Edited by: Antonio Lupini, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Italy
Reviewed by: Karthik Loganathan, Salem Microbes Pvt Ltd, India; Javed Akhatar, Punjab Agricultural University, India
This article was submitted to Plant Nutrition, a section of the journal Frontiers in Plant Science
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Mungbeans and lentils are relatively easily grown and cheaper sources of microgreens, but their phytonutrient diversity is not yet deeply explored. In this study, 20 diverse genotypes each of mungbean and lentil were grown as microgreens under plain-altitude (Delhi) and high-altitude (Leh) conditions, which showed significant genotypic variations for ascorbic acid, tocopherol, carotenoids, flavonoid, total phenolics, DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), FRAP (ferric-reducing antioxidant power), peroxide activity, proteins, enzymes (peroxidase and catalase), micronutrients, and macronutrients contents. The lentil and mungbean genotypes L830 and MH810, respectively, were found superior for most of the studied parameters over other studied genotypes. Interestingly, for most of the studied parameters, Leh-grown microgreens were found superior to the Delhi-grown microgreens, which could be due to unique environmental conditions of Leh, especially wide temperature amplitude, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and UV-B content. In mungbean microgreens, total phenolics content (TPC) was found positively correlated with FRAP and DPPH, while in lentil microgreens, total flavonoid content (TFC) was found positively correlated with DPPH. The most abundant elements recorded were in the order of K, P, and Ca in mungbean microgreens; and K, Ca, and P in the lentil microgreens. In addition, these Fabaceae microgreens may help in the nutritional security of the population residing in the high-altitude regions of Ladakh, especially during winter months when this region remains landlocked due to heavy snowfall.
Microgreens are 7 to 21-day-old, 3- to 8-cm-long seedlings mostly produced from the seeds of vegetables, herbs, and pulses and harvested at the first true leaf stage of plants (Xiao et al.,
They differ from “sprouts” as they need light and a growing medium and have a longer growth cycle which may vary depending upon the species used, with an edible portion being stem and a pair of first true leaves (Xiao et al.,
In recent years, the microgreens market is growing rapidly (Charlebois,
Diet-related diseases like diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cancer, etc., are on the rise in both developing and developed countries, and are partly due to the imbalanced intake of the food and are mostly below recommended levels [World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (WHO/FAO),
In South Asia, mungbean is consumed mainly as porridge/
Rapid growth cycle, limited space requirement, and high economic produce make microgreens a nutrient alternative that may contribute to the nutritional security in the plain regions and the high-altitude areas of Ladakh (India) (Angmo et al.,
To identify the genotypic differences for various biochemical parameters, a set of 20 diverse genotypes of mungbean and lentils were used for the analysis (
Seed morphology details of 20 genotypes each of
The sample under study was sown during the first week of November 2019 at both Delhi and Leh conditions. Seeds were sown in three replicates in the seedling trays, having 50 cells per tray of cell-size 4.5 ×4.5 ×5.7 cm. The growing media consisted of coco peat: vermiculite: sand in the ratio of 2:1:1 for both mungbean and lentil. Harvesting of the microgreens was performed once it reached the optimum stage. Mungbean and lentil microgreens were harvested on the 7th and 9th days after sowing, respectively. Microgreens were manually collected using ethanol-cleaned scissors by cutting the stem ~1.0 cm above the growing medium. Harvested microgreens were immediately weighed using analytical balance to determine the total fresh weight (FW) and are used for various analyses. In addition, a set of microgreens were also dried in hot air GenLab vertical oven at 40.0°C for 72.0 h and are kept in airtight containers. Before analysis, the samples were kept in a vacuum desiccator for 24 h.
Total phenolics content was analyzed by modified Folin–Ciocalteu colorimetric method (Singleton et al.,
Ethanolic extract was prepared by crushing the 0.1 g of sample in 80% ethanol, and to 0.5 mL sample, 0.5 mL of 2% AlCl3 ethanolic solution was added, which was then incubated for 1.0 h at room temperature, absorbance was measured at 420 nm. TFC was estimated as quercetin equivalent from a calibration curve (Woisky and Salatino,
The methanolic extract was prepared by crushing the 0.1 g sample in 1 mL of methanol, and this was used to determine the DPPH scavenging activity by measuring the absorbance of the mixture spectrophotometrically at 517 nm (Brand-Williams and Berset,
where AbsControl is the absorbance of DPPH radical + methanol; AbsSample is the absorbance of DPPH radical + sample extract.
For extract preparation, a 0.1 g sample was crushed using liquid N2, then 1.0 mL ethanol (80%) was added, and the homogenate was centrifuged (12,000 rpm; 15.0 min). The supernatant was collected, and 100 μL extract per genotype was used for FRAP reaction (Benzie and Strain,
Briefly, 0.1 g leaf samples were crushed in liquid N2, homogenized in 3.0 mL trichloroacetic acid (TCA; 1.0% w/v), centrifuged (10,000 rpm; 15 min at 4.0°C), and the supernatant was collected. Subsequently, 0.75 mL supernatant was mixed with 0.75 mL potassium phosphate buffer (10 mM; pH 7.0) and 1.5 mL freshly prepared potassium iodide (KI; 1.0 M) solution. The peroxide content was quantified in the supernatant by comparing the absorbance at 390 nm with that of the standard calibration curve ranging from 10 to 200 μmol/mL of H2O2. The final concentration was expressed as μmol/g of FW (Loreto and Velikova,
Tocopherol content was determined by the bathophenanthroline method (Tsen,
Briefly, 0.34 g of sample was crushed in liquid N2, then 6.0 mL ethyl alcohol:BHT (1.0 mg of BHT/mL of ethanol) was added and incubated at 85°C for 6 min with continuous vortexing. To this, 120 μL KOH was added and incubated for 5.0 min (at 85°C), then cooled on ice and then 4.0 mL distilled water and 3.0 mL PE:DE (2:1, v/v) was added. This was centrifuged for 10 min at room temperature, and the upper phase containing carotenoids was collected, and the solution was diluted to 10 mL (Lichtenthaler and Wellburn,
where Atotal= absorbance at 450 nm; Vol (mL) = total volume of extract; A1% = absorbance coefficient for carotenoid by column mixture.
Ascorbic acid estimation was done through titration method using 2,6 dichloroindophenols dye solution and 4% oxalic acid as a stabilizing medium (Sadasivam and Balasubraminan,
where Xmg = mg of standard ascorbic acid; V1 = Titer value of Standard ascorbic acid against dye; V2 = Titer value of sample against dye; YmL = Amount of aliquot taken (mL) for estimation; ZmL = total amount (mL) of the extracted sample.
Briefly, 0.1 g fresh sample of each genotype was ground in liquid N2, then 3.0 mL of 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) was added, and the homogenate was centrifuged at 13,000 rpm for 20 min at 4.0°C. The supernatant was used for the estimation of enzymatic activity and total soluble protein.
The Bradford assay was used to determine the total soluble protein in the fresh lentil and mungbean samples (Bradford,
For the estimation of POD activity (Lin and Kao,
CAT activity was estimated in the supernatant by measuring the decline in absorbance (decomposition of H2O2) at 240 nm (Aebi,
The thoroughly dried samples were first homogenized using Agate mortar and pestle, and 100 mg powder was put in a cup having 23.9 mm aperture. The sample powder was gently pressed using an acrylic piston to prevent any void in the sample. The sample thickness was kept as 7.0 mm and was put in a vacuum desiccator for 24 h to make it completely moisture-free.
Analyses of metals were carried out using EDXRF (Epsilon5 Spectrometer, PANalytical, United Kingdom) fitted with PAN-32 Ge detector. The 3-D polarized optics and low power improved the detection limit by lowering the spectral background for which samples were repeatedly used in the Epsilon 5 spectrometer. The resolution of the instrument was >150 eV. As the EDXRF scans the whole periodic table, the individual elements were detected at certain specific sites. During sampling, the instrument was run at a flow rate of 30.0 L/min for 24 h at all the sites. The EDXRF spectrometer was pre-calibrated before running, which has performed a semi-quantitative analysis of elements with 5–10% error. One blank was included for every 20 samples analyzed for quality assurance, and all the samples were run in triplets for accuracy.
The PAR and UV-B were recorded with a radiometer (PMA2100, Solar Light, USA), and the details of photoperiod were obtained from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi (India), and Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh-Ladakh (India).
The experiments were conducted in three replications, and the results were presented as mean ± SD. One-way ANOVA was performed using SPSS11.5 to compare the groups, and Pearson's correlation test was used to assess the correlation between means. The mean comparison was performed using Tukey's test. Dendrograms were constructed using the Ward method, and distance is expressed as Euclid distance, and
The nutraceutical potential of microgreens is usually determined by their phenolics content which exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties (Chon,
Mean concentration of total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, tocopherols, and ascorbic acid in mungbean microgreens grown under Delhi and Leh conditions.
