Get in touch
Questions about growing, workshops, the cooperative or partnerships? Send us a message and we will reply by email.
Prefer email? Write to erasmus@evec.org.gr
EVEC Microgreens
Nutrient and phytochemical composition of rocket and cabbage microgreens grown under varying potassium regimes
The growing demand for functional foods with specific nutritional profiles has led to increased interest in microgreens as customizable dietary sources. Th
Michela Palumbo, Rosaria Cozzolino, Vittorio Capozzi, Giuseppe Di Cuia, Livia Malorni, Bernardo Pace, Francesco Serio, Massimiliano D’Imperio, Maria Cefola
Journal of Food Composition and Analysis · 2025 · https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2025.108125
Abstract
The growing demand for functional foods with specific nutritional profiles has led to increased interest in microgreens as customizable dietary sources. This study provides an in-depth nutritional and phytochemical characterization of wild rocket ( Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.) and black cabbage ( Brassica oleracea L.) microgreens cultivated under three potassium concentrations (0, 60, and 120 mg L⁻¹; K0, K60, K120). Mineral profiling revealed that potassium availability significantly influenced the elemental composition of black cabbage, while wild rocket maintained stable nutrient levels. A comprehensive volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis identified 37 compounds in rocket and 43 in cabbage, showcasing distinct phytochemical signatures. Moreover, nitrate, ammonium, and key quality parameters were quantified, revealing that potassium restriction can modulate nutritional composition without compromising sensory traits or safety. These findings underscore the potential of microgreens as adaptable food matrices for targeted nutritional interventions, especially in potassium-restricted diets. The species-specific metabolic responses observed further emphasize the importance of tailored cultivation strategies.
Licence and reuse
| Licence | CC-BY-4.0 |
|---|---|
| May we host this PDF? | Yes |
| May we publish a plain-language summary? | Yes — this licence permits adaptations. |
| Commercial use permitted? | Yes |
| Share-alike required? | No |
How to credit this work
Michela Palumbo; Rosaria Cozzolino; Vittorio Capozzi; Giuseppe Di Cuia; Livia Malorni; Bernardo Pace; Francesco Serio; Massimiliano D’Imperio; Maria Cefola (2025). Nutrient and phytochemical composition of rocket and cabbage microgreens grown under varying potassium regimes. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2025.108125 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.
Explore this on our site
- How to grow it: Arugula microgreens — growing guide
- Related reading: Sensory analysis in microgreens why some are spicy others sweet and others taste like fresh grass
About this copy
This is a copy of the published article, hosted by EVEC Athens for free educational use under its open licence. The permanent scientific reference is the DOI above. We have not altered the file in any way. If you are an author or rights holder and want this copy removed, please use our notice and takedown procedure. We acknowledge every request within five working days, and act within ten.
Co-funded by the European Union.
This portal presents the microgreens methodology; the organisation behind it is EVEC Athens — the European Voluntary and Educational Center (evec.org.gr). Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Open licence. Except where stated otherwise, the educational materials on this portal are licensed under CC BY 4.0 — free to use, adapt and share, including commercially, with credit. See the licence terms.
Accessibility. We aim for WCAG 2.1 AA and publish what does and does not yet meet it — see the accessibility statement. If anything here blocks you, tell us and we will send the material in a format that works for you.