Microgreens: Advances in Characterization, Preservation, and Health Benefits of the Emerging Novel Sustainable Food

Microgreens, the young seedlings of vegetables and herbs harvested shortly after the emergence of their first true leaves, have emerged as a nutrient-dense food source with strong potential for sustainable urban agriculture and functional food development. As global food systems confront mounting environmental and nutritional pressures, understanding how microgreens are produced, characterized, preserved, and consumed is central to realizing their promise as a sustainable, nutrient-rich food.This Research Topic aims to consolidate current research across the microgreen production-to-consumption chain, from cultivation and compositional characterization through preservation and human health outcomes. We welcome contributions addressing compositional and bioactive profiling of microgreens, and novel cultivation strategies, including controlled-environment agriculture and LED light optimization, that influence secondary metabolite accumulation and yield efficiency.A critical bottleneck limiting the expansion of the microgreen market is their extreme perishability and short postharvest shelf life. We therefore particularly welcome studies on advanced preservation methods, non-thermal processing techniques, active and smart packaging solutions, and sustainable postharvest treatments that maintain sensory quality and microbial safety while preserving bioactive compounds.We also encourage submissions examining the bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and health outcomes associated with microgreen consumption, including their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and chronic disease-prevention potential.Themes of interest include, but are not limited to:• Compositional and bioactive profiling of microgreens across species and growth stages• Controlled-environment agriculture and LED light optimization for microgreen cultivation• Secondary metabolite bioaccumulation and yield efficiency under varying cultivation conditions• Postharvest physiology and shelf-life determinants of microgreens• Non-thermal processing techniques for microgreen preservation• Active and smart packaging solutions for maintaining microgreen quality and safety• Microbial safety and sensory quality retention during storage and distribution• Bioaccessibility and bioavailability of microgreen nutrients and bioactive compounds• Health outcomes of microgreen consumption, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and chronic disease-prevention effectsWe welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and mini-reviews that advance the scientific foundation for microgreens as a sustainable, nutrient-dense food. Topic editors: SRIVIDYA NAGARAJAN, Spyridon Alexandros Petropoulos, Francesco Di Gioia Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85304/microgreens-advances-in-characterization-preservation-and-health-benefits-of-the-emerging-novel-sustainable-food