Sprouted and Freeze-Dried Wheat and Oat Seeds - Phytochemical Profile and in Vitro Biological Activities

Abstract

This research was carried out to study phytochemical profile, in vitro antioxidant capacity, reducing power, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory activities and simulated gastrointestinal digestion of 7-day old cereal sprouts: spelt wheat 'Nirvana' (WSSpe), wheat 'Simonida' (WSSim), oat 'Golozrni' (OSG) and oat 'Jadar' (OSJ). OSG expressed significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) total phenols (TPC) and flavonoids content (TFC), antioxidant capacities (DPPH and ABTS assays) and reducing power (EC₅₀^DPPH = 2.12 mg/ml; EC₅₀^ABTS = 0.87 mg/ml; EC_0.5^RP = 12.24 mg/ml) as well as anti-hyperglycemic activity (EC₅₀^AHgA = 0.96 mg/ml). WSSpe had the highest content of chlorophyll (131.23 mg/100 g) and carotenoids (22.84 mg/100 g). WSSim possessed the most potent anti-inflammatory activity (2.71 mg/ml), though not significantly different from OSG (2.77 mg/ml). The in vitro simulation of gastro-intestinal digestion showed higher release of phenolic compounds in intestinal than in gastric fluid.

Keywords: anti-inflammatory activity; antioxidant capacity; freeze-drying; pigments; polyphenols.