Growth of and Bacterial Counts on Several Edible Sprouts Exposed to Spray Ionization

Abstract

Edible sprouts are highly nutritious, containing numerous health-promoting phytochemicals and nutrients. However, the process of sprouting is subject to potential contamination by microorganisms attached to the seed coat. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of air anions generated by spray ionization on growth and sterilization of edible sprouts. Treatment with air anions has positive effects on plant growth and sterilization in 4 kinds of sprouts. Hypocotyl length in red cabbage and kale increased approximately 1.26-fold and radicle length of lettuce, red cabbage, and kale increased 1.4 to 1.6-fold compared to the control. The fresh weight of sprouts in the spray-ionization treatment was significantly (16.0-38.5%) higher than that of the controls. Radicle activity in sprouts exposed to anions was higher than that of the control in all species. Bacterial counts on lettuce, red cabbage, and tatsoi decreased significantly (by 41%, 66%, and 19%, respectively), and bacterial colonies also declined in drainage water. Our findings suggest that spray-ionization treatment is useful for improving sprout growth and for sterilizing sprouts.

Growth Characteristics, Antixoident Capacity and Total Phenolic Content of Lettuce According to Generation Position of Air Anion in a Closed-type Plant Factory

“…These results are consistent with previous studies showing that the dry weight of barley and Antirrhinum majus exposed to air anions increased compared to untreated plants (Elkiey et al, 1985) and that air anions have an effect on the shoot fresh weight of lettuce (Song et al, 2015). The growth-enhancing effect of anion generators appears to be due to the fact that photosynthesis and respiration are accelerated by air anions (Song, 2014).…”

“…When the anions are applied to crop plants, they improve photosynthesis and respiration in the crops, thereby promoting plant growth and increasing production (Wachter and Widmer, 1976;Pohl, 1977). Air anions promote photosynthesis in leafy vegetables such as lettuce and kale, and have positive effects on growth (Song, 2014;Lee et al, 2015), and also enhance growth and sterilization of sprouts (Song et al, 2015). In this way, research on how anion treatment affects the growth of agricultural products has been carried out in Korea, but it is insufficient.…”

Negative Air Ions and Their Effects on Human Health and Air Quality Improvement

“…There are many references to report the possible biological effects [ 24 , 32 , 33 , 35 , 38 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 ]. And some of them were listed in Table S2 .…”

“…Lettuce plants exposed to NAIs showed vigorous growth with increased leaf area and fresh weight [ 111 ]. NAI treatment improved sprout growth and bacterial control during plant development [ 112 ]. NAIs have a positive effect on kale growth by improving fresh weight, macroelements and microelements [ 113 ].…”