Phytochemical Profile and Composition of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.): Varietal Differences and Effect of Germination under Elicited Conditions.

Germination is a simple process that improves the nutritional and medicinal values of seeds such as chickpeas. However, the detailed analysis of the phytochemical profile after chemical elicitation during chickpea germination is indispensable when making inferences about its biological properties. Therefore, an evaluation was made of the effect of the chemical inducers salicylic acid (SA, 1 and 2 mM), chitosan (CH, 3.3 and 7 µM), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 20 and 30 mM) during germination at 25 °C with 70% RH for 4 days on the content of antinutritional and bioactive compounds, including phenolics, sterols, and saponins, in three Mexican chickpea varieties (Blanoro, Patron, and San Antonio) using UPLC-ELSD-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS, UPLC-DAD-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS, and HPLC-DAD-sQ-MS. The highest increase in phenolics and saponins was found in the Blanoro sprouts induced with SA 2 mM, whereas the highest phytosterol content was detected in San Antonio sprouts induced with CH 7 µM. In addition, significant increases in mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides and decreases in antinutritional contents were achieved after germination with most of the elicitation conditions. More importantly, we identified new compounds in chickpea sprouts, such as the lignans matairesinol and secoisolariciresinol, the phenolic compounds epicatechin gallate and methyl gallate, some phytosterols, and the saponin phaseoside 1, which further increased after chemical elicitation.

Soluble Free, Esterified and Insoluble-Bound Phenolic Antioxidants from Chickpeas Prevent Cytotoxicity in Human Hepatoma HuH-7 Cells Induced by Peroxyl Radicals.

Chickpeas are rich sources of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and isoflavonoids. However, the contribution of insoluble-bound phenolics to their antioxidant properties remains unclear. Four varieties of chickpeas were evaluated for the presence of soluble (free and esterified) and insoluble-bound phenolics as well as their antiradical activity, reducing power and inhibition of peroxyl-induced cytotoxicity in human HuH-7 cells. In general, the insoluble-bound fraction showed a higher total phenolic content. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, and isoflavonoids were identified and quantified by UPLC-MS/MS. Taxifolin was identified for the first time in chickpeas. However, m-hydroxybenzoic acid, taxifolin, and biochanin A were the main phenolics found. Biochanin A was mostly found in the free fraction, while m-hydroxybenzoic acid was present mainly in the insoluble-bound form. The insoluble-bound fraction made a significant contribution to the reducing power and antiradical activity towards peroxyl radical. Furthermore, all extracts decreased the oxidative damage of human HuH-7 cells induced by peroxyl radicals, thus indicating their hepatoprotective potential. This study demonstrates that the antioxidant properties and bioactive potential of insoluble-bound phenolics of chickpeas should not be neglected.

Chickpeas from a Chilean Region Affected by a Climate-Related Catastrophe: Effects of Water Stress on Grain Yield and Flavonoid Composition.

The Valparaiso region in Chile was decreed a zone affected by catastrophe in 2019 as a consequence of one of the driest seasons of the last 50 years. In this study, three varieties ('Alfa-INIA', 'California-INIA', and one landrace, 'Local Navidad') of kabuli-type chickpea seeds produced in 2018 (control) and 2019 (climate-related catastrophe, hereafter named water stress) were evaluated for their grain yield. Furthermore, the flavonoid profile of both free and esterified phenolic extracts was determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the concentration of the main flavonoid, biochanin A, was determined using liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The grain yield was decreased by up to 25 times in 2019. The concentration of biochanin A was up to 3.2 times higher in samples from the second season (water stress). This study demonstrates that water stress induces biosynthesis of biochanin A. However, positive changes in the biochanin A concentration are overshadowed by negative changes in the grain yield. Therefore, water stress, which may be worsened by climate change in the upcoming years, may jeopardize both the production of chickpeas and the supply of biochanin A, a bioactive compound that can be used to produce dietary supplements and/or nutraceuticals.

