Supplemental UV-B Exposure Influences the Biomass and the Content of Bioactive Compounds in <i>Linum usitatissimum</i> L. Sprouts and Microgreens
2022
Marco Santin | Maria Calogera Sciampagna | Alessia Mannucci | Martina Puccinelli | Luciana Gabriella Angelini | Silvia Tavarini | Mattia Accorsi | Luca Incrocci | Annamaria Ranieri | Antonella Castagna
The interest in the pre-harvest ultraviolet-B (UV-B) exposure of crops in indoor cultivation has grown consistently, though very little is known about its influence on the nutraceutical quality of microgreens. Flaxseeds constitute a valuable oilseed species, mostly appreciated for their nutritional properties and the presence of health-promoting compounds. Therefore, although scarcely studied, flaxseed sprouts and microgreens might constitute a high-quality food product to be included in a healthy diet. This study aims to unravel the effects of pre-harvest ultraviolet-B irradiation on the nutritional and nutraceutical quality of flaxseed sprouts and microgreens grown under artificial conditions. The UV-B irradiation decreased the biomass and stem length of microgreens. However, the content of total phenolics and flavonoids and the antioxidant capacity were strongly enhanced by the UV-B treatment in both sprouts and microgreens. Among photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll <i>a</i>, violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and lutein in sprouts were reduced by the treatment, while chlorophyll <i>b</i> increased in microgreens. In conclusion, our results showed that growing flaxseed sprouts and microgreens in controlled conditions with supplemental UV-B exposure might increase their nutritional and nutraceutical quality, as well as their antioxidant capacity, making them high-quality functional foods.
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