Effect of selected divalent cations on protein mobilization in lentil (Lens culinaris) sprouts

The influence of calcium and magnesium on protein mobilization and non-protein nitrogen content in cotyledons of germinated lentil was studied. Elicitation of metabolism in sprouts modifies the rate of protein mobilization and causes a subsequent increase in the non-protein nitrogen fraction in lentil cotyledons. Application of MgCl 2 proved to be the most beneficial, leading to the highest yield of non-protein nitrogen in cotyledons from 6-days-old lentil sprouts. Regardless of the type of elicitor, a decrease in the activity of proteolytic enzymes was observed in cotyledons from 3- and 4-day-old lentil sprouts. A significant correlation was found in sprouts elicited with MgCl 2 between the non-protein nitrogen content and activities of endo- and aminopeptidases. The information provided by this study allows us to design conditions for lentil sprouting which will result in an enhanced level of potentially bioaccessible non-protein nitrogen (free amino acids and peptides).