The effects of two types of seaweed extracts on the morphological, physiological characteristics and essential oil compounds of garden cress microgreen

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

1 Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Khuzestan, Iran.

2 Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Khuzestan, Iran

Abstract

Microgreens are increasingly valued for their rapid growth, nutritional content, and adaptability to small spaces. This study employed a factorial design with a completely randomized setup and three replications to investigate the effects of two types of seaweed extracts (Ascophyllum nodosum and Ecklonia maxima), at different concentrations (0, 0.5, and 1%) on garden cress microgreens (Lipidium sativum). The results of variance analysis revealed that the interaction effect between the type of seaweed extract and its concentration significantly influenced all measured traits, except for carotenoid content. Mean comparisons indicated that the treatment with E. maxima extract (1%) exhibited the highest values for fresh and dry weight, dry matter percentage, chlorophyll a and b content, total carotenoids, anthocyanins, antioxidants, flavonoids, total phenols, and total protein. Conversely, the treatment with A. nodosum extract (1%) demonstrated the highest levels of vitamin C, total sugar content and essential oil percentage. Moreover, the main effect of seaweed type demonstrated that E. maxima extract resulted in the greatest increase in carotenoid content, with a positive correlation observed as the extract concentration increased. Additionally, the analysis identified 25 compounds in the essential oil of cress microgreens. Under the influence of a treatment with a 1 % concentration of E. maxima extract, the major and main compounds of microgreen essential oil included 1,8-cineole (28%), camphine (7%), limonene (7%), camphor (25.1%), and epi-alpha-bisabolol (8.87%). In general, the application of seaweed extracts enhanced the morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits of garden cress microgreens, highlighting their beneficial influence on the plant quality.

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