No abstract

The viability of broccoli seeds and functional properties, such as ascorbic acid, carotenoid, chlorophyll, and total phenol contents, of broccoli sprouts grown from irradiated seeds were evaluated. The seeds were irradiated using electron beam and gamma ray at doses up to 8 kGy. High germination percentages (>90%) were observed in seeds irradiated at < or =4 kGy, but the yield ratio and sprout length decreased with increased irradiation dose. Irradiation at > or =6 kGy resulted in curling of the sprout roots. Germinated seeds contained higher amounts of nutrients than raw seeds but the nutritional quality of sprouts decreased during postharvest storage. Radiation treatment hampered the growth of irradiated seeds resulting in underdeveloped sprouts with decreased ascorbic acid, carotenoid, and chlorophyll contents. In addition, the decrease in functional content of sprouts was more substantial in samples grown from high-dose (5 kGy) irradiated seeds than that of the low-dose (1 kGy) treated ones. Seed irradiation did not negatively affect the total phenol content of sprouts. In general, electron beam and gamma irradiation of broccoli seeds showed similar effects on the viability and functional properties of sprouts.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of various heat treatments on the microbial reduction and germination of red radish seeds for the development of effective and economical sterilization methods of improving microbial safety without reducting the germination rate. Hydrothermal treatment was conducted at 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, and 90℃ for 30 and 60 seconds, and dry heat treatment was performed at 70, 80, 90, and 100℃ for 5 minutes. In the seeds that underwent the hydrothermal treatment, time had little effect on the microbial reduction. There was no significant microbial reduction over time. However, there was significant microbial reduction as temperatures increased (p<0.001). The total plate count (TPC) was reduced by more than 3 logs, and Listeria monocytogenes was not detected at temperatures above 70°C. In the seeds that were subjected to the dry heat treatment, the TPC and the population of the L. monocytogenes were significantly reduced as the temperatures increased (p<0.001). After treatment at 100°C for 5 minutes, the TPC and the L. monocytogenes were reduced by 3 logs. As with the microbial reduction, time had little effect on the germination. There were no significant changes in the germination after the hydrothermal treatment over time; but at the temperatures above 75°C, the germination rate significantly decreased as the temperature increased (p<0.001). When the seeds were soaked after the hydrothermal treatment, their germination was stimulated. The dry heat treatment at temperatures of 80°C and higher significantly decreased the germination rate as the temperature increased (p<0.001). Dry heat treatment before the germination of the seeds soaked in distilled water for three hours significantly decreased the germination at temperatures greater than 90°C (p<0.05). This study showed that appropriate heat treatments can increase the microbiological safety and germination of red radish seeds.

The antibacterial effects of seed decontamination during presoaking before sprouting as an intervention step for eliminating foodborne pathogens on red radish seeds were evaluated. The effect of seed decontamination on seed germination rate was also evaluated. Red radish seeds were inoculated (at a level of 3 to 4 log CFU/g) with Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19111 and decontaminated with 20,000 ppm calcium hypochlorite, 50 and 100 ppm chlorinated water, acidic electrolyzed water, low-alkaline electrolyzed water, and ozonated water for 6 hours. The control seeds were immersed in distilled water. The germination rate was measured on each treatment for 48 hours. Treatments with 20,000 ppm calcium hypochlorite, acidic and low-alkaline electrolyzed water were more effective than treatments with chlorinated water and ozonated water. Immersion in 20,000 ppm calcium hypochlorite resulted in the largest microbial reduction (more than 3 logs). Treatments with acidic and low-alkaline electrolyzed water reduced APC by 3 logs and L. monocytogenes counts by 2 logs. After sprouting, APC and L. monocytogenes counts on seeds treated with 20,000 ppm calcium hypochlorite, acidic and low-alkaline electrolyzed water were significantly lower than the control. The germination rate ranged from 93.5% to 97.7% except for 20,000 ppm calcium hypochlorite (from 82.3% to 84.8%) after 48 hours. Although the treatments tested in this study will not eliminate L. monocytogenes on inoculated red radish seeds, the results show that rapid growth of surviving cells during sprouting could be prevented if red radish seeds are given a presoak treatment used in combination with a disinfectant treatment of irrigation water.