Francesco Di Gioia1,2, Palmira De Bellis3, Carlo Mininni3, Pietro Santamaria1, Francesco Serio3. 1. Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy. 2. University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, South West Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee, FL 34142, USA. 3. Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Peat-based mixes and synthetic mats are the main substrates used for microgreens production. However, both are expensive and non-renewable. Recycled fibrous materials may represent low-cost and renewable alternative substrates. Recycled textile-fiber (TF; polyester, cotton and polyurethane traces) and jute-kenaf-fiber (JKF; 85% jute, 15% kenaf-fibers) mats were characterized and compared with peat and Sure to Grow® (Sure to Grow, Beachwood, OH, USA; http://suretogrow.com) (STG; 100% polyethylene-terephthalate) for the production of rapini (Brassica rapa L.; Broccoletto group) microgreens. RESULTS: All substrates had suitable physicochemical properties for the production of microgreens. On average, microgreens fresh yield was 1502 g m-2 in peat, TF and JKF, and was 13.1% lower with STG. Peat-grown microgreen shoots had a higher concentration of K+ and SO42- and a two-fold higher NO3- concentration [1959 versus 940 mg kg-1 fresh weight (FW)] than those grown on STG, TF and JKF. At harvest, substrates did not influence microgreens aerobic bacterial populations (log 6.48 CFU g-1 FW). Peat- and JKF-grown microgreens had higher yeast-mould counts than TF- and STG microgreens (log 2.64 versus 1.80 CFU g-1 FW). Peat-grown microgreens had the highest population of Enterobacteriaceae (log 5.46 ± 0.82 CFU g-1 ) and Escherichia coli (log 1.46 ± 0.15 CFU g-1 ). Escherichia coli was not detected in microgreens grown on other media. CONCLUSION: TF and JKF may be valid alternatives to peat and STG because both ensured a competitive yield, low nitrate content and a similar or higher microbiological quality.
BACKGROUND: Peat-based mixes and synthetic mats are the main substrates used for microgreens production. However, both are expensive and non-renewable. Recycled fibrous materials may represent low-cost and renewable alternative substrates. Recycled textile-fiber (TF; polyester, cotton and polyurethane traces) and jute-kenaf-fiber (JKF; 85% jute, 15% kenaf-fibers) mats were characterized and compared with peat and Sure to Grow® (Sure to Grow, Beachwood, OH, USA; http://suretogrow.com) (STG; 100% polyethylene-terephthalate) for the production of rapini (Brassica rapa L.; Broccoletto group) microgreens. RESULTS: All substrates had suitable physicochemical properties for the production of microgreens. On average, microgreens fresh yield was 1502 g m-2 in peat, TF and JKF, and was 13.1% lower with STG. Peat-grown microgreen shoots had a higher concentration of K+ and SO42- and a two-fold higher NO3- concentration [1959 versus 940 mg kg-1 fresh weight (FW)] than those grown on STG, TF and JKF. At harvest, substrates did not influence microgreens aerobic bacterial populations (log 6.48 CFU g-1 FW). Peat- and JKF-grown microgreens had higher yeast-mould counts than TF- and STG microgreens (log 2.64 versus 1.80 CFU g-1 FW). Peat-grown microgreens had the highest population of Enterobacteriaceae (log 5.46 ± 0.82 CFU g-1 ) and Escherichia coli (log 1.46 ± 0.15 CFU g-1 ). Escherichia coli was not detected in microgreens grown on other media. CONCLUSION: TF and JKF may be valid alternatives to peat and STG because both ensured a competitive yield, low nitrate content and a similar or higher microbiological quality.
Authors: Marios C Kyriacou; Christophe El-Nakhel; Antonio Pannico; Giulia Graziani; Georgios A Soteriou; Maria Giordano; Armando Zarrelli; Alberto Ritieni; Stefania De Pascale; Youssef Rouphael Journal: Front Plant Sci Date: 2019-11-19 Impact factor: 5.753
Authors: María Lopez-Delacalle; Daymi M Camejo; María García-Martí; Pedro A Nortes; Manuel Nieves-Cordones; Vicente Martínez; Francisco Rubio; Ron Mittler; Rosa M Rivero Journal: Front Plant Sci Date: 2020-01-17 Impact factor: 5.753
Authors: Antonio Pannico; Christophe El-Nakhel; Giulia Graziani; Marios C Kyriacou; Maria Giordano; Georgios A Soteriou; Armando Zarrelli; Alberto Ritieni; Stefania De Pascale; Youssef Rouphael Journal: Antioxidants (Basel) Date: 2020-03-25