Abstract:

To obtain both optimal germination rate and γ-aminobutyric acid content, germination conditions such as sodium selenite concentration in soaking solution, germination time and germination temperature were investigated using Box-Behnken central composite design (CCD) combined with response surface methodology. Box-Behnken CCD experimental data were fitted to establish a mathematical model for germination rate or γ-aminobutyric acid content as a function of the above variables. Results showed that the optimal production process of Se-enriched germinated brown rice was achieved by soaking for 9 h in 5 mg/L sodium selenite solution at 28 ℃ followed by cultivation for 21 h at 31.5℃. Under these conditions, germination rate was 77.67% and the contents of γ-aminobutyric acid and Se in germinated brown rice were 330 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively.

Key words: germinated brown rice, selenium enrichment, germination rate, &gamma, -aminobutyric acid, Box-Behnken design