Spent coffee grounds improve the nutritional value in elements of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and are an ecological alternative to inorganic fertilizers. (1st June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cervera-Mata, Ana; Navarro-Alarcón, Miguel; Delgado, Gabriel; Pastoriza, Silvia; Montilla-Gómez, Javier; Llopis, Juan; Sánchez-González, Cristina; Rufián-Henares, José Ángel
• Is Part Of: Food chemistry. Volume 282(2019)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2019-06-01
• Subjects: Spent coffee grounds -- Organic amendment -- Lettuce -- Essential elements -- Toxic elements -- Biofortification; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.12.101
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-8146

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Spent coffee grounds (SCG) increase the nutritional value of lettuces. Organic farming (SCG) rises lettuce elements vs. conventional farming (NPK). SCG diminished soil pH and enhanced element availability by lettuce. Lettuce grown with SCG covers a marked percentage of the dietary reference intakes. SCG block the absorption of Cd. Abstract: The element concentration in lettuces grouped in 5 categories (baby variety, cultivated in agricultural soils with low or high percentages of spent coffee grounds-SCG, without SCG and with NPK) were measured. Lettuces cultivated in agricultural soils amended with SCG had significantly higher levels of several essential (V, Fe, Co, V, and probably Mn and Zn) and toxic elements (Al and probably As), without reaching their toxicological limits. Additionally, blocking of N uptake and therefore plant biomass, and probably Cd absorption from agricultural soil was observed. Organic farming with SCG ameliorates element concentrations in lettuces vs. NPK fertilization. The linear correlations among element uptake and the amendment of SCG could be related with their chelation by some SCG components, such as melanoidins and with the decrease in the soil pH. In conclusion, the addition of SCG produces lettuces with higher element content.