Abstract
•eCO2 improved the food functional value of Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon proximus sprouts.•eCO2 treatment boosted the antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities of both lemongrass sprout types.•eCO2 treatment enhnaced the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of the tested lemongrass sprouts.•eCO2-treated lemongrass sprouts induced hypocholestecolemic activities.
Sprouts have been regarded as a big store for bioactive compounds with a wide range of biological activities. Elevated CO2 (eCO2, 620 μmol mol−1)was employed to enhance the nutritive and health promoting values of sprouts of two species of lemongrass, i.e. Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon proximus. eCO2 improved the biomass production of sprouts, and their levels of primary metabolites e.g., amino acids and oils and active secondary metabolites e.g., phenolic compounds. As a result, eCO2 increased total antioxidant capacity, cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines, and antibacterial activities of Cymbopogon sprouts. We also recorded a significant increase in hypocholesterolaemic potential and anti-inflammatory activities of eCO2-treated sprouts, as indicated by inhibition of cholesterol micellar solubility and pancreatic lipase activity, as well as lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase activities, respectively. Thus, the present investigation supports the use of eCO2 as a promising approach to produce lemongrass sprouts with effective phytochemicals and enhanced biological activities.