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((Short description|Practice of germinating seeds to be eaten raw or cooked))
((Redirect|Bean sprout|the vegetables|soybean sprout|and|mung bean sprout))
((Hatnote|See also [[Microgreen]] for similar immature vegetables; for [[blood vessel]] sprouting, see [[Capillary sprouts]]))

[[File:Organic mixed beans shoots.jpg|thumb|Mixed [[bean]] sprouts (shoots)]]
[[File:Cantaloupe seeds sprouting.jpg|thumb|[[Melon]] seeds sprouting]]
[[File:1-day-old buckwheat sprouts.jpg|thumb|[[Buckwheat]] sprouts]]'''Sprouting''' is the natural process by which [[seed]]s or [[spore]]s [[germination|germinate]] and put out [[Shoot (botany)|shoot]]s, and already established plants produce new leaves or [[bud]]s, or other [[Plant development#Adventitious structures|structures]] experience further growth.

In the field of nutrition, the term signifies the practice of germinating seeds (for example, [[mung bean]]s or [[sunflower seed]]s) to be eaten [[Raw food|raw]] or [[Cooking|cooked]], which is considered<ref>((cite journal |last1=Chevan |first1=JK |title=Nutritional improvement of cereals by sprouting |journal=Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr |date=1989 |volume=28 |issue=5 |pages=401–437 |doi=10.1080/10408398909527508 |pmid=2692609 |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2692609/ |access-date=22 March 2022))</ref> more nutritious.

==Suitable seeds==
((Further|Broccoli sprouts|Mung bean sprout|Soybean sprout|Wheat sprout))
[[File:Tauge kasar vs tauge halus.jpg|thumb|[[Soybean sprout]] next to a smaller [[mung bean sprout]]]]
[[File:2019 Jan 18 - Kumbh Mela - Sprouts.jpg|thumb|Sprouts sold as snacks during [[Kumbh Mela]] festival]]

All viable seeds can be sprouted, but some sprouts, such as kidney beans, should not be eaten raw.<ref>((Cite web|last=Perkins|first=Sharon|date=2019|title=Are kidney beans toxic?|url=https://www.livestrong.com/article/409651-danger-of-raw-red-kidney-beans/|access-date=March 14, 2021))</ref>

'''Bean sprouts''' are a common ingredient across the world. They are particularly common in [[East Asian cuisine|Eastern Asian cuisine]]. It typically takes one week for them to become fully grown. The sprouted beans are more nutritious than the original beans, and they require much less cooking time. There are two common types of bean sprouts:

* [[Mung bean sprout]]s, made from greenish-capped [[mung bean]]s
* [[Soybean sprout]]s, made from yellow, large-grained [[soybean]]s

Common sprouts used as food include:
* [[Fabaceae|Pulses/legumes]] (pea family) - bean sprouts:
*:[[alfalfa]], [[clover]], [[fenugreek]], [[lentil]], [[pea]], [[chickpea]] (garbanzo), [[mung bean]], and [[soybean|soy bean]]
* [[Cereal]]s (grasses):
*:[[oat]], [[wheat]], [[maize]] (corn), [[rice]], [[barley]],<ref>((Cite web|date=March 29, 2019|title=How to Malt Barley|url=https://www.wikihow.com/Malt-Barley|access-date=March 14, 2021|website=wikiHow))</ref> and [[rye]]
* [[Pseudocereal]]s:
*:[[quinoa]], [[amaranth]], and [[buckwheat]]
* [[Oilseed]]s:
*:[[sesame]], [[sunflower]], [[almond]], [[hazelnut]], [[hemp]], [[linseed]], and [[peanut]]
* [[Brassica]] (cabbage family):
*:[[broccoli]], [[cabbage]], [[watercress]], [[mustard plant|mustard]], [[mizuna]], [[radish]], and [[daikon]] (''kaiware-daikon'' in Japanese cuisine), [[arugula]], [[tatsoi]], and [[turnip]]
* [[Umbelliferous]] vegetables (parsley family) - these may be used more as [[microgreen]]s than sprouts:
*:[[carrot]], [[celery]], [[fennel]], and [[parsley]].
* [[Allium]] (onion family) - cannot distinguish sprouts from [[microgreen]]s:
*:[[onion]], [[leek]], and [[scallion|green onion]] (''me-negi'' in [[Japanese cuisine]])
* Other vegetables and herbs:
*:[[spinach]], [[lettuce]], [[milk thistle]], and [[lemon grass]]((citation needed|date=April 2012|reason=googling "lemon grass sprout" returns almost zero results as this type of food))

