A simple new method for aged seed utilization based on melatonin-mediated germination and antioxidant nutrient...

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Biotechnology
• Food Science

Background:

• Seed deterioration is a natural process during storage, reducing nutritional value and often limiting use to livestock feed.
• Antioxidants are crucial for health, but their levels decrease in aged seeds, diminishing their potential human food value.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an efficient method for enhancing antioxidant production in deteriorated legume seeds.
• To investigate the efficacy of melatonin treatment in improving the nutritional quality of aged seeds.

Main Methods:

• Legume seeds were artificially aged under high humidity (55°C for 12-36 hours) to simulate long-term storage effects.
• Aged seeds were treated with 0.1 mM melatonin to induce germination and subsequent antioxidant production.

Main Results:

• Melatonin treatment significantly increased total phenolics content (fivefold) in aged seeds.
• Ferric reducing power (sevenfold) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity (twofold) were substantially enhanced by melatonin treatment.
• The germination rate of aged seeds improved, leading to sprouts with higher antioxidant levels compared to untreated aged seeds.

Conclusions:

• Melatonin-induced germination is an effective strategy to convert deteriorated seed reserves into valuable antioxidant nutrients.
• This approach provides a sustainable method for upcycling aged seeds, potentially for human food applications.
• The findings highlight a promising avenue for improving food security and reducing food waste through seed enhancement technologies.