Abstract:
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of non-thermal plasma-activated water
(PAW) on Triticum aestivum L. cv. Glosa sprouts. Two types of PAW were generated by exposing
distilled water to a high-voltage electric discharge. Wheat caryopses were treated either with PAW1
(25 mg/L NO3
−, 4 mg/L NO2
−, and 6 mg/L H2O2
) or PAW2 (35 mg/L NO3
−, 5 mg/L NO2
−, and
7.5 mg/L H2O2
) for 8 days, with samples being collected at days 1, 2, 3, and 8. The germination rate,
growth parameters, protein, photosynthetic pigments, total phenolic contents, antioxidant activity of
free and bound phenolic fractions, and activity of antioxidant enzymes were evaluated. Both PAW1
and PAW2 had positive effects on Triticum aestivum L. cv. Glosa sprouts. PAW2 had a better impact
on sprouts with respect to growth parameters, free phenolic content, and antioxidant activity of the
free phenolic fraction (day 3), the accumulation of proteins, and photosynthetic pigments (day 8). In
conclusion, exposure to PAW increases the quality of Triticum aestivum L. cv. Glosa sprouts. Further
optimization of PAW treatment is required for the most favorable impact on the accumulation of
biomass and health-promoting compounds in sprouts.