Although whole [[oats]] can be sprouted, oat [[Groat (grain)|''groats'']] sold in food stores, which are [[Husk|dehulled]] and have been steamed or roasted to prevent [[Rancidification|rancidity]], will not sprout. Whole oats may have an indigestible hull which makes them difficult or even unfit for human consumption.((Citation needed|date=June 2011)) In the case of [[rice]], the [[Rice hulls|husk]] of the paddy is removed before sprouting. [[Brown rice]] is widely used for germination in Japan and other countries, becoming [[germinated brown rice]]. [[Quinoa]] in its natural state is very easy to sprout, but when polished, or pre-cleaned of its [[saponin]] coating (becoming whiter), it loses its power to germinate.

Sprouts of the family [[Solanaceae]] (tomato, potato, paprika, and aubergine/eggplant) and the family [[Polygonaceae]] ([[rhubarb]]) cannot be eaten raw, as they can be poisonous.<ref>((cite journal|last=Donald G. Barceloux  |title=Potatoes, Tomatoes, and Solanine Toxicity (Solanum tuberosum L., Solanum lycopersicum L.)|doi=10.1016/j.disamonth.2009.03.009|volume=55|issue=6|journal=Disease-a-Month|pages=391–402|pmid=19446683|date=June 2009)) ((subscription required))</ref> Some sprouts can be cooked to remove the relevant [[toxin]], while others cannot.((Citation needed|date=May 2018))((Example needed|date=August 2019))

With all seeds, care should be taken that they are intended for sprouting or human consumption, rather than [[sowing]]. Seeds intended for sowing may be treated with toxic chemical dressings. Several countries, such as New Zealand, require that some varieties of imported edible seed be [[heat-treated]], thus making it impossible for them to sprout.((Citation needed|date=June 2011))

===The germination process===
[[Image:Sprouting mung beans in a jar.jpg|thumb|150px|Sprouting [[mung bean]]s in a glass sprouter jar with a green plastic [[sieve]]-lid]]

The germination process takes a few days and can be done at home manually, as a semi-automated process, or industrially on a large scale for commercial use. In the germination of seeds it took about 24 hours but of course germination depends on the types of seed.

Typically the seeds are first rinsed to remove soil, dirt and the [[mucilaginous]] substances produced by some seeds when they come in contact with water. Then they are soaked for from 20 minutes to 12 hours, depending on the type and size of the seed. The soaking increases the water content in the seeds and brings them out of [[Seed dormancy|quiescence]]. After draining and then rinsing seeds at regular intervals, the seeds then [[germinate]], or sprout.

For home sprouting, the seeds are soaked (big seeds) or moistened (small), then left at room temperature (((convert|13|to|21|C|F|disp=or))) in a sprouting vessel. Many different types of vessels can be used as a sprouting vessel. One type is a simple glass jar with a piece of cloth or nylon window screen secured over its rim. "Tiered" clear-plastic sprouters are commercially available, allowing a number of "crops" to be grown simultaneously.  By staggering sowings, a constant supply of young sprouts can be ensured. Any vessel used for sprouting must allow water to drain from it, because sprouts that sit in water will rot quickly. The seeds swell, may stick to the sides of the jar, and begin germinating within a day or two.

Another sprouting technique is to use a [[pulse drip irrigation|pulse drip method]]. The photo below on the right shows crimson clover sprouts grown on ((cvt|1/8|in|mm|order=flip|0)) urethane foam mats. It is a one-way watering system with micro-sprinklers providing intermittent pulses of fresh water to reduce the risk of bacterial cross-contamination with Salmonella and E. coli during the sprouting process.

