EFFECTS OF APPLICATION OF ALTERNATIVE SUBSTRATES ON GROWTH, YIELD AND ACCUMULATION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS OF MICROGREENS

4th International Symposium On Biotechnology (2026),  [pp. 741-748]
 
AUTHOR(S) / АУТОР(И): Violeta Ž. Mickovski Stefanović , Predrag Brković , Dragana Stevanović , Vladimir Filipović , Snežana Dimitrijević 
 
Download Full Pdf   

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46793/SBT26.741MS

ABSTRACT / САЖЕТАК:

The paper presents the types of alternative substrates (cellulose substrate, coconut fiber substrate, vermiculite, perlite, compost, and multicomponent substrates) used for microgreen cultivation, as well as their impact on the nutritional composition and quality of microgreens. The use of alternative substrates has nutritional, health, economic, and environmental justification.The reviewed studies indicate that the type of substrate plays a key role in microgreen production, affecting germination rate, biomass yield, nutrient composition, and accumulation of bioactive compounds. However, variations in substrate composition, physicochemical properties, and interactions with nutrient solutions can significantly affect plant performance, which highlights the need for substrate optimization and standardization

KEYWORDS / КЉУЧНЕ РЕЧИ:

microgreens, substrates, productivity, bioactivity

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT / ПРОЈЕКАТ:

This research was supported by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, grant number 451-03-33/2026-03/200054 and 451-03-136/2025-03/200053.

REFERENCES / ЛИТЕРАТУРA:

  • Abad M., Noguera P., Bures S.(2001). National inventory of organic wastes for use a growing media. Bioresource Technology, 77(2), 197-200.
  • Bergaya F., Theng B.K.G., Lagaly G. (2006). Handbook of Clay Science. Elsevier, Developments in Clay Science, ISBN 978-0-08-044183-2, Amsterdam.
  • Gunjal M., Singh J., Kaur S., Nanda V., Ullah R., Iqbal Z., Ercisli, S., Rasane P. (2024). Assessment of bioactive compounds, antioxidant properties and morphological parameters in selected microgreens cultivated in soilless media. Scientific Reports, 14, Article 23605.  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-73973-w2
  • Hartman H.T., Kester D.E., Davies F.T., Geneve R.L. (2011). Plant Propagation: and Practices. Prentice Hall.     
  • Handreck K., Black N. (2010). Growing Media for Ornamental Plants and   Turf.University of New South Wales Press Book, ISBN 0 86840796 8, Sidney, Australia. 
  • Hoang G. M., Vu. T.T. (2022). Selection of suitable growing substrates and   quality of Brassica microgreens, Academia Journal of Biology, 2022•vjs.ac.vn.
  • Huang H., Jiang X., Xiao Z., Yu L., Pham Q., Sun J., Chen P., Yokoyama W., Yu L. L., Luo Y. S., Wang T. T. Y. (2016). Red Cabbage Microgreens Lower Circulating Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Liver Cholesterol, and Inflammatory Cytokines in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 64 (48), 9161–9171. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b03805.
  • Kollárová I., Mezeyová I., Galovičová L., Žiarovská J., Farkasová S., Pencák P., Golian M.(2025). Substrate–Genotype Interaction Influences Growth and Phytochemical Composition of Wild and Commercial Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) Microgreens. Agronomy (MDPI).
  • Li T., Lalk G.T., Arthur J.D., Johnson M.H., Bi G. (2021). Shoot production and mineral nutrients of five microgreens as affected by hydroponic substrate type and post-emergent fertilization. Horticulturae, 7(6), 129.
  • Negri M., Bulgari R., SantoroP.,  Ferrante A. (2021). Evaluation of different growing substrates for microgreens production. Acta Horticulturae, 1305:109–114. DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2021.1305.16.
  • Nishanth D., Somanathan Nair C., Subramanian R., Manoharan R., Zineab F.R.,    Jaleel A. A. (2025). Harnessing desert resources: a comparative study of microgreens growth. Frontiers in Plant Science. Plant Sci., 2025, Sec. Crop andProductPhysiology,volume16-2025. | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1677009
  • Paglialunga G., El Nakhel C., Proietti S., Moscatello S., Battistelli A., Formisano L., Ciriello M., Del Bianco M., De Pascale S., Rouphael Y. (2023). Substrate and fertigation management modulate microgreens production, quality and resource efficiency. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7, Article 1222914. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1222914.
  • Parađiković  N. (2009). Opće i specijalno povrćarstvo, Materijal za studente    preddiplomskih smjerova, Poljoprivredni fakultet, 536, 978-953-6331-63-5, Osijek.
  • Pathania P., Bisht D. (2022). Role of substrate media in growth and development of selected microgreens. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 11(2), 229-237.
  • Poudel P., Duenas A.E.K., Di Gioia F. (2023). Organic waste compost and spent mushroom compost as potential growing media components for the sustainable production of microgreens. Frontiers in Plant Sciense, 14, 1229157. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1229157.
  • Simonsen G, Paunonen S., Pääkkönen E. (2026). Performance of Cellulose-based  Substrates for Facilitating Hydroponic Plant Cultivation HortScience, 61(1), 100–110. DOI: 10.21273/HORTSCI18980-25.
  • Tangney C. C., Rasmussen H. E. (2013). Polyphenols, Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Disease. Current Atherosclerosis Reports, 15 (5). DOI: 10.1007/s11883-013-0324-x.
  • Wadhawan S., Tripathi J., Gautam S. (2017). In vitro regulation of enzymatic release of glucose and its uptake by Fenugreek microgreen and Mint leaf extract. International Journal of Food Science & Technology, 53 (2), 320–326. DOI: 10.1111/IJFS.13588.
  •  Zhenlei X., Lester G. E., Luo Y., Wang Q. (2012). Assessment of Vitamin and Carotenoid Concentrations of Emerging Food Products: Edible Microgreens. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry2012, 60 (31), 7644–7651. DOI: 10.1021/jf300459b.
  • Zhou Y., Zheng J., Li Y., Xu D.-P., Li S., Chen Y.-M., Li H.-B. (2016). Natural Polyphenols for Prevention and Treatment of Cancer. Nutrients, 8 (8), 515. DOI: 10.3390/nu8080515