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EVEC Microgreens
Supplemental UV-B Exposure Influences the Biomass and the Content of Bioactive Compounds in Linum usitatissimum L. Sprouts and Microgreens
The interest in the pre-harvest ultraviolet-B (UV-B) exposure of crops in indoor cultivation has grown consistently, though very little is known about its
Marco Santin, Maria Calogera Sciampagna, Alessia Mannucci, Martina Puccinelli, Luciana Gabriella Angelini, Silvia Tavarini, Mattia Accorsi, Luca Incrocci, Annamaria Ranieri, Antonella Castagna
Horticulturae · 2022 · https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8030213
Abstract
The interest in the pre-harvest ultraviolet-B (UV-B) exposure of crops in indoor cultivation has grown consistently, though very little is known about its influence on the nutraceutical quality of microgreens. Flaxseeds constitute a valuable oilseed species, mostly appreciated for their nutritional properties and the presence of health-promoting compounds. Therefore, although scarcely studied, flaxseed sprouts and microgreens might constitute a high-quality food product to be included in a healthy diet. This study aims to unravel the effects of pre-harvest ultraviolet-B irradiation on the nutritional and nutraceutical quality of flaxseed sprouts and microgreens grown under artificial conditions. The UV-B irradiation decreased the biomass and stem length of microgreens. However, the content of total phenolics and flavonoids and the antioxidant capacity were strongly enhanced by the UV-B treatment in both sprouts and microgreens. Among photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll a, violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and lutein in sprouts were reduced by the treatment, while chlorophyll b increased in microgreens. In conclusion, our results showed that growing flaxseed sprouts and microgreens in controlled conditions with supplemental UV-B exposure might increase their nutritional and nutraceutical quality, as well as their antioxidant capacity, making them high-quality functional foods.
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Marco Santin; Maria Calogera Sciampagna; Alessia Mannucci; Martina Puccinelli; Luciana Gabriella Angelini; Silvia Tavarini; Mattia Accorsi; Luca Incrocci; Annamaria Ranieri; Antonella Castagna (2022). Supplemental UV-B Exposure Influences the Biomass and the Content of Bioactive Compounds in Linum usitatissimum L. Sprouts and Microgreens. Horticulturae. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8030213 Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Hosted by EVEC Athens (microgreens.org.gr). No changes were made to this article. Provided as-is, without warranties. EVEC Athens is not affiliated with, and this copy is not endorsed by, the authors or the publisher.
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