A 2024 study investigated beneficial properties of cruciferous microgreens grown for 12 days:

“Fourteen microgreens were ranked morphologically, phytochemically, and sensorially: (A) watercress, (B) broccoli, (C) pak choi, (D) red cabbage, (E) tatsoi, (F) red mizuna, (G) green mizuna, (H) white mustard, (I) red mustard, (J) purple-top white globe turnip, (K) red globe radish, (L) cauliflower, (M) white cabbage, (N) rocket.

• Watercress and pak choi microgreens had the highest levels of phenolic compounds.
• Red mustard and red cabbage microgreens revealed the major content of glucosinolates.
• Cauliflower microgreens had the highest ascorbic acid, TPC, and consumer acceptance.
• Radish and cauliflower microgreens topped the quality indices ranking.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996924008822 “Optimal Brassicaceae family microgreens from a phytochemical and sensory perspective” (not freely available) Thanks to Dr. Florencia Alloggia for providing a copy.

---

This study determined “optimal” in a very broad sense, which didn’t lend itself to specific recommendations. For example:

• A twelve-day growing duration and individual cultivars were selected with no references to how they were chosen as optimal;
• Measurements weren’t taken along the way to discover informative compositional changes from a phytochemical and sensory perspective; and
• Measurements such as ascorbic acid and phenolics after twelve days also didn’t reflect several of these compounds’ reactivities and purposes in earlier plant growth phases.

---