Changes in antioxidant bioactive compounds of Cassia tora Linn. seed during germination

Abstract

Cassia tora Linn. is a medicinal herb that has traditionally been used to prevent diseases. The study investigated the changes in bioactive compounds of Cassia tora seeds during 3-days of germination. The seeds were thoroughly cleaned, soaked in deionized water at 20 degrees C for 2 h, and germinated at 25 degrees C and 90% relative humidity in a seed germinator. Germinating C. tora seeds were picked up at 24 h intermissions over 3-day germination duration. The germinating C. tora was freeze-dried and pulverized through a 1 mm mesh screen. During the germination process, the crude ash, crude fat, and crude protein content of C. tora seeds increased slightly. The main carotenoid compounds identified in this study were lutein and beta-carotenes, and the total carotenoid content increased up to 4.35 mu g/g after 72-hours of germination, which was 1.73-times higher compared to that in raw C. tora seeds. The anthocyanin and vitamin C content also increased during the germination period, being 1.44-times and 1.72-times, respectively, higher after 72-hours of germination than that in the raw C. tora seeds. In addition, phenolics and flavonoids in C. tora seeds had a tendency to increase after germination, subsequently increasing in vitro antioxidant activities (ABTS and DPPH-radical scavenging activities). Proper germination of C. tora might be a convenient and efficient method to increase antioxidant bioactive compounds in our diet to exploit the related health benefits.