Chickpea seed vigor evaluated by computerized seedling analysis / Vigor de sementes de grão-de-bico avaliado por meiode análise computadorizada de plântulas

Computerized seedling analysis is a promising tool for assessing seed vigor, providing reliable and less subjective results. The aim of this study was to define a method for evaluating the vigor of chickpea seeds through computerized image analysis, using the Seedling Analysis System (Sistema de Análise de Plântula - SAPL®) as a basis. Two chickpea cultivars were evaluated, consisting of five seed lots of cv. BRS Aleppo and four seed lots of cv. Cícero. Test were performed on the seeds of each cultivar for initial characterization of the physiological potential of the lots, and the results were compared with the determinations made via SAPL®. The results showed high correlations between the variables obtained from computerized analysis and from traditional vigor tests, especially for the close relationship between the cold test and low temperature germination test with the corrected vigor index (r > 0.9) evaluated on the fourth day after the beginning of the test. The total length of seedlings, length of the primary root, and growth and corrected vigor indices obtained through computerized analysis of seedlings on the 4th day after sowing allowed separation of the lots regarding vigor. Computerized analysis of seedlings using SAPL® is effective in determining the vigor of chickpea seed lots.

A análise computadorizada de plântulas tem se apresentado como uma ferramenta promissora para avaliação do vigor de sementes, proporcionando a obtenção de resultados confiáveis e menos subjetivos. O objetivo do trabalho foi definir uma metodologia para avaliação do vigor de sementes de grão-de-bico por meio da análise computadorizada de imagens, utilizando como base o Sistema de Análise de Plântula (SAPL®). Duas cultivares de grão-de-bico foram avaliadas, sendo cinco lotes da cv. BRS Aleppo e quatro lotes da cv. Cícero. As sementes de cada cultivar foram submetidas a testes para caracterização inicial do potencial fisiológico dos lotes, sendo esses comparados com as determinações feitas pelo SAPL®. Os resultados demonstraram altas correlações entre as variáveis obtidas com a análise computadorizada e os testes tradicionais de vigor, com ênfase para a estreita relação entre o teste de frio e germinação a baixa temperatura com o índice de vigor corrigido (r > 0.9), avaliado no quarto dia após o início do teste. O comprimento total de plântulas, da raiz primária e os índices crescimento e vigor corrigido obtidos por meio da análise computadorizada de plântulas no quarto dia após a semeadura permitiram a separação dos lotes quanto ao vigor. A análise computadorizada de plântulas com o uso do software SAPL® apresenta eficácia na determinação do vigor de sementes de grão-de-bico.

Chickpea seed vigor evaluated by computerized seedling analysis / Vigor de sementes de grão-de-bico avaliado por meiode análise computadorizada de plântulas

Computerized seedling analysis is a promising tool for assessing seed vigor, providing reliable and less subjective results. The aim of this study was to define a method for evaluating the vigor of chickpea seeds through computerized image analysis, using the Seedling Analysis System (Sistema de Análise de Plântula - SAPL®) as a basis. Two chickpea cultivars were evaluated, consisting of five seed lots of cv. BRS Aleppo and four seed lots of cv. Cícero. Test were performed on the seeds of each cultivar for initial characterization of the physiological potential of the lots, and the results were compared with the determinations made via SAPL®. The results showed high correlations between the variables obtained from computerized analysis and from traditional vigor tests, especially for the close relationship between the cold test and low temperature germination test with the corrected vigor index (r > 0.9) evaluated on the fourth day after the beginning of the test. The total length of seedlings, length of the primary root, and growth and corrected vigor indices obtained through computerized analysis of seedlings on the 4th day after sowing allowed separation of the lots regarding vigor. Computerized analysis of seedlings using SAPL® is effective in determining the vigor of chickpea seed lots.

