Quality Of Sprouts Research Articles

Impact of consecutive steps through the food chain on the quality of Brussels sprouts, with a special focus on preparation and reheating as applied in large-scale kitchens

This study investigated the impact of preparation processes (as applied in large-scale kitchens) on the resulting sensory and health-related quality aspects starting from industrially blanched and frozen Brussels sprouts. A single (steaming) and a double-heat (steaming and reheating) preparation were considered. Consumers consume vegetables both whole and as disintegrated (puree-like) systems. Hence, in this study, two distinct pretreatment conditions (i.e., intact Brussels sprouts and Brussels sprouts puree) included in the preparation processes. It was observed that steaming intact Brussels sprouts via both preparation methods did affect the quality, but only to a limited extent, possibly explained by the fact that the starting material was blanched. Pretreatment was observed to be a determinative step, as also observed in the fact that the quality of puree-systems was more affected upon processing compared to the quality of the intact Brussels sprouts. GSLs and volatile profiles were indeed not observed to be affected largely upon preparation and reheating processing. However, vitamin C concentration did lead to loss of 38-45% due to heat and exposure to oxygen. In conclusion, pretreatment (e.g., blanching and disintegrating) is considered the most determinative step in affecting the resulting quality of Brussels sprouts, which can be kept in mind for industrial and home practices.

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.

Diversity Analysis and Comprehensive Evaluation of 101 Soybean (Glycine max L.) Germplasms Based on Sprout Quality Characteristics.

Soybean sprouts are a common culinary vegetable due to their high nutrition and tasty flavors. To select soybean varieties with excellent sprout quality, 101 soybean materials were collected from different regions of China, and eight sprout quality parameters were determined for overall evaluation. The results showed that eight sprout quality parameters achieved varying degrees of difference and correlation. Based on the principal component analysis (PCA), three principal components were extracted, with a cumulative contribution rate of 78.314%. Further, the comprehensive evaluation value (D) of soybean sprout quality was calculated by membership function analysis based on PCA, and the quality of soybean sprouts was ranked accordingly. Subsequently, a regression equation for the prediction of soybean sprout quality was established using a stepwise regression analysis, and the model showed a good prediction performance (correlation coefficient of prediction > 0.8; residual predictive deviation > 2.0). On these grounds, it was proposed that the quality of soybean sprouts could be comprehensively predicted by four parameters: hypocotyl length, edible rate, 100-seed weight, and total isoflavone content and saponin content. In conclusion, this study provides excellent varieties for soybean sprout production and new variety breeding, and it provides an important reference for the prediction of soybean sprout quality.

Exogenous nitric oxide treatment delays the senescence of postharvest mung bean sprouts by regulating ascorbic acid metabolism.

This study evaluated the effects of nitric oxide (NO) treatment on ascorbic acid (AsA) metabolism and mung bean sprout quality. It examined changes in the AsA content, enzyme activity associated with AsA metabolism, antioxidant capacity, cell membrane composition, and cellular structure to clarify the effects of NO on mung bean sprouts. Nitric oxide treatment preserved mung bean sprout quality by enhancing significantly the activity of enzymes involved in the l-galactose pathway (including guanosine diphosphate (GDP)glutathione (-d-mannose pyrophosphorylase, GDP-mannose-3',5'-epimerase, GDP-l-galactose phosphorylase, l-galactose-1-phosphate phosphatase, l-galactose dehydrogenase, and l-galactose-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase) and the AsA-glutathione (GSH)(Beijing Solarbio Science and Technology Co.,Ltd., Beijing, China) cycle (including ascorbate peroxidase, ascorbic acid oxidase, glutathione reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and monodehydroascorbate reductase) during the germination and storage stage. Increased enzyme activity led to an increase in AsA content and enhanced antioxidant capacity, and reduced the membrane lipid damage in mung bean sprouts. This was demonstrated by higher levels of DPPH radical scavenging capacity, unsaturated fatty acids and phospholipids, along with lower levels of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anions, and malondiadehyde, in NO-treated mung bean sprouts. Scanning electron microscopy also revealed that NO treatment maintained the integrity of the cellular structure of the mung bean sprouts. Nitric oxide accelerates AsA metabolism effectively by regulating the biosynthesis and regeneration of AsA in mung bean sprouts. These changes increased AsA levels, alleviated membrane lipid damage, delayed senescence, and maintained the quality of mung bean sprouts during storage. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Preharvest CaCl2-HCl electrolyzed water treatment maintained the quality of broccoli sprouts during storage

