Melatonin, Its Precursors, Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity in Legumes Germinated Under Normal and Saline Conditions
Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Legumes are a potent source of bioactive ingredients that may be enhanced in seed germination particularly under saline condition.The levels of melatonin, its precursors, total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant activity of selected legume seeds were evaluated.Soybeans (Glycine max), black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), red kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) and lentils (Lens culinaris) were germinated with distilled water and sodium chloride solution (67 mM NaCl), while ungerminated seeds served as control.Results indicated that legume seeds were a good dietary source of melatonin, serotonin and free tryptophan, as well as TPC.Germination of legume seeds, regardless of NaCl treatment, would stimulate melatonin, serotonin and tryptophan content, and also exhibited stronger antioxidant activity than ungerminated seeds.However, under saline condition, the levels of melatonin, serotonin, TPC and antioxidant activity were enhanced in soybeans, black beans and lentils, while chickpeas and red kidney beans exhibited higher levels of melatonin, TPC and antioxidant activity.These findings showed that the germination of legume seeds under saline stress to stimulate antioxidant defense mechanisms is a promising technique to improve the level of antioxidants like TPC, melatonin and its precursors, as well as antioxidant activity, in legume sprouts.
Institution: Mahasarakham University
Language: English
Subfield: Biochemistry (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W3134796618