[[File:Crimson clover sprouts.jpg|Crimson clover sprouts grown on ((cvt|1/8|in|mm|order=flip|0)) urethane foam mats with a [[pulse drip irrigation|pulse drip]] technique. Four micro-sprinklers cycle pulsing continuously over a 7-day period, each putting out about ((cvt|1/2|USgal|L|0|order=flip)) per hour. The four micro-sprinklers were each fitted with an LPD<ref>((cite web|title=Super LPD|url=http://www.naandanjain.com/products/micro-sprinklers/accessories-for-micro/leakage-prevention-device/|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630102937/http://www.naandanjain.com/products/micro-sprinklers/accessories-for-micro/leakage-prevention-device/ ))</ref> to keep the lines fully charged between pulses.|thumb]]

Sprouts are rinsed two to four times a day, depending on the climate and the type of seed, to provide them with moisture and prevent them from souring.  Each seed has its own ideal sprouting time.  After three to five days the sprouts will have grown to ((convert|5|to|8|cm|frac=2)) in length and will be suitable for consumption. If left longer they will begin to develop leaves, and are then known as baby greens. A popular baby green is a sunflower after 7–10 days. Refrigeration can be used as needed to slow or halt the growth process of any sprout.

Common causes for sprouts becoming inedible:
* Seeds are not rinsed well enough before soaking
* Seeds are left in standing water after the initial soaking
* Seeds are allowed to dry out
* Temperature is too high or too low
* Dirty equipment
* Insufficient air flow
* Contaminated water source
* Poor germination rate

[[Mung bean]]s can be sprouted either in light or dark conditions. Those sprouted in the dark will be crisper in texture and whiter, as in the case of commercially available Chinese Bean Sprouts, but these have less nutritional content than those grown in partial sunlight.((Citation needed|date=June 2010)) Growing in full sunlight is not recommended, because it can cause the beans to overheat or dry out. Subjecting the sprouts to pressure, for example, by placing a weight on top of them in their sprouting container, will result in larger, crunchier sprouts similar to those sold in grocery stores.

A very effective way to sprout beans like [[lentil]]s or [[azuki]] is in colanders.  Soak the beans in water for about 8 hours then place in the [[colander]]. Wash twice a day. The sprouted beans can be eaten raw or cooked.

Sprouting is also applied on a large scale to barley as a part of the malting process. Malted barley is an important ingredient in beer and is used in large quantities. Most malted barley is widely distributed among retail sellers in North America.

Many varieties of nuts, such as almonds and peanuts, can also be started in their growth cycle by soaking and sprouting, although because the sprouts are generally still very small when eaten, they are usually called "soaks".

==Nutrition==
((more references needed|section|date=January 2024))
[[File:Verrine.jpg|thumb|Sprouts growing in a [[verrine]]]]
[[File:Moyashi.jpg|thumb|Mung bean sprouts in a bowl, grown without light to maintain its pale colour and reduce bitterness.]]

Sprouts can be germinated at home or produced industrially. They are a prominent ingredient of a [[raw food diet]] and are common in Eastern Asian cuisine.

Raw [[lentil]]s contain [[lectin]]s which can be reduced by sprouting or cooking. Sprouting is also applied on a large scale to [[barley]] as a part of the [[malt|malting process]]. A downside to consuming raw sprouts is that the process of germinating seeds can also be conducive to harmful bacterial growth.

Sprouts are rich in digestible energy, vitamins, minerals, [[amino acid]]s, proteins, and [[phytochemical]]s, as these are necessary for a germinating plant to grow.<ref>((cite web| title =Plant-based nutrition| date =Spring 2002| url =http://www.plantbased.org/PLANT_BASED_NUTRITION_2002-02.doc| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20040728180402/http://www.plantbased.org/PLANT_BASED_NUTRITION_2002-02.doc| url-status =dead| archive-date =2004-07-28| access-date =2007-11-14))</ref><ref>((cite journal|last1=Dikshit|first1=Madhurima|last2=Ghadle|first2=Mangala|title=Effect of sprouting on nutrients, antinutrients and in vitro digestibility of the MACS-13 soybean variety|journal=Plant Foods for Human Nutrition|date=2003|volume=58|issue=3|pages=1–11|doi=10.1023/B:QUAL.0000040357.70606.4c|s2cid=84496987))</ref><ref>((cite journal|last1=Rumiyati|last2=Jayasena|first2=Vijay|last3=James|first3=Anthony P.|title=Total Phenolic and Phytosterol Compounds and the Radical Scavenging Activity of Germinated Australian Sweet Lupin Flour|journal=Plant Foods for Human Nutrition|date=13 August 2013|volume=68|issue=4|pages=352–357|doi=10.1007/s11130-013-0377-6|pmid=23943234|s2cid=12683591))</ref><ref>((cite journal|last1=Świeca|first1=Michał|last2=Gawlik-Dziki|first2=Urszula|last3=Kowalczyk|first3=Dariusz|last4=Złotek|first4=Urszula|title=Impact of germination time and type of illumination on the antioxidant compounds and antioxidant capacity of Lens culinaris sprouts|journal=Scientia Horticulturae|date=June 2012|volume=140|pages=87–95|doi=10.1016/j.scienta.2012.04.005))</ref>

