Optimization of ultrasound-assisted hydration of oat seeds: Effects of amplitude and exposure time on water absorption, germination, and antioxidant capacity
Main Article Content
Keywords
Ultrasound Technology, Germination; Oat; Antioxidant; Hydration; β-glucan
Abstract
Ultrasound (US) technology is a nonthermal technique for enhancing grain hydration properties. In this study, oat seeds were treated with US at different amplitudes (20, 30, and 40%) and exposure times (20, 30, and 40 min). The effects of germination time (30, 36, 42, and 48 h) were evaluated in both US-treated and untreated oat seeds by measuring the water absorption kinetics, germination rate, root length, imbibition weight, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and beta-glucan content. The Weibull model best described the soaking kinetics of oat seeds across the investigated amplitudes and ultrasonic durations owing to the highest R2 (0.98–0.99) and the lowest standard errors (0.013–0.028). The results demonstrated that US treatment enhanced both hydration and bioactive component levels. Compared to the control, the optimized oats germinated through US treatment had approximately 220% and 64% increase in TPC and DPPH scavenging activity, respectively. Germination times of 42–48 h favor germination rate and antioxidant properties. The recommended conditions for producing germinated oats with optimal properties and high TPC, DPPH, and β-glucan are 30% US amplitude, 40 min of sonication, and 42 h of germination. This technique enhanced the nutritional and functional properties of seeds germinated through US, supporting their potential use in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and fortified grain products.
References
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Chemat, F., Zill-e-Huma and Khan, M.K., 2011. Applications of ultrasound in food technology: Processing, preservation, and extraction. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 18(4): 813–835. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2010.11.023
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Doehlert, D.C. and McMullen, M.S., 2003. Identification of sprout damage in oats. Cereal Chemistry 80(5): 608–612. https://doi.org/10.1094/CCHEM.2003.80.5.608
Estivi, L., Brandolini, A., Condezo-Hoyos, L. and Hidalgo, A., 2022. Impact of low-frequency ultrasound technology on physical, chemical and technological properties of cereals and pseudocereals. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 86: 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2022.106044
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Gong, M., Kong, M, Huo, Q., He, J., He, J., Yan, Z., Lu, C., Jiang, Y., Song, J., Han, W. and Lv, G., 2024. Ultrasonic treatment can improve maize seed germination and abiotic stress resistance. BMC Plant Biology 24: 758. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-05474-x
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Hübner, F. and Arendt, E.K., 2013. Germination of cereal grains as a way to improve the nutritional value: a review. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition 53(8): 853–861. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2011.562060
Jambrak, R.A., Herceg, Z., Šubarić, D., Babić, J., Brnčić, M., Rimac Brnčić, S., Bosiljkov, T., Čvek, D., Tripalo, B. and Gelo, J., 2010. Ultrasound effect on physical properties of corn starch. Carbohydrate Polymers 79(1): 91–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2009.07.051
Khazaei, J. and Mohammadi, N., 2009. Effect of temperature on hydration kinetics of sesame Seeds (Sesamum indicum L.). Journal of Food Engineering 91: 542–552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2008.10.010
Kim, S.L., Kim, S.K. and Park, C.H., 2013. The comparative analyses of physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of barley, wheat, oat, millet, and sorghum grains. Preventive Nutrition and Food Science 18(4): 290–296. https://doi.org/10.3746/pnf.2013.18.4.290
Kouhila, M., Belghit, A., Daguenet, M. and Boutaleb, B.C., 2001. Experimental determination of the sorption isotherms of mint (Mentha viridis), sage (Salvia officinalis), and verbena (Lippia citriodora). Journal of Food Engineering 47(4): 281–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0260-8774(00)00130-8
Kruma, Z., Tomsone, L., Ķince, T., Galoburda, R., Senhofa, S., Sabovics, M. and Sturite, I., 2016. Effects of germination on total phenolic compounds and radical scavenging activity in hull-less spring cereals and triticale. Agronomy Research 14. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/20163195347
Lempriere, B.M., 2003. Ultrasound and elastic waves: frequently asked questions. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-005-1425-z.
