Influence of intermittent-direct-electric-current (IDC) on phytochemical compounds in garden cress during growth

The influence of different intensities of applied intermittent-direct-electric-current on the levels of phytochemical compounds in garden cress sprouts was determined. One-week-old treated and non-treated plants were harvested and used to analyse the total phenol content and associated antioxidant activity. The contents of chlorophyll, proteins, in addition to specific elements of macro- and micronutrients, as well as heavy metals, were supplementary determined in order to explain changes in secondary metabolism of the treated garden cress. The results of this study showed that, in contrast to other abiotic elicitors, weak levels of IDC can be applied to promote the biosynthesis of chlorophyll, proteins, and phenolics. An IDC of 1400 mA was effective enough to significantly maximise the total phenol content and other biosynthetic products in garden cress, revealing no signs of damage. The accumulation of heavy metals had no toxic effects in garden cress and did not exceed the legal regulations for human consumption. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.