Enzyme and Antioxidant Activities of Malted Bambara Groundnut as Affected by Steeping and Sprouting Times

Bambara groundnut (BGN) is termed a complete food due to its nutritional composition and has been researched often for its nutritional constituents. Malting BGN seeds have shown improved nutritional and functional characteristics, which can be used to produce an amylase-rich product as a functional ingredient for food and beverage production in homes and industries. The aim of this study was to investigate the enzyme and antioxidant activities of malted BGN affected by steeping and sprouting times. BGN was malted by steeping in distilled water at 25-30 degrees C for 36 and 48 h and then sprouted for 144 h at 30 degrees C. Samples were drawn every 24 h for drying to study the effect of steeping and sprouting times on the moisture, sprout length, pH, colour, protein content, amylase, total polyphenols, and antioxidant activities of the BGN seeds. The steeping and sprouting times significantly affected the BGN malt colour quality and pH. The protein content of the malted BGN seeds was not significantly different based on steeping and sprouting times. Steeping and sprouting times significantly affected the alpha- and beta-amylase activities of the BGN seeds. The activity of amylases for 36 and 48 h steeping times were 0.16 and 0.15 CU/g for alpha-amylase and were 0.22 and 0.23 BU/g for beta-amylase, respectively. Amylase-rich BGN malt was produced by steeping for 36 h and sprouting for 96 h. Amylase-rich BGN malt can be useful as a functional food ingredient in food and beverage formulations.

Automated summary

This study investigated the enzyme and antioxidant activities of malted Bambara groundnut affected by steeping and sprouting times. The results showed that steeping and sprouting times significantly affected the malt color and pH of the Bambara groundnut seeds. However, there was no significant difference in protein content based on steeping and sprouting times. Malted Bambara groundnut steeped for 36 h and sprouted for 96 h produced an amylase-rich malt, which can be used as a functional food ingredient in food and beverage formulations.