1. | Pusa Baisakhi | 230.34 ± 5.78ab | 234.09 ± 7.44abc | 3.27 ± 0.20ab | 4.41 ± 0.08fg | 1.72 ± 0.058a | 1.74 ± 0.176ab | 7.03 ± 0.24ef | 7.77 ± 0.33de | 34.55 ± 1.28b | 65.04 ± 2.99efg |
2. | PusaRatna | 234.67 ± 8.85ab | 235.19 ± 13.26ab | 2.92 ± 0.36b | 5.12 ± 0.11ab | 1.68 ± 0.055abc | 7.43 ± 0.47cdef | 7.92 ± 0.21de | 63.53 ± 4.28efg | ||
3. | Pusa Vishal | 209.15 ± 5.21defg | 203.63 ± 1.62de | 3.44 ± 0.11ab | 4.07 ± 0.09h | 1.70 ± 0.057ab | 7.90 ± 0.33cde | 8.72 ± 0.35cd | 34.67 ± 1.45ab | 73.81 ± 4.28bcd | |
4. | Pusa105 | 224.46 ± 5.21abcd | 232.38 ± 9.58abc | 3.29 ± 0.23ab | 4.60 ± 0.17ef | 1.59 ± 0.015cd | 1.62 ± 0.102abcde | 8.27 ± 0.28c | 9.05 ± 0.35bc | 34.30 ± 2.48bc | |
5. | Pusa0672 | 233.94 ± 16.20abc | 2.93 ± 0.03b | 4.57 ± 0.14ef | 7.37 ± 0.47e | 33.94 ± 2.31bc | 67.46 ± 7.27def | ||||
6. | Pusa9072 | 220.71 ± 5.21bcde | 232.90 ± 7.37abc | 2.99 ± 0.77b | 4.25 ± 0.11gh | 1.24 ± 0.009jk | 1.28 ± 0.032fg | 7.25 ± 0.59def | 8.03 ± 0.19de | 33.15 ± 1.37bc | 76.23 ± 3.42bc |
7. | Pusa9531 | 199.25 ± 4.17fg | 207.90 ± 8.84de | 1.29 ± 0.052ij | 1.42 ± 0.079def | 7.97 ± 0.14cd | 8.27 ± 0.33cde | 34.24 ± 2.22ab | 82.58 ± 2.99ab | ||
8. | MH96-1 | 194.88 ± 6.77fg | 219.35 ± 1.47bcd | 2.95 ± 0.29b | 5.25 ± 0.07a | 1.52 ± 0.045de | 1.56 ± 0.048abcde | 7.72 ± 0.31cdef | 7.78 ± 0.54de | 35.51 ± 1.11ab | 71.69 ± 2.14cde |
9. | MH318 | 202.69 ± 2.08efg | 203.21 ± 2.21de | 3.13 ± 0.25ab | 5.13 ± 0.13ab | 1.48 ± 0.017ef | 1.51 ± 0.090bcdef | 10.67 ± 0.38b | 9.97 ± 0.14b | 35.88 ± 1.45ab | 76.84 ± 2.57bc |
10. | MH421 | 207.06 ± 8.33defg | 236.02 ± 10.31ab | 2.95 ± 0.89b | 5.17 ± 0.12a | 1.47 ± 0.051ef | 1.49 ± 0.044bcdef | 11.43 ± 0.47ab | 12.00 ± 0.38a | 33.58 ± 1.28bc | 65.04 ± 2.99efg |
11. | MH521 | 196.96 ± 6.77fg | 218.31 ± 8.84bcde | 3.23 ± 0.14ab | 4.73 ± 0.08cde | 1.48 ± 0.085ef | 1.42 ± 0.079bcdef | 12.07 ± 0.33a | 34.36 ± 1.03bc | 67.16 ± 4.28def | |
12. | 4.84 ± 0.15bcde | 1.32 ± 0.034hij | 1.40 ± 0.061def | ||||||||
13. | ML512 | 194.25 ± 5.21fg | 208.26 ± 4.94de | 3.35 ± 0.23ab | 4.64 ± 0.21def | 1.62 ± 0.031bc | 1.67 ± 0.163abcd | 7.20 ± 0.47def | 7.58 ± 0.59e | 33.82 ± 0.94bc | 65.46 ± 3.59efg |
14. | ML818 | 213.42 ± 10.46de | 2.99 ± 0.22b | 4.13 ± 0.12gh | 1.70 ± 0.040ab | 1.71 ± 0.103ab | 7.27 ± 0.42def | 7.67 ± 0.38e | 34.55 ± 1.63b | 65.34 ± 3.42efg | |
15. | PS16 | 192.27 ± 5.73fg | 209.20 ± 1.10de | 2.89 ± 0.11b | 4.41 ± 0.33fg | 1.59 ± 0.020cd | 1.63 ± 0.052abcde | 7.32 ± 0.54def | 7.60 ± 0.66e | 34.30 ± 1.11bc | |
16. | TM96-2 | 192.79 ± 4.17fg | 3.09 ± 0.14ab | 1.57 ± 0.015cd | 1.69 ± 0.056ab | 7.12 ± 0.16def | 35.03 ± 1.97ab | 63.83 ± 3.85efg | |||
17. | IPM02-3 | 210.66 ± 5.36cdef | 206.80 ± 7.29de | 3.21 ± 0.12ab | 5.07 ± 0.12ab | 1.18 ± 0.027k | 1.56 ± 0.371bcde | 7.42 ± 0.31cdef | 8.05 ± 0.35cde | 64.43 ± 2.99efg | |
18. | IPM02-14 | 219.56 ± 3.96bcde | 216.75 ± 9.58cde | 3.41 ± 0.15ab | 4.95 ± 0.13abcd | 1.44 ± 0.008efg | 1.55 ± 0.047bcde | 7.32 ± 0.49def | 7.50 ± 0.61e | 34.91 ± 1.11ab | 61.11 ± 4.28fg |
19. | IPM409-4 | 198.16 ± 5.78fg | 220.45 ± 10.24bcd | 3.37 ± 0.24ab | 5.03 ± 0.14abc | 1.36 ± 0.025ghi | 1.43 ± 0.040cdef | 7.28 ± 0.54def | 7.43 ± 0.66e | 34.73 ± 1.54ab | 66.85 ± 2.14def |
20. | PMR-1 | 229.56 ± 5.21abc | 241.75 ± 5.16a | 2.85 ± 0.29b | 5.11 ± 0.08ab | 1.40 ± 0.08gfh | 1.41 ± 0.077ef | 7.50 ± 0.24cdef | 7.67 ± 0.57e | 35.21 ± 2.40ab | 62.62 ± 2.99fg |
Flavonoids generally have more antioxidant activity (AoA) than phenolics (Heim et al.,
Mean concentration of total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, tocopherols, and ascorbic acid in lentil microgreens grown under Delhi and Leh conditions.
