Post-harvest biodegradation of bioactive substances and antioxidant activity in microgreens

Abstract

Low consumption of vegetables due to unavailability and unscrupulous application of chemicals and pesticides leads to malnutrition and chronic diseases. In this regards, microgreens technology could be a boon to mankind because they are grown in chemicals and pesticides free environment and offer functional food along with proper nutrient supply. But a little knowledge has been developed about the consumption period from harvesting, because being perishable in nature their bioactive substances and antioxidant activity get deteriorate. Therefore, the goal of this study was to explore the best consumption period of microgreens for obtaining the maximum bioactive substances (such as chlorophyll, ß-carotene and lycopene), vitamin C and the activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The experiment revealed that after 1^st day of harvest the microgreens of four tested varieties (mustard, leaf mustard, radish and cabbage) showed the maximum bioactive substances such as total chlorophyll (8.22, 10.28, 7.62 and 7.63mg/100g respectively), ß-carotene (2.41, 2.88, 2.11 and 2.06 mg/100g respectively), lycopene (4.37, 5.24, 4.91 and 4.44mg/100g respectively), vitamin C (16.23, 13.17, 8.57 and 8.03mg/100g, respectively) and the activity of DPPH (0.75, 1.20, 2.90 and 3.57μg/ml respectively) whereas these substances deteriorated significantly on 3^rd or 5^th day of harvest. Considering all, it can be concluded that consumption of microgreens immediately after harvesting was the best time getting ample amount of bioactive substances, vitamin C and antioxidant (DPPH) activity.

J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(2): 250-253, August 2018