Quantitative profiling of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AOA) in seeds, sprouts, and grasses of corn (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were performed. TPC and AOA were strongly correlated and increased with days. Grasses between 10 and 13 days showed the highest TPCs and AOA. The AOA in sprouts and grasses were a fifth and two-thirds of ascorbic acid (AA) standard, respectively, which are higher than in several popular natural antioxidants. Further cell-based studies or in vivo studies could be considered in future to draw more valuable information related to human health.

The use of cereal microgreens is increasing because of increased consumer's interest in healthier products. Chlorophyll (Chl) and Carotenoids (Car) are suggested to correlate with health promoting components like phenolics and antioxidant potential of the plant-part. They also play role against clinical conditions like thalassemia and hemolytic anemia and reduce the risk of some chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, skin diseases and age-related eye diseases. This study was carried out for the comprehensive profiling of Chl and Car in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) micro-greens between 7 and 16 days on dry basis. Chl and Car content strongly correlated with the number of days of growth. Significantly high correlations existed among Chl a, Chl b, total Chl and total Car with concomitant Chl a/b and Chl/Car ratios. The peaks for the rate of accumulation of pigments were between 7-10 days on wheat and 10-13 days on barley. The maximum content of Chl and Car were 616.63 ± 18.45 mg/100 g DM and 54.80 ± 1.72 mg/100 g DM on day 16 and statistically not significant to variety of grain. The Chl level was slightly lower than Chl rich vegetables like kale and comparable to spinach and Car level was comparable to carrots, which is higher than most of the daily consumable fruits and vegetables. Further cell-based or in vivo studies of cereal microgreens could be considered to draw more valuable information related to human health.

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Microgreens are an emerging class of fresh food with a high potential for the natural health supplement and support system of space life. Although beet microgreens are praised for their unique color, flavor, and overall eating quality, the study of their physicochemical composition is limited. In this study, profile of total chlorophylls, carotenoids, betalains, ascorbic acid, polyphenols, and equivalent antioxidant capacities (EAC) (as ascorbic acid) of beet (Beta vulgaris) microgreens of day 9 to day 21 were assayed and their correlations were evaluated. All investigated parameters were minimum on day 9 and significantly (p < 0.05) increased to the maximum on day 15. No significant (p > 0.05) reduction occurred in chlorophylls and carotenoids content after day 15, but all other parameters were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced. About 120 g of fresh microgreen could solely fulfill the recommended daily intake of ascorbic acid. Chlorophylls, carotenoids, and polyphenols content were lower as compared to other microgreens. Despite this, beet microgreens possessed high EACs as ascorbic acid due to high betalains content. Very high correlations (>0.76) were observed among all investigated parameters. This study demonstrates beet microgreens as a powerful natural antioxidant. Cell-based and human intervention studies are recommended to draw valuable information about potential bioactivity in humans.

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Sel‐roti is a doughnut‐like deep‐fat fried, puffed, spongy, ring‐shaped, and fermented rice‐flour confectionary indigenous to Nepal. This study was aimed to enhance the sensory and nutritional quality of Sel‐roti by incorporating soy flour. The best product was selected by a series of sensory evaluations, and the nutritional quality was then compared with the control. Sel‐roti prepared by incorporating 10% of roasted soybean flour (RSF) had significantly superior (p < .05) sensory perceptions viz. color and appearance, texture, flavor, taste, and overall acceptance among the studied samples. The moisture, crude fat, crude protein, total ash, crude fiber, iron, calcium, and energy content in the best product were significantly increased (p < .05) by the incorporation of 10% RSF. However, total carbohydrates was significantly reduced (p < .05) at 10% RSF incorporation. The results can be used by food processors to formulate a batter for the production of Sel‐roti with enhanced sensory and nutritional properties.

Nanoemulsions are optically transparent and offer good stability, bioavailability, and control over the targeted delivery and release of lipophilic active components. In this study, pea protein isolate (PPI)-stabilized O/W nanoemulsions were evaluated using response surface methodology to obtain optimized ultra-nanoemulsions of Sauter mean diameter (D3,2) < 100 nm using a high-pressure homogenizer (HPH). Furthermore, the effect of food matrix electrolytes, i.e., the pH and ionic strength, on the emulsion (prepared at optimized conditions) was investigated. The results revealed that the droplet size distribution of emulsions was mainly influenced by the PPI concentration and the interaction of oil concentration and HPH pressure. Moreover, a non-significant increase in droplet size was observed when the nanoemulsions (having an initial D3,2 < 100 nm) were stored at 4 °C for 7 days. Based on the current experimental design, nanoemulsions with a droplet size < 100 nm can effectively be prepared with a high PPI concentration (6.35%), with less oil (1.95%), and at high HPH pressure (46.82 MPa). Such emulsions were capable of maintaining a droplet size below 100 nm even at ionic conditions of up to 400 mM NaCl and at acidic pH.