1 | L4076 | 259.35 ± 12.20abcde | 290.10 ± 6.19bcde | 1.66 ± 0.023c | 2.14 ± 0.023d | 1.10 ± 0.014e | 1.11 ± 0.006efgh | 14.70 ± 0.368i | 16.94 ± 0.86fghi | 24.50 ± 0.43efg | |
2 | L4147 | 235.85 ± 8.66efghi | 245.73 ± 7.07hij | 1.23 ± 0.068g | 1.39 ± 0.068f | 1.01 ± 0.070g | 1.10 ± 0.024fgh | 14.48 ± 0.17gh | 16.10 ± 0.198h | 17.12 ± 0.26fghi | 25.53 ± 0.17cde |
3 | L4594 | 260.73 ± 14.14abcd | 302.60 ± 6.19abc | 1.83 ± 0.034a | 2.11 ± 0.091d | 1.08 ± 0.004ef | 1.20 ± 0.232defg | 20.4 ± 0.06a | 20.70 ± 0.085bc | 17.91 ± 0.51ef | 26.74 ± 0.17ab |
4 | L7903 | 248.23 ± 8.84bcdefg | 276.98 ± 10.61def | 1.72 ± 0.011bc | 2.14 ± 0.113d | 1.07 ± 0.007efg | 1.05 ± 0.007h | 18.52 ± 0.23b | 18.56 ± 0.113e | 17.00 ± 0.94fghi | 24.64 ± 0.60efg |
5 | HM1 | 222.54 ± 5.04hi | 228.85 ± 16.79ijk | 2.58 ± 0.079b | 1.24 ± 0.013ab | 1.09 ± 0.014gh | 16.82 ± 0.48cd | 17.02 ± 0.198g | 25.17 ± 0.34cdef | ||
6 | BM4 | 266.35 ± 4.42ab | 288.23 ± 5.30bcde | 1.22 ± 0.011gh | 1.12 ± 0.014cde | 1.12 ± 0.008efgh | 17.16 ± 0.17c | 17.82 ± 0.311f | 16.64 ± 0.43hi | 25.71 ± 0.43bcd | |
7 | JL1 | 241.98 ± 3.54cdefgh | 292.60 ± 4.42bcd | 1.23 ± 0.045g | 1.39 ± 0.045f | 1.22 ± 0.029ab | 1.21 ± 0.021cdefg | 15.34 ± 0.82fg | 16.76 ± 0.26ghi | 25.77 ± 0.51bc | |
8 | Sehore74-3 | 218.48 ± 18.56hi | 224.48 ± 12.37jk | 1.39 ± 0.023f | 1.94 ± 0.068e | 1.02 ± 0.025fg | 1.11 ± 0.022efgh | 15.5 ± 0.08ef | 15.76 ± 0.283h | 17.48 ± 0.09fgh | 24.50 ± 0.43efg |
9 | NDL-1 | 252.23 ± 11.49bcdef | 281.35 ± 7.95cde | 1.54 ± 0.091d | 2.66 ± 0.091b | 1.20 ± 0.023ab | 1.22 ± 0.024cdefg | 14.74 ± 0.54fgh | 15.68 ± 0.280h | 17.30 ± 0.51fgh | 24.68 ± 1.03defg |
10 | IPL81 | 225.73 ± 17.68jk | 1.42 ± 0.045ef | 2.32 ± 0.181c | 1.24 ± 0.018cde | 16.44 ± 0.34cd | 16.68 ± 0.283g | 17.18 ± 0.34fghi | 25.53 ± 0.17cde | ||
11 | IPL321 | 221.35 ± 11.49hi | 224.48 ± 1.77jk | 1.53 ± 0.057de | 2.61 ± 0.113b | 1.22 ± 0.019ab | 1.23 ± 0.005cdef | 16.66 ± 0.48cd | 20.48 ± 0.170bc | 17.79 ± 0.34efg | 26.02 ± 0.17abc |
12 | K75 | 251.98 ± 11.25bcdef | 270.73 ± 15.91efg | 1.82 ± 0.045ab | 2.62 ± 0.045b | 1.21 ± 0.007ab | 20.58 ± 0.20a | 20.96 ± 0.171b | 17.91 ± 0.34ef | ||
13 | KLS218 | 271.98 ± 15.91ab | 307.60 ± 9.72ab | 1.22 ± 0.034g | 1.12 ± 0.004cde | 1.34 ± 0.132abc | 19.14 ± 0.59b | 19.22 ± 0.141d | 24.26 ± 0.09fg | ||
14 | DPL58 | 261.91 ± 5.21abc | 287.60 ± 6.19bcde | 1.24 ± 0.011g | 1.24 ± 0.011fg | 1.21 ± 0.036ab | 1.24 ± 0.013cde | 19.32 ± 0.34b | 19.4 ± 0.226d | 21.30 ± 0.68a | 23.96 ± 0.34g |
15 | DPL62 | 1.25 ± 0.045g | 1.23 ± 0.068fg | 1.10 ± 0.024de | 1.19 ± 0.030defg | 19.36 ± 0.57b | 20.32 ± 0.226c | 18.57 ± 0.60de | |||
16 | PL1 | 234.48 ± 8.84fghi | 1.23 ± 0.068g | 1.13 ± 0.011gh | 1.21 ± 0.005ab | 1.26 ± 0.010bcd | 17.1 ± 0.54cd | 17.98 ± 0.424f | 19.84 ± 0.17bc | 24.02 ± 0.60g | |
17 | PL2 | 224.16 ± 10.16ghi | 235.73 ± 8.84hijk | 1.62 ± 0.011cd | 2.50 ± 0.091b | 1.18 ± 0.034bc | 1.16 ± 0.059defgh | 16.24 ± 0.28de | 16.66 ± 0.255g | 19.66 ± 0.43c | 24.02 ± 0.0.60g |
18 | PL6 | 231.29 ± 7.87fghi | 250.10 ± 7.95ghi | 1.23 ± 0.068g | 2.23 ± 0.011cd | 1.17 ± 0.036bcd | 1.17 ± 0.018defgh | 16.76 ± 0.34cd | 18.08 ± 0.170ef | 19.00 ± 0.34cd | 24.50 ± 0.43efg |
19 | 234.23 ± 10.78fghi | 255.85 ± 12.20fgh | 25.71 ± 0.43bcd | ||||||||
20 | L4602 | 236.85 ± 8.84defgh | 285.10 ± 9.72cde | 1.37 ± 0.034f | 2.09 ± 0.079de | 17.02 ± 0.37cd | 18.08 ± 0.057ef | 18.57 ± 0.60de | 26.14 ± 0.68abc |
Among lipophilic antioxidants, the TTC in the mungbean and lentil microgreens were recorded ranging from 1.17–1.73 and 1.0–1.25 mg/100 g FW, respectively, when grown at Delhi; while the same ranged from 1.14–1.82 and 1.04–1.4 mg/100 g FW when grown under Leh conditions (
The antioxidant capacity of the carotenoid is due to the presence of conjugated double bonds, which gives them the free radical scavenging property (Yang et al.,
The TAA in mungbean and lentil microgreens was recorded from 32.37 to 36.00 and 16.15 to 21.42 mg/100 g FW, respectively, when grown in Delhi, and the same ranged from 61.11 to 88.63 and 23.84 to 26.86 mg/100 g FW, respectively, when grown under Leh conditions. Significantly more TCC were recorded for the mungbean genotypes IPM02-3, MH310, and Pusa105, while lentil genotypes L830, KLS218, and K78 showed relatively higher TAA content (
Since different mechanisms are associated with the AoA of any plant; thus, this can be determined through various ways capturing varied modes of action like reducing abilities (FRAP), antiradical ability (DPPH), preventive effect against lipid (H2O2), and ability to chelate transition metals ions (Prior et al.,
Total antioxidant activity, crude protein, and antioxidant enzymatic activities in the mungbean microgreens grown under Delhi and Leh conditions.
1 | Pusa Baisakhi | 9.91 ± 0.515abc | 18.44 ± 0.980abcd | 1.139 ± 0.131bcd | 3.33 ± 0.039cd | 3.75 ± 0.059fg | 5.54 ± 0.124abcdegh | 3.40 ± 0.01e | 2.35 ± 0.04gh | 292.71 ± 3.51bcd | 383.76 ± 43.07bcdefgh | 456.85 ± 43.07abc | |
2 | Pusa Ratna | 9.90 ± 0.707abc | 19.29 ± 1.263abc | 1.176 ± 0.105bc | 3.55 ± 0.380abc | 2.91 ± 0.041l | 5.47 ± 0.041abcdefg | 3.35 ± 0.06ef | 2.83 ± 0.08a | 329.77 ± 50.40abc | 458.01 ± 31.74abcd | 398.98 ± 25.84abcdef | 347.21 ± 8.61ghi |
3 | Pusa Vishal | 9.63 ± 0.874bc | 16.15 ± 0.990efg | 1.069 ± 0.111bcde | 3.13 ± 0.024jk | 5.31 ± 0.065defg | 3.58 ± 0.24abcde | 2.46 ± 0.14fgh | 336.92 ± 19.25ab | 452.14 ± 39.40bcd | 370.05 ± 28.00bcdefgh | 345.69 ± 32.30ghi | |
4 | Pusa105 | 9.49 ± 0.510bc | 18.35 ± 0.505bcd | 1.116 ± 0.137bcd | 3.36 ± 0.144cd | 3.22 ± 0.059ij | 5.86 ± 0.253abcde | 3.39 ± 0.04e | 2.56 ± 0.11cdefgh | 302.33 ± 10.10bcd | 445.60 ± 34.29cd | 321.32 ± 10.77h | 350.25 ± 17.23gh |
