Maximising the phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of Ecuadorian brown rice sprouts through optimal germination conditions.
Germinated brown rice (GBR) is considered a healthy alternative to white rice in the fight against chronic diseases. As the functional quality of GBR depends on genotype and germination conditions, the objectives were to identify suitable Ecuadorian brown rice cultivars and optimal germination time and temperature to maximise γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), total phenolics compounds (TPC) and antioxidant activity of GBR. Regression models for the prediction of phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity in GBR were also obtained. Germination improved GABA, TPC and antioxidant activity in all cultivars. Maximum GABA and antioxidant activity were attained at 34 °C for 96 h, while the highest TPC was found at 28 °C for 96 h in all cultivars. GBR cv. GO displayed the highest antioxidant activity and cv. 15 was the most effective at accumulating GABA and TPC in the optimal germination conditions. Therefore, Ecuadorian GBR could be used for the preparation of functional foods serving as preventative strategies in combating chronic diseases.
Technical High School of the Litoral (ESPOL), Campus Gustavo Galindo Velasco, km 30, 5 Vía Perimetral, 09-01-5863 Guayaquil, Ecuador; Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
Patricio J
PJ
Cáceres
Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
Cristina
C
Martínez-Villaluenga
Institute of Food Science Research, CIAL (CSIC-UAM), Nicolás Cabrera 9, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
Lourdes
L
Amigo
Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: frias@ictan.csic.es.
Juana
J
Frias
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry*; D004484:Ecuador; D018525:Germination; D012275:Oryza / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000737:chemistry
D000975:Antioxidants; D010636:Phenols; D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Antioxidant activity; Brown rice; Germination; Phenolic compounds; Response surface methodology; γ-Aminobutyric acid