Abstract

In the present communication, a comparative HPLC analysis of water-soluble vitamins (B-group) was carried out in in vitro and ex vitro germinated chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds. Quantitative analysis of ex vitro and in vitro germinated seedlings showed significant differences in vitamin contents. Maximum amount with a linear increase in B1 (thiamine HCl), B2 (riboflavin), and B3 (nicotinamide) contents was noticed up to 9 days old ex vitro grown seedlings. However, B5 (pantothenic acid) and B6 (pyridoxine HCl) were higher in in vitro germinated seedlings. Thus, vitamin production was age and culture conditions dependent, which is discussed in detail. The study revealed that the germinated chickpea grains can be used for human consumption with value addition of vitamin B-group in the diet of vegetarians.

Key words: Cicer arietinum L., water-soluble vitamins, in vitro and in vitro culture

Abbreviation

HPLC, High performance liquid chromatography; RSD, standard relative deviation; DMRT, Duncan multiple range test.