Simplified Method for Canavanine in Seeds and Sprouts

Simplified Method for Canavanine in Seeds and Sprouts 
Rajkowski, Kathleen T., Eastern Reginoal Research Center, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038
Approved Date: 2002-11-04

Interpretive Summary:

Sprout growers are looking for alternative disinfectants to reduce the bacterial pathogens on seeds. Canavanine is a natural inhibitor of cell growth and is excreted by germinating alfalfa seeds. The published method to identify the canavanine in alfalfa seeds uses environmentally unfriendly chemicals and is time consuming. A simple, quick identification method was developed which uses micro silica plates and an alcohol-water solvent system. This method was used to determine that the amount of canavanine in both the irradiated and non-irradiated alfalfa seeds was the same. This method was also used to determine the amount of canavanine in the sprout water during growth. Others can use this simple method to determine the effective amount to be used to reduce bacterial pathogen on seeds used for sprouting.