Articles
The impact of growing media on the phytochemical composition of Eruca sativa L. and Diplotaxis tenuifolia L. microgreens
Article number
1437_4
Pages
25 – 32
Language
English
Abstract
Alternative food sources are critical for addressing global challenges like zero hunger and improving nutritional standards, as Article 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals outlines.
With rapid population growth, alternative foods are becoming increasingly important.
Microgreens are one of these alternative foods.
Here, we investigated three microgreens from local cultivars of Eruca sativa (‘186’,’248’,’254’) and one from a commercial cultivar of Diplotaxis tenuifolia (‘Tricia’). We evaluated the yield, chlorophyll, total phenolic compounds, glucosinolates, and macronutrient content in plants grown in three different growing media: pure peat (0:100 w:w), peat-compost mixture (50:50 w:w), and pure compost (100:0 w:w). The plants cultivated in a peat-compost mixture exhibited the highest yield and leaf area.
There was an interaction between different growing media and cultivars regarding to total glucosinolate and total phenolic compounds.
The highest total glucosinolate content was found in cultivar ‘248’ grown in compost medium.
Cultivars ‘186’ and ‘Tricia’ grown in compost and cultivar ‘248’ grown in a mixture medium showed the highest total phenolic compounds.
Although microgreens cultivated on a peat-compost mixture resulted in better morphological traits such as fresh weight and plant height, they did not perform well regarding phytochemical content (total glucosinolate and phenolic). This discrepancy underscores the complexity of growing conditions and their effects on plant nutritional profiles, emphasizing the need for further research to optimize the balance between yield and nutritional quality.
With rapid population growth, alternative foods are becoming increasingly important.
Microgreens are one of these alternative foods.
Here, we investigated three microgreens from local cultivars of Eruca sativa (‘186’,’248’,’254’) and one from a commercial cultivar of Diplotaxis tenuifolia (‘Tricia’). We evaluated the yield, chlorophyll, total phenolic compounds, glucosinolates, and macronutrient content in plants grown in three different growing media: pure peat (0:100 w:w), peat-compost mixture (50:50 w:w), and pure compost (100:0 w:w). The plants cultivated in a peat-compost mixture exhibited the highest yield and leaf area.
There was an interaction between different growing media and cultivars regarding to total glucosinolate and total phenolic compounds.
The highest total glucosinolate content was found in cultivar ‘248’ grown in compost medium.
Cultivars ‘186’ and ‘Tricia’ grown in compost and cultivar ‘248’ grown in a mixture medium showed the highest total phenolic compounds.
Although microgreens cultivated on a peat-compost mixture resulted in better morphological traits such as fresh weight and plant height, they did not perform well regarding phytochemical content (total glucosinolate and phenolic). This discrepancy underscores the complexity of growing conditions and their effects on plant nutritional profiles, emphasizing the need for further research to optimize the balance between yield and nutritional quality.
Publication
Authors
B.S. Dincer, V.M. Gallegos-Cedillo, A. Gimenez-Martinez, J. Ochoa, C. Egea-Gilabert, N.S. Gruda, R. Domínguez-Perles, D.A. Moreno, J.A. Fernández
Keywords
Brassicaceae, alternative foods, soilless cultivation, zero hunger, sustainability
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