Characterization and profiling of polyphenolics of Brassica microgreens by LC-HRMS/MS and the effect under LED light

Abstract

An untargeted approach to profiling of polyphenolics of Brassicaceae microgreens was employed to characterize the phenolic composition in microgreens grown under 8 different treatments of combined amber (590 nm), blue (455 nm), and red (655 nm) LED, using full MS and HRMS/MS-ESI. Hydroxycinnamic acid (HCA) derivatives predominated the pool of phenolics in the microgreens, followed by free phenolic acids and flavonol glycosides/acylglycosides, with most of the HCA derivatives existing as malate esters. Most HCA malates in mustard (Barbarossa) and all HCA malates in mizuna (red kingdom)/ radish (red Rambo, organic) were significantly decreased under most treatments, whereas all malates were overall increased under combined lighting in radish (red Rambo), mustard (Garnet Giant), mizuna (organic), Pac choi (red Pac) and mustard (Scarlet Frills). The present study demonstrated that amber in combination with blue and red LED contributed to the altered phenolic profile and increase and/or decrease in quantity of certain phenolic compounds, particularly the HCA malates.