A new electrolyzed water-CaCl2-HCl electrolyzed water (CHEW) was obtained by combining slightly acidic electrolyzed water and calcium. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of preharvest CHEW treatment on the quality during storage of broccoli sprouts. Preharvest CHEW treatment not only reduced the electrolyte leakage, reactive oxygen species, weight loss and the number of microorganisms during storage of broccoli sprouts, but also slowed down the breakdown of cell structure and maintained color and textural properties of broccoli sprouts. Besides, preharvest CHEW treatment reduced the degradation of active substances in broccoli sprouts during storage. The contents of important bioactive compounds in broccoli sprouts–glucoraphanin and sulforaphane, along with the enzymatic activity and genes involved in glucosinolates metabolism have also been further investigated. On day 12 of storage, compared to preharvest tap water treatment, the contents of glucoraphanin and sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts with preharvest CHEW treatment increased by 63% and 128%, respectively. Meanwhile, the generation of offensive odors in broccoli sprouts during storage was also inhibited under preharvest CHEW treatment. In general, preharvest CHEW treatment maintained the good quality during storage and prolong the shelf life of broccoli sprouts, which provides a new perspective for postharvest preservation of broccoli sprouts.

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.

Pre-harvest applications of pulsed light increases vitamin C, chlorophyll, carotenoids and proteins in alfalfa sprouts

The possibility of using pulsed light (PL) pre-harvest during the cultivation of alfalfa sprouts to reduce microflora and simultaneously enhance the bioactive concentration was presented. Different fluences were compared, and the effect of PL direction on sprout quality was determined. PL application up to 12 J/cm2 per day resulted in an increased accumulation of bioactive components (vitamin C, proteins, chlorophyll, and carotenoids), in response to the stress resulting from PL emission. More interestingly, the direction of incidence was found important, with different trends observed for different bioactive components depending on whether only leaves were illuminated, or both leaves and roots were illuminated. Pulsed light directed solely towards the cotyledons (24 J/cm2) reduced the level of total microbial counts by about 0.7 log cfu/ml, and yeast and mold counts by about 1 log cfu/ml. It was found that an excessive amount of PL directed towards the roots might damage the root system, which promotes the growth of bacteria and will lower increases in the accumulation of chlorophylls, carotenoids, vitamin C, and proteins. The work will guide the development of photo-energized cultivation chambers for the production of agricultural and food products.

Effect of plasma activated water Immersion on Broccoli Seed Germination and Nutritional Quality of Sprouts

Effect of plasma activated water Immersion on Broccoli Seed Germination and Nutritional Quality of Sprouts

EFFECT OF VARIOUS FERTILIZER APPLICATIONS ON GROWTH, NUTRITIVE VALUE, AND NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF BARLEY SPROUTS

Effect of various fertilizing techniques on the growth, nutritive value, and nutritional quality of barley sprouts produced in a hydroponic chamber were examined in this study. Four experimental groups were designed as control (without fertilizer application); S (fertilizer application to seeds before planting); S1 (fertilizer application to sprouts fertilizer after 4 days of planting), and S2 (fertilizer application to seeds before planting and to sprouts after 4 days of planting). The highest shoot height, root length, and fresh and dry forage weights were seen in S2 group. Different fertilizer applications increased the dry matter content and decreased the dry matter loss of sprouts compared to the control group. Crude protein, ether extract, ash, in vitro dry matter digestibility, crude fiber, and acid detergent fiber contents of sprouts were greater in all the treatment groups compared to the control group. After harvesting, lower neutral and acid detergent fibers, nitrogen-free extract, and hemicellulose were detected in the fertilized groups than control group. The relative feed value and relative feed quality in S2 group were the highest among all groups. In conclusion, the application of fertilizer to both seed and sprout may improve the growth, nutrient content, and quality values of barley sprouts. Keywords: Green sprout yield, hydroponic system, Nutritional composition, Hydroponic system.