A análise computadorizada de plântulas tem se apresentado como uma ferramenta promissora para avaliação do vigor de sementes, proporcionando a obtenção de resultados confiáveis e menos subjetivos. O objetivo do trabalho foi definir uma metodologia para avaliação do vigor de sementes de grão-de-bico por meio da análise computadorizada de imagens, utilizando como base o Sistema de Análise de Plântula (SAPL®). Duas cultivares de grão-de-bico foram avaliadas, sendo cinco lotes da cv. BRS Aleppo e quatro lotes da cv. Cícero. As sementes de cada cultivar foram submetidas a testes para caracterização inicial do potencial fisiológico dos lotes, sendo esses comparados com as determinações feitas pelo SAPL®. Os resultados demonstraram altas correlações entre as variáveis obtidas com a análise computadorizada e os testes tradicionais de vigor, com ênfase para a estreita relação entre o teste de frio e germinação a baixa temperatura com o índice de vigor corrigido (r > 0.9), avaliado no quarto dia após o início do teste. O comprimento total de plântulas, da raiz primária e os índices crescimento e vigor corrigido obtidos por meio da análise computadorizada de plântulas no quarto dia após a semeadura permitiram a separação dos lotes quanto ao vigor. A análise computadorizada de plântulas com o uso do software SAPL® apresenta eficácia na determinação do vigor de sementes de grão-de-bico.(AU)

Phenolic profiles and their contribution to the antioxidant activity of selected chickpea genotypes from Mexico and ICRISAT collections.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes, nine kabuli from Mexico and 9 desi from other countries, were investigated for their phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity (AA). Phenolics in methanol extracts (ME) were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-MS), whereas the AA was measured as Trolox equivalents (TE) by ABTS, DPPH and FRAP methods. Twenty phenolic compounds were identified in the ME and their levels showed a great variability among the chickpea genotypes. Phenolic acids and flavonoids were the most abundant compounds in kabuli and desi genotypes, respectively. The AA values (µmol TE/ 100 g dw) by ABTS (278-2417), DPPH (52-1650), and FRAP (41-1181) were mainly associated with the content of sinapic acid hexoside, gallic acid, myricetin, quercetin, catechin, and isorhamnetin, suggesting they are the main compounds responsible for the AA. The sum of the AA obtained for standards of these compounds evaluated at the concentration found in the extracts accounted for 34.3, 69.8, and 47.0% of the AA in the extract by ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP, respectively. In the AA by DPPH, most of the mixtures of these compounds resulted in synergistic interactions. Three desi genotypes with black seeds (ICC 4418, ICC 6306, and ICC 3761) showed the highest AA and flavonoids content, whereas the most promising kabuli genotypes were Surutato 77, Bco. Sin. 92, and Blanoro that showed the highest values of phenolic acids. These genotypes represent good sources of antioxidants for the improvement of nutraceutical properties in chickpea.

Effect of sodium selenite on isoflavonoid contents and antioxidant capacity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) sprouts.

Isoflavonoid compositions, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity and antioxidant capacity were evaluated in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) sprouts germinated after soaking with different sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) concentrations (0, 1 and 2mg/100g seeds). Chickpea seeds were germinated during four days at 24°C and the isoflavonoid profiles and concentrations evaluated by HPLC-UV daily during four days of germination. Eleven isoflavones and two pterocarpan phytoalexins forms were identified in sprouts, being malonylated formononetin glycoside, formononetin, isoformononetin glycoside and malonylated biochanin A glycoside the major compounds. Compared to untreated sprouts, total isoflavonoid, PAL activity and antioxidant capacity showed a remarkable increase of 83%, 56%, and 33%, respectively in chickpea sprouts that were treated with a high sodium selenite content (2mg/100g seeds). Results suggest that Se-enriched chickpea sprouts could represent a good source of dietary Se and as an upgraded source of isoflavonoids.

