EVEC Microgreens
Hello everyone!
We continue with this section in which we dive into a topic of great importance: microgreens that can be toxic. As we mentioned in the previous article, it is a serious mistake to assume that every edible plant can be consumed as a microgreen. Nothing could be further from the truth. The microgreen stage of many plant species involves the presence of defensive chemical substances that, in the mature plant, become diluted or disappear, but in young sprouts they are present in high concentrations.
In this article, we will take an in depth look at three of the most relevant groups of toxic compounds found in some microgreens: alkaloids in solanaceous plants, lectins in raw legumes, and other harmful secondary metabolites such as fagopyrin in buckwheat.
As we discussed in the previous article, the Solanaceae family includes some of the most common vegetables: tomato, potato, eggplant and pepper. While their fruits are widely consumed, their stems, leaves and sprouts have never been part of the traditional human diet. The reason is clear: they contain toxic alkaloids in high concentrations, especially during the juvenile stage.
Alkaloids are nitrogen containing compounds that act as a chemical defense against insects, fungi and herbivores. Among the main ones found in young solanaceous plants are:
• Solanine
• Tomatine
• Solasonine
• Solamargine
These compounds can:
• disrupt cell membranes
• interfere with neurotransmitters
• cause severe gastrointestinal problems
• produce neurological effects
Unlike the mature fruit, solanaceous sprouts are at a stage in which their chemical defense mechanism is fully active. This means higher alkaloid levels in:
• first true leaves
• early stems
• young roots
In short: a tomato or eggplant microgreen can contain more toxic compounds per gram than even a mature leaf of the same plant.
Consumption of solanaceae microgreens can lead to:
• vomiting and diarrhea
• severe gastrointestinal irritation
• headache and dizziness
• muscle weakness
• confusion and neurological disturbances
In extreme cases, it can even be life threatening.
Because of all this, experts in horticulture and food safety agree: no solanaceous plants are suitable for producing microgreens.
In the previous article, we also talked about lectins. At first glance, legumes seem like an excellent option for microgreens: they grow quickly, have large seeds, and are nutritious. However, as we already know, eating them raw can be dangerous due to the presence of lectins, proteins that can cause cellular damage.
Lectins are proteins capable of binding to carbohydrates on the surface of intestinal cells. Their natural function in plants is defensive, as they are toxic or indigestible to herbivores.
Among the most problematic legumes are kidney beans, black beans, mung beans, and soybeans.
Although it is well known that lectins are destroyed through prolonged cooking, microgreens are eaten raw, fresh, or minimally processed.
This means that lectins remain active and can cause:
• intense abdominal pain
• vomiting and diarrhea
• disruption of gut microbiota
• damage to intestinal microvilli
Cases of poisoning from eating raw beans are well documented, and microgreens are no exception, the risk is the same, or even higher, due to the concentration in the young sprout.
Buckwheat is becoming increasingly popular in the world of microgreens, mainly for its color and flavor. However, recent studies have identified a significant risk linked to a compound called fagopyrin.
It is a photosensitizing compound found in the leaves, sprouts and flowers of buckwheat.
When it accumulates in the body, it can trigger a reaction known as fagopyrism, a severe type of photosensitivity.
• skin redness
• inflammation when exposed to sunlight
• skin lesions
• extreme sensitivity to UV light
These effects have been documented in both animals and humans who consumed buckwheat leaves or extracts. And crucially, fagopyrin is found in higher concentrations in young sprouts, meaning in microgreens.
For this reason, many experts recommend avoiding or strictly limiting the consumption of buckwheat microgreens.
Microgreens are a wonderful addition to the modern diet, but only if chosen wisely. Consuming microgreens from unsuitable species can expose the body to toxic alkaloids, harmful lectins, or dangerous defensive metabolites that the plant uses during its early growth stages.
In summary
• Solanaceae = NO
• Raw legumes = NO
• Excess buckwheat = NO
• Toxic ornamental plants = NEVER
Be informed about what you grow, choose only safe species, and avoid experimenting with plants whose toxicological profile at the juvenile stage is not well documented.
Until next time!
Best regards!
Carlota
Sources
FoodSafety.com. Microbial hazards of microgreens production in indoor farming. Food Safety. https://www.food-safety.com/articles/7873-microbial-hazards-of-microgreens-production-indoor-farming
Green U. Which microgreens are not edible? Green U. https://www.greenu.in/which-microgreens-are-not-edible/
International Journal of Bio-Pharma Sciences (IJBPAS). (2024, January). IJBPAS. https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2024/January/MS_IJBPAS_2024_7687.pdf
Microgreens Grower. (2025, June 11). Toxic or trendy: The hidden danger in borage microgreens. Microgreens Grower. https://www.microgreensgrower.com/2025/06/11/toxic-or-trendy-the-hidden-danger-in-borage-microgreens/
Microgreens World. Can microgreens make you sick? Microgreens World. https://microgreensworld.com/can-microgreens-make-you-sick/
Plantura Garden. Microgreens. Plantura. https://plantura.garden/uk/green-living/indoor-gardening/microgreens
RusticWise. Can you eat microgreens raw? RusticWise. https://rusticwise.com/can-you-eat-microgreens-raw/
Science Meets Food. Microgreens. Science Meets Food. https://sciencemeetsfood.org/microgreens/
Start Microgreens. Disadvantages of microgreens. Start Microgreens. https://startmicrogreens.com/disadvantages-of-microgreens/
Wikipedia contributors. Cerbera odollam. In Wikipedia. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerbera_odollam
Wikipedia contributors. Potato fruit. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato_fruit
Wikipedia contributors. Solanum nigrum. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanum_nigrum
[…] friends! Welcome to the third part of this article series in which we talk about microgreens that can be toxic to our […]