Germination significantly enhanced bioactivity of the legumes
in terms of antioxidants, antioxidant and ACEI activity. The bioactivity
depended on legume type and was higher at 40 C germination.
Ferulic acid was most prominent phenolic acid. Activation
of natural proteinases during germination enhanced production of
low molecular weight ACEI peptides as >82% ACEI (IC50 25 mg/mL)
was achieved in soybean and mung bean. Germination can be used
as an inexpensive method for production of functional foods to
support clinical management of hypertension.