5 | Pusa0672 | 10.44 ± 2.015ab | 20.25 ± 0.970ab | 1.315 ± 0.144ab | 3.32 ± 0.065cd | 3.41 ± 0.058hi | 6.09 ± 0.194ab | 3.45 ± 0.01de | 2.78 ± 0.10abc | 281.95 ± 52.10cd | 427.33 ± 17.39cd | 421.83 ± 19.38abc | |
6 | Pusa9072 | 9.46 ± 0.495bcd | 17.31 ± 1.035cdef | 1.102 ± 0.132bcd | 3.49 ± 0.033bcd | 2.92 ± 0.041kl | 5.90 ± 0.919abcd | 3.57 ± 0.01abcde | 2.81 ± 0.07ab | 312.93 ± 11.06abcd | 460.83 ± 49.44abcd | 397.46 ± 23.69abcdef | 391.37 ± 36.61bcdefgh |
7 | Pusa9531 | 8.63 ± 0.450cde | 15.03 ± 0.490gh | 1.046 ± 0.105bcdef | 3.44 ± 0.052bcd | 5.56 ± 0.613abcdefg | 3.52 ± 0.05abcde | 2.53 ± 0.12defgh | 466.58 ± 20.26abcd | 423.35 ± 21.54abcde | 371.57 ± 38.77defgh | ||
8 | MH96-1 | 7.74 ± 0.495e | 13.88 ± 0.909hi | 0.889 ± 0.039cdefg | 3.33 ± 0.039cd | 3.45 ± 0.018h | 5.82 ± 0.206abcdef | 3.52 ± 0.34abcde | 325.04 ± 5.42abc | 446.28 ± 8.77cd | 426.40 ± 43.07abcd | 360.91 ± 40.92fgh | |
9 | MH318 | 8.79 ± 0.455cde | 14.94 ± 1.364gh | 1.051 ± 0.098bcdef | 3.69 ± 0.046ab | 3.44 ± 0.006h | 5.33 ± 0.324cdefg | 3.51 ± 0.15abcde | 2.37 ± 0.06gh | 325.19 ± 7.12abc | 473.01 ± 34.77abcd | 342.64 ± 28.00fgh | 434.01 ± 49.53abcde |
10 | MH421 | 9.40 ± 0.303bcd | 16.04 ± 1.010efg | 1.065 ± 0.105bcde | 3.72 ± 0.105ab | 4.74 ± 0.065b | 6.04 ± 0.583abc | 3.70 ± 0.02ab | 2.72 ± 0.16abcde | 307.52 ± 5.32abcd | 474.47 ± 21.21abcd | 383.76 ± 64.61bcdefgh | 441.62 ± 68.92abcd |
11 | MH521 | 8.00 ± 0.343de | 15.32 ± 0.919fgh | 0.949 ± 0.007cdefg | 4.60 ± 0.035bc | 5.95 ± 0.483abcd | 3.38 ± 0.08ef | 2.69 ± 0.12abcdef | 338.12 ± 30.09ab | 458.68 ± 39.71abcd | 395.94 ± 30.15abcdefgh | 362.44 ± 30.15efgh | |
12 | 3.91 ± 0.171f | ||||||||||||
13 | ML512 | 7.81 ± 0.596e | 13.81 ± 1.010hi | 0.843 ± 0.065defg | 3.52 ± 0.039abc | 3.57 ± 0.301gh | 3.45 ± 0.01cde | 2.58 ± 0.05bcdefg | 321.20 ± 5.53abc | 482.03 ± 7.97abc | 322.84 ± 55.99gh | 429.44 ± 17.23abcdef | |
14 | ML818 | 3.56 ± 0.052abc | 2.96 ± 0.200kl | 5.35 ± 0.047cdef | 3.42 ± 0.02e | 2.34 ± 0.13h | 322.48 ± 12.65abc | 452.93 ± 8.29bcd | 368.53 ± 25.84efgh | ||||
15 | PS16 | 5.72 ± 0.551f | 12.40 ± 0.101ij | 0.759 ± 0.079fg | 3.58 ± 0.033abc | 5.13 ± 0.035fg | 3.38 ± 0.04e | 2.51 ± 0.06efgh | 317.29 ± 14.89abcd | 419.21 ± 38.76d | 351.78 ± 40.92defgh | ||
16 | TM96-2 | 6.07 ± 0.460f | 12.65 ± 0.247ij | 0.796 ± 0.118efg | 3.60 ± 0.013abc | 3.76 ± 0.483fg | 5.39 ± 0.053bcdefg | 2.45 ± 0.08gh | 325.56 ± 12.76abc | 365.48 ± 47.38cdefgh | 385.28 ± 6.46cdefgh | ||
17 | IPM02-3 | 9.40 ± 0.455bcd | 16.74 ± 0.379defg | 1.074 ± 0. 118bcde | 3.48 ± 0.046bcd | 2.78 ± 0.012lm | 5.36 ± 0.106cdefg | 3.68 ± 0.08abc | 268.35 ± 5.42d | 457.22 ± 28.39abcd | 441.62 ± 21.54ab | 405.08 ± 21.54abcdefg | |
18 | IPM02-14 | 9.39 ± 0.505bcd | 16.65 ± 0.854defg | 1.088 ± 0.0.111bcde | 3.50 ± 0.072abc | 4.18 ± 0.053e | 5.18 ± 0.171efg | 3.44 ± 0.04cde | 2.75 ± 0.15abcd | 511.80 ±± 15.95ab | 367.01 ± 10.77efgh | ||
19 | IPM409-4 | 7.84 ± 0.434e | 13.82 ± 1.212hi | 1.019 ± 0.092bcdef | 3.51 ± 0.092abc | 4.37 ± 0.041de | 5.15 ± 0.029efg | 3.47 ± 0.02bcde | 2.54 ± 0.13defgh | 321.65 ± 25.52abc | 459.70 ± 6.70abcd | 420.30 ± 8.61abcde | 446.19 ± 19.38abc |
20 | PMR-1 | 9.51 ± 0.505bc | 17.87 ± 1.515cde | 1.125 ± 0.124bcd | 3.44 ± 0.105bcd | 4.41 ± 0.047cd | 6.10 ± 0.183ab | 3.67 ± 0.01abcd | 2.55 ± 0.04cdefgh | 304.96 ± 4.04abccd | 476.84 ± 31.26abcd | 347.21 ± 25.84efgh | 319.80 ± 17.23hi |
Similarly, a wide range of DPPH activity was recorded in the upland cress (1.57 μmol TE/g FW) and radish ruby-based microgreens (8.06 μmol TE/g FW) (Xiao et al.,
Microgreens showed large variations for total crude protein content between genotypes and also between mungbean and lentil species. When grown in Delhi, the mungbean microgreens showed more crude protein content (3.15–3.75 mg/100 g FW) than when grown at Leh conditions (2.34–2.87 mg/100 g FW). Also, in the lentil microgreens, the protein content was recorded more for the Delhi samples (2.18–2.67 mg/100 g FW) over Leh-grown samples (1.84–2.16 mg/100 g FW). The lentil genotype L830 and mungbean genotype MH810 showed maximum protein content (
Total antioxidant activity, crude protein, and enzymatic antioxidant activities of lentil microgreens grown under Delhi and Leh environmental conditions.
1 | L4076 | 25.24 ± 1.49de | 36.36 ± 0.13efg | 1.08 ± 0.013c | 3.15 ± 0.026cde | 2.347 ± 0.059ab | 4.551 ± 0.018b | 2.22 ± 0.02de | 1.91 ± 0.04bc | 341.97 ± 6.93fg | 466.41 ± 17.23abc | 193.40 ± 2.15efg | 370.05 ± 49.53abcde |
2 | L4147 | 30.76 ± 0.37b | 44.61 ± 3.21bc | 0.92 ± 0.039c | 3.06 ± 0.065efg | 2.138 ± 0.177abc | 5.176 ± 0.041ab | 2.28 ± 0.17cde | 1.99 ± 0.13abc | 437.59 ± 19.57a | 478.52 ± 67.64ab | 367.01 ± 88.30abcde | |
3 | L4594 | 19.34 ± 0.30gh | 27.88 ± 1.21ij | 1.19 ± 0.065bc | 3.14 ± 0.020cde | 1.959 ± 0.242bcdef | 4.784 ± 0.194b | 2.56 ± 0.13abcd | 1.88 ± 0.02bc | 418.94 ± 4.36ab | 495.10 ± 16.64a | 190.36 ± 40.92efg | 261.93 ± 17.23ghi |
4 | L7903 | 18.11 ± 1.60h | 26.03 ± 0.80j | 1.09 ± 0.020c | 3.17 ± 0.026cd | 2.355 ± 0.024ab | 2.24 ± 0.06cde | 2.04 ± 0.22abc | 369.67 ± 13.97defg | 459.18 ± 57.78abc | 292.39 ± 30.15abc | 333.50 ± 62.46bcdefg | |
5 | HM1 | 3.21 ± 0.039c | 1.780 ± 0.012cdef | 4.872 ± 0.059b | 2.01 ± 0.06abc | 380.14 ± 40.84bcdef | 491.87 ± 20.44a | 216.24 ± 4.31defg | 287.82 ± 58.15efghi | ||||
6 | BM4 | 23.26 ± 0.36ef | 33.61 ± 1.48gh | 3.00 ± 0.052g | 1.705 ± 0.035def | 4.713 ± 0.047b | 2.34 ± 0.06abcde | 1.91 ± 0.08bc | 394.48 ± 16.97abcde | 437.63 ± 10.54abc | 289.34 ± 8.61abc | 321.32 ± 23.69bcdefgh | |
7 | JL1 | 24.68 ± 0.12de | 35.69 ± 1.95efg | 1.00 ± 0.046c | 3.04 ± 0.072fg | 1.659 ± 0.041ef | 4.772 ± 0.200b | 2.39 ± 0.16abcde | 1.98 ± 0.07abc | 414.62 ± 10.75abc | 289.34 ± 21.54abc | 300.00 ± 32.30defghi | |