Liu, J., Wang, Q., Karagić, Đ., Liu, X., Cui, J., Gui, J. and Gao, W., 2016. Effects of ultrasonication on increased germination and improved seedling growth of aged grass seeds of tall fescue and Russian wildrye. Scientific Reports 6(1): 22403. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep22403
Liu, S., Wei W., Hongyun L., Qin S., Yu Z. and Qihe C., 2022. New perspectives on physiological, biochemical and bioactive components during germination of edible seeds: A review: Trends in Food Science & Technology 123: 187–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2022.02.029.
Mason, T.J. and Peters, D., 2002. Practical sonochemistry: Power ultrasound uses and applications: Woodhead Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1533/9781782420620
Miranda, B.L., Araújo de Moura, B., Martins, G. and Gramacho, W., 2025. Statistical modelling of the soaking kinetics of corn and soybean cultivars. Acta Scientiarum Technology 41(1): 41803. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascitechnol.v41i1.41803
Naumenko, N., Potoroko, I. and Kalinina, I., 2022. Stimulation of antioxidant activity and γ-aminobutyric acid synthesis in germinated wheat grain Triticum aestivum L. by ultrasound: Increasing the nutritional value of the product. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 86: 106000. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2022.106000
Paudel, D., Bandana D., Melanie C. and Padmanaban K., 2021. A review of health-beneficial properties of oats. Foods 10 (11). https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10112591.
Peng, X., Liu, J., Wang, C., Han, Z., Shu, Y., Li, X. and Qiu, M., 2015. Unusual prenylated phenols with antioxidant activities from Ganoderma cochlear. Food Chemistry 171: 251–257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.08.127
Petru, A. and Hielscher Ultrasonics., 2018. Faster sprouting with ultrasonics: Ultrasonic priming of seeds. Retrieved April 20, 2025, from https://www.hielscher.com/faster-sprouting-with-ultrasonics.htm
Ramteke, A., Meshram, U. and Yaul, A., 2015. Effect of ultrasonic waves on seed germination of Lycopersicon esculentum and Anethum graveolens. International Journal of Chemical and Physical Sciences 4: 333–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmap.2015.05.003
Resende, O. and Corrêa, P.C., 2007. Modelagem matemática do processo de hidratação de sementes de feijão. Acta Scientiarum. Agronomy 29: 373–378. https://doi.org/10.4025/actasciagron.v29i3.387
Rifna, E.J., Ratish Ramanan, K. and Mahendran, R. 2019. Emerging technology applications for improving seed germination. Trends in Food Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2019.02.029.
Rose, J.L., 2000. Ultrasonic waves in solid media. Acoustical Society of America. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.428552
Singleton, V.L., Orthofer, R. and Lamuela-Raventós, R.M., 1999. Analysis of total phenols and other oxidation substrates and antioxidants by means of folin-ciocalteu reagent. Methods in Enzymology 299: 152–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0076-6879(99)99017-1
Van Hung, P., Hatcher, D.W. and Barker, W., 2011. Phenolic acid composition of sprouted wheats by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and their antioxidant activities. Food Chemistry 126(4): 1896–1901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.12.015
Vengaiah, P.C., Raigar, R.K., Srivastav, P.P. and Majumdar, G.C., 2012. Hydration characteristics of wheat grain. CIGR International Journal of Agricultural Engineering 14: 116–119.
Xia, Q., Tao, H., Li, Y., Pan, D., Cao, J., Liu, L. and Barba, F.J. 2020. Characterizing physicochemical, nutritional and quality attributes of wholegrain Oryza sativa L. subjected to high intensity ultrasound-stimulated pre-germination. Food Control 108: 106827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.106827
Yaldagard, M., Mortazavi, S.A., and Tabatabaie, F., 2008. The influence of microwave and ultrasound pretreatment on barley seed germination. Food Science and Technology International 14(6): 515–522. https://doi.org/10.1177/1082013208098510
Yu, L., Perret, J., Harris, M., Wilson, J. and Haley, S., 2003. Antioxidant properties of bran extracts from “Akron” wheat grown at different locations. Journal of agricultural and Food Chemistry 51(6): 1566–1570. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf020950z
Zhou, L., He, X., Ji, N., Dai, L., Li, Y., Yang, J. and Sun, Q., 2021. Preparation and characterization of waxy maize starch nanoparticles via hydrochloric acid vapor hydrolysis combined with ultrasonication treatment. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 80: 105836. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105836
Ansari, S., Maftoon-Azad, N., Hosseini, E., Farahnaky, A. and Asadi, G.H., 2015. Modeling rehydration behavior of dried figs. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology 17(1): 133–144.
