*2.3. Analysis*

Harvested microgreens and baby greens were analyzed for the following chemical parameters: chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenols, anthocyanins, nitrate and mineral composition (Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Se, Mo, Co, Al, Ni, As, Cd, Pb).

#### 2.3.1. Total Chlorophyll and Carotenoids

Chlorophylls and carotenoids were extracted from fresh tissues (about 200 mg) using methanol 99.9% as solvent. Samples were kept in a dark room at 4 ◦C for 24 h. Quantitative chlorophyll determinations were carried out immediately after extraction. Absorbance readings were measured at 665.2 and 652.4 nm for chlorophyll *a* (Chl *a*) and *b* (Chl *b*), respectively, and 470 nm for total carotenoids. Chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations were calculated by Lichtenthaler's formula [37].

#### 2.3.2. Phenolic Index and Anthocyanins Concentration

Samples of frozen tissue (30–50 mg) were ground in pre-chilled mortar and extracted into methanolic HCl (1%). After that, they were incubated overnight at 4 ◦C, in the dark. Phenols were spectrophotometrically determined by measuring directly the methanolic extract absorbance at 320 nm (phenolic index), slightly modifying the procedures reported in Ferrante et al. [38]. The phenolic index was expressed as ABS320nm/g FW [38]. For anthocyanins determination, the concentration of cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents was determined spectrophotometrically at 535 nm [39]. The same methanolic extract was used for both determinations.