8 | Sehore74-3 | 27.06 ± 1.57cd | 39.11 ± 0.04de | 1.05 ± 0.033c | 3.11 ± 0.026def | 4.988 ± 0.189ab | 2.40 ± 0.12abcde | 1.96 ± 0.13abc | 427.32 ± 4.07a | 437.53 ± 46.88abc | 309.14 ± 19.38ab | 389.85 ± 47.38abcd | |
9 | NDL-1 | 19.42 ± 1.68gh | 27.93 ± 0.80ij | 1.08 ± 0.007c | 1.672 ± 0.047ef | 4.808 ± 0.487b | 2.34 ± 0.17abcde | 1.93 ± 0.14bc | 346.87 ± 17.62fg | 460.29 ± 36.80abc | 313.71 ± 43.07ab | 402.03 ± 21.54ab | |
10 | IPL-81 | 23.36 ± 1.41ef | 33.70 ± 0.05fgh | 1.06 ± 0.026c | 3.18 ± 0.007cd | 4.904 ± 0.308b | 2.29 ± 0.02bcde | 1.88 ± 0.07bc | 410.47 ± 9.13bc | 190.36 ± 28.00efg | 347.21 ± 21.54abcdef | ||
11 | IPL321 | 26.81 ± 0.04cd | 38.81 ± 2.25de | 1.06 ± 0.026c | 3.31 ± 0.020ab | 2.309 ± 0.065ab | 5.279 ± 0.579ab | 2.25 ± 0.14cde | 1.87 ± 0.02c | 346.37 ± 11.04fg | 449.87 ± 78.51abc | 257.36 ± 36.61abcd | 274.11 ± 12.92fghi |
12 | K75 | 1.11 ± 0.013c | 3.34 ± 0.046a | 2.243 ± 0.147ab | 4.902 ± 0.676b | 2.33 ± 0.07abcde | 380.71 ± 17.36bcdef | 485.73 ± 17.71ab | 251.27 ± 19.38bcde | 365.48 ± 30.15abcde | |||
13 | KLS218 | 30.26 ± 0.95b | 43.90 ± 4.01bc | 0.92 ± 0.007c | 2.251 ± 0.053ab | 5.435 ± 0.335ab | 2.58 ± 0.36abc | 1.94 ± 0.11abc | 406.95 ± 2.26abcd | 479.59 ± 18.48ab | 184.26 ± 40.92fg | 237.56 ± 38.77hi | |
14 | DPL58 | 21.44 ± 0.47fg | 30.94 ± 1.16hi | 1.01 ± 0.059c | 3.03 ± 0.052fg | 2.026 ± 0.572abcdef | 5.239 ± 0.494ab | 2.24 ± 0.27cde | 2.09 ± 0.08ab | 401.83 ± 22.09abcd | 251.27 ± 2.15bcde | 345.69 ± 75.38abcdefh | |
15 | DPL62 | 26.12 ± 0.54cde | 37.78 ± 1.46de | 1.02 ± 0.052c | 2.99 ± 0.013g | 2.122 ± 0.059abcd | 4.813 ± 0.648b | 2.55 ± 0.34abcd | 1.93 ± 0.09bc | 367.11 ± 28.68defg | 436.77 ± 32.57abc | ||
16 | PL1 | 25.66 ± 0.23cde | 37.12 ± 1.88efg | 0.96 ± 0.013c | 2.98 ± 0.092g | 2.063 ± 0.519abcde | 5.128 ± 0.356ab | 2.22 ± 0.13de | 2.03 ± 0.12abc | 371.76 ± 10.74cdefg | 496.95 ± 31.90a | 239.09 ± 15.08cdef | 363.96 ± 2.15abcdef |
17 | PL2 | 28.53 ± 3.20bc | 41.18 ± 2.20cd | 1.03 ± 0.072c | 3.23 ± 0.059bc | 2.138 ± 0.047abc | 5.075 ± 0.820ab | 2.55 ± 0.08abcd | 1.88 ± 0.06bc | 426.66 ± 19.99abc | 280.20 ± 34.46abc | 335.03 ± 43.07bcdefg | |
18 | PL6 | 25.95 ± 2.46cde | 37.45 ± 1.35def | 0.97 ± 0.013c | 3.14 ± 0.020cde | 2.180 ± 0.035abc | 2.57 ± 0.09abcd | 1.92 ± 0.05bc | 348.19 ± 26.80fg | 472.14 ± 23.63abc | 278.68 ± 40.92abcd | 391.37 ± 10.77abc | |
19 | 31.28 ± 0.73b | 45.31 ± 1.65b | 4.684 ± 0.666b | 237.56 ± 25.84cdef | |||||||||
20 | L4602 | 26.00 ± 0.33cde | 37.60 ± 1.77de | 1.04 ± 0.034c | 3.11 ± 0.013def | 2.305 ± 0.071ab | 4.949 ± 0.551ab | 2.65 ± 0.06ab | 1.97 ± 0.05abc | 352.28 ± 17.61efg | 492.06 ± 23.40a | 286.29 ± 12.92abc | 303.05 ± 6.46cdefghi |
The peroxidase activity in the mungbean microgreens, when grown at Delhi (266.17–355.41 U/g of FW), was significantly less than those of Leh-grown microgreens (307.37–518.8 U/g of FW). Similarly, peroxidase activity was recorded more for the Leh-grown lentil microgreens (401.53–502.80 U/g of FW) than the Delhi samples (335.33–437.59 U/g of FW) (
CAT is the most efficient enzyme, which neutralizes H2O2 into H2O and O2, and its Kcat was the highest among all the antioxidant enzymes (Singh et al.,
The correlation of measured values between total AoA (H2O2, FRAP, DPPH activity), CAT, POD, TPC, TFC, TTC, TCC, and TAA was studied using Pearson's correlation method (
Correlation between various antioxidant and enzymatic parameters in (a) Mungbean and (b) Lentil microgreens.
DPPH | 1 | 0.709** | 0.036 | 0.473* | 0.178 | 0.532* | 0.28 | −0.202 | 0.353 | 0.371 |
FRAP | 1 | −0.052 | 0.574** | −0.195 | 0.888** | 0.206 | −0.391 | 0.273 | 0.388 | |
H2O2 | 1 | −0.188 | 0.178 | 0.128 | 0.383 | 0.269 | 0.262 | −0.374 | ||
CAT | 1 | −0.085 | 0.367 | 0.436 | −0.563** | 0.244 | 0.200 | |||
POD | 1 | −0.308 | 0.219 | −0.098 | 0.334 | 0.272 | ||||
TPC | 1 | 0.124 | −0.321 | 0.135 | 0.184 | |||||
TFC | 1 | −0.02 | 0.312 | −0.014 | ||||||
TTC | 1 | −0.159 | −0.231 | |||||||
TCC | 1 | 0.397 | ||||||||
TAA | 1 | |||||||||
DPPH | 1 | −0.115 | −0.213 | 0.231 | 0.029 | −0.342 | 0.909** | 0.309 | 0.233 | 0.066 |
FRAP | 1 | 0.385 | 0.079 | 0.169 | −0.033 | −0.045 | 0.304 | 0.236 | 0.501* | |
H2O2 | 1 | −0.203 | 0.007 | −0.206 | −0.076 | 0.158 | 0.229 | 0.445* | ||
CAT | 1 | −0.182 | −0.258 | 0.224 | 0.004 | −0.201 | −0.141 | |||
POD | 1 | 0.117 | −0.115 | −0.049 | 0.354 | 0.486* | ||||
TPC | 1 | −0.363 | −0.085 | 0.295 | 0.137 | |||||
TFC | 1 | 0.21 | 0.146 | 0.011 | ||||||
TTC | 1 | 0.414 | 0.489* | |||||||
TCC | 1 | 0.704** | ||||||||
TAA | 1 |
Furthermore, the clusters based on total AoA and TPC are found very similar for mungbean microgreens (
Cluster analysis based on
The PCA of various AoA, protein, and polyphenols of mungbean and lentil microgreens, when grown at Delhi and Leh conditions, is presented in
Principal component plot derived from various antioxidant activities [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), peroxide, total carotenoids content (TCC), total tocopherol content (TTC), total ascorbic acid (TAA), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)], protein, phenolics TPC, and TFC in the mungbean microgreens when grown at
Principal component plot derived from various antioxidant activities [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), peroxide, total tocopherols content (TTC), total carotenoids content (TCC), total ascorbic acid (TAA), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)], TPC, and TFC contents in the lentil microgreens when grown at
The macro (Ca, K, Mg, P, Na) and micro-nutrient contents (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) of 20 genotypes each of mungbean and lentil microgreens (expressed on a FW basis), when grown under Delhi and Leh conditions are presented in
Micro-nutrient content in various mungbean microgreens grown at Delhi and Leh conditions.
