Comparative analysis of morphological, nutritional, and bioactive properties of selected microgreens in alternative growing medium

Microgreens from different botanical species seven grown using in two selective medium (Soil and Cocopeat) were examined for morphological, proximate, chemical composition, and antioxidant activities of selected microgreen species. The selected microgreens grown in two different growing substrates (soil and cocopeat) showed a significant effect on their quality parameters. Flaxseed and radish sango microgreens show good results in morphological parameters (shoot height and length, and yield) compared with broccoli, cabbage, pak choi, beetroot, and red amaranthus microgreens. Microgreens contain high levels of moisture content (91.92-95.33 g/100 g, FW) and relatively low amounts of fat (2.23-7.58 g/100 g, DW) and protein (2.04-6.11 g BSA/100 g, DW) content were reported. Comparative analysis of microgreens concluded flaxseed and cabbage microgreens have the greatest total chlorophyll content (26.28-29.16 mu g/g, FW), meanwhile the microgreens obtained from beetroot had the greatest levels of carotenes (7.42-8.09 mu g/g, FW) and cabbage microgreens shown high level of ascorbic acid content (329.20-438.71 mg/100 g, FW). Whereas radish sango microgreens contains high level of anthocyanins (28.06-45.87 mu mol/100 g, FW), total phenol content (241.98-667.48 mg GAE/100g, FW), total flavonoid content (27.64-39.44 mg QUE/100 g, FW) and antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP) (61.71-89.24 %, FW and 14.39-17.46 mu mol TE/g, FW) compared to other microgreens. Further, all results were compared and verified by principle component analysis. Throughout the research, it was noticed and concluded that growing media is crucial for the growth and development of microgreens, and any modifications to the substrate will have an important effect on both the nutritional value and morphological traits of microgreens. Overall, cocopeat cocopeat-based growing medium was the most effective growing medium for the cultivation of microgreens to increase microgreens plant growth, yield, nutritional, biochemical composition, and antioxidant activity of microgreens. (c) 2023 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.