The changes of approximate composition, antioxidant activity and melatonin content in rapeseed were monitored during 10 days germination to choose the optimum sprouts with beneficial functionalities. The moisture content of seeds increased from 3.23% to 17.50% during 10 days germination period, while ash content was similar (4.03~4.91%). The fat content was reduced from 38.18% to 22.65%, however, protein content increased from 21.43% to 26.72%. The carbohydrate content increased from 32.71% to 35.84% at 8th day. The reducing sugar and fiber contents reached 10.47% and 15.12% at 6th day from 4.04% and 12.82%, respectively. Eighth day sprouts contained highest level of polyphenol (gallic acid equivalent, 19.2 g/kg). Germination increased antioxidant activities (trolox equivalent, mmol/kg) of seeds with slight difference depending on assay. That is, antioxidant activity was highest at 6th day in DPPH radical scavenging (55.9), 10th day both in ABTS radical scavenging (71.6) and Fe(III) reducing (125.3), and 4th day in peroxy radical scavenging (116.7) assay. Melatonin content of seeds (0.85 μg/kg) also increased and reached up to 14.93 μg/kg at 6th day. In conclusion, germination more than 4 days raised antioxidant activity of seeds highly, and 6th day sprouts had additional benefit in terms of melatonin, reducing sugar and crude fiber contents.

• 김석중(동덕여자대학교 식품영양학과) | Seok Joong Kim Corresponding author