* "The metabolic activity of resting seeds increases as soon as they are hydrated during soaking. Complex biochemical changes occur during hydration and subsequent sprouting. The reserve chemical constituents, such as protein, starch and lipids, are broken down by enzymes into simple compounds that are used to make new compounds."<ref name="ReferenceA">((cite journal|last1=Chavan|first1=J. K.|last2=Kadam|first2=S. S.|last3=Beuchat|first3=Larry R.|title=Nutritional improvement of cereals by sprouting|journal=Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition|date=January 1989|volume=28|issue=5|pages=401–437|doi=10.1080/10408398909527508|pmid=2692609))</ref>
* "Sprouting grains causes increased activities of hydrolytic enzymes, improvements in the contents of total proteins, fat, certain essential amino acids, total sugars, B-group vitamins, and a decrease in dry matter, starch and anti-nutrients. The increased contents of protein, fat, fibre and total ash are only apparent and attributable to the disappearance of starch. However, improvements in amino acid composition, B-group vitamins, sugars, protein and starch digestibilities, and decrease in [[phytate]]s and [[Protease inhibitor (biology)|protease inhibitors]] are the metabolic effects of the sprouting process."<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

===Protein===
"Very complex qualitative changes are reported to occur during soaking and sprouting of seeds. The conversion of storage proteins of cereal grains into albumins and globulins during sprouting may improve the quality of cereal proteins. Many studies have shown an increase in the content of the amino acid lysine with sprouting."<ref name="ReferenceA" />

"An increase in proteolytic activity during sprouting is desirable for nutritional improvement of cereals because it leads to hydrolysis of prolamins and the liberated amino acids such as glutamic and proline are converted to limiting amino acids such as lysine."<ref name="ReferenceA" />

===Fiber===
"In sprouted barley, crude fiber, a major constituent of cell walls, increases both in percentage and real terms, with the synthesis of structural carbohydrates, such as cellulose and hemicellulose."<ref name="Hydroponic grass">((cite journal|last1=Cuddeford|first1=D.|title=Hydroponic grass|journal=In Practice|date=1 September 1989|volume=11|issue=5|pages=211–214|doi=10.1136/inpract.11.5.211|s2cid=219216512))</ref><ref>((cite journal|last=Peer|first=DJ|author2=Leeson |title=S|journal=Animal Feed Science and Technology|date=Dec 1985|volume=13|issue=3–4|pages=191–202|doi=10.1016/0377-8401(85)90022-7))</ref>

===Vitamins===
Sprouting treatment of cereal grains may improve vitamin value, especially the B-group vitamins. Certain vitamins such as α-[[tocopherol]] (vitamin-E) and β-carotene (vitamin-A precursor) are produced during the growth process.<ref name="Hydroponic grass"/>

==Health concerns==

===Bacterial infection===
[[Image:Sprout Warning.jpg|thumb|[[FDA]] [[Warning label|health warning]] on a sprouts package]]

