Microgreens in Soldier’s Diet at High Altitude: Evaluation of Overall Acceptability and Phytochemical Potential as Fresh Food Supplement

A healthy diet is essential for soldiers deployed in harsh environments around the world. Microgreens are high in key nutrients, vitamins, and anti-disease compounds. The goal of this study is to establish microgreens as an effective food supplement for soldiers deployed in India's remote and high-altitude border regions. Six selected species of microgreens; radish (Raphanus sativus: golden acre), cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italic PUSA-1), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), peas (Pisum sativum), and mung bean (Vigna radiata), were evaluated for their acceptability and nutrient content. In phytochemical analysis, mung bean microgreens were found to be significantly high in energy, carbohydrate, dietary fibre, Mg, Mn, K, Zn, vitamin B₂, B₃, and β-carotene. While pea microgreens were high in fat, protein, total nitrogen, and vitamin A. Sunflower microgreens were the highest in Fe, Zn, vitamin A, and B₆. Radish microgreens had the highest levels of Na, Ca, vitamin C, E, D, and B₁, and broccoli had significantly more total phosphorous when compared to the rest of the five. In the acceptability study with 65 soldiers deployed at high altitude, the majority (98.46%) reported no side effects after consuming microgreens; 92.3% of soldiers liked its taste and were ready to include it in their daily diet; and 84.6% liked it as a fresh meal at high altitude. A mixture of six microgreens received the highest rating of 'five' for greenery (64.6%), appearance (57%), taste (44.6%), and crispiness (37%). It is found in result, that evaluated microgreens blend had high soldiers acceptance and nutrition.