In this study, the influence of germination on the phenolic profile and antioxidant activities of purple perilla sprouts was investigated. The results demonstrated that the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities of purple perilla sprouts significantly increased (p< 0.05) when compared to those of purple perilla seeds. The maximum amount of the total phenolic content was found to be 23.78 mg GAE/ g DW at the first stage (G1), which was an increase of 142.98% when compared with those of the seeds. The total flavonoid content reached the maximum value of 95.38 mg RE/ g DW, which was up 316.50% when compared with those of the seeds at the G2 stage. Among the six phenolic compounds which were identified and quantified, five significantly increased during germination. These findings suggested that germination can be used as a new approach for the further development of purple perilla sprouts as a potential food for human consumption.
INTRODUCTIONPurple perilla (Perilla frutescens var. acuta) is an annual eatable herbaceous plant native to Asia, which belongs to the Lamiaceae family [1,2]. It has been consumed as an edible vegetable, and can be used in food ingredients, oil crops, or medicinal materials [3,4]. Perilla seeds contain approximately 51% total lipids, and its essential oils are used in perfumes, soaps, detergents, and cosmetics [5,6]. Purple perilla leaves are used in salads, sushi, and soups, as well as pickles and garnishes [3]. Several studies have suggested that Perilla frutescens leaves and oils display a range of biological activities, including antiallergic, antiinflammatory, antitumour, antioxidant, and antiimmune characteristics, which have been attributed to phenolic compounds such as caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid , rosmarinic acid methyl ester, and triterpene acids [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. Phenolic acids seem to have the greatest healthpromoting potential as a result of their scavenging free radicals, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and thus their anticancer activity [15].Germination is an inexpensive and effective method for increasing the nutritive and health qualities of plants [16]. Many studies have been conducted regarding the changes in phenolic compounds, as well as the antioxidant activities, of germinated seeds. There some researchers reported that the content of phenolic profiles and antioxidant activities increased significantly during the germination of buckwheat [17]. Other researchers reported that thirteen germinated edible seeds (mung bean, alfalfa, fava, fenugreek, mustard, wheat, broccoli, sunflower, soybean, radish, kale, lentil, and onion) were excellent sources of dietary phenolic antioxidants [18]. Some group researchers also have reported that germination increased the total phenolic and flavonoid levels, as well as the AA of the seeds, and also influenced the profile of the free and bound phenolic compounds during the germination of mung beans, radish, broccoli, and sunflowers [19]. However, almost no information exists...