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Effects of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) on Growth, Nitrates and Osmoprotectant Content in Microgreens of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants
Microgreens are receiving increasing attention due to their high content of bioactive components and their importance to human health. These emerging food
Hamza El Haddaji, Mustapha Akodad, Alí Skalli, Abdelmajid Moumen, Said Bellahcen, S. Elhani, Miguel Urrestarazu, Mitja Kolar, Jernej Imperl, Petranka Petrova, Mourad Baghour
Horticulturae · 2023 · https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9040494
Abstract
Microgreens are receiving increasing attention due to their high content of bioactive components and their importance to human health. These emerging food products can be obtained from the seeds of different plant species, including aromatic herbs. Aromatic microgreens are gaining popularity as new functional food products. In this study, we investigated the effects of different light-emitting diode (LED) lamp spectra on the growth, pigments, nitrates, and osmoprotectant content of microgreens of Ocimum basilicum L., Trigonella foenum-graecum, Anethum graveolens, and Anthriscus cerefolium plants. Three types of artificial LED lamps were used: T0 as artificial white light, T1 as a continuous light-emitting diode with a longer blue wavelength, and T2 as a continuous light-emitting diode with a longer red wavelength. The results obtained showed that the three types of LED light had significant effects on the different parameters studied. In relation to growth parameters, such as fresh weight (FW) and microgreen height (H), the T2 treatment was most effective for fenugreek, dill, and chervil. However, in basil plants, FW and H values were higher under T1 treatment. Regarding nitrate accumulation, both T1 and T2 treatments reduced the content of this nutrient in the different species studied here. Finally, levels of chlorophyll, carotenoid, glucose, proline, and proteins were all higher in plants cultivated under T1 and T2 treatments than in control plants.
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How to credit this work
Hamza El Haddaji; Mustapha Akodad; Alí Skalli; Abdelmajid Moumen; Said Bellahcen; S. Elhani; Miguel Urrestarazu; Mitja Kolar; Jernej Imperl; Petranka Petrova; Mourad Baghour (2023). Effects of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) on Growth, Nitrates and Osmoprotectant Content in Microgreens of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants. Horticulturae. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae9040494 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: Basil microgreens — growing guide
- How to grow it: Fenugreek microgreens — growing guide
- Related reading: Protein rich microgreens pea lentil chickpea and sunflower
- Related reading: Sensory analysis in microgreens why some are spicy others sweet and others taste like fresh grass
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