Chemat, F., Zill-e-Huma and Khan, M.K., 2011. Applications of ultrasound in food technology: Processing, preservation, and extraction. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 18(4): 813–835. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2010.11.023
Bai, J., Huang, J., Feng, J., Jiang, P., Zhu, R., Dong, L. and Luo, Z., 2023. Combined ultrasound and germination treatment on the fine structure of highland barley starch. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 95: 106394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106394
Ding, J., Johnson, J., Chu, Y. and Feng, H., 2019. Enhancement of γ-aminobutyric acid, avenanthramides, and other health-promoting metabolites in germinating oats (Avena sativa L.) treated with and without power ultrasound. Food Chemistry 283(2019): 239–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.12.136.
Doehlert, D.C. and McMullen, M.S., 2003. Identification of sprout damage in oats. Cereal Chemistry 80(5): 608–612. https://doi.org/10.1094/CCHEM.2003.80.5.608
Estivi, L., Brandolini, A., Condezo-Hoyos, L. and Hidalgo, A., 2022. Impact of low-frequency ultrasound technology on physical, chemical and technological properties of cereals and pseudocereals. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 86: 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2022.106044
García-Pérez, J.V., Ortuño, C., Puig, A., Carcel, J.A and Pérez-Munuera, I., 2012. Enhancement of water transport and microstructural changes induced by high-intensity ultrasound application on orange peel drying. Food and Bioprocess Technology 5(6): 2256–2265. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-011-0645-0
Gong, M., Kong, M, Huo, Q., He, J., He, J., Yan, Z., Lu, C., Jiang, Y., Song, J., Han, W. and Lv, G., 2024. Ultrasonic treatment can improve maize seed germination and abiotic stress resistance. BMC Plant Biology 24: 758. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-05474-x
Hu, J., Hu, C., Zhao, y., Lee, P. and Sang, S., 2025. Germination and false germination increase the levels of bioactive steroidal saponins in oats. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 73:(3): 1940–1951. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.4c09989
Hübner, F. and Arendt, E.K., 2013. Germination of cereal grains as a way to improve the nutritional value: a review. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition 53(8): 853–861. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2011.562060
Jambrak, R.A., Herceg, Z., Šubarić, D., Babić, J., Brnčić, M., Rimac Brnčić, S., Bosiljkov, T., Čvek, D., Tripalo, B. and Gelo, J., 2010. Ultrasound effect on physical properties of corn starch. Carbohydrate Polymers 79(1): 91–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2009.07.051
Khazaei, J. and Mohammadi, N., 2009. Effect of temperature on hydration kinetics of sesame Seeds (Sesamum indicum L.). Journal of Food Engineering 91: 542–552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2008.10.010
Kim, S.L., Kim, S.K. and Park, C.H., 2013. The comparative analyses of physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of barley, wheat, oat, millet, and sorghum grains. Preventive Nutrition and Food Science 18(4): 290–296. https://doi.org/10.3746/pnf.2013.18.4.290
Kouhila, M., Belghit, A., Daguenet, M. and Boutaleb, B.C., 2001. Experimental determination of the sorption isotherms of mint (Mentha viridis), sage (Salvia officinalis), and verbena (Lippia citriodora). Journal of Food Engineering 47(4): 281–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0260-8774(00)00130-8
Kruma, Z., Tomsone, L., Ķince, T., Galoburda, R., Senhofa, S., Sabovics, M. and Sturite, I., 2016. Effects of germination on total phenolic compounds and radical scavenging activity in hull-less spring cereals and triticale. Agronomy Research 14. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/20163195347
Lempriere, B.M., 2003. Ultrasound and elastic waves: frequently asked questions. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-005-1425-z.
