Impact of Germination on Biochemical and Antioxidant Enzymes of Ceiba pentandra (Kapok) Seeds

Changes in biochemical components and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and ascorbate oxidase (AO) in germinating and non-germinating seeds of Ceiba pentandra were evaluated in the present study. Results show that the levels of proteins and total soluble sugars are high and reducing sugars and free amino acids are low in non-germinating seeds whereas the contrary was observed in 4 days old germinating seeds. Enzymatic antioxidants like SOD, CAT, POD, GPx and AO showed enhanced activities during seed germination. Our findings indicate that three days after germination of Ceiba pentandra seeds, their palatability significantly improve. The nutritive utilization of protein and carbohydrates along with efficient participation of antioxidant mechanisms, including the synergistic activities of the different types of SOD, CAT, POD, GPx and AO, might play an important role during seed germination. The conclusion of this inquiry is that the germinating seeds can serve as natural antioxidant agents, setting ahead the possibility of employing them for therapeutic purposes.

Assessment of phytochemicals and antioxidant activities of raw and germinating Ceiba pentandra (kapok) seeds

To determine the significance of germination on phytochemical constituents and non-enzymatic antioxidant activ- ities of Ceiba pentandra seed extracts. Phytochemicals and antioxidant activities of raw and germinating seeds of Ceiba pentandra were estimated by different methods. The levels of phytochemical constituents were influenced by germination and increased except alkaloids and tannins, which were decreased significantly during germination. Among non-enzymatic antioxidants like DPPH, FRAP, reducing assay and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity all showed improved activity compared with non-germinating seeds. This may be due to various reactive oxygen species （ROS） that were generated as by-products of metabolism during germination. This group of ROS included superoxide radicals （O2）, hydrogen peroxide radicals （HzOz） and hydroxyl radicals （OH）. The formation of these oxygen radicals resulted in the accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides by radical chain oxidation via phospholipids peroxy radicals within membranes. Therefore, it was hypothesized that this could be related to the increase of anti- oxidant activity in large unilamellar vesicles observed in germinated seeds. The implication of this study is that the Ceiba pentandra seeds as natural antioxidant agents and put forward the possibility of employing for therapeutic potential.