Abstract

The production of sprouts for human consumption represents a healthy option to combat the effects of oxidative stress, due to the bioactive compounds that are synthesized during germination. The safety of sprouts is an essential requirement. In this study, calcium hypochlorite and colloidal silver were used as options for not alter the nutraceutical content of corn sprouts and eliminate dangerous pathogens for human food. Treatments based on calcium hypochlorite in high concentrations (0.4%) were more efficient for food safety, but with the disadvantage of reducing the content of free phenols in blue corn only from 374.55 mg to 261.06 mg / 100 g. Colloidal silver at dose of 1.4 ppm, has a pathogen control similar to calcium hypochlorite without reducing the content of free phenols, even increasing it. The best treatment to treat corn seeds for sprout production is colloidal silver at 1.4 ppm.

Keywords

sprouts, oxidative stress, antioxidant, free phenols, pathogens