Nutritional and Mineral Composition of Flax Sprouts

Abstract

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is a well-known economically viable crop with excellent nutritional qualities.The nutritional potential of flax seed sprouts has not been studied to date. Therefore, the current study was conducted to analyze nutritional qualities of sprouts of three flax cultivars Pembina and Linott) and to compare it with those of flax seeds. The results indicated lack of significance difference among the three cultivars for several traits. The sprouts were significantly different for protein with highest protein composition (25.2%) in Rahab-94. Sprouts were rich in glucose (5.1%) and fructose (2.6%) compared to sucrose (0.4%). Significant differences were observed for nitrogen (4.1%), calcium (0.27%), phosphorous (0.72%), zinc (51%), copper (23%) among sprouts of three cultivars. There were no significant differences for potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), boron (B), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) contents among the sprouts of three cultivars. Sprouts had higher protein content (22.3%) and lower crude fiber content (17%) as compared to that of seeds (21.7%, and 19.4%, respectively). Sprouts contained higher total sugars as compared to seeds (8.08% and 2.6%, respectively). The macronutrient and micronutrient compositions were comparatively high in seed and sprout respectively. The micronutrient values were relatively high in sprouts for boron (16.3%), iron (63.4%), manganese (52.9%) and zinc (44.4%). Flax sprouts were a good source of protein, crude fiber, simple sugars and essential micronutrients compared to flax seed and other crop sprouts.

Effect of germination on proximate principles, minerals and anti nutrients of flaxseeds

“…This might be due to synthesis of hydrolytic enzymes during various events of germination (Bau et al, 1997). A similar trend in protein content of flaxseeds, fenugreek, soyabean and other legumes and cereals has been earlier reported during germination (Narina et al, 2012;Hooda and Jood, 2003).…”

“…About 70% of phosphorous in flaxseeds occur as phytate inositol hexaphosphate, which during germination get converted into soluble free phosphorous by the action of phytase, which might be the probable reason for increase in phosphorous content. Similar trend in macro minerals were also observed for flaxseed sprouts by Narina et al, (2012). Table 4 micro minerals iron, zinc, manganese showed significant difference between raw and germinated flaxseed varieties.…”

Informative Established Sequence Traits in Tepary Bean (Phaseolus Acutifolius A. Gray) for Drought Stress

“…The research on tepary bean is gaining momentum since 2002 in Virginia (Bhardwaj et al, 2002 andBhardwaj, 2002) due to increase in human consumption (Scheerens et al, 1983), its economical and nutritional values (Narina et al, 2014(Narina et al, , & 2015. Drought studies are in progress in locations like Nebraska and Virginia to screen drought tolerant varieties (Narina et al, 2012) for food, feed and forage ( Bhardwaj, 2013) and utilize these traits by introgression through breeding practices, to develop improved varieties with drought tolerance in common bean as well as in tepary bean (Urea, 2009).…”

“…It is much more drought-resistant than common beans and is grown in desert and semi-desert conditions from Arizona through Mexico to Costa Rica. Tepary bean seed has excellent nutritional value (Bhardwaj and Hamama, 2004, Blair et al, 2010, Narina et al, 2014, 2015 including anticancer and antidiabetic properties.…”

“…It is much more drought-resistant than common beans and is grown in desert and semi-desert conditions from Arizona through Mexico to Costa Rica. Tepary bean seed has excellent nutritional value (Bhardwaj and Hamama, 2004, Blair et al, 2010, Narina et al, 2014, 2015 including anticancer and antidiabetic properties.The research on tepary bean is gaining momentum since 2002 in Virginia (Bhardwaj et al, 2002 andBhardwaj, 2002) due to increase in human consumption (Scheerens et al, 1983), its economical and nutritional values (Narina et al, 2014(Narina et al, , & 2015. Drought studies are in progress in locations like Nebraska and Virginia to screen drought tolerant varieties (Narina et al, 2012) for food, feed and forage ( Bhardwaj, 2013) and utilize these traits by introgression through breeding practices, to develop improved varieties with drought tolerance in common bean as well as in tepary bean (Urea, 2009).…”