Abstract
Microgreens are gaining more and more interest, but little information is available on the effects of the chemical composition of the nutrient solution on the microgreen yield. In this study, three Brassica genotypes (B. oleracea var. italica, B. oleracea var. botrytis, and Brassica rapa L. subsp. sylvestris L. Janch. var. esculenta Hort) were fertigated with three modified strength Hoagland nutrient solutions (1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 strength) or with three modified half-strength Hoagland nutrient solutions with three different NH4:NO3 molar ratios (5:95, 15:85, and 25:75). Microgreen yields and content of inorganic ions, dietary fiber, proteins, α-tocopherol, and β-carotene were evaluated. Micro cauliflower showed the highest yield, as well as a higher content of mineral elements and α-tocopherol (10.4 mg 100 g−1 fresh weight (FW)) than other genotypes. The use of nutrient solution at half strength gave both a high yield (0.23 g cm−2) and a desirable seedling height. By changing the NH4:NO3 molar ratio in the nutrient solution, no differences were found on yield and growing parameters, although the highest β-carotene content (6.3 mg 100 g−1 FW) was found by using a NH4:NO3 molar ratio of 25:75. The lowest nitrate content (on average 6.8 g 100 g−1 dry weight) was found in micro broccoli and micro broccoli raab by using a nutrient solution with NH4:NO3 molar ratios of 25:75 and 5:95, respectively. Micro cauliflower fertigated with a NH4:NO3 molar ratio of 25:75 showed the highest dry matter (9.8 g 100 g−1 FW) and protein content (4.2 g 100 g−1 FW).
Highlights
Microgreens can be described as young and tender edible seedlings, produced by using seeds of different vegetable species, herbaceous plants, aromatic herbs, and wild edible plants, which are considered as ‘functional foods’ or ‘super foods’ because of their high nutritional value [1,2,3]
nutrient solutions (NSs) showed an amount 43% lower compared with cauliflower, and 40% lower compared with broccoli raab fertigated with NS 1/2 (Figure 2)
All three Brassica genotypes can be considered suitable for microgreen production, micro cauliflower showed the highest yield, as well as a higher content of some mineral elements and α-tocopherol compared to other genotypes, while micro broccoli raab showed the fastest growth rate
Summary
Microgreens can be described as young and tender edible seedlings, produced by using seeds of different vegetable species, herbaceous plants, aromatic herbs, and wild edible plants, which are considered as ‘functional foods’ or ‘super foods’ because of their high nutritional value [1,2,3]. The Brassicaceae family offers some of the most consumed vegetables worldwide and their seedlings have a generally good taste and high nutritional value. Foods 2020, 9, 677 carried out on the nutritional propriety of different Brassicacea genotypes consumed as microgreens. In a study by Xiao et al [7], 30 genotypes of Brassica were analyzed in regards to the content of elements, while Sun et al [5] analyzed the polyphenols profile of five Brassicacea species
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