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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Optimization of nutritional & biochemical composition and development of health foods - A study of microgreens
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Bhatt, Pooja; Sharma, Sonika
    Microgreens (seedling of vegetable and herbs) are gaining popularity as a new culinary ingredient due to their high nutrient content. The present study optimizes the best combination of cultivation and harvesting to attain nutrient quality in four culinary microgreens belonging to different families. Results revealed that the best technique for optimization of nutrient composition was soaking the seeds overnight, outdoor cultivation and harvesting at an early stage (10th day). Based on NQS 7.1 broccoli microgreens were most nutrient dense microgreen followed by spinach microgreens. Microgreens contain significantly (p<0.05) higher nutrients and bioactive compounds as compared to their sprouts and mature counterparts. Just 100g of microgreens fulfilled more than 100% of Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) of minerals among Indian adults. Drying methods influenced the nutritional composition of the broccoli microgreen powder. β-carotene content (400.54ug/100g), total phenolic content (2645.88 mg GAE/100g) and flavonoids (673.82 mg QE/100g) of shade dried microgreens was significantly higher. A significant higher content of ascorbic acid (16.80 mg/100g), chlorophyll (3.63g/100g), antioxidant activity (67.55%) and all the minerals was reported in microwave dried microgreens. Further fresh microgreens,microgreen juice and powdered microgreens were incorporated in commonly consumed health foods in order to enhance their taste and nutritional composition. All the health products i.e. missi roti, cooked vegetable and dal, salads, juice blend, flavoured milk and food sprinkler supplemented with broccoli microgreens were organoleptic highly acceptable. In term of fresh broccoli microgreens supplementation, 25% in missi roti, 5 and 7.5% in cooked vegetable and dal, 30 and 40% in russian and tofu salad was highly accepted. Incorporation of fresh broccoli microgreen juice at 30% in juice blend and flavoured milk was highly acceptable. Powdered broccoli microgreens supplemented at 40 % of in regular spice mix was highly accepted. Overall nutritional composition in broccoli microgreens supplemented health foods had significantly (p<0.05) high content of vitamins C, β-carotene content and minerals namely calcium, zinc, iron, potassium and magnesium when compared to the control product.