The Manipulation of Gene Expression and the Biosynthesis of Vitamin C, E and Folate in Light-and Dark-Germination of Sweet Corn Seeds (OA)

Sci. Rep. There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting that the vitamin content of cereal sprouts is higher than the one of cereal kernels. For example, it was recently shown that niacin, riboflavin and ascorbic acid accumulate during sweet corn sprouting. Liu and colleagues went further by measuring the vitamin content at several sprouting stages. They focused on vitamin C and E (both powerful antioxidants involved in the elimination of free radicals) and vitamin B9 (or folate, involved in DNA duplication and development). Sprouting was divided in 4 stages and observed both in dark and light conditions.

Besides providing interesting clues about vitamin production in sweet corn and interplay of the various metabolic pathways, this study supports the consumption of sweet corn sprouts for a vitamin-rich diet. (Summary by Elisa Dell’Aglio) Sci. Rep. 10.1038/s41598-017-07774-9