Commercially grown sprouts have been associated with multiple outbreaks of harmful [[bacteria]], including [[salmonella]] and toxic forms of ''[[Escherichia coli]]''.<ref name="NYT 10 June 2011">((cite news|last=Neuman|first=William|title=The Poster Plant of Health Food Can Pack Disease Risks|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/11/business/11sprouts.html?ref=global-home&gwh=2954AC55431292D8F5723F90E3DFD672|access-date=11 June 2011|newspaper=[[New York Times]]|date=10 June 2011))</ref> Such infections, which are so frequent in the United States that investigators call them "sproutbreaks",<ref name="NYT 10 June 2011" /> may be a result of contaminated seeds or of unhygienic production with high microbial counts.<ref name=moec>((cite web
  | last = Breuer
  | first = Thomas
  | title = A Multistate Outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Alfalfa Sprouts Grown from Contaminated Seeds
  | url = https://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol7no6/breuer.htm
  | access-date = 19 November 2007 |display-authors=etal))</ref><ref name=mrmbsv>((cite journal
  | last1 = Gabriel
  | first1 = Alonzo A.
  | title = Microbiology of retail mung bean sprouts vended in public markets of National Capital Region, Philippines
  | journal = Food Control
  | volume = 18
  | issue = 10
  | pages = 1307–1313
  | year = 2007
  | doi = 10.1016/j.foodcont.2006.09.004
  | last2 = Berja
  | first2 = M
  | last3 = Estrada
  | first3 = A
  | last4 = Lopez
  | first4 = M
  | last5 = Nery
  | first5 = J
  | last6 = Villaflor
  | first6 = E |display-authors=etal))</ref> Sprout seeds can become contaminated in the fields where they are grown, and sanitizing steps may be unable to kill bacteria hidden in damaged seeds.<ref name="NYT 10 June 2011" /> A single surviving bacterium in a kilogram of seed can be enough to contaminate a whole batch of sprouts, according to the FDA.<ref name="NYT 10 June 2011" />

To minimize the impact of the incidents and maintain public health, both the [[U.S. Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) and [[Health Canada]] issued industry guidance on the safe manufacturing of edible sprouts and public education on their safe consumption.<ref name=ss>((cite web
  | last = Food and Drug Administration
  | author-link = Food and Drug Administration
  | title = Transcript of Proceedings of Public Meeting on Sprout Safety
  | website = [[Food and Drug Administration]]
 | date = May 17, 2005
  | url = https://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/FruitsVegetablesJuices/ucm078701.htm
  | access-date = 19 November 2007 ))</ref><ref name=sbas>((cite web
  | last = Health Canada
  | author-link = Health Canada
  | title = Sprouted Beans and Seeds
  | url = http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/ill-intox/info/sprouts-pousses_e.html
  | access-date = 19 November 2007 | date =2007-01-15
  ))</ref>  There are also publications for hobby farmers on safely growing and consuming sprouts at home.<ref name="gesh">((cite web|url=https://learningstore.uwex.edu/assets/pdfs/A3385.PDF|title=Growing Edible Sprouts at Home|last=Harrison|first=H. C.|access-date=5 September 2016))</ref><ref name=gssh>((cite web
  | last = Suslow
  | first = Trevor V.
  |author2=Linda J. Harris
   | title = Growing Seed Sprouts at Home
  | url = http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/datastore/234-412.pdf
  | access-date = 23 November 2007 ))</ref> The recommendations include development and implementation of [[good agricultural practices]] and [[good manufacturing practices]] in the production and handling of seeds and sprouts, seed disinfection treatments, and microbial testing before the product enters the food supply.

