Influence of packaging systems and storage conditions on quality attributes, antioxidant capacity, and microbial stability of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) microgreens

• Packaging type and storage temperature strongly influenced the shelf life of microgreens. • PP-MP1 was the most effective packaging for extending the shelf life of microgreens. • Cold storage at 4°C significantly reduced moisture and weight losses. • PP-MP1 minimized chlorophyll and vitamin C degradation during storage. • Antioxidant activity was best preserved under PP-MP1 packaging at 4°C. • PP-MP1 effectively suppressed microbial growth throughout the storage period. Garden cress ( Lepidium sativum L.) microgreens are highly nutritious but extremely perishable, and information on the combined effects of packaging film type, modified-atmosphere strategy, and storage temperature on physicochemical and microbial quality parameters have not been comprehensively evaluated. This study investigated the effects of five packaging treatments, storage temperature (4 and 12°C), and storage duration (3, 5, and 15 days) on the physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity, and microbial quality of cress microgreens. Moisture loss in control samples reached 5–6%, whereas polypropylene-based active modified-atmosphere packaging (PP-MP1) retained up to 98.52% moisture at 4°C. Weight loss increased 1.55-fold at 12°C, while PP-MP1 limited losses to 3.50%. Chlorophyll degradation reached 35–40% in controls but was reduced to 15–20% in PP-MP1. Ascorbic acid loss was limited to 15–20% under PP-MP1 compared with 35–40% in controls. Total phenolic content declined by 10–15% in PP-MP1 versus 25–30% in controls. Antioxidant activity after 15 days was highest in PP-MP1 at 4°C (43.36%). Microbial counts ranged from 0.61 to 5.20 log CFU g⁻¹, with the lowest values consistently observed in PP-MP1. These results demonstrate that polypropylene-based active modified-atmosphere packaging combined with cold storage is an effective postharvest strategy for extending shelf life and maintaining the quality and safety of cress microgreens.