Effect of germination, under different environmental conditions, on saponins, phytic acid and tannins in lentils (Lens culinaris)

The effect of germination conditions on some antinutrients of Lens culinaris var Magda 20 seeds were studied. The seeds were germinated at 20 degrees C under variable conditions of time, water and light. Quantitative analyses of the soyasapogenols, inositol phosphates and tannins were carried out by capillary gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography and spectrophotometric techniques respectively. Germinated seeds at day 6 contained higher levels soyasapogenol B than the controls, whereas in general the tannin content was reduced. Total phytic acid amounts did not decrease after 3 days of germination but was greatly reduced after 6 days. This work shows that the optimal conditions to reduce some antinutritional factors (tannins and phytic acid) in lentils were 6 days of seed germination in dark and with alternate watering. Therefore, germination conditions offer a good opportunity to improve the nutritional quality of lentils.