Chitosan nanoparticles as a sustainable alternative nutrient formulation in hydroponically grown Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis (L.) Hanelt microgreen and its adult vegetable

ABSTRACT

Microgreens have been chosen as a sustainable dietary staple food due to their high nutritional value and short harvesting time. However, researches about the actual comparison of the nutritional value between microgreens and their respective adult vegetables is still missing. Furthermore, in a hydroponic system, chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) can be used as an alternative sustainable nutrient formulation to the conventional/basic nutrient formulation solution. As a result, in this study, the quality, yield and nutritional content of hydroponically cultured microgreens versus adult of Bok Choy (Brassica rapa subsp. Chinensis (L.) Hanelt) vegetables were examined and evaluated in response to CNPs treatments and/or fertilizer supplementation that were grown under the same conditions and environments. CNPs have shown incredible potential as a sustainable alternative nutrient supplement in the growth of Bok Choy microgreens and adults. The nutritional value results backed up these claims as well. The addition of CNPs to conventional fertilizer has significantly increased the nutritional value of Bok Choy (microgreens and adults), supporting the claims of CNPs’ ability to improve nutrient absorption and uptake. This is towards high-throughput green farming with better quality and yield using the nanotechnology platform.

KEYWORDS:

• Chitosan nanoparticles
• nutrient formulation
• hydroponic
• microgreen
• nano-fertilizer

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia [UPM/800-4/11/MRUN/2018/ 5539220 vote no. 5539220.]; Putra Grant, Universiti Putra Malaysia [UPM/800-4/11/MRUN/2018/ 5539220 vote no. 5539220.].