Abstract

Camelina sativa sprouts were investigated as a source of glucosinolates (GLSs), and their modulation in response to germination time and elicitor treatments was evaluated. Total GLS content significantly decreased during sprouting, from 21.18 µmol/g DW in seeds to 0.75 µmol/g DW at 24 days, with 5-day-old sprouts selected as the optimal harvest stage, with 8.82 ± 0.08 µmol g−1 DW. HPLC analysis identified three major aliphatic GLSs (GLS9, GLS10, GLS11), with GLS10 being the most abundant. Prior to treatment, tolerance assays showed that glucose (75 mM) and DL-methionine (2.5 mM) significantly increased total GLS content, whereas sulfur supplementation had no effect. Genotype-dependent responses were observed among Calena, Alan, and Pearl sprouts. Two-way ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between genotype and elicitor for total GLS content. Glucose and DL-methionine enhanced GLS accumulation in a cultivar-specific manner, with DL-methionine being more effective in Pearl, while Calena and Alan were more responsive to glucose. Sulfur treatments did not induce GLS accumulation in any genotype or condition tested. At the individual compound level, GLS9 was consistently increased by both elicitors, whereas GLS10 and GLS11 showed genotype and treatment-specific responses. Overall, these findings highlight the potential to increase the total GLS content in camelina sprouts through targeted elicitation and cultivar selection. By optimizing elicitor type, concentration, and timing, camelina sprouts could become a richer source of bioactive compounds.

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