1 | Pusa Baisakhi | 0.50 ± 0.01de | 0.76 ± 0.07abc | 0.24 ± 0.014abcd | 0.29 ± 0.015abcd | 0.06 ± 0.0011d | 0.09 ± 0.0015ab | 0.15 ± 0.003defg | 0.14 ± 0.008bcd |
2 | Pusa Ratna | 0.56 ± 0.012b | 0.77 ± 0.04abc | 0.23 ± 0.01abcde | 0.25 ± 0.009efgh | 0.06 ± 0.001d | 0.08 ± 0.002c | 0.17 ± 0.004abcd | 0.15 ± 0.003ab |
3 | Pusa Vishal | 0.46 ± 0.012fgh | 0.71 ± 0.06abcdefg | 0.21 ± 0.01cde | 0.25 ± 0.012defgh | 0.07 ± 0.0011c | 0.05 ± 0.0016e | 0.14 ± 0.005efg | |
4 | Pusa105 | 0.50 ± 0.01de | 0.74 ± 0.04abcde | 0.25 ± 0.012ab | 0.24 ± 0.01efghj | 0.08 ± 0.0012c | 0.08 ± 0.008c | 0.14 ± 0.005defg | 0.18 ± 0.008a |
5 | Pusa0672 | 0.56 ± 0.015b | 0.70 ± 0.01abcdefg | 0.23 ± 0.015abcde | 0.26 ± 0.009cdef | 0.05 ± 0.0006ef | 0.09 ± 0.0014b | 0.16 ± 0.005ab | |
6 | Pusa9072 | 0.49 ± 0.006def | 0.70 ± 0.02abcdefg | 0.26 ± 0.01a | 0.25 ± 0.012efgh | 0.07 ± 0.0008c | 0.08 ± 0.008c | 0.16 ± 0.006bcde | 0.16 ± 0.006ab |
7 | Pusa9531 | 0.48 ± 0.01efg | 0.64 ± 0.03efg | 0.21 ± 0.011cde | 0.08 ± 0.0022c | 0.05 ± 0.0016e | 0.18 ± 0.008ab | 0.10 ± 0.011fg | |
8 | MH96-1 | 0.52 ± 0.015cd | 0.78 ± 0.02abc | 0.26 ± 0.01a | 0.30 ± 0.017ab | 0.05 ± 0.0007e | 0.10 ± 0.009a | 0.18 ± 0.008ab | 0.13 ± 0.009cde |
9 | MH318 | 0.42 ± 0.009ij | 0.65 ± 0.02efg | 0.24 ± 0.01abc | 0.31 ± 0.009ab | 0.06 ± 0.0004d | 0.06 ± 0.001d | 0.10 ± 0.007ij | 0.13 ± 0.002cde |
10 | MH421 | 0.53 ± 0.015bc | 0.72 ± 0.02abcdefg | 0.21 ± 0.016cde | 0.22 ± 0.008gh | 0.10 ± 0.003ij | |||
11 | MH521 | 0.68 ± 0.02cdefg | 0.21 ± 0.004de | 0.29 ± 0.015abcd | 0.04 ± 0.0017f | 0.09 ± 0.0058ab | 0.11 ± 0.002hij | 0.16 ± 0.006ab | |
12 | 0.52 ± 0.015cd | 0.22 ± 0.008bcde | 0.25 ± 0.013efgh | 0.05 ± 0.001e | 0.08 ± 0.0022c | 0.14 ± 0.008efg | |||
13 | ML512 | 0.50 ± 0.01de | 0.63 ± 0.03g | 0.22 ± 0.1bcde | 0.28 ± 0.007bcde | 0.09 ± 0.0004b | 0.09 ± 0.009cb | 0.16 ± 0.005bcde | 0.16 ± 0.005ab |
14 | ML818 | 0.74 ± 0.03abcdef | 0.21 ± 0.015de | 0.24 ± 0.014fgh | 0.09 ± 0.001b | 0.08 ± 0.0022c | 0.18 ± 0.007ab | 0.13 ± 0.002cde | |
15 | PS16 | 0.48 ± 0.008efg | 0.63 ± 0.01fg | 0.05 ± 0.0016e | 0.09 ± 0.0016b | 0.10 ± 0.011ij | 0.12 ± 0.005cdef | ||
16 | TM96-2 | 0.51 ± 0.004cde | 0.69 ± 0.02bcdefg | 0.29 ± 0.013abc | 0.03 ± 0.0014g | 0.06 ± 0.0012d | 0.16 ± 0.007bcde | 0.11 ± 0.002efg | |
17 | IPM02-3 | 0.44 ± 0.01hi | 0.22 ± 0.012bcde | 0.25 ± 0.015cdefg | 0.08 ± 0.0008c | 0.13 ± 0.002fgh | 0.12 ± 0.004def | ||
18 | IPM02-14 | 0.52 ± 0.011cd | 0.21 ± 0.006cde | 0.28 ± 0.007bcde | 0.06 ± 0.0012d | 0.09 ± 0.001b | 0.13 ± 0.009fgh | 0.13 ± 0.007cde | |
19 | IPM409-4 | 0.43 ± 0.011ij | 0.68 ± 0.01cdefg | 0.23 ± 0.006bcde | 0.24 ± 0.01efgh | 0.08 ± 0.0002c | 0.06 ± 0.004d | 0.17 ± 0.014abc | 0.12 ± 0.009cdef |
20 | PMR-1 | 0.45 ± 0.011ghi | 0.65 ± 0.01defg | 0.22 ± 0.008bcde | 0.29 ± 0.008abc | 0.09 ± 0.0027ab | 0.14 ± 0.003bc |
Micro-nutrient content in various lentil microgreens grown at Delhi and Leh conditions.
1 | L4076 | 0.66 ± 0.01abc | 0.66 ± 0.031defg | 0.34 ± 0.007b | 0.39 ± 0.009abcdefg | 0.20 ± 0.027ab | 0.15 ± 0.003a | 0.13 ± 0.01abcde | |
2 | L4147 | 0.53 ± 0.095efgh | 0.61 ± 0.02fgh | 0.40 ± 0.008a | 0.06 ± 0.002efg | 0.14 ± 0.036bcdef | 0.10 ± 0.009c | 0.18 ± 0.036a | |
3 | L4594 | 0.61 ± 0.02cde | 0.65 ± 0.01efgh | 0.39 ± 0.009ab | 0.37 ± 0.024defgh | 0.12 ± 0.002bc | 0.13 ± 0.031bcdef | 0.10 ± 0.009c | 0.13 ± 0.031abcde |
4 | L7903 | 0.57 ± 0.025cdef | 0.75 ± 0.032ab | 0.40 ± 0.013ab | 0.40 ± 0.034abcdefg | 0.09 ± 0.011ef | 0.08 ± 0.004d | 0.09 ± 0.011de | |
5 | HM1 | 0.55 ± 0.032defg | 0.72 ± 0.018bcd | 0.39 ± 0.016ab | 0.28 ± 0.041hi | 0.05 ± 0.002g | 0.12 ± 0.017cdef | 0.08 ± 0.004d | 0.14 ± 0.036abcde |
6 | BM4 | 0.64 ± 0.042bcd | 0.79 ± 0.01a | 0.38 ± 0.006ab | 0.32 ± 0.02ghi | 0.07 ± 0.010ef | 0.16 ± 0.010abcd | 0.10 ± 0.009c | |
7 | JL1 | 0.51 ± 0.010efgh | 0.69 ± 0.015cde | 0.38 ± 0.015ab | 0.46 ± 0.028abcd | 0.06 ± 0.001fg | 0.19 ± 0.020ab | 0.11 ± 0.003bc | 0.17 ± 0.010abc |
8 | Sehore74-3 | 0.50 ± 0.04fgh | 0.64 ± 0.031efgh | 0.39 ± 0.056ab | 0.49 ± 0.015ab | 0.06 ± 0.001fg | 0.18 ± 0.032abc | 0.08 ± 0.004d | 0.17 ± 0.023ab |
9 | NDL-1 | 0.46 ± 0.025gh | 0.74 ± 0.036abc | 0.37 ± 0.010ab | 0.39 ± 0.057bcdefg | 0.08 ± 0.005e | 0.10 ± 0.001c | 0.13 ± 0.031abcde | |
10 | IPL81 | 0.56 ± 0.029cdefg | 0.68 ± 0.017de | 0.39 ± 0.009ab | 0.47 ± 0.058abc | 0.13 ± 0.004b | 0.10 ± 0.001def | 0.12 ± 0.02b | 0.13 ± 0.030abcde |
11 | IPL321 | 0.59 ± 0.040cdef | 0.59 ± 0.020h | 0.33 ± 0.037fghi | 0.06 ± 0.006efg | 0.10 ± 0.004c | 0.09 ± 0.016de | ||
12 | K75 | 0.74 ± 0.041ab | 0.49 ± 0.010a | 0.10 ± 0.001d | 0.15 ± 0.030bcdef | 0.12 ± 0.006b | 0.12 ± 0.017abcde | ||
13 | KLS218 | 0.55 ± 0.039defgh | 0.65 ± 0.001efgh | 0.39 ± 0.009ab | 0.44 ± 0.038abcde | 0.11 ± 0.009cd | 0.10 ± 0.009def | 0.11 ± 0.003bcde | |
14 | DPL58 | 0.59 ± 0.010cdef | 0.60 ± 0.023gh | 0.38 ± 0.029ab | 0.34 ± 0.037efghi | 0.05 ± 0.002g | 0.10 ± 0.009def | 0.08 ± 0.005de | 0.08 ± 0.003e |
15 | DPL62 | 0.73 ± 0.021abcd | 0.26 ± 0.033c | 0.42 ± 0.068abcdef | 0.11 ± 0.003cd | 0.09 ± 0.002ef | 0.10 ± 0.009c | ||
16 | PL1 | 0.55 ± 0.001defgh | 0.68 ± 0.017cde | 0.24 ± 0.019c | 0.37 ± 0.010cdefgh | 0.12 ± 0.004b | 0.16 ± 0.019abcde | 0.08 ± 0.005de | 0.17 ± 0.010abc |
17 | PL2 | 0.58 ± 0.020cdef | 0.67 ± 0.001bef | 0.25 ± 0.013c | 0.48 ± 0.030abc | 0.13 ± 0.009b | 0.13 ± 0.010bcdef | 0.15 ± 0.030abcd | |
18 | PL6 | 0.59 ± 0.020cdef | 0.40 ± 0.015ab | 0.36 ± 0.007defghi | 0.06 ± 0.001fg | 0.18 ± 0.035abc | 0.10 ± 0.009c | 0.15 ± 0.030abcd | |
19 | 0.59 ± 0.004cdef | 0.23 ± 0.004c | 0.11 ± 0.002cd | 0.12 ± 0.006b | 0.10 ± 0.021cde | ||||
20 | L4602 | 0.79 ± 0.035ab | 0.37 ± 0.001ab | 0.45 ± 0.010abcd | 0.07 ± 0.010ef | 0.17 ± 0.003abc | 0.10 ± 0.009c | 0.17 ± 0.010abc |
Macro-nutrient content in various mungbean microgreens grown at Delhi and Leh conditions.