Elicitation as a Process of Enhancing Bioactive Compounds Concentration in Sprouts

During growth, plants produce bioactive compounds—secondary metabolites. Their concentration can be stimulated by the presence of a stressful factor—an elicitor. Since chlorine dioxide is commonly used in water plants to disinfect drinking water, its application as a plant elicitor seems to be very attractive. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of a new elicitor, ClO2, on the quality of seeds and bioactive compounds of sprouts. Elicitation of radish and broccoli seeds using ClO2 solutions did not significantly reduce their germination percentage (GP remained over 90%). Radish sprouts sprouted from seeds elicited in chlorine dioxide solutions with concentrations up to 800 ppm did not differ statistically significantly in terms of polyphenol content. Sprouts which were grown in the presence of ClO2 contained significantly fewer polyphenolic compounds. Elicitation of broccoli seeds in 800–1000 ppm ClO2 solutions causes an increase in total phenolic content and concentration of ascorbic acid in sprouts. Elicitation in chlorine dioxide solutions not only increased concentrations of selected bioactive compounds but also improved the microbiological quality of sprouts.

Identifying the critical LED light condition for optimum yield and flavonoid of pea sprouts

Light, as an energy source and environmental signal, can significantly impact plant growth, development, and metabolism. This study explored three aspects of light environment, including light quality (different red and blue combination), intensity (9–90 μmol/m2/s), and photoperiod (4–20 h/d) to identify and utilize the optimal light conditions for promoting morphogenesis and the accumulation of phenolic compounds in pea (Pisum sativum L.) sprouts of variety Taiwanxiaobaihua. The results showed that dark conditions and red light promoted the longitudinal growth of pea sprouts, while blue light had an inhibitory effect. The appropriate ratio of red and blue light could positively affect the morphological establishment of pea sprouts, promoting the accumulation of total phenolic and total flavonoid contents and improving the antioxidant properties. Within a certain light range, the total flavonoid content and total flavonoid yield of pea sprouts showed an increasing trend with the light intensity increase and the photoperiod extension. Precise estimation of optimal light parameters was achieved using regression models, the total flavonoid content, total flavonoid yield, and dry matter mass of pea sprouts reached an optimal amount at red/blue light ratios of 0.33, 0.46, and 0.71, at 105.86, 90.00, and 9.00 μmol/m2/s of light intensity and at 32.33, 23.28 and 8.23 h/d of photoperiod, respectively. Specifically, increasing dry matter mass by 1 mg decrease in total flavonoid content by 0.78 mg in pea sprouts under these conditions. The scientifically guided light regulation technologies can improve the yield and quality of sprouts and provide a scientific basis for the sustainable development of the sprout industry.

Impact of Sodium Silicate Supplemented, IR-Treated Panax Ginseng on Extraction Optimization for Enhanced Anti-Tyrosinase and Antioxidant Activity: A Response Surface Methodology (RSM) Approach.

