Yield and Quality Characteristics of Brassica Microgreens as Affected by the NH4:NO3 Molar Ratio and Strength of the Nutrient Solution

Palmitessa, Onofrio Davide; Renna, Massimiliano; Crupi, Pasquale; Lovece, Angelo; Corbo, Filomena; Santamaria, Pietro

doi:10.3390/foods9050677

Cited by 28 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 36 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…It is currently unknown whether microgreen bioactive compounds have the same bioaccessibility as their mature counterparts, which has implications for bioavailability and bioactivity of compounds in vivo. Additionally, previous research has demonstrated that modulation of microgreens’ growing conditions (e.g., LED lighting and nutrient solutions) can enhance the concentrations of various health-promoting compounds such as β-carotene (provitamin A), anthocyanins, and α-tocopherol (vitamin E) ( 54 – 56 ). The impact that these enhancements have on bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and thus bioactivity of compounds should be evaluated, as should the impacts on consumer acceptability and sensory perceptions of microgreens.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comprehensive Evaluation of Metabolites and Minerals in 6 Microgreen Species and the Influence of Maturity

Johnson

Prenni

Heuberger

et al. 2021

Current Developments in Nutrition

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Microgreens are the young leafy greens of many vegetables, herbs, grains, and flowers with potential to promote human health and sustainably diversify the global food system. For successful further integration into the global food system and evaluation of their health impacts, it is critical to elucidate and optimize their nutritional quality. Objective We aimed to comprehensively evaluate the metabolite and mineral contents of six microgreens species, and the influence of maturity on their contents. Methods Plant species evaluated were from the Brassicaceae (arugula, broccoli, and red cabbage), Amaranthaceae (red beet and red amaranth), and Fabaceae (pea) plant families. Non-targeted metabolomics and ionomics analyses were performed to examine the metabolites and minerals, respectively, in each microgreen species and its mature counterpart. Results Non-targeted metabolomics analysis detected 3,321 compounds, 1,263 of which were annotated and included nutrients and bioactive compounds. Ionomics analysis detected and quantified 26 minerals including macrominerals, trace minerals, ultratrace minerals, and other metals. Principal component analysis indicated microgreens have distinct metabolite and mineral profiles compared with one another and with their mature counterparts. Several compounds were higher (p < 0.05; fold change ≥ 2) in microgreens compared to their mature counterpart, while some were unchanged or lower. In many cases, compounds that were higher in microgreens compared to the mature counterpart were also unique to that microgreen species. Conclusions These data provide evidence for the nutritional quality of microgreens, and can inform future research and development aimed at characterizing and optimizing microgreen nutritional quality and health impacts.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comprehensive Evaluation of Metabolites and Minerals in 6 Microgreen Species and the Influence of Maturity

Johnson

Prenni

Heuberger

et al. 2021

Current Developments in Nutrition

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Few works have so far addressed microgreens response to nutrient solution concentration, such as Murphy and Phill [24], Wieth et al [25] and Palmitessa et al [26]. Our study intended to shed the light on novel species from the Brassicaceae botanical family and assess the changes precipitated in microgreens performance, including the levels of yield and bioactive components, in the absence of nutrients supplemented through irrigation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrient Supplementation Configures the Bioactive Profile and Production Characteristics of Three Brassica L. Microgreens Species Grown in Peat-Based Media

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Brassica microgreens are a fresh microscale vegetable crop of high antioxidant value and naturally dense in nutrients without the intervention of biofortification or genetic engineering. A climate chamber experiment on peat-based substrate was set up to test microgreens growth and accumulation of secondary metabolites in response to nutrient supplementation. Microgreens mineral content was analyzed through ion chromatography and total ascorbic acid through UV-Vis spectrophotometry, while carotenoids and phenolic acids were quantified by HPLC-DAD and UHPLC-HRMS, respectively. Brussels sprouts and cabbage yield was only reduced by 10%, while nitrate was reduced by 99% in the absence of nutrient supplementation. Rocket yield was prominently reduced by 47%, with a corresponding nitrate reduction of 118%. Brussels sprouts secondary metabolites were not improved by the absence of nutrient supplementation, whereas cabbage microgreens demonstrated a 30% increase in total ascorbic acid and a 12% increase in total anthocyanins. As for rocket, the absence of nutrient supplementation elicited an extensive increase in secondary metabolites, such as lutein (110%), β-carotene (30%), total ascorbic acid (58%) and total anthocyanins (20%), but caused a decrease in total phenolic acids. It is hereby demonstrated that growing microgreens on a commercial peat-based substrate without nutrient supplementation can be feasible for certain species. Moreover, it might elicit a species-dependent spike in bioactive secondary metabolites.