Pusa Baisakhi | 65 ± 2.0bcd | 50 ± 1.73bcde | 291 ± 4.4fghi | 420 ± 6.60cd | 56 ± 3.0a | 43 ± 3.6abc | 74 ± 1.00ef | 45 ± 2.6cdef | 40 ± 3.00c | 36 ± 0.5a | |
Pusa Ratna | 51 ± 2.0fg | 45 ± 1.00defg | 303 ± 10.8defgh | 429 ± 2.60cd | 49 ± 1.00b | 30 ± 1.0fg | 40 ± 1.0ef | 30 ± 1.00d | 23 ± 1.7efg | ||
Pusa Vishal | 47 ± 2.0g | 44 ± 2.00efg | 40 ± 2.00de | 41 ± 2.0abcde | 71 ± 1.73fgh | 51 ± 2.6bc | 30 ± 1.71d | 20 ± 0.06g | |||
Pusa105 | 81 ± 2.6a | 53 ± 2.65abc | 342 ± 9.6abc | 467 ± 2.00ab | 52 ± 2.00ab | 35 ± 1.0cdefg | 81 ± 2.65bc | 41 ± 1.7def | 30 ± 1.00d | ||
Pusa0672 | 51 ± 2.0fg | 45 ± 2.00defg | 281 ± 7.5ghij | 445 ± 5.60bc | 48 ± 1.73bc | 33 ± 2.6efg | 75 ± 1.73def | 45 ± 3.5cdef | 30 ± 1.72d | 24 ± 1.8efg | |
Pusa9072 | 60 ± 2.6de | 45 ± 1.00defg | 325 ± 12.1cde | 438 ± 8.90cd | 44 ± 2.00cd | 42 ± 4.0abcd | 83 ± 2.00ab | 44 ± 3.6cdef | 50 ± 4.58b | 26 ± 1.0def | |
Pusa9531 | 66 ± 2.2bcd | 42 ± 1.73fg | 320 ± 8.7cde | 323 ± 9.80f | 50 ± 1.73b | 31 ± 1.0fg | 81 ± 2.65bc | 42 ± 3.0def | 60 ± 2.65a | 22 ± 0.5fg | |
MH96-1 | 60 ± 1.0de | 46 ± 1.00defg | 436 ± 4.40cd | 48 ± 1.00bc | 30 ± 4.6fg | 68 ± 1.73gh | 43 ± 1.7def | 30 ± 2.0bcd | |||
MH318 | 251 ± 8.5kl | 423 ± 7.50cd | 42 ± 1.00d | 35 ± 2.0cdefg | 84 ± 1.73ab | 47 ± 3.0cde | 50 ± 3.00b | 31 ± 2.0bc | |||
MH421 | 67 ± 1.0 bc | 54 ± 2.00ab | 309 ± 4.6def | 435 ± 10.60cd | 50 ± 1.00b | 37 ± 2.6bcdef | 77 ± 1.73cde | 45 ± 2.6cdef | 50 ± 4.00b | 33 ± 1.5ab | |
MH521 | 60 ± 3.0de | 250 ± 9.0kl | 430 ± 2.60cd | 50 ± 1.73b | 40 ± 3.5abcde | 77 ± 1.00cde | 46 ± 1.0cde | 30 ± 1.00d | 29 ± 1.0bcd | ||
54 ± 2.0ef | 47 ± 2.65cdef | 258 ± 9.8jkl | 44 ± 1.00cd | 34 ± 1.0defg | 75 ± 2.65def | 30 ± 1.7d | 21 ± 1.9g | ||||
ML512 | 70 ± 1.0b | 51 ± 1.73abcd | 304 ± 11.5defg | 427 ± 10.80cd | 48 ± 1.00bc | 40 ± 2.6abcde | 81 ± 2.00bc | 42 ± 2.0def | 40 ± 2.65c | 21 ± 1.0g | |
ML818 | 70 ± 2.6b | 53 ± 2.00abc | 330 ± 12.0bcd | 42 ± 2.00d | 34 ± 1.0defg | 80 ± 3.00bcd | 41 ± 2.6def | 30 ± 1.00d | 32 ± 1.5ab | ||
PS16 | 68 ± 2.0bc | 56 ± 2.65ab | 267 ± 7.5ijk | 377 ± 9.80e | 51 ± 1.73b | 45 ± 4.4ab | 43 ± 3.0def | 60 ± 5.00a | 27 ± 1.2cde | ||
TM96-2 | 42 ± 1.00fg | 357 ± 5.2ab | 435 ± 11.10cd | 49 ± 2.60b | 36 ± 2.0cdefg | 73 ± 1.73efg | 56 ± 3.5b | 30 ± 1.74d | 32 ± 0.9ab | ||
IPM02-3 | 69 ± 1.7b | 47 ± 1.00cdef | 276 ± 7.2hijk | 415 ± 12.00d | 76 ± 1.00cdef | 44 ± 2.6cdef | 21 ± 1.0g | ||||
IPM02-14 | 62 ± 2.0cd | 50 ± 3.00bcde | 299 ± 6.6efgh | 369 ± 9.20e | 49 ± 1.73b | 45 ± 2.0ab | 72 ± 2.00efg | 60 ± 2.00a | |||
IPM409-4 | 67 ± 2.6bc | 50 ± 2.00bcde | 256 ± 7.2jkl | 419 ± 8.00d | 72 ± 2.65efg | 48 ± 2.0cd | 40 ± 2.65c | 31 ± 1.0bc | |||
PMR-1 | 67 ± 1.0bc | 42 ± 1.00fg | 259 ± 6.2jkl | 428 ± 10.00cd | 41 ± 2.00b | 42 ± 1.7abcd | 72 ± 1.00efg | 45 ± 3.6cdef | 60 ± 4.58a | 31 ± 1.7bc |
Macro-nutrient content in various lentil microgreens grown at Delhi and Leh conditions.
