Low Microbial Load Sprouts with Enhanced Antioxidants for Astronaut Diet

Novel methods to stimulate phenolic antioxidants from legume, mung bean (Vigna radiata) sprouts with low microbial count were developed to support a healthy diet for astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) as well as lunar and Mars programs. Phenolic antioxidants are important phytochemicals for diverse cellular protective functions, acting as scavengers of singlet oxygen and free radicals that degrade cellular membranes. These phytochemicals have implications for cardiovascular health, controlling bacterial infections, stress management, endurance and cognition. High-phenolic antioxidant-containing sprouts with no microbial load were developed by elicitation with low dose phenolic antimicrobials and a two-step, short-pulse microwave-induced heating step.