The total chlorophyll amount was assayed spectrophotometrically according to Lichtenthaler (1987). Briefly, acetone extracts of freeze-dried sprouts were read at 645 and 663 nm and the mass of chlorophyll was calculated according to the following formula: 20.2 × Abs645 nm + 8.02 × Abs663 nm. Results are the mean ± SD of three independent measurements and they are expressed as mg of chlorophyll per g of freeze-dried sprouts.