Improvement of Functional Properties of Jack Bean (Canavalia ensiformis) Flour by Germination and Its Relation to Amino Acids Profile

Jack bean as a source of vegetable protein had not been popular. Seed germination had been known to improve its nutritional quality, especially protein and amino acid profile. This study determined the effect of germination on the color, beany flavor, protein content, functional properties, and amino acid profile of jack bean flour. A complete randomized design was used for this experiment. Germination was carried out for 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours. The seed (control) and germinated jack bean flours were analyzed for oil absorption, water absorption, emulsifying and foaming capacities, as well as the soluble protein content to determine the best germination time. Furthermore, the amino acid profile of the jack bean flour produced from the best germination time was analyzed. The results of this study indicated that the total and soluble protein of the seed and germinated jack bean seeds for 0, 24, 48, 60, and 72 hours were 23.30 and 5.95; 22.61 and 7.61; 21.18 and 10.68; 23.26 and 10.22; 23.98 and 10.81%, respectively. Germination of jack bean improved the functional properties. A germination time of 72 hours increased the oil capacity, water absorption capacity, foaming capacity and decreased the emulsion capacity significantly. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic amino acids of the germinated jack bean flour increased to 3.21 and 2.12% of the seed flour, respectively. The increase of the foaming capacity was related to the increase in hydrophobic amino acids of germinated jack bean flour compared to seed flours, that were glycine 1.23 and 1.01; alanine 1.29 and 1.01; valine 1.16 and 1.00; leucine 1.84 and 1.09%, respectively. Germination of jack bean for 72 hours increased significantly the essential amino acids, namely: leucine, lysine, and valine.

Effects of pretreatment, sowing time, sowing environment and climate factors on germination in Acer pseudoplatanus L.

In this study, the effects of different sowing environment (greenhouse and nursery), pretreatment (cold moist stratification), different sowing time (autumn, spring and summer) and some climate factors (air temperature, relative air humidity, soil temperature and soil moisture) on the germination of Acer pseudoplatanus L. seeds were studied. Seeds were harvested from the tree located in the Karadeniz Technical University campus. Three different germination trials were carried out; (1) direct sowing in autumn after seed collection (Control), (2) sowing stratified seeds in spring (Stratification-1) and (3) sowing stratified seeds in summer (Stratification-2). During the germination trial processes, air temperature, relative air humidity, soil temperature and soil moisture were measured periodicaly. Thus, the germination percentage changes in different sowing environments have been established on the basis of some climate factors. Higher germination percentages were obtained in the autumn (Control) compared to the spring (Stratification-1) and summer (Stratification-2) sowings. The highest percentages of germination were ­determined in the control trials (70% in greenhouse and 58% in nursery). Obtained germination results based on different sowing times revealed secondary dormancy in Acer pseudoplatanus L. seeds. It has been determined that the mean germination time in the greenhouse (12 days) was shorter than the mean germination time in the nursery (18 days). In addition, the obtained results showed that stratification and sowing time have a positive effect on the mean germination time in the greenhouse. Because of getting the best germination rates, keeping some climate ­factors constant (21.0-24.9 °C air temperature; 17.0-19.9 °C soil temperature; 63.0-68.9% relative air humidity; 60.0-67.9% soil moisture) during the vegetative propagation practices in the greenhouse, should affect mass ­seedling production in Acer pseudoplatanus L.

Extraction and Characterization of Urease from Durio zibethinus L

Urease is a biocatalyst that serves to hydrolyze urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. Since it is an imported product, the price of urea is still high. Urease can be found in grains. One of the grains that has not been explored for its urease content is durian (Durio zibethinus L.) seeds. This study aims to determine the effect of germination time on the activity of urease from durian seeds and its characteristics including the effect of pH, incubation temperature, enzymatic reaction time, addition of EDTA and metals, and storage time on the activity of urease from durian seeds. The first step of this study was seed germination which was carried out in the dark for 0, 3, 5, 7, and 9 days. Durian seed sprouts were extracted by mashing them using a mortar and pestle. They were then homogenized using a stirrer and centrifuged in a cold state. The crude urease extract obtained was then tested for its activity using the Nessler method. The acquired data was tested statistically using ANOVA. The results showed that the activity of urease from durian seeds was optimum at 3-day germination time, pH 7, incubation temperature at 30 °C, and 15-minute enzymatic reaction time with an activity of 163.6 U/mL. Urease is a metalloenzyme with its inhibitor being the Cu2+ and Na+ metal ions and its activator being Ba2+ metal ion. Tukey's test analysis showed that the effect of urease storage time at 4 °C resulted in a stable urease activity for 8 days while at room temperature it decreased its activity significantly to 72.8%.

