Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) is a major legume crop with a high protein and carbohydrate content. Mungbean sprouts have higher levels of bioactive phenolic compounds than mungbean seeds. In this study, the physical and biochemical characteristics of mungbean sprouts were investigated at the tissue level (cotyledon, hypocotyl, root, and seed coat) using three cultivars (Dahyeon, Samgang, and Sunhwa). Sunhwa was found to have longer hypocotyl, root, and cotyledon lengths and more bioactive compounds (phenols and flavonoids), leading to a higher antioxidant capacity compared to the other cultivars. Among the three cultivars, the hypocotyl had the highest antioxidant activity and bioactive compound content. The flavonoid content of the seed coat was as high as those of the cotyledon and root tissues. Although Dahyeon and Samgang mungbean sprouts are more suitable for consumption based on consumers’ preference for physical traits, they had lower antioxidant capacities than Sunhwa. The results of this study indicate that mungbean cultivars that are consumed as sprouts need to be developed to improve food quality for consumers’ needs.

A mungbean variety ‘Suhyeon’ (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) was derived from the cross between ‘Jeonnam14’ and ‘IT208777’ at the Jeollanamdo Agricultural Research and Extension Services (JARES) in 2010. ‘Suhyeon’ has erect growth habit, heart leaflet, green hypocotyl, black and straight pod when matured, and dull green seed surface. The stem length of ‘Suhyeon’ was 66 ㎝, which was 5 ㎝ less than check variety ‘Owool’. The pods number per plant of ‘Suhyeon’ was 24, which was 5 more than check variety. The sprout yield ratio of ‘Suhyeon’ was 8.67 times, which was 16% more than check variety. The contents of starch, protein and fatty acid of seed were 62.7, 27.3, 1.89%, respectively. The average yield of ‘Suhyeon’ was 1.74 ton/㏊, which increased 8% more than that of check variety. (Variety registration number: 5107)

A mungbean cultivar ‘Sanpo’ (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) was derived from the cross between SM9710-3B-7 and Jangannogdu at the Jeollanamdo Agricultural Research and Extension Services (JARES) in 2012. ‘Sanpo’ has erect growth habit, green hypocotyls, heart leaflet, dull green seed surface, and black and straight pod when matured. The stem length of ‘Sanpo’ were 71㎝, which was 5㎝ longer than check cultivar ‘Owool’. The pods number per plant, the seeds number per pod, and the seed weight of ‘Sanpo’ are similar to check cultivar. It has field resistance to cercospora leaf spot, mungbean mottle virus, and powdery mildew. In addition, ‘Sanpo’ has high lodging resistance. The hard seed rate of ‘Sanpo’ was 2.4%, which was 0.8%point lower than check cultivar. The sprout yield ratio of ‘Sanpo’ was 8.26 times, which was 10% (77%point) more than check cultivar. The average yield of ‘Sanpo’ was 1.62ton/㏊, which was 14% more than the check cultivar ‘Owool’. (Cultivar registration number: 5250)