In June 2011, contaminated fenugreek sprouts (grown from seed from Egypt) in Germany was identified as the source of the [[2011 E. coli O104:H4 outbreak]] which German officials had at first wrongly blamed on cucumbers from Spain and then on mung bean sprouts.<ref name="NYT 10 June 2011" /> In addition to Germany, where 3,785 cases and 45 deaths had been reported by the end of the outbreak,<ref>[http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/activities/sciadvice/Lists/ECDC%20Reviews/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?List=512ff74f-77d4-4ad8-b6d6-bf0f23083f30&ID=1166&RootFolder=%2Fen%2Factivities%2Fsciadvice%2FLists%2FECDC%20Reviews Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC): Update on outbreak in the EU, 27 July 2011] ((webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004233651/http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/activities/sciadvice/Lists/ECDC%20Reviews/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?List=512ff74f-77d4-4ad8-b6d6-bf0f23083f30&ID=1166&RootFolder=%2Fen%2Factivities%2Fsciadvice%2FLists%2FECDC%20Reviews |date=4 October 2011 ))</ref><ref name="ECDC 22 June 2011">((Cite news |title=Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in Germany (22 June 2011, 11:00) |url=http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/activities/sciadvice/Lists/ECDC%20Reviews/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?List=512ff74f%2D77d4%2D4ad8%2Db6d6%2Dbf0f23083f30&ID=1120&RootFolder=%2Fen%2Factivities%2Fsciadvice%2FLists%2FECDC%20Reviews |work=[[ECDC]] |date=22 June 2011 |access-date=22 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630093610/http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/activities/sciadvice/Lists/ECDC%20Reviews/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?List=512ff74f-77d4-4ad8-b6d6-bf0f23083f30&ID=1120&RootFolder=%2Fen%2Factivities%2Fsciadvice%2FLists%2FECDC%20Reviews |archive-date=30 June 2011 ))</ref> a handful of cases were reported in several countries including [[Switzerland]],<ref name="ECDC 22 June 2011"/> [[Poland]],<ref name="ECDC 22 June 2011"/> the [[Netherlands]],<ref name="ECDC 22 June 2011"/> [[Sweden]],<ref name="ECDC 22 June 2011"/> [[Denmark]],<ref name="ECDC 22 June 2011"/> the [[United Kingdom|UK]],<ref name="ECDC 22 June 2011"/><ref name="bbc1">((cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13597080 |title=''E. coli'' cucumber scare: Russia announces import ban |publisher=BBC News Online |date=30 May 2011 |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531111850/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13597080 |archive-date=31 May 2011 |url-status=dead ))</ref> [[Canada]],<ref name="ECDC 22 June 2011"/> and the [[United States of America|USA]].<ref>((cite web | url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/43227702 | title=E. Two in U.S. infected in German ''E. coli'' outbreak  | publisher=NBC News Online | date=31 May 2011 | access-date=2 June 2011 ))</ref> Virtually all affected people had been in Germany shortly before becoming ill.

===Anti-nutritional factors===
Some legumes, including sprouts, can contain [[toxin]]s or [[antinutritional factor|anti-nutritional factor]]s, which can be reduced by soaking, sprouting and cooking. Joy Larkcom advises that to be on the safe side "one shouldn’t eat large quantities of raw [[legume]] sprouts on a regular basis, no more than about 550g (20oz) daily".<ref>((cite book|last=Larkcom|first=Joy|others=Illustrated by Elizabeth Douglas|title=Salads for small gardens|date=1995|publisher=Hamlyn|location=[London]|isbn=978-0-600-58509-1|edition=2nd))</ref>

[[Phytic acid]], an anti-nutritional factor, occurs primarily in the seed coats and germ tissue of plant seeds. It forms insoluble or nearly insoluble compounds with many metal ions, including those of calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc, reducing their dietary availability. Diets high in phytic acid and poor in these minerals produce mineral deficiency in experimental animals (Gontzea and Sutzescu, 1968,<ref>((cite book|title=Natural Antinutritive Substances in Foodstuffs and Forages|date=28 August 1968|publisher=S. Karger; 1 edition (August 28, 1968)|isbn=978-3805508568|pages=184|edition=1))</ref> as cited in Chavan and Kadam, 1989).<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The latter authors state that the sprouting of cereals has been reported to decrease levels of phytic acid. Similarly, Shipard (2005)<ref>((cite book|last1=Shipard|first1=Isabell|title=How can I grow and use sprouts as living food?|date=2005|publisher=David Stewart|location=[Nambour, Qld.?]|isbn=978-0975825204))</ref> states that enzymes of germination and sprouting can help decrease the detrimental substances such as phytic acid. However, the amount of phytic acid reduction from soaking is only marginal, and not enough to fully counteract its anti-nutrient effects.<ref>((cite journal|last1=Egli|first1=I.|last2=Davidsson|first2=L.|last3=Juillerat|first3=M.A.|last4=Barclay|first4=D.|last5=Hurrell|first5=R.F.|title=The Influence of Soaking and Germination on the Phytase Activity and Phytic Acid Content of Grains and Seeds Potentially Useful for Complementary Feedin|journal=Journal of Food Science|date=November 2002|volume=67|issue=9|pages=3484–3488|doi=10.1111/j.1365-2621.2002.tb09609.x))</ref>