Qualidade das sementes de diferentes genótipos de grão-de-bico produzidas no norte de Minas Gerais / Quality of the seeds of different genotypes of chickpea produced in the north of Minas Gerais

A expansão das áreas para o cultivo de grão-de-bico depende da produção de sementes detentoras de qualidade superior. Neste trabalho, foram avaliadas as principais características físicas, fisiológicas e sanitárias em sementes de seis genótipos de grão-de-bico produzidas em Montes Claros, Norte de Minas Gerias. As variáveis analisadas foram o grau de umidade, a pureza física, a massa de mil sementes, a uniformidade, a porcentagem de germinação, a primeira contagem do teste de germinação, o índice de velocidade de germinação e de emergência, a massa seca da parte aérea das plântulas e a ocorrência de microrganismos e de pragas de armazenamento nas sementes. A qualidade física, fisiológica e sanitária das sementes foi afetada pelos diferentes genótipos de grão-de-bico analisados. As variações quanto à qualidade física das sementes entre os genótipos de grão-de-bico não estão relacionadas à qualidade fisiológica e sanitária destas. De maneira geral, as sementes do genótipo CNPH 08-04 apresentaram qualidade física, fisiológica e sanitária superior à qualidade das sementes dos demais genótipos.

The expansion of the areas for chickpea culture depends on the production of seeds of superior quality. In this study, it was evaluated the main physical, physiological and sanitary characteristics in seeds of six genotypes of chickpea produced in Montes Claros, North of Minas Gerais. The analyzed variables were the moisture content, the physical purity, the mass of a thousand seeds, the uniformity, the percentage of germination, the first count of the test germination, the rate of speed germination and emergency, the dry mass of the aerial part of the seedling and the occurrence of microorganisms and plagues in seed storage. The physical, physiological and sanitary quality of the seeds was affected by different genotypes of the chickpea analyzed. The variations in relation to the physical quality of the seeds between the genotypes of chickpea are not related to sanitary and physiological quality of them. In general, the seeds of genotype CNPH 08-04 showed physical, physiological and sanitary superior quality in relation to the seeds of other genotypes.

Qualidade das sementes de diferentes genótipos de grão-de-bico produzidas no Norte de Minas Gerais

The expansion of the areas for chickpea culture depends on the production of seeds of superior quality. In this study, it was evaluated the main physical, physiological and sanitary characteristics in seeds of six genotypes of chickpea produced in Montes Claros, North of Minas Gerais. The analyzed variables were the moisture content, the physical purity, the mass of a thousand seeds, the uniformity, the percentage of germination, the first count of the test germination, the rate of speed germination and emergency, the dry mass of the aerial part of the seedling and the occurrence of microorganisms and plagues in seed storage. The physical, physiological and sanitary quality of the seeds was affected by different genotypes of the chickpea analyzed. The variations in relation to the physical quality of the seeds between the genotypes of chickpea are not related to sanitary and physiological quality of them. In general, the seeds of genotype CNPH 08-04 showed physical, physiological and sanitary superior quality in relation to the seeds of other genotypes.

A expansão das áreas para o cultivo de grão-de-bico depende da produção de sementes detentoras de qualidade superior. Neste trabalho, foram avaliadas as principais características físicas, fisiológicas e sanitárias em sementes de seis genótipos de grão-de-bico produzidas em Montes Claros, Norte de Minas Gerias. As variáveis analisadas foram o grau de umidade, a pureza física, a massa de mil sementes, a uniformidade, a porcentagem de germinação, a primeira contagem do teste de germinação, o índice de velocidade de germinação e de emergência, a massa seca da parte aérea das plântulas e a ocorrência de microrganismos e de pragas de armazenamento nas sementes. A qualidade física, fisiológica e sanitária das sementes foi afetada pelos diferentes genótipos de grão-de-bico analisados. As variações quanto à qualidade física das sementes entre os genótipos de grão-de-bico não estão relacionadas à qualidade fisiológica e sanitária destas. De maneira geral, as sementes do genótipo CNPH 08-04 apresentaram qualidade física, fisiológica e sanitária superior à qualidade das sementes dos demais genótipos.

