Microgreens are young and tender leafy vegetables that have gained wider consumer acceptance. This is attributed to their low caloric composition and rich micronutrient and antioxidant composition. The present study investigated the bioactive composition and proximate analysis of fourteen microgreens belonging to Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Pedaliaceae, Polygonaceae, Convolvulaceae, and Malvaceae. All the microgreens showed low calories (20.22 to 53.43 kcal 100 g⁻¹) and fat (0.15 to 0.66 g 100 g⁻¹), whilst mung bean and lentil microgreens showed considerable amounts of carbohydrate (7.16 g 100 g⁻¹) and protein (6.47 g 100 g⁻¹), respectively. Lentil microgreens had the highest total chlorophyll (112.62 mg 100 g⁻¹) and carotenoid (28.37 mg 100 g⁻¹) contents, whilst buckwheat microgreens showed the highest total phenolic content (268.99 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹) and DPPH• scavenging activity (90.83 mM TEAC g⁻¹). The lentil microgreens also presented high ascorbic acid content (128.70 mg 100 g⁻¹) along with broccoli, Chinese kale, purple radish, and red cabbage microgreens (79.11, 81.33, 82.58, and 89.49 mg 100 g⁻¹, respectively). Anthocyanin content was only detected in purple radish (0.148 mg CGE 100 g⁻¹) and red cabbage (0.246 mg CGE 100 g⁻¹). The results provide basic information and highlight the benefits of utilizing genetic biodiversity to obtain microgreens with the desired nutrients and antioxidants.

This study aimed to improve the anticancer effect of Cordyceps militaris herbal extract (CME) on breast cancer cells with hyaluronic acid (HYA) surface-decorated lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPNPs) and evaluate the applicability of a synthesized poly(glycerol adipate) (PGA) polymer for LPNP preparation. Firstly, cholesterol- and vitamin E-grafted PGA polymers (PGA-CH and PGA-VE, respectively) were fabricated, with and without maleimide-ended polyethylene glycol. Subsequently, CME, which contained an active cordycepin equaling 9.89% of its weight, was encapsulated in the LPNPs. The results revealed that the synthesized polymers could be used to prepare CME-loaded LPNPs. The LPNP formulations containing Mal-PEG were decorated with cysteine-grafted HYA via thiol-maleimide reactions. The HYA-decorated PGA-based LPNPs substantially enhanced the anticancer effect of CME against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells by enhancing cellular uptake through CD44 receptor-mediated endocytosis. This study demonstrated the successful targeted delivery of CME to the CD44 receptors of tumor cells by HYA-conjugated PGA-based LPNPs and the new application of synthesized PGA-CH- and PGA-VE-based polymers in LPNP preparation. The developed LPNPs showed promising potential for the targeted delivery of herbal extracts for cancer treatment and clear potential for translation in in vivo experiments.

Microbial contamination commonly occurs in microgreens due to contaminated seeds. This study investigated the decontamination effects of water wash (control), 5% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), UV-C (36 watts), advanced oxidation process (AOP; H₂O₂ + UV-C), and improved AOP by combination with microbubbles (MBs; H₂O₂ + MBs and H₂O₂ + UV-C + MBs) on microbial loads, seeds’ viability, and physio-biochemical properties of microgreens from corresponding roselle seeds. Results showed that H₂O₂ and AOP, with and without MBs, significantly reduced total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and molds and yeast log count in seeds as compared to the control. Improved AOP treatment of H₂O₂ + UV-C + MBs significantly augmented antimicrobial activity against total bacteria and E. coli (not detected,) as compared to control and other treatments due to the formation of the highest hydroxy radicals (5.25 × 10⁻¹³ M). Additionally, H₂O₂ and combined treatments promoted seed germination, improved microbiological quality, total phenolic, flavonoids, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH^•) activity of the grown microgreens. Ascorbic acid content was induced only in microgreens developed from H₂O₂-treated seeds. Single UV-C treatment was ineffective to inactivate the detected microorganism population in seeds. These findings demonstrated that improved AOP treatment (H₂O₂ + UV-C + MBs) could potentially be used as a new disinfection technology for seed treatment in microgreens production.

The intention of this qualitative research study was to provide a basic risk concept by comparing food risk assessment schemes and preparing general food risk scoring guidance for developing a simple and reliable practical fruit and vegetable qualitative food safety risk matrices for fresh produce entrepreneurs. These practical food safety risk matrices were verified using FDA fruit and vegetable food safety risk data. The FDA data were converted to a qualitative risk matrix referring to the fruit and vegetable 3 × 3 qualitative food safety risk matrix reference model. Other common qualitative risk matrix models, namely 3 × 3, 4 × 3, and 5 × 5, were constructed based on probability and severity scores for each hazard, as given in the FDA data. These were designated as practical fruit and vegetable 3 × 3, 4 × 3, and 5 × 5 qualitative food safety risk matrix models. The results of these models were compared with the fruit and vegetable 3 × 3 reference model. The two best compatible models are the 5 × 5 and 3 × 3 qualitative food safety risk matrix models. A preference test from focus group containing 12 participants showed good satisfaction overall, indicating that the practical fruit and vegetable 3 × 3, 4 × 3, and 5 × 5 qualitative food safety risk matrix models are useful for entrepreneurs. Understanding of basic risk concepts and verified scientific referencing of food safety risk matrices can improve entrepreneur’s risk assessment. This can be performed by using practical–scientific food safety risk matrices.