Legume sprouts are considered natural, healthy products that provide a source of bioactive compounds to fight against chronic diseases. This study aims to identify the optimal germination temperature (GT) and germination time (Gt) to maximize total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC, FC), and antioxidant activity (AoxA) of desi chickpea. Response surface methodology was used as an optimization tool. An experimental design with two factors (GT and Gt) and five levels was used (13 treatments). The sprouts from each treatment were lyophilized, tempered, and milled to obtain germinated chickpea flours (GCF). To predict the phytochemicals composition and AoxA in GCF, regression models were developed. Maximum TPC, FC, and AoxA were attained during germination 33.7 °C for 171 h. Optimized germinated chickpea flour produced applying the optimal germination conditions resulted in an increase of protein and total dietary fibre content, TPC, FC, phenolic acids profile, and AoxA. Germination at optimal conditions also increased the level of coumaric, ferulic, synapic, ellagic, and syringic acids. This study demonstrated that germination carried out under optimal conditions enhanced the nutraceutical value of desi chickpea seeds.

The acceptability properties, total phenolic content, and antioxidant potential of four (red, green, brown, cream) desi chickpea (<i>Cicer arietinum</i> L.) cultivars from the World Germplasm Bank were evaluated. Protein content of the grains varied from 20.12% to 28.85% (dw), highest for Cream ICC3421. The water absorption capacity (WAC) and cooking time (CT) of the whole grains ranged from 97.7 to 117.5 g water/100 g seeds (ww) and from 109.5 to 193.5 min, respectively; the highest WAC and lowest CT corresponded to Cream ICC3421 cultivar. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total hydrophilic antioxidant activity (AoxA) [oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value] of desi chickpea cultivars varied from 746 to 1.286 µg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g sample (dw) and from 43.9 to 53.9 µmol Trolox equivalents (TE)/g sample (dw); Brown ICC3512 showed the highest ORAC value. Chickpea cultivars could contribute significantly to the management and/or prevention of degenerative diseases associated with free radical damage

For rational use of moringa seeds and its anatomical fractions (kernel, shells, and wings), the objective of the present investigation was to analyze their chemical composition, antinutritional factors content, and antioxidant capacity. The seed kernel fraction represents 71.78% of the whole seed weight and possesses high contents of protein (32.19%) and lipids (38.72%), whereas seed shells and wings fractions are mainly composed of dietary fiber and carbohydrates. Phytate was the most abundant antinutritional factor detected in all fractions (604.0 mg PAE/100 g-1674.9 mg PAE/100 g), followed by total phenolics (218.5 mg GAE/100 g-386.9 mg GAE/100 g) and saponins (130.4 mg DE/100 g-197.4 mg DE/100 g). Moringa seeds fractions showed a high antioxidant capacity. The kernel fraction exerts the highest activity (15 251.90 μmol TE/100g), followed by shells (8 499.50 μmol TE/100g) and wings (5 878.90 μmol TE/100g). Moringa seed kernel fraction seems to be a promising source of protein. All anatomical seed fractions of moringa are a reservoir of dietary fiber and antioxidants.