Abstract
The effect of germination on potential nutrients (mineral matter, protein, lipids, fibre, carbohydrates and total energy) and an antinutrient (phytate) of corn, was studied. The influence of irradiation (5–20 krad) and germination on the vitamin contents (ascorbic acid, riboflavin) was also investigated. Comparison of the coefficients of variability revealed striking differences in the contents of these nutrients as a result of germination. Total mineral matter increased from 1·15% to 1·40%, protein from 9·6% to 14·0%, lipids from 4·36% to 4·60% and fibre from 0·71% to 0·82% whereas phytate decreased from 200 to
105
mg
100
g
and carbohydrates from 85·5% to 70·0%. Radiation and germination significantly affected the ascorbic acid and riboflavin contents of corn (p < 0.05). A maximum value of ascorbic acid (
19·4
mg
100
g
) was observed in the 10 krad treated seeds as compared with
14·3
mg
100
g
in the control after 120 h of germination. Similarly, riboflavin increased from an initial value of 1·5 μg/g to 13·1 μg/g in the 20krad sample as compared with 6·0 μg/g in the unirradiated control.