Method of producing electrolyte enriched plant embryos

Abstract

The invention relates to plant embryos having an increased electrolyte content as compared to embryos germinated in tap water, as well as to a method of producing these plant embryos, wherein germinative seeds are germinated in an electrolyte solution.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of producing electrolyte-enriched plant embryos comprising introducing germinative seeds comprising plant embryos into an electrolyte solution, and incubating said plant embryos in said electrolyte solution at a suitable temperature and for a period of time sufficient to attain an electrolyte enrichment within said plant embryos, wherein said electrolyte solution comprises: at least one of zinc, potassium, and magnesium ions;   at least one of copper, manganese, strontium and lithium ions; and   at least one of selenium, molybdenum, chromium, arsenic, vanadium and cobalt ions.   
     
     
       2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plant embryos are selected from the group consisting of wheat, buckwheat, quinoa, mung bean, fenugreek; radish, alfalfa, maize, squash, rye, barley, rice, adzuki bean, pea, millet, chicken pea, cress, linseed, lentil, mustard, sesamum, soybean, sunflower and amaranth embryos. 
     
     
       3. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electrolyte solution comprises at least 1 mg/l of at least one of zinc, iron, potassium and magnesium ions,   at least 0.5 mg/l of at least one of copper, manganese, strontium and lithium ions,   at least 0.1 mg/l of at least one of selenium, molybdenum, chromium, arsenic, vanadium and cobalt ions.   
     
     
       4. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electrolyte solution comprises at least 10 mg/l of at least one zinc, iron, potassium and magnesium ions,   at least 5 mg/l or at least one of copper, manganese, strontium and lithium ions,   at least 1 mg/l of at least one of selenium, molybdenum, chromium, arsenic, vanadium and cobalt ions.   
     
     
       5. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electrolyte solution comprises at least 50 mg/l of at least one of zinc, iron, potassium and magnesium ions,   at least 25 mg/l or at least one of copper, manganese, strontium and lithium ions,   at least 5 mg/l of at least one of selenium, molybdenum, chromium, arsenic, vanadium and cobalt ions.   
     
     
       6. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said suitable temperature for incubating said plant embryos ranges between 10° and 50° C. 
     
     
       7. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said suitable temperature for incubating said plant embryos ranges between 20° and 30° C. 
     
     
       8. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said period of time for incubating said plant embryos ranges from approximately 12 to 24 hours. 
     
     
       9. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said period of time for incubating said plant embryos ranges from approximately 60 to 100 hours. 
     
     
       10. A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising washing and drying said incubated plant embryos. 
     
     
       11. A method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising processing said washed and dried plant embryos in a manner suitable for sales purposes. 
     
     
       12. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electrolyte solution comprises at least 0.5 mg/l copper ions, 1 mg/l zinc ions, 0.1 mg/l cobalt ions. 
     
     
       13. A method as set forth in claim 12, wherein said electrolyte solution further comprises at least 0.1 mg/l molybdenum ions, 0.5 mg/l lithium ions, 1 mg/l selenium ions and 1 mg/l vanadium ions.