Physicochemical and bioactive aspects of germination of lima bean seeds

ABSTRACT Controlled germination is a simple low-cost procedure to improve the nutritional, functional and sensory quality of seeds intended for food. Germination conditions directly influence the final composition of the sprout, being mainly a function of the process time. Thus, the aim was to examine the effects of germination periods on the nutritional properties of lima bean seeds of the varieties ‘Orelha-de-Vó Preta’, ‘Raio-de-Sol’, ‘Branca’, and ‘Raio-de-Sol Grande’. The water content, proteins, starch, total and reducing sugars, total phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, and anthocyanins were evaluated at times 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. The data was processed in a completely randomized design and arranged in a factorial scheme (4 × 5), with three replicates. The germination process increased the protein content and reduced the starch content, promoting a partial increase in reducing sugars and total sugars. The total phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, and anthocyanins increased with the process time, reaching absolute maximum values between 72 and 96 hours. The variety ‘Orelha-de-Vó Preta’ presented the highest values of total phenolic compounds and anthocyanins; the flavonoid content was higher in ‘Orelha-de-Vó Preta’ and ‘Raio-de-Sol Grande’, while the variety ‘Branca’ presented the highest of total tannins content. Therefore, it is concluded that germination has proven to be a process capable of enhancing the nutritional and functional composition of lima beans.