The Quality and Glucosinolate Composition of Cruciferous Sprouts under Elicitor Treatments Using MeJA and LED Lights

Background: Cruciferous sprouts (Brassicaceae) are rich in glucosinolates (GSL) as health-promoters involved in the prevention and modulation of different pathological conditions. Only recently has the use of LEDs been implemented in food production in order to reduce energy costs and to facilitate soil-less systems for producing edible sprouts. The aim of this research was to obtain cruciferous sprouts enriched in bioactive compounds (GSL) by means of soil-less production using LEDs and Methyl-Jasmonate as elicitors. Methods: Seeds of broccoli, red radish, red cabbage, and white mustard varieties for sprouting, were sanitized (2 h) and water imbibed (22 h) before sowing and growing in the dark (2 d). The 3-day old sprouts were transferred to growth chamber under 18/6 h photoperiod, with controlled relative humidity (60/80%) and LED lights (Experimental vs. Commercial) with spraying Methyl-Jasmonate (250 µM) as elicitor. The germination efficiency, biomass production, and GSL contents were analysed. Results: The LED treatments affected the fresh biomass production. The GSL analysis revealed qualitative differences and suggested the potential of using spe specific GSL as markers of every variety: glucoraphanin in broccoli; Dehydro-Erucin in radish; hydroxybenzyl-GLS in mustard, and glucoerucin in red cabbage. The combination of LED lighting and MeJA is a promising tool for increasing GSL contents in sprouts, rendering healthier fresh foods or ingredients for functional products.