Sprouting conditions

Several methods for seed sprouting have been investigated. Microbial contamination has been a problem in solid-state systems under humid conditions in which wet matrix, like sand, glass wool or peat, have been used. Also, the initiation of germination has not been fully synchronized. Continuous spraying with water reduces microbial growth. 

Other systems, in which the sprouts are grown in a tank and submerged in water at intervals of several hours, are used often for commercial production of sprouts for food. Light and aeration conditions are not fully uniform in such systems, because inside the sprout mass less light is available. The use of light-inducible promoters clearly demands another kind of sprouting system. 

External factors have a major effect on sprout growth and development. By altering the growth conditions, growth can be accelerated or inhibited. For example, if... 

Currently, we can produce 1.5 g of GUS protein and 0.5 g of HSA per kg of seeds. These levels correspond to 13.5kg and 4.5 kg production yields per year, respectively. Expression levels are indicated as a weight per weight of starting material (dry seeds) because the sprout fresh weight and total soluble protein content varies depending on cultivation time and conditions. 

Lee SJ, Ahn JK, Khanh TD, Chun SC, Kim SL, Ro HM, Song HK and Chung IM. 2007. Comparison of isoflavone concentrations in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) sprouts grown under two different light conditions. J Agric Food Chem 55(23) 9415—9421. 

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