Effect of Ultrasonic Pretreatment on the Biosynthesis of Tocopherols, Tocotrienols and Carotenoids in Flax Sprouts (Linum Usitatissimum L.)

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of ultrasonic pretreatment of flaxseeds for 0–10 min on the biosynthesis of tocopherols, tocotrienols, and carotenoids in flax sprouts. The results showed that tocopherol, tocotrienol and carotenoid contents were significantly increased (up to 130%) after 8-min ultrasonic pretreatment in LT001 flax sprouts as compared with control group. The similar increasing trend of tocopherols and tocotrienols was occurred in fiber flax sprouts after ultrasonic pretreatment, while carotenoid contents showed a decreasing trend. The expression levels of genes involved in the biosynthesis of tocopherols, tocotrienols, and carotenoids were analyzed and the results could partly explain the changing trends of tocopherols, tocotrienols and carotenoids in two different varieties of flax sprouts responding to ultrasonic pretreatments. Present study could be useful guidance for ultrasonic pretreatment to enhance micronutrients and biofortify nutritional values in flax sprouts.

Keywords

• flax sprouts
• ultrasonic pretreatment
• tocopherols
• tocotrienols
• carotenoids
• biosynthesis