Fortification of Bioactive Components in Mung Bean Grains Through Germination and Evaluation of Their Cytotoxic Activity in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the chemical composition, bioactive compounds, and their relationship with cytotoxicity in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells as a function of the time of germination of mung bean grains. Grains of mung beans were germinated for 18 h, 36 h, 54 h, 72 h, and 90 h, and a sample of non-germinated grains was also evaluated. The total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids reached the highest concentrations during germination for 72h and 90 h, while ɣ-aminobutyric acid reached the highest levels after 36 h of germination. The concentration of 1.44 mg GAE/mL of the free fraction extract obtained from grains germinated for 72 h induces an anticancer activity against colorectal adenocarcinoma by above 80%. Grain germination increases the bioactive potential of this raw material, and this study emphasizes the importance of optimizing the germination process in order to obtain the greatest accumulation of the compounds of interest in health.