Ginseng has long been widely used for its therapeutic potential. In our current study, we investigated the impact of abiotic stress induced by infrared (IR) radiations and sodium silicate on the upregulation of antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase levels, as well as the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) variety Yeonpoong. The RSM-based design was used to optimize ultrasonic-assisted extraction time (1-3 h) and temperature (40-60 °C) for better anti-tyrosinase activity and improved antioxidant potential. The optimal extraction results were obtained with a one-hour extraction time, at a temperature of 40 °C, and with a 1.0 mM sodium silicate treatment. We recorded maximum anti-tyrosinase (53.69%) and antioxidant (40.39%) activities when RSM conditions were kept at 875.2 mg GAE/100 g TPC, and 3219.58 mg catechin/100 g. When 1.0 mM sodium silicate was added to the media and extracted at 40 °C for 1 h, the highest total ginsenoside content (368.09 mg/g) was recorded, with variations in individual ginsenosides. Ginsenosides Rb1, Rd, and F2 were significantly affected by extraction temperature, while Rb2 and Rc were influenced by the sodium silicate concentration. Moreover, ginsenoside F2 increased with the sodium silicate treatment, while the Rg3-S content decreased. Interestingly, higher temperatures favored greater ginsenoside diversity while sodium silicate impacted PPD-type ginsenosides. It was observed that the actual experimental values closely matched the predicted values, and this agreement was statistically significant at a 95% confidence level. Our findings suggest that the application of IR irradiation in hydroponic systems can help to improve the quality of ginseng sprouts when supplemented with sodium silicate in hydroponic media. Optimized extraction conditions using ultrasonication can be helpful in improving antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activity.

Evaluation of pulsed vacuum drying efficiency and quality of garlic sprout based on infrared radiation heating and electronic panel conduction heating

In view of the problems of short storage periods, high cost, and high energy consumption in low-temperature storage and controlled atmospheric storage of garlic sprouts, pulsed vacuum drying (PVD) technology was applied in this study for improving the commodity value and reducing the storage cost of garlic sprouts. The drying characteristics and quality attributes of garlic sprouts at different temperatures (65, 70, and 75 °C) and pulsing ratios (2:4, 3:4, 4:4, 3:2, and 3:6) based on the different heating techniques of infrared radiation (FIR-PVD) and electronic panel conduction (EPC-PVD) were investigated. The results showed that EPC-PVD shortened drying time by 11.45–24.94% compared with FIR-PVD, while FIR-PVD achieved better quality in terms of color and allicin retention as compared with EPC-PVD. Prolonging the vacuum duration and reducing the atmospheric pressure duration were helpful in the formation of porous structures, thus obtaining a faster drying rate and better product quality. The Weibull model could precisely describe the drying kinetics of garlic sprouts. FIR-PVD at 75 °C and 3:4 was recommended as the most suitable drying condition due to the highest comprehensive score (0.7856) considering drying time and product quality. The findings provide a new idea for low carbon high-quality storage of garlic sprouts.

Sucrose and brassinolide alleviated nitrite accumulation, oxidative stress and the reduction of phytochemicals in kale sprouts stored at low temperature

Browning, nitrite accumulation, oxidative stress, and loss of nutrients in postharvest sprout during low-temperature storage are important issues that affect storage quality of sprouts. This study evaluated the effects of sucrose, brassinolide (BR), and their combination on the growth and development of fresh kale sprouts, and reactive oxygen metabolism, ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle, browning, nitrite content, and bioactive ingredients of kale sprouts stored at low temperature, in order to improve the physiological traits of postharvest sprouts, resist the oxidative stress in sprouts during low-temperature storage and inhibit the loss of plant nutrients. Compared with sucrose or BR alone, the combined treatment increased fresh weight, hypocotyl length, AsA/DHA ratio, glutathione reductase activity, riboflavin, cellulose, and free amino acid contents, and decreased weight loss rate, browning index (BI), malondialdehyde (MDA) and dehydroascorbic acid content, ascorbate peroxidase and dehydroascorbate reductase activities in sprouts stored at low temperature. The riboflavin, cellulose, and free amino acid contents in the combined-treated group were higher 57.5%, 119.9%, and 66.7% than those in the control group of fresh samples (CK0), respectively, and there were no significant differences in BI and MDA content between CK0 and the combined-treated groups. These results indicated that the combination of sucrose and BR could better alleviate the reduced quality of kale sprouts stored at low temperature by regulating the weight loss rate and AsA-GSH cycle, so as to maintain the nutrients and antioxidant capacity of kale sprouts to the maximum extent.