1 | L4076 | 50 ± 3.61de | 40 ± 3.61defg | 272 ± 8.89cd | 35 ± 1.00fg | 33 ± 1.00abc | 34 ± 3.00ab | 64 ± 2.65fg | 33 ± 4.36bcd | 32 ± 1.89ab | |
2 | L4147 | 62 ± 3.46abc | 56 ± 3.61ab | 374 ± 13.23ab | 364 ± 7.94a | 47 ± 4.58bcde | 31 ± 3.46abc | 35 ± 3.60ab | 69 ± 4.36defg | 32 ± 1.76bcd | 40 ± 4.58ab |
3 | L4594 | 57 ± 5.00bcd | 58 ± 2.65a | 317 ± 10.00def | 234 ± 6.56fg | 28 ± 2.00bc | 45 ± 3.61ab | 70 ± 5.29defg | 32 ± 1.70bcd | 35 ± 3.46ab | |
4 | L7903 | 51 ± 1.73de | 55 ± 4.36abc | 374 ± 17.32ab | 230 ± 6.56fg | 51 ± 4.36b | 31 ± 4.00abc | 37 ± 2.00ab | 71 ± 2.00defg | 33 ± 4.36bcd | 32 ± 1.72ab |
5 | HM1 | 48 ± 2.00de | 348 ± 13.45bcde | 235 ± 6.08fg | 47 ± 3.00bcde | 36 ± 3.00ab | 38 ± 8.72ab | 69 ± 3.61defg | 29 ± 2.00cd | 41 ± 1.73ab | |
6 | BM4 | 49 ± 4.36de | 49 ± 2.00abcd | 373 ± 25.51ab | 292 ± 7.21c | 37 ± 2.00efg | 30 ± 2.00abc | 37 ± 4.58ab | 68 ± 5.00defg | 42 ± 3.00a | |
7 | JL1 | 36 ± 4.36g | 319 ± 8.91cdef | 254 ± 5.00def | 51 ± 1.73b | 26 ± 3.00c | 33 ± 4.36ab | 87 ± 6.24ab | 33 ± 4.36bcd | 32 ± 1.56ab | |
8 | Sehore74-3 | 53 ± 3.00cde | 36 ± 3.61g | 364 ± 9.71ab | 288 ± 10.00c | 49 ± 4.00bc | 36 ± 2.65ab | 36 ± 3.61ab | 66 ± 4.58efg | 28 ± 4.58cd | 38 ± 3.61ab |
9 | NDL-1 | 50 ± 2.65de | 49 ± 2.00abcd | 353 ± 11.00abcd | 43 ± 2.65bcdef | 28 ± 2.65bc | 33 ± 1.00ab | 76 ± 2.00bcde | 29 ± 2.65cd | 36 ± 1.11ab | |
10 | IPL81 | 52 ± 2.65cde | 239 ± 7.55efg | 36 ± 2.00fg | 33 ± 4.58abc | 37 ± 6.56ab | 75 ± 2.65cdef | 30 ± 2.65bcd | 39 ± 4.58ab | ||
11 | IPL321 | 67 ± 6.24ab | 46 ± 2.65cdef | 361 ± 9.00ab | 255 ± 12.29def | 38 ± 3.61defg | 43 ± 5.25ab | 77 ± 1.73abcde | 34 ± 5.20bcd | 39 ± 5.24ab | |
12 | K75 | 58 ± 1.73bcd | 32 ± 1.73g | 363 ± 5.28ab | 254 ± 10.00def | 48 ± 4.58bcd | 29 ± 2.05bc | 37 ± 5.22ab | 74 ± 3.61cdefg | 34 ± 2.00bcd | |
13 | KLS218 | 66 ± 2.00ab | 47 ± 5.20bcde | 367 ± 10.00ab | 253 ± 7.94def | 29 ± 1.76bc | 36 ± 2.00ab | 78 ± 3.00abcd | 29 ± 1.00cd | 38 ± 3.61ab | |
14 | DPL58 | 53 ± 1.73cde | 46 ± 2.65cdef | 359 ± 12.49abc | 271 ± 8.00cd | 50 ± 2.65b | 27 ± 1.00c | 38 ± 5.00ab | 77 ± 1.00abcde | 27 ± 3.61d | 37 ± 5.21ab |
15 | DPL62 | 51 ± 3.61de | 47 ± 2.65bcde | 312 ± 7.21ef | 247 ± 1.54defg | 34 ± 3.00fg | 30 ± 2.65abc | 42 ± 4.36ab | 71 ± 2.65defg | 37 ± 5.29ab | |
16 | PL1 | 57 ± 4.00bcd | 38 ± 3.61efg | 351 ± 10.00abcde | 269 ± 7.55cde | 29 ± 2.00g | 31 ± 1.74abc | 39 ± 2.00ab | 36 ± 0.50ab | ||
17 | PL2 | 36 ± 1.00g | 352 ± 14.00abcde | 31 ± 5.25g | 29 ± 1.95bc | 34 ± 1.00bcd | 39 ± 3.00ab | ||||
18 | PL6 | 69 ± 4.58a | 37 ± 1.73fg | 355 ± 12.5abcd | 296 ± 22.11c | 44 ± 4.00bcdef | 27 ± 1.00c | 36 ± 3.59ab | 69 ± 1.00defg | 37 ± 5.26abc | |
19 | 52 ± 2.65cde | 295 ± 6.24c | 39 ± 2.00cdefg | 29 ± 1.00bc | 32 ± 1.72bcd | ||||||
20 | L4602 | 50 ± 1.73de | 52 ± 2.00abc | 345 ± 2.65bcde | 329 ± 11.14b | 48 ± 2.65bcd | 36 ± 2.00ab | 75 ± 2.00cdef | 33 ± 1.00bcd | 37 ± 5.27ab |
For micronutrients, the Delhi-grown mungbean microgreens showed significantly less Fe (0.4–0.59 mg/100 g FW) and Zn (0.2–0.26 mg/100 g FW) content than the Leh-grown microgreens (Fe: 0.62–0.79; Zn: 0.21–0.32 mg/100 g FW). However, no such trend was recorded for Cu and Mn content in mungbean microgreens when grown at Delhi (Cu: 0.03–0.1; Mn: 0.09–0.19 mg/100 g FW) or Leh conditions (Cu: 0.04–0.1; Mn: 0.09–0.18 mg/100 g FW). In lentil, the Fe and Cu content was found more for Leh-grown microgreens (Fe: 0.52–0.79; Cu: 0.09–0.22; mg/100 g FW) than the Delhi-grown microgreens (Fe: 0.45–0.75 Cu: 0.05–0.18; mg/100 g FW). However, no such trend was recorded for other micronutrients in the lentil microgreens when grown at Delhi (Zn: 0.23–0.4; Mn: 0.06–0.15 mg/100 g FW) or Leh conditions (Zn: 0.26–0.49; Mn: 0.08–0.18 mg/100 g FW). Overall, of the 20 mungbean and lentil genotypes studied, the majority of them showed relatively more micronutrient content at Leh over Delhi-grown microgreens (
The range of various macro-nutrients in the
Among micronutrients, Fe content was always higher than Zn, as also reported for several microgreens like
The samples under study were grown during the first week of November 2019, under Leh and Delhi conditions. Relatively larger temperature amplitude (14–30°C), total photoperiod (10.4 h), UV-B (0.2–0.3 μW/cm2), and PAR (600 to 800 μmol/m2/s) were recorded under Leh growing conditions. Whereas, under Delhi conditions, the temperature was kept in the range of 18 to 26°C (mungbean; 28/26°C and lentil 21/18°C), along with natural day and night cycles (with mean day length of nearly 10.30 h) and PAR (350–500 μmol/m2/s); while UV-B could not be detected during the microgreens growth period in the glasshouse (
Light conditions are known to influence the morpho-physiology of microgreens significantly, and also the biosynthesis and accumulation of phytochemicals (Delian et al.,
Stress response in the plant is associated with the enhanced production of phenolics which act as either signaling compounds, antioxidants, and/or cell wall precursors (Swieca and Gwalik-Dziki,
In general, the mean content of total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, tocopherols, and ascorbic acid was recorded more in the microgreens grown under Leh than when grown under partially controlled growing conditions of Delhi. When mungbean and lentil microgreens were compared, TPC and TCC were relatively more in the lentil-based microgreens while TFC and TAA were more in the mungbean microgreens (
This study has identified a wide diversity in the phytochemical composition, antioxidant capacities, and nutrient contents among the microgreens of 20 diverse genotypes, each of mungbean and lentils when grown at plain-altitude and high-altitude regions. Similarly, significant variations were also recorded for mineral, phytochemical and antioxidant capacity traits among the microgreens of two lettuce cultivars (green and red Salanova®) (El-Nakhel et al.,
As microgreens can be grown easily at home or under very harsh conditions of Leh–Ladakh (under greenhouse conditions), they can be considered an alternative for the nutritional security of the population living in those remote areas, especially during land-locked conditions. Among 20 lentil genotypes studied, the genotype L830 was superior for several parameters like TFC, TCC, and TAA. Even for other antioxidant parameters like TPC and TTC, L830 has expressed higher content over many genotypes. Similarly, for mungbean genotypes, MH810 was found significantly superior for TPC, TFC, TCC, and TAA. In addition, microgreens cultivation should be explored as a means for providing larger quantities of nutrients (including antioxidants) per gram plant biomass over cost-intensive air-transported mature vegetables in the high-altitude areas of Ladakh, especially during winter months (Weber,
The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/
Priti, MT, and AS conducted formal analysis, methodology, data curation, and writing of the original draft. GM, HD, and TS conducted conceptualization, funding acquisition, project administration, resources, writing, review and editing of the manuscript. VT, SS, MA, RK, and KT conducted methodology, writing, review and editing of the manuscript. SK, RMN, and SP conducted conceptualization, resources, writing, review and editing of the manuscript. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
The technical support received from Mr. Dilip Kumar is duly acknowledged. Authors also acknowledge the support from the long-term strategic donors to the World Vegetable Center, Taiwan, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Germany, Thailand, Philippines, Korea, and Japan. RMN acknowledges funding from ACIAR Project on International Mungbean Improvement Network (CIM-2014-079).
The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: