![]() Each group has focused on a narrow subset of microgreens and their issues. Most research on microgreens has taken place in the last 7 years by a limited but growing number of international research groups (Brazaitytė et al., 2018 Craver, Gerovac, Lopez, & Kopsell, 2017 Kyriacou et al., 2016 Riggio, Wang, Kniel, & Gibson, 2019b Xiao et al., 2012). However, these microgreens still need to be used quickly to maintain peak quality. Hydroponic pads and soil-less substrates tend to be favored for this practice for ease of transport and perception of cleanliness in a kitchen environment (Renna, Di Gioia, Leoni, Mininni, & Santamaria, 2017). Some growers sell microgreens as a “living product” so that the customer harvests and washes them as they are needed to serve the freshest quality. Microgreens are difficult to store, due to their high surface area to volume ratio, high respiration rate, and delicate leaves that easily wilt, and rapid postharvest decay transpiration, leakage of nutrient rich exudates, tissue damage, and early senescence (Berba & Uchanski, 2012 Chandra, Kim, & Kim, 2012 Kou et al., 2013). One major limitation to the growth of the microgreen industry is rapid quality deterioration postharvest. Food and Drug Administration, 2018 Whole Foods Market, 2018). Microgreens share many characteristics with sprouts, and have been associated with seven recalls in the United States and Canada three due to Salmonella (Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 2018a Clark, 2017 Marler, 2016), and the other four due to Listeria contamination (CFIA, 2018b, CFIA, 2019 U.S. The microgreen market is growing rapidly (Charlebois, 2019 Riggio et al., 2019a Wood, 2019), but faces many challenges. The short time to harvest for microgreens and high market values makes them important CEA crops (Wood, 2019). This movement is driven by population growth, shrinking arable land, and the need for ensuring food security (Goodman & Minner, 2019 Stoleru, Ionitᾰ, & Zamfirache, 2016 Wood, 2019). ![]() Microgreens are ideally suited for indoor production and are part of the global movement towards controlled environmental agriculture (CEA) (Riggio, Jones, & Gibson, 2019a). Mizuna, red cabbage, and Swiss chard microgreens grown in peat-based growth medium for 8 days. However, more work is needed to optimize both production and storage conditions to improve the safety, quality, and shelf life of microgreens, thereby expanding potential markets. Research has explored preharvest and postharvest interventions, such as calcium treatments, modified atmopsphere packaging, temperature control, and light, to maintain quality, augment nutritional value, and extend shelf life. Once harvested, microgreens easily dehydrate, wilt, decay and rapidly lose certain nutrients. One major limitation to the growth of the microgreen industry is the rapid quality deterioration that occurs soon after harvest, which keeps prices high and restricts commerce to local sales. Thus, the potential to carry foodborne pathogens is there, and steps can and should be taken during production to reduce the likelihood of such incidents. Microgreens share many characteristics with sprouts, and while they have not been associated with any foodborne illness outbreaks, they have recently been the subject of seven recalls. The rapidly growing microgreen industry faces many challenges. Microgreens are edible seedlings including vegetables and herbs, which have been used, primarily in the restaurant industry, to embellish cuisine since 1996. Integrity - Saying what you mean.Microgreens have gained increasing popularity as food ingredients in recent years because of their high nutritional value and diverse sensorial characteristics. We will continue to be inventive and to ensure that our products meet globally recognised Quality and Safety standards.Īffinity - Engaging with our clients and understanding their needs ![]() Our design and manufacturing initiatives are based on three nonnegotiable criteria Quality, Reliability and Value. ![]() Our team has an ongoing dedication to new product research and development, we continually look to improve on existing products, processes and services.Īt Smith Light we take a hands-on, pragmatic approach to developing winning products that accommodate unique and evolving requirements. We believe that creating a culture of innovation requires a continuous balancing act between focused attention and a questioning mind. We are an Australian based manufacturer and supplier of portable battery powered LED Lighting solutions for Mining (EX), Emergency, Industrial and Recreational markets. ![]()
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