Ca influxes and transmembrane transport are essential for phytic acid degradation in mung bean sprouts.

BACKGROUND

Phytic acid is considered as an antinutrient. Ca addition during germination has been proved to be an effective method for reducing phytic acid content in seeds. In this study, mung bean sprouts were treated with LaCl (La), verapamil (VP), ruthenium red (RR), and CaCl to explore the effect of Ca influxes on phytic acid degradation.

RESULTS

CaCl (6 mmol L ) significantly improved extracellular and intracellular calcium precipitates and calcium content, elevated phytase and acid phosphatase activity, and further enhanced phytic acid degradation. Conversely, La, VP, or RR induced the opposite results. Among them, RR exhibited the most significant inhibitory effect. Decreased PA, PAP, MIPP, and ALP gene expression after VP or RR treatment was also observed. Enhanced or weakened extracellular Ca influx or intracellular Ca efflux was detected with increased or decreased calcium precipitates distributed in different compartments. However, CaCl addition differentially reversed the inhibitory effects of all channel blockers.

CONCLUSION

CaCl enhanced Ca influxes and accumulation in cells, which contributed to the regulation of phytic acid degradation. This study demonstrates that calcium channels play an essential role in mediating phytic acid degradation in mung bean sprouts, and both extracellular and intracellular Ca -regulation were involved in phytic acid degradation. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.