The changes in antioxidant compounds of Brassica oleracea L. var. costata DC seeds were monitored during
the first twelve days of seedling development. Sprouts were screened at time intervals of two days for phenolic compounds
and organic acids. The identified phenolic compounds included esters of sinapic acid with glucose, gentiobiose
and kaempferol, as well as sinapoylcholine. The organic acids were oxalic, aconitic, citric, pyruvic, malic, shikimic, and
fumaric acids. During germination, a depletion of phenolic compounds was observed, although no qualitative changes
were seen. Among individual compounds, kaempferol, choline and glucose esters of sinapic acid showed a marked decrease
between days two and six, whereas the changes in gentiobiose esters of sinapic acid were smaller. The total organic
acids content increased rapidly during the first four days, with less significant variations thereafter. Malic acid, the major
organic acid found in sprouts, greatly contributed to this result though oxalic, pyruvic, and fumaric acids also increased in
the same manner. In contrast, aconitic, citric and shikimic acids showed decreases between days two and twelve of germination.
