Lowering of phytic acid content by enhancement of phytase and acid phosphatase activities during sunflower germination

Abstract

The objective of this work was to investigate the germination of hybrid sunflowers BRS191 and C11 as a means of lowering phytic acid (PA) content by enhancing the activity of endogenous phytase and acid phosphatase. The concentration of PA in hybrid sunflower achenes varied from 2.16 to 2.83g/100g of sample (p < 0.05). The phytase and acid phosphatase activities of sunflowers BRS191 and C11 were the highest on the 4th and 5th days of germination, respectively, with the release of the phosphorus. These results indicated that hybrid sunflower PA reduced and enhance phytase activity at distinct germination periods, which could open up the possibility of applying these enzymes in the control of PA content in cereals, thus improving their nutritional value.