Pulsed electric field (PEF) application on mung bean sprouts growth promotion process: Effect on germination, morphological index and physicochemical properties

Abstract

Enhancing the growth rate and shortening the growth cycle of mung bean sprouts while maintaining quality remains a significant challenge. This study presents a novel approach using pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment to improve both the quality and absolute growth rate of mung bean sprouts. Specifically, mung bean seeds were pretreated using PEF, and the effects of PEF intensity and frequency on the growth of mung bean sprouts were analyzed based on orthogonal germination experiments. Optimal treatment conditions were identified as a PEF intensity of 119.2 kV/m, a frequency of 9.0 Hz, and a treatment duration of 100 s. Under these conditions, mung bean sprouts exhibited substantial increases in total length, hypocotyl length, and fresh weight, with fresh weight rising by 22.3 % compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Nutrient analysis revealed significant increases in protein (28.1 %), carbohydrate (21 %), and ash content (14.3 %) post-treatment, highlighting PEF's effectiveness in enhancing the nutritional profile of mung bean sprouts. Conversely, we noted the potential risks of excessive PEF intensity, which could lead to irreversible cellular damage. The PEF method proved to be a rapid and effective technique for boosting mung bean sprout growth, shortening growth cycle, and enhancing sprout yield.