production of alfalfa sprouts from NTP-treated seeds under different voltage conditions. A flexible electrode configuration was used to produce the NTP, which can also be placed on packages for in-package treatments. The surface of the seeds was analyzed, indicating that the microstructure was strongly affected by NTP treatment. Biometric measurements evidenced the possibility of stimulating the sprout growth in some conditions by up to 50% compared to the sprouts obtained from untreated seeds. Biochemical traits for the sprouts obtained in different processing conditions were also studied, such as the concentrations of chlorophyll pigments, flavonoids and polyphenols, and antioxidant activity. Most NTP treatments led to inhibitory effects, proving the strong dependence between NTP treatment and targeted plant species.