A Novel Technique Using Advanced Oxidation Process (UV-C/H2O2) Combined with Micro-Nano Bubbles on Decontamination, Seed Viability, and Enhancing Phytonutrients of Roselle Microgreens

Journal article

Authors/Editors

Strategic Research Themes

food for the future (Sustainable Bioeconomy)

Publication Details

Author list: Phornvillay S., Yodsarn S., Oonsrithong J., Srilaong V., Pongprasert N.

Publisher: MDPI

Publication year: 2022

Journal: Horticulturae (2311-7524)

Volume number: 8

Issue number: 1

ISSN: 2311-7524

eISSN: 2311-7524

URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85122827873&doi=10.3390%2fhorticulturae8010053&partnerID=40&md5=dea6ed4b5829c206369d56d2d62a817f

Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)

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Abstract

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. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Keywords

Advanced oxidative process