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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Citrus and Other Subtropical Products Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #422922
Research Project: Enhancing Vegetable and Ornamental Production by Synergistically Managing Nutrients and Pests

Location: Citrus and Other Subtropical Products Research

Title: Light intensity and zinc biofortification differentially impact the metabolomic profile of pea microgreens

Author
item POUDEL, PRADIP - Pennsylvania State University
item Jeffries, Kristen
item Bai, Jinhe
item Dorado, Christina
item Rosskopf, Erin
item DI GIOIA, FRANCESCO - Pennsylvania State University

Submitted to: Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/11/2025
Publication Date: 6/14/2025
Citation: Poudel, P., Jeffries, K.A., Bai, J., Dorado, C., Rosskopf, E.N., Di Gioia, F. Light intensity and zinc biofortification differentially impact the metabolomic profile of pea microgreens. Food Chemistry. 490:145146. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.145146.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.145146

Interpretive Summary: Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a global problem, impacting approximately 17% of the world population. Zn-enriched microgreens obtained through agronomic biofortification may be used to address this deficiency. However, little is known concenrning how alternative agronomic biofortification strategies may impact microgreen metabolomic profiles. We investigated the metabolic responses of Zn-enriched pea microgreens grown under varying ZnSO4 rates (0, 5, 10, and 15 mg/L) and light intensities (100, 200, 300, and 400 µmol/m²/s Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) using targeted metabolomics. Elevated light intensity increased flavonoids and phenolic acid biosynthesis. Zn-enrichment enhanced sulfur-containing amino acids, and oxalic acid which may play a role in metal detoxification. Light intensity was the dominant factor influencing metabolic shifts in pea microgreens across different classes of compounds when compared to the Zn application. This study provides critical insights into optimizing Zn-biofortification strategies and enhancing microgreens' nutritional and functional quality, with implications for human health and sustainable functional food production.

Technical Abstract: Zinc (Zn)-enriched microgreens obtained through agronomic biofortification may be used to address Zn-deficiency affecting 17% of the global population. However, little is known on how alternative agronomic biofortification strategies may impact their metabolomic profile. We investigated the metabolic responses of Zn-enriched pea microgreens grown under varying ZnSO4 rates (0, 5, 10, and 15 mg/L) and light intensities (100, 200, 300, and 400 µmol/m²/s Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) using targeted metabolomics. Elevated light intensity increased flavonoids and phenolic acids biosynthesis, likely driven by oxidative stress and intensity . Zn-enrichment enhanced sulfur-containing amino acids, and oxalic acid which may play a role in metal detoxification. Light intensity was the dominant factor influencing metabolic shifts in pea microgreens across different classes of metabolome compared to the Zn application. This study provides critical insights into optimizing Zn-biofortification strategies and enhancing microgreens' nutritional and functional quality, with implications for human health and sustainable functional food production.