Metabolomics and bioactive attributes of fenugreek microgreens: Insights into antioxidant, antibacterial and antibiofilm potential.

Fenugreek microgreens are prized for their quality, palatability, and nutritional contribution to functional foods. The present study investigated metabolomic profiling of the fenugreek microgreens and their substantial bioactive potential, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and combatting bacterial biofilms. Phytochemical screening revealed higher phenolic content in ethanol extract (54.0 ± 2.4 mg GAE g⁻¹), and methanol extract was found to have elevated flavonoid and tannin content (68.3 ± 1.4 mg QUE g⁻¹, 61.7 ± 1.1 mg TAE g⁻¹). The methanol extract exhibited antioxidant potential by scavenging ABTS (75.5%, IC 50 :44.49 μg mL⁻¹), DPPH (80.1%, IC 50 :3.85 μg mL⁻¹) and H 2 O 2 (59.3%, IC 50 :59.3 μg mL⁻¹) radicals, with a higher total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (90.6%). The ethyl acetate extract displayed effective antibacterial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Staphylococcus aureus (19.75, 20.70, and 24.4 mm). Furthermore, the MICs of the ethyl acetate extract exhibited significant antibiofilm activity, with a percentage inhibition of 62.3%, 63.5%, and 70.4% against the tested pathogens. Microscopic observations and quantitative assays confirm the antibiofilm efficacy of ethyl acetate MIC against the tested pathogens. GC-MS and FT-IR spectroscopy were employed to determine the chemical compositions and profiling bioactive compounds of the extracts. The detected compounds such as 1-nonadecene, tetracosane, and eicosane, were linked to the observed antioxidant activity. Additionally, 1,2-benzene dicarboxylic acid, diethyl ester, 2-hydroxy propanoic acid, and 2-propenoic acid tridecyl ester hold antibacterial properties. This metabolomic exploration corroborates the biological attributes of fenugreek microgreens, highlighting their potential as a sustainable source of valuable nutraceutical bioactive compounds. The present study paves the way for future investigations to comprehensively explore the potential of fenugreek microgreens as a functional food source while necessitating clinical trials to validate these in vitro findings. [Display omitted] • Fenugreek microgreens (FGM) has higher phytochemicals, including phenols, flavonoids, and tannins. • Metabolomic analysis provided a comprehensive profile of the bioactive compounds present in FGM. • Methanolic extract shows better antioxidant activity by scavenging ABTS, DPPH and H 2 O 2 radicals. • FGM extracts exhibits antibacterial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Staphylococcus aureus. • FGM shows better biofilm inhibitory potential against the tested pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]