Deeper dive
Research microgreen nutritional/health benefits.
Research microgreen nutritional/health benefits.
Broccoli Microgreens: A Mineral-Rich Crop That Can Diversify Food Systems
Weber CF. Broccoli Microgreens: A Mineral-Rich Crop That Can Diversify Food Systems. Front Nutr. 2017 Mar 23;4:7. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2017.00007. PMID: 28386543; PMCID: PMC5362588.
"Extrapolation from experimental data presented here indicates that broccoli microgreens would require 158–236 times less water than it does to grow a nutritionally equivalent amount of mature vegetable in the fields of California’s Central Valley in 93–95% less time and without the need for fertilizer, pesticides, or energy-demanding transport from farm to table. The results of this study suggest that broccoli microgreens have the potential to be a rich source of minerals that can be produced by individuals, even in urban settings, providing better access to adequate nutrition."
In Vitro Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of Iron from Mature and Microgreen Fenugreek, Rocket and Broccoli
Khoja KK, Buckley A, Aslam MF, Sharp PA, Latunde-Dada GO. In Vitro Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of Iron from Mature and Microgreen Fenugreek, Rocket and Broccoli. Nutrients. 2020 Apr 10;12(4):1057. doi: 10.3390/nu12041057. PMID: 32290311; PMCID: PMC7231393.
"Microgreen fenugreek may be bred for a higher content of enhancers of iron availability as a strategy to improve iron nutrition in the populace. "
Nutritional characterization and shelf-life of packaged microgreens
Paradiso, Vito Michele and Castellino, Maria and Renna, Massimiliano and Gattullo, Concetta Eliana and Calasso, Maria and Terzano, Roberto and Allegretta, Ignazio and Leoni, Beniamino and Caponio, Francesco and Santamaria, Pietro. Nutritional characterization and shelf-life of packaged microgreens. Food Funct. The Royal Society of Chemistry. 2018. doi: 10.1039/C8FO01182F.
"As regards bioactive compounds, Brassica microgreens were the richest in phenolic antioxidants. The microgreens also presented higher amounts of α-tocopherol and carotenoids compared to mature vegetables. In particular, broccoli microgreens and LB showed the highest amounts of vitamin E, while Asteraceae microgreens presented the highest levels of carotenoids."