Articles
The nutritional value of Brassica leafy greens in different growth stages
Article number
1271_62
Pages
455 – 464
Language
English
Abstract
In this study, the nutritional value of Brassica leafy greens in different growth stages was investigated.
Mustard (Brassica juncea L., ‘Red Lion’) and tatsoi (Brassica rapa var. rosularis) were grown indoors under light-emitting diodes (blue 447 nm, red 638 nm, red 665 nm, far-red 731 nm LEDs) lighting (total PFD 300±10 µmol m‑2 s‑1; 16 h day‑1). The contents of saccharides, phytochemicals, nitrates and mineral elements at microgreen (7 days), baby-leaf (21 days) and technical maturity (mustard – 31 days, tatsoi – 40 days) growth stages of leafy greens were evaluated.
The significantly higher content of glucose (about 50%) and fructose (44% more) in baby leaf mustard and tatsoi were determined, in comparison to microgreens and technical maturity plants.
Also, about 43% more phenolic compounds and 49% higher DPPH free radical scavenging activity in both species baby-leaf plants were determined.
The mustard microgreens accumulated the significantly higher contents of NO3– (about 79%) and NO2– (about 68% more), and about 28% less Fe and 42% lower content of macro elements.
A similar tendency on mineral elements in tatsoi was determined; however, approximately 70% higher contents of NO3– and 87% of NO2– in technical maturity tatsoi were determined.
In conclusion, the contents of antioxidant properties having metabolites, NO3–, NO2– and mineral elements in Brassica leafy greens varied depending on age, and the baby-leaf plants showed higher nutritional value, in comparison to microgreens or mature plants.
Mustard (Brassica juncea L., ‘Red Lion’) and tatsoi (Brassica rapa var. rosularis) were grown indoors under light-emitting diodes (blue 447 nm, red 638 nm, red 665 nm, far-red 731 nm LEDs) lighting (total PFD 300±10 µmol m‑2 s‑1; 16 h day‑1). The contents of saccharides, phytochemicals, nitrates and mineral elements at microgreen (7 days), baby-leaf (21 days) and technical maturity (mustard – 31 days, tatsoi – 40 days) growth stages of leafy greens were evaluated.
The significantly higher content of glucose (about 50%) and fructose (44% more) in baby leaf mustard and tatsoi were determined, in comparison to microgreens and technical maturity plants.
Also, about 43% more phenolic compounds and 49% higher DPPH free radical scavenging activity in both species baby-leaf plants were determined.
The mustard microgreens accumulated the significantly higher contents of NO3– (about 79%) and NO2– (about 68% more), and about 28% less Fe and 42% lower content of macro elements.
A similar tendency on mineral elements in tatsoi was determined; however, approximately 70% higher contents of NO3– and 87% of NO2– in technical maturity tatsoi were determined.
In conclusion, the contents of antioxidant properties having metabolites, NO3–, NO2– and mineral elements in Brassica leafy greens varied depending on age, and the baby-leaf plants showed higher nutritional value, in comparison to microgreens or mature plants.
Authors
V. Vaštakaitė-Kairienė, A. Brazaitytė, A. Viršilė, G. Samuolienė, J. Miliauskienė, J. Jankauskienė, A. Novičkovas, P. Duchovskis
Keywords
baby-leaf, light-emitting diodes, metabolites, microgreens, mineral elements, mustard, tatsoi
Groups involved
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Working Group Nettings in Horticulture (subgroup of Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates)
- Working Group Light in Horticulture
- Working Group Organic Greenhouse Horticulture
- Working Group Modelling Plant Growth, Environmental Control, Greenhouse Environment
- Working Group Protected Cultivation, Nettings and Screens for Mild Climates
- Working Group Vegetable Grafting
- Working Group Computational Fluid Dynamics in Agriculture
- Working Group Design and Automation in Integrated Indoor Production Systems
- Working Group Mechanization, Digitization, Sensing and Robotics
- Working Group Greenhouse Environment and Climate Control
- Commission Agroecology and Organic Farming Systems
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