Inactivation of Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes on buckwheat seeds through combination treatment with plasma, vacuum packaging, and hot water.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of combination treatment with cold plasma (CP), vacuum packaging (VP), and hot water (HW) on the inactivation of foodborne pathogens on buckwheat seeds, and determined the germination rates of seeds and the quality of sprouts following combination treatment. Buckwheat seeds inoculated with Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes were treated with CP, HW, CP+ HW, VP+ HW, or CP+ VP+ HW. The germination rates of the HW-, CP+ HW-, VP+ HW-, and CP+ VP+ HW-treated seeds and the antioxidant activities and rutin contents of the CP+ HW- and CP+ VP+ HW-treated sprouts were determined. HW, CP+ HW, and CP+ VP+ HW were found to reduce the levels of the two pathogens to below the detection limit (1.0 log CFU g-1) at 70°C. However, HW and CP+ HW significantly reduced the germination rate of buckwheat seeds. CP+ VP+ HW did not affect the germination rate of seeds nor the antioxidant activities and rutin content of buckwheat sprouts. These results indicate that CP+ VP+ HW can be used as a novel control method to reduce foodborne pathogens in seeds without causing quality deterioration.

The Impacts of Plant Hormones on the Growth and Quality of Sprouts

The Impacts of Plant Hormones on the Growth and Quality of Sprouts

The shelf life and quality of green pea (Pisum sativum) sprouts during storage at different refrigerated temperatures and durations of indirect-sunlight exposure

Green pea sprouts are outstanding sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds as well as widely consumed in Asian countries. Nonetheless, their commercial use is limited due to their perishable nature and short shelf life. This study investigated the impacts of different refrigerated temperatures (2.5, 5, 10 and 15 ℃ as well as dynamic temperatures) and durations of indirect-sunlight exposure (0, 30, 60, and 90 min) on shelf life and quality of green pea sprouts. At 2.5 ℃, sprouts without indirect-sunlight exposure retained a good overall freshness for 21 d while samples stored at 5, 10, 15 ℃ and dynamic temperatures maintained fair overall freshness for 17, 12, 4 and 4 d, respectively. Regardless of indirect-sunlight exposure, samples stored at 2.5 ℃ showed minimal changes in weight loss (%), overall discoloration (ΔE * ), total ascorbic acid content, aerobic plate counts and Listeria spp. counts throughout the entire of storage period. Higher storage temperatures and dynamic temperatures with prolonged indirect-sunlight exposure adversely affected weight loss (%), ΔE * , total ascorbic acid content, total chlorophylls, carotenoids and microbial quality as storage time extended. At all storage temperatures, samples with longer exposure to indirect sunlight retained higher levels of total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity during storage. Therefore, storage at 2.5 ℃ without indirect-sunlight exposure could preserve the quality and freshness of sprouts for 21 d, rendering this condition optimal for storage.

Potassium Nitrate and Ascorbic Acid Priming Improved Tissue Chemical Composition and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Sprouts.

Potassium nitrate (KNO3) and ascorbic acid (AsA) priming can effectively boost biomass accumulation and nutritional value of plants; nevertheless, few studies investigated their effects on seed sprouting. Thus, we aimed to explore the effects of KNO3 and AsA priming on linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) sprout growth and assess the changes in bioactive compound levels, which provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of these priming treatments on sprout quality and nutritional value. To this end, germination, biomass accumulation, photosynthetic pigments, primary and secondary metabolites, and mineral profiles in the primed sprouts were evaluated. Moreover, to assess the impact on biological value, we determined the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the treated sprout extract. A marked enhancement was observed in germination and pigment levels of KNO3- and AsA-primed sprouts. These increases were in line with induced primary metabolites (e.g., carbohydrate and amino acid contents), particularly under KNO3 treatment. There was also an increase in amino acid metabolism (e.g., increased GS, GDH, and GOGAT enzyme activities), nitrogen level, and nitrate reductase (NR) activity. The linseed sprouts primed with AsA exhibited strong antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Consistently, high levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, total AsA, and tocopherols, as well as improved activity of antioxidant enzymes [peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)], were recorded. This study proposes KNO3 and AsA priming as an innovative approach to improving the nutritional and health-promoting properties of linseed sprouts. This knowledge will contribute to a better understanding of the biochemical processes involved in improving the nutritional quality and functional benefits of linseed sprouts.