show abstract

“…The protein content (N × 6.25) was determined by Kjeldahl nitrogen, according to the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) method 976.05 [26], and results were expressed as g 100 g −1 fresh weight (FW). The dietary fiber content was determined by the enzymatic-gravimetric procedure, according to the AOAC method [26] with some modifications reported by Palmitessa et al [27]. Samples (250 mg) were incubated in 32.5 mL of H 2 SO 4 0.64 N for 10 min at 100 • C, adding a few drops of n-octanol as an antifoam agent.…”

Section: Determination Of Protein and Dietary Fibermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…α-Tocopherol and β-carotene were extracted using the procedure described by Palmitessa et al [27]. Quantification of the two lipophilic compounds was carried out with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) by using an Agilent Technologies HPLC system, model 1100 (Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA, USA) equipped with a quaternary pump solvent delivery, thermostatic column compartment and diode array detector (DAD) (Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA, USA).…”

Section: Determination Of α-Tocopherol and β-Carotenementioning

confidence: 99%

The Use of a Nutrient Quality Score is Effective to Assess the Overall Nutritional Value of Three Brassica Microgreens

Renna

Corbo

Santamaria

2020

Foods

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Microgreens have immense potential for improving dietary patterns, but little information is available regarding their overall nutritional value. We evaluated the nutritional traits of three hydroponically grown Brassica microgreens by using a Nutrient Quality Score. Micro cauliflower, micro broccoli and micro broccoli raab were grown using nutrient solutions with three different NH4:NO3 molar ratios (5:95, 15:85, and 25:75). Protein, dietary fiber, β-carotene, α-tocopherol and mineral elements (Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Na) were analyzed. We developed the Nutrient Quality Score (NQS 11.1) on the basis of 11 desirable nutrients and 1 nutrient (sodium) to be limited. All Brassica microgreens are an excellent source of Vitamins A and E (more than 20% of the daily reference value—DRV), as well as a good source of calcium and manganese (10–19% of the DRV). Micro cauliflower showed a NQS 11.1 at 47% higher than micro broccoli raab and micro broccoli. Using NH4:NO3 25:75 molar ratio, the average score was 27% higher than other molar ratios. In all cases, the microgreens in the present study showed a higher NQS 11.1 than their mature counterpart (on the basis of data from the United States Department of Agriculture), highlighting that the score of micro cauliflower was about six-fold higher than mature cauliflower. In conclusion, the NQS 11.1 was useful for assessing the overall nutritional quality of the three Brassica microgreens, instead of simply quantifying nutrient content, in order to compare a single nutrient among different genotypes. Furthermore, the results highlight that the micro broccoli raab, micro broccoli and micro cauliflower in this study can be considered nutrient-rich vegetables that are able to improve dietary patterns more effectively than their mature counterparts.

show abstract

Yield and Quality Characteristics of Brassica Microgreens as Affected by the NH4:NO3 Molar Ratio and Strength of the Nutrient Solution

Cited by 28 publications

References 36 publications

Comprehensive Evaluation of Metabolites and Minerals in 6 Microgreen Species and the Influence of Maturity

Comprehensive Evaluation of Metabolites and Minerals in 6 Microgreen Species and the Influence of Maturity

Nutrient Supplementation Configures the Bioactive Profile and Production Characteristics of Three Brassica L. Microgreens Species Grown in Peat-Based Media

The Use of a Nutrient Quality Score is Effective to Assess the Overall Nutritional Value of Three Brassica Microgreens

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About