Biosynthesis of ascorbic acid and riboflavin in radiated germinating chickpea.

Biosynthesis of ascorbic acid and riboflavin in radiated germinating chickpea seeds was studied at ambient room temperature (20-35 degrees C). Synthesis of these vitamins increased significantly with increasing germination time up to 120 hrs depending upon the treatment (P less than 0.05). Maximum amounts of ascorbic acid, 22.32 and 16.84 mg/100 g (wet weight) were found in the 0.10 kGy samples after 120 hrs of germination in tap and distilled waters respectively. Radiation dose of 0.20 kGy resulted in the development of maximum riboflavin, 11.4 and 11.0 micrograms/g (dry weight) on germination in tap and distilled waters respectively. An overall significant linear relation (r = 0.954 to 0.957) was found between vitamin biosynthesis and germination time up to 120 hrs in both the radiated and unradiated chickpea.