The Physical and Chemical Characteristic of 3 Varietas of Germination Brown Rice (Mentik susu, Ciherang, and Pandan wangi)

Brown rice has physical and sensory characteristics that are less favorable despite its high content of nutrition and phytochemical. The germination process is one way to improve and increase the acceptance of brown rice. The objective research was to determine germination time and varieties of brown rice on the physical and chemical characteristics of germinated brown rice. The research was conducted in RAL with 2 factors, germination time (24, 48, and 72 hours) and rice varieties (Mentik susu, Ciherang, and Pandan wangi). The data obtained were processed with analysis of variance to determine the effect of treatment on the parameters tested. If the effect is significant, then to determine the difference between treatments, a Tukey test is performed. Germination time of 24, 48, and 72 hours affected the color, germination, weight, dimensions of lenght, width, and thickness, bulk density, hydration capacity and swelling of germinated brown rice var. Mentik susu, Ciherang, and Pandan wangi. Germination time of 24, 48, 72 hours affected the chemical composition of BCG var. Mentik susu, Ciherang, and Pandan wangi. Based on observations of the physical and chemical characteristics of BCG var. Mentik susu, Ciherang, and Pandan wangi, germination time of 48 hours is recommended to do the germination with germination time of 48 hours compared to germination time of 24 and 72 hours.

How regional climate and seed traits interact in shaping stress–tolerance of savanna seeds?

Functional traits related to regeneration responses to the environment are highly determinants of distribution patterns of plant communities. A large body of studies on seed traits suggests that regional climate may act as a strong filter of plant recruitment; however, few studies have evaluated the relative importance of seed traits and environmental filters for seed persistence at the population level. We tested the role of seed mass, water content and desiccation tolerance, as well as the germination time as proxies for seed tolerance to environmental filters (water deficit, heat shock and high temperatures) by comparing the response of tree species co-occurring in savannas located in different regions: Cerrado biome of Central Brazil and the Rio Branco savannas of northern Brazil. Seeds collected in savannas of Rio Branco showed a higher tolerance to environmental filters than those collected in savannas of the Cerrado. While the germination percentages largely varied in response to the treatments, the germination times were virtually unaffected by them, irrespective of seed origin, seed mass and water content. At the population level, the regional environment was a key determinant of seed tolerance to stress, irrespective of seed traits. Germination time was shown to represent a conservative seed trait and more linked to a species-specific germination strategy than to regional characteristics. Our results suggest that recruitment patterns of Cerrado savannas may be more impacted than Rio Branco savannas by the climate scenarios predicted for the future.

Germination and Seedling Parameters of Wheat as Affected by Storage Conditions

A storage experiment was carried out from 27th April to 27thDecember, 2019 to study the effect of storage conditions i.e. methods (open air, under sunshade and in stores), packages type (normal, gunny, polyethylene and metal containers) and periods of seeds fumigation with phosphine (15, 30 and 45 days) on germination and seedling parameters of wheat. The experiment was arranged in a factorial experiment in randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D.) with four replications. Stored wheat seeds under sunshade produced the highest values of final germination percentage, germination index, mean germination time, plumule length, radical length, seedling vigor index and seedlings dry weight, followed by stored wheat seeds in stores. The highest germination index, mean germination time, plumule and radical lengths, seedling vigor index and seedlings dry weight were recorded in the samples of wheat seeds sealed stored in metal containers, followed by normal stored in gunny packages. The highest percentage of final germination was obtained by normal stored in gunny packages, followed by sealing storage in metal containers. The highest final germination percentage, germination index, mean germination time, plumule length, radical length, seedling vigor index and seedlings dry weight and the lowest abnormal seedlings percentage, rotten and sold seeds percentages, speed germination index, co-efficient of germination and germination energy percentage were recorded when treated with phosphine at the rate of 3 tablets/m3after 15 days from beginning the storage. This study recommended that stored wheat seeds under sunshade in metal packages and treating with phosphine at the rate of 3 tablets/m3 after 15 days from beginning the storage to enhance germination and seedlings parameter of wheat under the environmental conditions of Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt.

