## 2 Results and Discussions
### Elemental Profile Composition
This finding was in an agreement with previously reported data on the dynamic changes of elemental profile during germination in different plant species. Studies showed increases in most of the mineral elements during germination in cereals like buckwheat and wheat sprout [15; 29], sunflower sprouts [30], _Cruciferase_ sprouts [31] and soybean sprouts [15; 32]. The differences in mineral content may be due to the loss in dry weight and increase in the proportion of inorganic matter and decrease in organic nutrient during sprouting, and hence can be treated as apparent [14]. On the other hand, considerable translocation of individual mineral elements occurs during sprouting and changes in solubilization may influence extractability and bioavailability of minerals [14]. It is known that germinated leguminous crops are highly nutritious for their enhanced minerals and trace elements bioavailability due to the reduction in phytates [33]. Among multiple variables influencing trace-element bioavailability, as well as tannins and phytates, polyphenols are reported to chelate metals, reducing the bioavailability of minerals [34]. There is very little information on the effect of dietary polyphenic compounds on the status of trace elements. Since ALF and RCV sprouts are a good source of both polyphenols and minerals, future studies on the bioavailability of the trace elements from sprouts are essential to exploring their potential to modulate human metabolism. In terms of absolute values measured in the analyzed samples, few references allow comparisons with the literature. [PERSON], [15] investigated the nutritional compounds in sprouts and seeds of soybean, alfalfa, and wheat after 4 days of germination. The results for ALF revealed concentrations of 17.79 \(\upmu\)g/g for Mn, 53.3 \(\upmu\)g/g for Zn, and 17.77 \(\upmu\)g/g for Cu, which are close to our results. Values for Fe (153.7 \(\upmu\)g/g) and Ca (332 \(\upmu\)g/g) were lower than in our study, while the value for Na (4720 \(\upmu\)g/g) exceeded our result. Minerals concentration measured in mug bean sprouts after 3 days of germination exhibited values of 601.0 \(\upmu\)g/g for Ca, 759 \(\upmu\)g/g for Fe, 17.4 \(\upmu\)g/g for Mn, and 67 \(\upmu\)g/g for Zn [35]. The values measured for ALF during our study exceeded the concentration of Ca in the above reported study but are lower for Fe and Mn. RCV sprouts showed lower concentration for all of them in comparison with the results of Tiwari [35]. Study on the composition of mineral elements in buckwheat and wheat sprouts [29], revealed concentration values lower than in ALF and RCV sprouts for Na, K, Fe, and Ni, higher for Mg and Zn in buckwheat sprouts, and close concentration values for Zn and Ca in wheat sprouts. The elemental profile in common white bean seeds, obtained by [PERSON], [36] displayed values of 1610 \(\upmu\)g/g for Mg, 14,100 \(\upmu\)g/g for K, 2060 \(\upmu\)g/g for Ca, 101 \(\upmu\)g/g for Fe, 18 \(\upmu\)g/g for Mn, 0.11 \(\upmu\)g/g for Se, and 6.74 \(\upmu\)g/g for Zn. Except K, Ca, and Mn, all elements showed considerably higher concentrations both in seeds and sprouts for both plants species in the current investigation. The present study showed important concentrations of macro-minerals and trace elements which, along with significant amounts of phytoestrogens, make the sprouts of ALF and RCV a functional food able to provide effective means to prevent diseases and improve quality of life through biomolecules. Thus, along with other studies that recommend the consumption of sprouts or extracts of RCV in the treatment of menopausal disorders based on the content of isoflav with estrogenic action [1; 4; 37], the present research reinforces the role that RCV can play in the prevention of menopause-related disturbances and diseases through the mineral content as well, and show the potential of ALF sprouts to be used as nutraceutical in pre/post-menopausal disorders.