Nutritional quality profiles of six microgreens
Abstract Globally, one in every four individuals faces a deficiency in essential micronutrients. Harvested early from various vegetables, grains, and herbs, microgreens have rich nutritional profiles that can mitigate nutrient deficiencies. Here, we analyzed six microgreens’ nutritional profiles for...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85860-z |
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| author | Sibel Balik Farah Elgudayem Hayriye Yildiz Dasgan Nesibe Ebru Kafkas Nazim S. Gruda |
| author_facet | Sibel Balik Farah Elgudayem Hayriye Yildiz Dasgan Nesibe Ebru Kafkas Nazim S. Gruda |
| author_sort | Sibel Balik |
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| description | Abstract Globally, one in every four individuals faces a deficiency in essential micronutrients. Harvested early from various vegetables, grains, and herbs, microgreens have rich nutritional profiles that can mitigate nutrient deficiencies. Here, we analyzed six microgreens’ nutritional profiles for broccoli, black radish, red beet, pea, sunflower, and bean. Ascorbic acid content varied widely, from 32.72 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW) in red beet to 80.45 mg/100 g FW in beans. All microgreens exhibited high macro elements (mg/100 g FW), with potassium ranging from 187.07 to 416.05, magnesium from 45.96 to 86.83, calcium from 67.18 to 148.63, and phosphorus from 2.57 to 4.88. They also contained significant microelements (µg/100 g FW), including iron from 524 to 2610, manganese from 176.32 to 350.56, zinc from 31.92 to 129.78, and copper from 458.84 to 956.34. Glucose content surpassed sucrose and fructose, ranging from 0.114 to 0.580 mg/100 g FW. Among organic acids, citric acid was highest in red beet, succinic acid in beans, and fumaric acid in sunflower. Broccoli microgreens had the highest total phenolic content (825.53 mg GA/100 g FW), while beans had the highest total flavonoid content (758.0 mg RU/100 g FW). Black radish microgreens demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity. Additionally, volatile aromatic compounds were analyzed across the six microgreen species. These findings highlight the nutritional potential of microgreens, advocating for their inclusion in diets to enhance human health. Red beet microgreens were the richest in organic acids, particularly citric acid, and flavonoids, supporting antioxidant activity, while black radish microgreens exhibited the highest DPPH antioxidant capacity and phenolic content. Bean microgreens stood out for their high ascorbic acid content. Sunflower microgreens had the highest levels of calcium and fumaric acid. Broccoli microgreens were abundant in phenolic compounds and contained high concentrations of iron and manganese. Finally, pea microgreens excelled in phosphorus and copper content. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0bff3a0e02ad4a0da2b8f695ce4075ea |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-0bff3a0e02ad4a0da2b8f695ce4075ea2025-08-20T03:13:17ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-85860-zNutritional quality profiles of six microgreensSibel Balik0Farah Elgudayem1Hayriye Yildiz Dasgan2Nesibe Ebru Kafkas3Nazim S. Gruda4Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of CukurovaDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of CukurovaDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of CukurovaDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of CukurovaInstitute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, Division of Horticultural Sciences, University of BonnAbstract Globally, one in every four individuals faces a deficiency in essential micronutrients. Harvested early from various vegetables, grains, and herbs, microgreens have rich nutritional profiles that can mitigate nutrient deficiencies. Here, we analyzed six microgreens’ nutritional profiles for broccoli, black radish, red beet, pea, sunflower, and bean. Ascorbic acid content varied widely, from 32.72 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW) in red beet to 80.45 mg/100 g FW in beans. All microgreens exhibited high macro elements (mg/100 g FW), with potassium ranging from 187.07 to 416.05, magnesium from 45.96 to 86.83, calcium from 67.18 to 148.63, and phosphorus from 2.57 to 4.88. They also contained significant microelements (µg/100 g FW), including iron from 524 to 2610, manganese from 176.32 to 350.56, zinc from 31.92 to 129.78, and copper from 458.84 to 956.34. Glucose content surpassed sucrose and fructose, ranging from 0.114 to 0.580 mg/100 g FW. Among organic acids, citric acid was highest in red beet, succinic acid in beans, and fumaric acid in sunflower. Broccoli microgreens had the highest total phenolic content (825.53 mg GA/100 g FW), while beans had the highest total flavonoid content (758.0 mg RU/100 g FW). Black radish microgreens demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity. Additionally, volatile aromatic compounds were analyzed across the six microgreen species. These findings highlight the nutritional potential of microgreens, advocating for their inclusion in diets to enhance human health. Red beet microgreens were the richest in organic acids, particularly citric acid, and flavonoids, supporting antioxidant activity, while black radish microgreens exhibited the highest DPPH antioxidant capacity and phenolic content. Bean microgreens stood out for their high ascorbic acid content. Sunflower microgreens had the highest levels of calcium and fumaric acid. Broccoli microgreens were abundant in phenolic compounds and contained high concentrations of iron and manganese. Finally, pea microgreens excelled in phosphorus and copper content.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85860-zAntioxidantFunctional foodImmature greensNutritional comparisonBioactive compoundsPhytonutrients |
| spellingShingle | Sibel Balik Farah Elgudayem Hayriye Yildiz Dasgan Nesibe Ebru Kafkas Nazim S. Gruda Nutritional quality profiles of six microgreens Scientific Reports Antioxidant Functional food Immature greens Nutritional comparison Bioactive compounds Phytonutrients |
| title | Nutritional quality profiles of six microgreens |
| title_full | Nutritional quality profiles of six microgreens |
| title_fullStr | Nutritional quality profiles of six microgreens |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nutritional quality profiles of six microgreens |
| title_short | Nutritional quality profiles of six microgreens |
| title_sort | nutritional quality profiles of six microgreens |
| topic | Antioxidant Functional food Immature greens Nutritional comparison Bioactive compounds Phytonutrients |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85860-z |
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