Species and developmental stage-specific modulation of metabolomics and antioxidant capacity in Western Himalayan buckwheat under spectral LEDs illumination.

Significant alterations in metabolic profile and antioxidant potential were reported in sprouts and microgreens cultivated from Fagopyrum esculentum Moench & F. tataricum Gaertn., under distinct spectral LEDs. Combined blue and red spectral light was most effective in stimulating secondary metabolite accumulation and enhancing radical-scavenging activities; whereas, blue LED alone improved reducing power in both species, with the magnitude of response differing within and between species. An untargated GC-MS profile supported by multivariate statistical analyses revealed a pronounced growth-stage-dependent metabolomic shift under varying spectral quality. Fatty acids and their derivatives constituted the dominant subclass in both species' sprouts and microgreens, suggesting elevated metabolic flux through lipid-associated biosynthetic and related pathways. Overall, this study offers novel insights into species- and developmental-stage-specific differential metabolic plasticity in Western Himalayan buckwheat, while emphasizing the critical role of tailored spectral LED illumination in enhancing its nutritional value and underscoring its status as a functional superfood.