Liu, J., Wang, Q., Karagić, Đ., Liu, X., Cui, J., Gui, J. and Gao, W., 2016. Effects of ultrasonication on increased germination and improved seedling growth of aged grass seeds of tall fescue and Russian wildrye. Scientific Reports 6(1): 22403. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep22403
Liu, S., Wei W., Hongyun L., Qin S., Yu Z. and Qihe C., 2022. New perspectives on physiological, biochemical and bioactive components during germination of edible seeds: A review: Trends in Food Science & Technology 123: 187–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2022.02.029.
Mason, T.J. and Peters, D., 2002. Practical sonochemistry: Power ultrasound uses and applications: Woodhead Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1533/9781782420620
Miranda, B.L., Araújo de Moura, B., Martins, G. and Gramacho, W., 2025. Statistical modelling of the soaking kinetics of corn and soybean cultivars. Acta Scientiarum Technology 41(1): 41803. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascitechnol.v41i1.41803
Naumenko, N., Potoroko, I. and Kalinina, I., 2022. Stimulation of antioxidant activity and γ-aminobutyric acid synthesis in germinated wheat grain Triticum aestivum L. by ultrasound: Increasing the nutritional value of the product. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 86: 106000. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2022.106000
Paudel, D., Bandana D., Melanie C. and Padmanaban K., 2021. A review of health-beneficial properties of oats. Foods 10 (11). https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10112591.
Peng, X., Liu, J., Wang, C., Han, Z., Shu, Y., Li, X. and Qiu, M., 2015. Unusual prenylated phenols with antioxidant activities from Ganoderma cochlear. Food Chemistry 171: 251–257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.08.127
Petru, A. and Hielscher Ultrasonics., 2018. Faster sprouting with ultrasonics: Ultrasonic priming of seeds. Retrieved April 20, 2025, from https://www.hielscher.com/faster-sprouting-with-ultrasonics.htm
Ramteke, A., Meshram, U. and Yaul, A., 2015. Effect of ultrasonic waves on seed germination of Lycopersicon esculentum and Anethum graveolens. International Journal of Chemical and Physical Sciences 4: 333–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmap.2015.05.003
Resende, O. and Corrêa, P.C., 2007. Modelagem matemática do processo de hidratação de sementes de feijão. Acta Scientiarum. Agronomy 29: 373–378. https://doi.org/10.4025/actasciagron.v29i3.387
Rifna, E.J., Ratish Ramanan, K. and Mahendran, R. 2019. Emerging technology applications for improving seed germination. Trends in Food Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2019.02.029.
Rose, J.L., 2000. Ultrasonic waves in solid media. Acoustical Society of America. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.428552
Singleton, V.L., Orthofer, R. and Lamuela-Raventós, R.M., 1999. Analysis of total phenols and other oxidation substrates and antioxidants by means of folin-ciocalteu reagent. Methods in Enzymology 299: 152–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0076-6879(99)99017-1
Van Hung, P., Hatcher, D.W. and Barker, W., 2011. Phenolic acid composition of sprouted wheats by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and their antioxidant activities. Food Chemistry 126(4): 1896–1901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.12.015
Vengaiah, P.C., Raigar, R.K., Srivastav, P.P. and Majumdar, G.C., 2012. Hydration characteristics of wheat grain. CIGR International Journal of Agricultural Engineering 14: 116–119.
Xia, Q., Tao, H., Li, Y., Pan, D., Cao, J., Liu, L. and Barba, F.J. 2020. Characterizing physicochemical, nutritional and quality attributes of wholegrain Oryza sativa L. subjected to high intensity ultrasound-stimulated pre-germination. Food Control 108: 106827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.106827
Yaldagard, M., Mortazavi, S.A., and Tabatabaie, F., 2008. The influence of microwave and ultrasound pretreatment on barley seed germination. Food Science and Technology International 14(6): 515–522. https://doi.org/10.1177/1082013208098510
Yu, L., Perret, J., Harris, M., Wilson, J. and Haley, S., 2003. Antioxidant properties of bran extracts from “Akron” wheat grown at different locations. Journal of agricultural and Food Chemistry 51(6): 1566–1570. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf020950z
Zhou, L., He, X., Ji, N., Dai, L., Li, Y., Yang, J. and Sun, Q., 2021. Preparation and characterization of waxy maize starch nanoparticles via hydrochloric acid vapor hydrolysis combined with ultrasonication treatment. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 80: 105836. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105836
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