Germinated Seeds and Microgreens: Nutrient Composition, Production, Processing, Fortification, Sustainability, and Health Benefits

Dear Colleagues,

Germinated seeds and microgreens have emerged as compelling subjects of research, captivating the attention of scientists, nutritionists, and culinary enthusiasts alike. The rise of germinated seeds and microgreens reflects a growing awareness of the importance of nutrition in promoting overall health and well-being. These miniature powerhouses not only add a burst of flavor and visual appeal to dishes but also offer a concentrated source of essential nutrients. By delving into the historical roots of seed sprouting, we gain a deeper appreciation for the timeless wisdom embedded in this practice. As we continue to explore and incorporate microgreens and germinated seeds into our diets, we tap into a rich tradition that aligns with both culinary excellence and nutritional wisdom.

This Special Issue seeks to gather innovative and high-quality contributions that delve into various aspects, including nutrient composition, production methodologies, processing techniques, fortification strategies, sustainability, environmental concerns, dietary evaluation, technological innovation, economic viability and market trends, consumer perception and acceptance, and the health benefits associated with germinated seeds and microgreens.

Scope of the Call

We invite researchers to submit original research papers, reviews, and case studies addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Nutrient Composition: Explore the rich nutritional profiles of germinated seeds and microgreens, focusing on vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds.
• Production Techniques: Investigate efficient and sustainable methods for cultivating germinated seeds and microgreens, considering factors such as substrate selection, environmental conditions, and growth promotion.
• Processing Innovations: Examine novel processing techniques that preserve the nutritional integrity of germinated seeds and microgreens, ensuring maximum bioavailability of essential nutrients.
• Fortification Strategies: Explore ways to fortify germinated seeds and microgreens with additional nutrients, enhancing their overall nutritional value and health-promoting properties.
• Sustainability and environmental concerns: This involves topics that explore the environmental impact of germinated seeds and microgreens on sustainable food systems.
• Dietary evaluation: This includes methods for evaluating germinated seeds and microgreens as functional foods. Recent developments using AI, such as diagnostic imaging, machine learning, and deep learning for dietary evaluation, will also be covered.
• Technological Innovations: Explore emerging technologies, such as precision agriculture, vertical farming, and controlled environment agriculture, and their potential impact on the production and sustainability of germinated seeds and microgreens.
• Economic Viability and Market Trends: Assess the economic viability of cultivating and commercializing germinated seeds and microgreens. Explore market trends, potential challenges, and opportunities for the growth of this niche market in the food industry.
• Consumer Perception and Acceptance: Investigate consumer attitudes, preferences, and acceptance of germinated seeds and microgreens. Analyze factors influencing consumer choices, including sensory perceptions, cultural considerations, and awareness of health benefits.
• Health Benefits: Investigate the potential health implications of incorporating germinated seeds and microgreens into diets, with a focus on antioxidant effects, anti-inflammatory properties, and disease prevention.

Dr. Maharshi Bhaswant
Dr. Taiki Miyazawa
Prof. Dr. Teruo Miyazawa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Foods is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• germinated seeds
• microgreens
• bioactive molecules
• bio-fortification
• nutrients
• packing technology
• health effects
• antioxidant capacity
• metabolomics
• growing conditions