Metabolic, Biochemical, Mineral and Fatty acid profiles of edibleBrassicaceaemicrogreens establish them as promising functional food

Abstract

AbstractHidden hunger due to micronutrient deficiencies affecting one in three people is a global concern. Identifying functional foods which provide vital health beneficial components in addition to the nutrients is of immense health relevance. Microgreens are edible seedlings enriched with concentrated minerals and phytochemicals whose dietary potential as functional foods needs evaluation. In this study, comprehensive biochemical, mineral, metabolic, and fatty acid profiles of fourBrassicaceaemicrogreens - mustard (Brassica juncea), pak choi (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis), radish pink (Raphanus sativus), and radish white (Raphanus ruphanistrum) was investigated. The biochemical and mineral profiling confirmed their promising nutritional and antioxidant nature and as excellent sources of minerals. Mineral profiling using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) exhibited promising levels of Fe, Mn, Mg, K, and Ca in microgreens. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) based metabolite profiling highlighted a range of phytochemicals-sugars, amino acids, organic acids, amines, fatty acids, phenol, and other molecules. Fatty acid profiling established promising levels of Oleic acid (C18:1; Monounsaturated fatty acids-MUFA) and linoleic acids (C18:2; omega-6 Poly unsaturated fatty acid-PUFA), which are health beneficial. It is estimated that fresh microgreens (100 g) can meet about 20 % to 50 % recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of macro- and micro-minerals along with providing useful fatty acids and antioxidants. Overall, the study highlightedBrassicaceaemicrogreens as an excellent nutrient source that can act as functional foods with promising potential to overcome “hidden hunger”.Graphical AbstractHighlightsBrassicaceaemicrogreens are rich in molecules with relevance to nutrition and healthThe biochemical analysis supported the antioxidant nature of microgreensComprehensive metabolite profiles of edible microgreens ofBrassica juncea(Mustard),Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis(Pak Choi),Raphanus sativus(Radish Pink), andRaphanus ruphanistrum(Radish white) using GC-MS are reportedIonomics analysis using theBrassicaceaemicrogreens exhibited promising levels of microminerals Fe, Mn, Mg, K, and CaFatty acid profiles show promising levels of Linoleic acid and Oleic acid, which have health relevance