Qualidade das sementes de diferentes genótipos de grão-de-bico produzidas no Norte de Minas Gerais

The expansion of the areas for chickpea culture depends on the production of seeds of superior quality. In this study, it was evaluated the main physical, physiological and sanitary characteristics in seeds of six genotypes of chickpea produced in Montes Claros, North of Minas Gerais. The analyzed variables were the moisture content, the physical purity, the mass of a thousand seeds, the uniformity, the percentage of germination, the first count of the test germination, the rate of speed germination and emergency, the dry mass of the aerial part of the seedling and the occurrence of microorganisms and plagues in seed storage. The physical, physiological and sanitary quality of the seeds was affected by different genotypes of the chickpea analyzed. The variations in relation to the physical quality of the seeds between the genotypes of chickpea are not related to sanitary and physiological quality of them. In general, the seeds of genotype CNPH 08-04 showed physical, physiological and sanitary superior quality in relation to the seeds of other genotypes.

A expansão das áreas para o cultivo de grão-de-bico depende da produção de sementes detentoras de qualidade superior. Neste trabalho, foram avaliadas as principais características físicas, fisiológicas e sanitárias em sementes de seis genótipos de grão-de-bico produzidas em Montes Claros, Norte de Minas Gerias. As variáveis analisadas foram o grau de umidade, a pureza física, a massa de mil sementes, a uniformidade, a porcentagem de germinação, a primeira contagem do teste de germinação, o índice de velocidade de germinação e de emergência, a massa seca da parte aérea das plântulas e a ocorrência de microrganismos e de pragas de armazenamento nas sementes. A qualidade física, fisiológica e sanitária das sementes foi afetada pelos diferentes genótipos de grão-de-bico analisados. As variações quanto à qualidade física das sementes entre os genótipos de grão-de-bico não estão relacionadas à qualidade fisiológica e sanitária destas. De maneira geral, as sementes do genótipo CNPH 08-04 apresentaram qualidade física, fisiológica e sanitária superior à qualidade das sementes dos demais genótipos.

Qualidade das sementes de diferentes genótipos de grão-de-bico produzidas no Norte de Minas Gerais

The expansion of the areas for chickpea culture depends on the production of seeds of superior quality. In this study, it was evaluated the main physical, physiological and sanitary characteristics in seeds of six genotypes of chickpea produced in Montes Claros, North of Minas Gerais. The analyzed variables were the moisture content, the physical purity, the mass of a thousand seeds, the uniformity, the percentage of germination, the first count of the test germination, the rate of speed germination and emergency, the dry mass of the aerial part of the seedling and the occurrence of microorganisms and plagues in seed storage. The physical, physiological and sanitary quality of the seeds was affected by different genotypes of the chickpea analyzed. The variations in relation to the physical quality of the seeds between the genotypes of chickpea are not related to sanitary and physiological quality of them. In general, the seeds of genotype CNPH 08-04 showed physical, physiological and sanitary superior quality in relation to the seeds of other genotypes.

A expansão das áreas para o cultivo de grão-de-bico depende da produção de sementes detentoras de qualidade superior. Neste trabalho, foram avaliadas as principais características físicas, fisiológicas e sanitárias em sementes de seis genótipos de grão-de-bico produzidas em Montes Claros, Norte de Minas Gerias. As variáveis analisadas foram o grau de umidade, a pureza física, a massa de mil sementes, a uniformidade, a porcentagem de germinação, a primeira contagem do teste de germinação, o índice de velocidade de germinação e de emergência, a massa seca da parte aérea das plântulas e a ocorrência de microrganismos e de pragas de armazenamento nas sementes. A qualidade física, fisiológica e sanitária das sementes foi afetada pelos diferentes genótipos de grão-de-bico analisados. As variações quanto à qualidade física das sementes entre os genótipos de grão-de-bico não estão relacionadas à qualidade fisiológica e sanitária destas. De maneira geral, as sementes do genótipo CNPH 08-04 apresentaram qualidade física, fisiológica e sanitária superior à qualidade das sementes dos demais genótipos.