Enhanced Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Germinated Seeds of the New Peanut Variety

Abstract

The sprout market in Korea is expanding as consumers seek healthier food options and farmers strive to increase added value and competitiveness. This study examined the changes in the phytochemical composition of Sinpalkwang (SPK), a peanut variety developed in Korea, during germination. Four samples (SPK1, SPK2, SPK3, and SPK4) were collected at different growth stages and analyzed for total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities using ABTS+ and DPPH assays. The levels of trans-resveratrol and soyasaponin Bb were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a photo-diode array (PDA). Among the samples, SPK2 exhibited the highest TFC (1.61 mg QE/g ext.) and trans-resveratrol content (0.054 mg/g ext.), while SPK4 showed the highest TPC (29.38 mg TAE/g ext.) and soyasaponin Bb content (6.543 mg/g ext.). In terms of radical scavenging activities, SPK2 and SPK3 performed best in the ABTS+ and DPPH assays, respectively. Germinated samples demonstrated strong results across all analyses, highlighting the benefits of germination in enhancing phytochemical properties. This study provides foundational information on the phytochemical composition of SPK and the effects of germination. Future research will focus on optimizing germination conditions to further enhance the functionality and value of this Korean-bred variety as a source of high-value bioactive ingredients.