Biotransformations in the germination of Vigna unguiculata

The aim of this research was to study biological changes that are produced in the germination of Vigna anguiculata cv INIFAT 94. A completely randomized design was applied with four repetitions. The treatments were: control (non-processed grain), soaked grain (4 h in distilled water with shaking at room temperature), soaked and germinated grain (4 h in distilled water with shaking at room temperature + germination for 57 h, with uninterrupted light at 21 IQ and germinated grain (during 57 h with uninterrupted light at 21 degreesC). The process of soaking duplicated the weight of the grains, thereby decreasing the volume of liquid in which they were soaked, while the pH of the distilled water did not change (pH 7) with soaking. The grains soaked before germination reached (P < 0.01) higher seed weight (42.73 g) and radicle length (1.18 cm). In the bromatological characterization, there was increment (P < 0.05) in the protein content and In the value of NDF, mainly when the treatments with germination (25.92 % CP and 38.95 % NDF) were Compared to that of soaking (24.07 % CP and 27.48 % NDF). ADF, lignin and cellulose were indicators that Showed some variations, not differing statistically though. With processing, minerals such as Mg and P evidenced important increment (P < 0.01) in content with values of 2.52 % Mg and 0.52 % P for the treatment with soaking + germination, compared to 0.89 % Mg and 0.39 % P for the control. There were negative relationships (r= -0.76*) between the grains weight and the P content (r= 0.73*) and among the radicle length, ash and Mg (r= 0.70*). It is concluded that soaking before germination increased the weight) of the germinated grains and the radicle length, which favored the bromatological changes during germination through the increase in the content of protein and minerals such as P and Mg. Studies on the fractionation if the fibrous and mineral indicators are suggested because the same performance was not manifested in all. The results demonstrate the need for the development of new alternatives of germination and studies of mathematical modeling and simulation.