Light and Low Relative Humidity Increase Antioxidants Content in Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.) Sprouts

Abstract

In the last decades, there has been a growing interest in the production of sprouts, since they are a highly nutritious food, particularly suitable for indoor farming in urban areas. Achieving sprout production in indoor systems requires an understanding of possible alterations induced by the microclimate. The aim of this study was to analyze the combined effect of presence/absence of light and high/low air relative humidity (RH) on mung bean sprouts. Morpho-anatomical development and functional anatomical traits in hypocotyl were quantified. The content of antioxidants, soluble sugars, and starch were measured for nutritional and functional purposes. Different RH regimes mainly induced morpho-anatomical modifications, while the presence/absence of light changed the content of antioxidant compounds. Increments in stele diameter at high RH suggest a higher water uptake and conductivity, compared to the low RH treatment; low RH and light induced anatomical traits improving plant water transport (reduced number of cortical layers) and increased the production of antioxidants. The overall results suggested that RH and light, already at the early stages of development, affect the plant’s nutritional value. Therefore, the combination of light and low RH allows the production of antioxidant-rich mung bean sprouts to be used as a food supplement.

Comparative Analysis of the Effect of Carbon- and Titanium-Ions Irradiation on Morpho-Anatomical and Biochemical Traits of Dolichos melanophthalmus DC. Seedlings Aimed to Space Exploration

“…The reduction in starch accumulation in 10C cotyledons, accompanied by a moderate increase in its content only in the cortical cylinder, suggests a conversion of starch into sugars to compensate for the stressful condition induced by the highest dose at a growth stage when an adequate sugar supply is not already guaranteed by photosynthesis. Altered starch metabolisms have been recently reported in Vigna radiata L. subjected to environmental stress (high evaporative demand) where a decline in leaf starch content with reduction in net-photosynthesis were explained as a down-regulation of carbon metabolism triggered by the stress, which also lead to soluble carbohydrate mobilization, as also suggested in other species [35,36,[53][54][55][56][57]. Moreover, in eye bean seedlings, the lower values of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids) in 10C seedlings compared to the other treatments may determine simultaneous reduction in the lightharvesting capacity and may consequently limit photosynthesis at later developmental stages (adult plants).…”

“…Even when irradiation does not affect germination percentage and rate, there is interest in studying the post-germination effects for two main reasons: (i) seedling development is one of the most delicate processes in plant life cycle, and (ii) deep knowledge on possible alterations induced by radiation is needed to design strategies to facilitate their establish-ment in space growth chambers [34]. Moreover, although not having a role in the resource regeneration, seedlings are interesting candidates as food complements to crew's diet, as they are easy to produce and highly nutritious in terms of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins [35,36].…”

Evaluation of structural, magnetic, optical, electrical, and humidity sensing properties of manganese-substituted zinc ferrite nanoparticles

“…In fields like the agriculture sector, manufacturing industries, food processing sectors, and air quality, having an accurate humidity measurement is extremely important. [29][30][31][32][33][34]. In the present work, we report the effect of manganese substitution on structural, magnetic, optical, electrical, and humidity sensing properties of ZnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles.…”

Factors Affecting Production, Nutrient Translocation Mechanisms, and LED Emitted Light in Growth of Microgreen Plants in Soilless Culture

“…The agricultural and horticultural microgreen plant requires specific temperatures and humidity for production in closed and open systems. Temperature and humidity of 30–33 °C, 75–80% for rice grass, 15–32 °C, 80–85% for barley grass, 16–27 °C, 75–80% for oat grass, 23–28 °C, 60–70% for wheat grass, 29–32 °C, 30% for jowar grass, 25–34 °C, 52–88% for maize grass, 10–21 °C, 8–80% for buckwheat, 21–26 °C, 14–16% for chickpea, 18–21 °C, 50–60% for mint, 17–27 °C, 60–70% for coriander, 21 °C, 50–60% for basil, 24–29 °C, 75% for rosemary, 32 °C, 95–100% for parsley, 9.2–23.8 °C, 50–100% for saltwort, 21 °C, 50–70% for shisho, −1.11 °C, 50–75% for sorrel, 18–23 °C, 60–70% for sage, 18–23 °C, 40–60% for beet, 15–24 °C, 50–70% for chard, 24–26 °C, 11–96% for quinoa, 22–26 °C, 100% for spinach, 33–36 °C, 80% for chives, 32–50 °C, 65–75% for garlic, 18–23 °C, 95–100% for leek, 55–75 °C, 40–50% for onion, 15–21 °C, 60–70% for carrot, 14–26 °C, 90–95% for celery, 16–18 °C, 58–63% for dill, 60–70 °C, 50–65% for fennel, 10–29 °C, 50–60% for radish, 15–17 °C, 50–60% for aster cress, 15–21 °C, 76% for mustard, 7.2–29.4 °C, 55–65% for kale, 25–30 °C, 40–70% for kohlrabi, 7.2–18 °C, 90–95% for arugula, 25 °C day/23 °C night, 60% for sunflower, 25–34 °C, 50–60% for linseed, 23–25 °C, 90–95% for chicory, 15–18 °C, 95–98% for endive, 20 °C, 80% for lettuce, 15–21 °C, 40–50% for beans, 12–25 °C, 40–50% for welsh onion, 12–25 °C, 40–50% for long green onion, and 23–32 °C, 90–95% for red swiss chard are required for microgreen plant production.…”