A REVIEW ARTICLE ON MICRO-GREENS : AN EMERGING NUTRITIONAL SUPERFOOD

Micro-greens is the new emerging nutritious food which is grown from various food crops, such as vegetables, grains and herbs, consist of developed cotyledons along with partially expanded true leaves.  Depending upon the variety, the life span of these plants is between 7–21 days. They are treasured for their densely packed nutrients, concentrated flavors, immaculate and tender texture as well as for their vibrant colors. In recent years, the microgreens are on demand from high-end restaurant chefs and nutritional researchers due to their potent flavors, appealing sensory qualities, functionality, abundance in vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds, such as ascorbic acid, tocopherol, carotenoids, folate, tocotrienols, phylloquinones, anthocyanins, glucosinolates, etc. A recent boom in the research on microgreens intrigued the need for research in their composition and the upcoming research. The review article was conducted with the help of literature sources – encyclopedia, science direct and PubMed. The article comprises of the comprehensive review of the ongoing and current research involved with regards to microgreens and their potential.

Keyword: Nutrition, Microgreens, Food crops.