===Canavanine===
Alfalfa seeds and sprouts contain [[canavanine|L-canavanine]], which can cause [[lupus]]-like disease in [[primate]]s.<ref>((cite journal|title=Dietary amino acid-induced systemic lupus erythematosus| pmid=1862241 | volume=17 | issue=2| date=May 1991| journal=Rheum Dis Clin North Am| pages=323–32| last1=Montanaro | first1=A. | last2=Bardana Jr | first2=E. J. | doi=10.1016/S0889-857X(21)00573-1 ))</ref>

==European Union regulations==
In order to prevent incidents like the 2011 [[Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli|EHEC]] epidemic, on 11 March 2013, the [[European Commission]] issued three new, tighter regulations.
* Regulation (EU) No 208/2013 requires that the origins of seeds must always be traceable at all stages of processing, production, and distribution. Therefore, a full description of the seeds or sprouts needs to be kept on record. (see also Article 18 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002)<ref>[http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:068:0016:0018:EN:PDF Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 208/2013] European Commission, Retrieved 04-20-2013</ref>
* Regulation (EU) No 209/2013 amends Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 in respect of microbiological criteria for sprouts and the sampling rules for poultry carcasses and fresh poultry meat.<ref>[http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:068:0019:0023:EN:PDF Commission Regulation (EU) No 209/2013] European Commission, Retrieved 04-20-2013</ref>
* Regulation (EU) No 211/2013 requires that imported sprouts and seeds intended for the production of sprouts have a certificate, drawn up in accordance with the model certificate in the Annex of the regulation, that serves as proof that the production process complies with the general hygiene provisions in Part A of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and the traceability requirements of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 208/2013.<ref>[http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:068:0026:0029:EN:PDF Commission Regulation (EU) No 211/2013] European Commission, Retrieved 04-20-2013</ref>

==Types of germination==
<gallery class="center" widths="220" heights="160">
File:Horticulture Tray3.jpg|Seed tray
File:Germoir automatique.jpg|Automatic sprouter ([[greenhouse]])
</gallery>

==See also==
((div col|colwidth=30em))
* [[Aeroponics]]
* [[Container garden]]
* [[Gillian McKeith]]
* [[Hydroponics]]
* [[Pulse drip irrigation]]
* [[Seedling]]
* [[Seed testing]]
* [[Seed tray]]
* [[Soybean sprout]]
* [[Sprouted bread]]
* [[Urban horticulture]]
* [[Wheatgrass]]
* [[Whole grains]]
* [[Germinated brown rice]]
((div col end))
((portal|Food))

==References==
((Reflist|30em))

===Bibliography===
* ((cite book|last1=Safron|first1=Jeremy A.|title=The raw truth : the art of preparing living foods|date=2003|publisher=Celestial Arts|location=Berkeley|isbn=978-1-58761-172-8|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/rawtruthartofpre0000safr))
* ((cite book|last1=Morán|first1=Leslie|title=The complete guide to successful sprouting for parrots : and everyone else in the family|date=2007|publisher=Critter Connection|location=Silver Springs, NV|isbn=978-1-4196-8479-1))
* ((cite journal|last1=Cuddeford|first1=D.|title=Hydroponic grass|journal=In Practice|date=1 September 1989|volume=11|issue=5|pages=211–214|doi=10.1136/inpract.11.5.211|s2cid=219216512))
* NUTRITIONAL IMPROVEMENT OF CEREALS BY FERMENTATION. Source: CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION (CHAVAN, JK; KADAM, SS, 1989)
* ((cite book|last1=Shipard|first1=Isabell|title=How can I grow and use sprouts as living food?|date=2005|publisher=David Stewart|location=[Nambour, Qld.?]|isbn=978-0-9758252-0-4))
* ((cite journal | last1 = Kavas | first1 = A. | last2 = Els | first2 = N. | year = 1992 | title = Changes in nutritive value of lentils and mung beans during germination | journal = Chem.Mikrobiol., Technol., Lebens | volume = 14 | pages = 3–9 ))

((Commons category|Sprouted grains))

[[Category:Sprouting| ]]
[[Category:Horticulture]]
[[Category:Vegetables]]
[[Category:Raw foodism]]
[[Category:Asian vegetables]]

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