Auto-resistance to germination of invasive Acacia saligna trees seeds to Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar region

Sustaining the vegetation cover in Libya represents the most important priority that must be taken into account by the Ministry of Agriculture. This study was conducted in the laboratory of the Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Al-Bayda, Libya, to investigate the possibility of controlling seed germination of Acacia saligna trees by using aqueous extracts (flower- seeds- leaves - bark) at different concentration (10, 20 and 40%). The results showed highly significant differences in decreasing a germination percentage and increasing an average germination time, between aqueous extracts and concentrations relative to control, where a flowers extract gave the largest effect on inhibitory germination percentages over the rest of other extracts. Commonly 40% concentration was the most toxic effect on A.saligna seed germination. The study concluded of Acacia salgina trees possess an autotoxicity that can be used to combat thier invasion and expansion in agricultural lands

Impact of Germination Time on Resveratrol, Phenolic Acids, and Antioxidant Capacities of Different Varieties of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea Linn.) from China

In China, peanut sprouts are popular among consumers as functional vegetables. This study reports the change in total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), monomeric anthocyanin content (MAC), vitamin C, trans-resveratrol content, antioxidant capacities, and phenolic profile of three different varieties of peanut during 8 days of germination. The TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacity of peanut samples were reduced and then increased with an increase in germination time. TFC values were highly correlated with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values. MAC values of peanuts were first increased and then decreased during 8 days of germination. The TFC, DPPH, and FRAP values of germinated peanuts were lower compared to the non-germinated peanut. Germination of peanut samples enhanced the total phenolic acids and trans-resveratrol content, but the vitamin C content of peanut sprouts was lower than ungerminated peanuts.

Metabolite–Flavor Profile, Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Activity Changes in Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) Seeds during Germination

Sacha inchi seeds are abundant in nutrients such as linolenic acids and amino acids. Germination can further enhance their nutritional and medicinal value; however, germination time is positively correlated with off-flavor in germinated seeds. This study investigated the changes in the metabolite and flavor profiles and evaluated the nutritional quality of sacha inchi seeds 8 days after germination (DAG). We also determined their phenolic content and antioxidant activity. We used gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and identified 63 metabolites, including 18 fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). FAMEs had the highest concentration in ungerminated seeds, especially palmitic, stearic, linoleic, linolenic, and oleic acids. Amino acids, total phenolic compounds (TPCs), and antioxidant activity associated with health benefits increased with germination time. At the final germination stage, oxidation products were observed, which are associated with green, beany, and grassy odors and rancid and off-flavors. Germination is a valuable processing step to enhance the nutritional quality of sacha inchi seeds. These 6DAG or 8DAG seeds may be an alternative source of high-value-added compounds used in plant-protein-based products and isolated protein.

Germination potential of Hymenaea courbaril L. in different maturation stages

The production of quality forest seedlings in large quantities is essential for the restoration of environments that have been deforested and degraded. However, obtaining seeds with high vigor is a challenge for several tree species native to Brazil. The objective of this work was to verify the germination potential of jatobá-da-mata seeds at different stages of maturation, in order to favor the production of seedlings of this species in nurseries. The seeds were extracted from green and ripe fruits detached from the mother plant and ripe fruits collected from the ground. The germination percentage, average germination time, emergence speed index, average speed, relative frequency, leaf area of the seedling, and length of the aerial part and root were measured. The planting was carried out with mechanically scarified and intact seeds from each maturation group. The results indicated that non-scarified green seeds can be used for planting and seedling production, as they do not require pre-germination treatment and have a favorable germination percentage (79%). Fruit seeds harvested from the ground, on the other hand, needed a method to overcome integumentary dormancy, such as mechanical scarification, obtaining a germination rate of 85%. The seeds of ripe fruits harvested in the matrix showed greater vigor, with a higher percentage of germination (96 to 100%), a higher emergence speed index, shorter average germination time, and seedlings with greater leaf area and greater length of shoot.