Determination of Ten Plant Growth Regulators in Bean Sprouts by Mixed Solid Phase Extraction Columns Separation and LC-MS/MS

(1) Background: Plant growth regulators (PGRs) can accelerate growth or improve the quality and quantity of bean sprouts but are forbidden to use in bean sprout cultivation, as the sprouting process’s increased chemicals will disturb the PGRs analysis. This article aimed to increase the accuracy and level of sensitivity of the LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous analysis of 10 PGRs after mixed solid phase extraction (SPE) purification. (2) Methods: An LC-MS/MS detection method for 10 kinds of PGRs was established based on ESI ionization in the positive ion mode for 6-furfurylaminopurine (6-KT), paclobutrazol (PBZ), indole-2-acetic acid (IAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and in the negative ion mode for gibberellin A3 (GA3), 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (4-CPA), forchlorfenuron (FCF), thidiazuron (TDZ), and 6-benzyl adenine (6-BA). (3) Results: The 10 PGR compounds were detected within a concentration range of 1.0–50 ng/mL. The average recovery was 68.3–97.3% with relative standard deviations (RSD) of 4.6–15.2% (n = 6); the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were found to be 2 and 5 ng/g, respectively. PGRs were surveyed in 36 soybean sprouts and 33 mungbean sprouts; the results showed that 4-CPA and IAA were detected in 10 soybean sprouts and 10 mungbean sprouts, respectively. Five samples contained both 4-CPA and IAA. (4) Conclusions: The established method is simple, rapid, accurate, and highly sensitive for the detection of PGR residues in bean sprout products.

Comparison of Quality, Antioxidant Capacity, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Adlay [Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen (Rom. Caill.) Stapf.] Sprout at Several Harvest Time.

Recently, there has been a growing interest in the consumption of plant-based foods such as vegetables and grains for the purpose of disease prevention and treatment. Adlay seeds contain physiologically active substances, including coixol, coixenolide, and lactams. In this study, adlay sprouts were cultivated and harvested at various time points, specifically at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 days after sowing. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated using assays such as DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, reducing power, and total polyphenol contents. The toxicity of the extracts was assessed using cell culture and the WST-1 assay. The aboveground components of the sprouts demonstrated a significant increase in length, ranging from 2.75 cm to 21.87 cm, weight, ranging from 0.05 g to 0.32 g, and biomass, ranging from 161.4 g to 1319.1 g, as the number of days after sowing advanced, reaching its peak coixol content of 39.38 mg/g on the third day after sowing. Notably, the antioxidant enzyme activity was highest between the third and fifth days after sowing. Regarding anti-inflammatory activity, the inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression was most prominent in samples harvested from the ninth to eleventh days after sowing, corresponding to the later stage of growth. While the overall production mass increased with the number of days after sowing, considering factors such as yield increase index per unit area, turnover rate, and antioxidant activity, harvesting at the early growth stage, specifically between the fifth and seventh days after sowing, was found to be economically advantageous. Thus, the quality, antioxidant capacity, and anti-inflammatory activity of adlay sprouts varied depending on the harvest time, highlighting the importance of determining the appropriate harvest time based on the production objectives. This study demonstrates the changes in the growth and quality of adlay sprouts in relation to the harvest time, emphasizing the potential for developing a market for adlay sprouts as a new food product.