Cultivar-Specific Responses of Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) Sprouts and Microgreens to UV-B Radiation: Effects on Germination, Growth, Biochemical Traits, and Stress-Related Parameters

In recent years, sprouts and microgreens from Brassicaceae species have been increasingly recognized for their nutritional value and bioactive compounds. Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz has emerged as a promising candidate for functional food production due to its exceptional chemical composition. This study evaluated the effects of pre-harvest UV-B radiation on the growth, biochemical traits, and stress-related responses in sprouts and microgreens from three camelina cultivars (‘Alan’, ‘Calena’, and ‘Pearl’). UV-B exposure moderately reduced germination, growth and productivity, but it strongly enhanced the phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant capacity in sprouts. These increases in protective secondary metabolites reflect metabolic reprogramming triggered by such treatment. UV-B exposure in fact determined a reallocation of metabolic resources from primary growth toward accumulation of defensive compounds, including increased proline accumulation and enhanced non-enzymatic antioxidant systems. This adaptive response was effective in managing UV-B-induced oxidative stress in the next growth stage, as demonstrated by the reduced lipid peroxidation markers in microgreens. In microgreens, UV-B similarly stimulated secondary metabolite accumulation while reducing biomass productivity, with antioxidant systems effectively managing oxidative stress over the extended 14-day growth period. The cultivar-specific responses revealed genetic variation in stress responsiveness, with ‘Pearl’ showing slight superior secondary metabolite accumulation. Overall, controlled UV-B irradiation enhances health-promoting compounds through metabolic reallocation toward protective compound accumulation, demonstrating its potential as an eco-friendly strategy to improve the functional quality of camelina sprouts and microgreens.