Sprouted and freeze-dried wheat and oat seeds - phytochemical profile and in vitro biological activities

This research was carried out to study phytochemical profile, in vitro antioxidant capacity, reducing power, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory activities, and simulated gastrointestinal digestion of seven-day old cereal sprouts: spelt wheat 'Nirvana' (WSSpe), wheat 'Simonida' (WSSim), oat 'Golozrni' (OSG) and oat 'Jadar' (OSJ). OSG expressed significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) total phenols (TPC) and flavonoids content (TFC), antioxidant capacities (DPPH and ABTS assays) and reducing power (EC50DPPH = 2.12 mg/mL; EC50ABTS = 0.87 mg/mL; EC0.5RP = 12.24 mg/mL) as well as anti-hyperglycemic activity (EC50AHgA = 0.96mg/mL). WSSpe had the highest content of chlorophyll (131.23 mg/100 g) and carotenoids (22.84 mg/100 g). WSSim possessed the most potent anti-inflammatory activity (2.71 mg/mL), though not significantly different from OSG (2.77 mg/mL). The in vitro simulation of gastro-intestinal digestion showed higher release of phenolic compounds in intestinal than in gastric fluid.