Novel indoor technology for urban food production and enhancement of human nutrition

最近的研究表明，由于植物性食物中必需营养素的密度降低，营养不良的模式正在上升。这与全球气候变化和大气二氧化碳水平升高（目前约为450ppm）有关。这一现象是一个严重的公共卫生问题，迫切需要研究关注。这项研究的目标是开发一个高效、自动化的Modgarden TinyFarm，配备模块化种植器，让家庭拥有智能微型农场，生产营养丰富、健康的有机蔬菜和草药；并利用创新技术对植物生物强化机制的理解做出贡献。研究表明，蚓浆可以提高植物的营养获取和组织营养密度。因此，除了为Tinyfarm提供最佳的LED光强度外，我们还将研究蚯蚓-锯末混合介质所表现出的特性，以实现更高的植物生产力和对人类有益的植物化学成分。短期目标是：(1)研究养分矿化动态、养分释放模式和活跃的微生物群落结构；(2)评价植物形态生理反应；(3)评估目标植物的营养和功能指标；(4)在不同比例的蛭砂-锯末混合培养基和LED光强条件下，测定植物营养和功能成分的生物活性、生物利用度和生物可及性。这项研究将积极吸引研究人员、学生和工业界的参与。该研究的新颖之处在于开创了使用智能室内微农场来促进人类营养和健康的方法。本研究对Modgarden， Dalhousie和Memorial university以及加拿大都是互利的。Modgarden将利用这些结果来提高Tinyfarm的效率和生产力及其商业化，而加拿大人将有机会在舒适的家中种植和食用健康的蔬菜和草药，这对环境、社会经济和健康都有显著的好处。

Recent studies showed a rising pattern of malnutrition due to reductions in density of essential nutrients in plant-based foods. This was associated with global climate change and elevated level of atmospheric carbon dioxide (currently, >450 ppm). This phenomenon is a grave public health concern, which needs urgent research attention. The goal of this research is to develop an efficient and automated Modgarden TinyFarm with modular planters to allow households to have smart microfarms for the production of nutrient-rich and healthy organic vegetables and herbs; and to contribute to understanding of plant biofortification mechanisms using an innovative technology. We previously showed that vermicast can enhance plant nutrient acquisition and tissue nutrient density. We will therefore investigate properties exhibited by vermicast-sawdust mixed medium in addition to optimum LED light intensity for the Tinyfarm to achieve higher plant productivity and phytochemical composition of human benefits. The short-term objectives are to: (1) investigate nutrient mineralization dynamics, nutrient-release pattern, and active microbial community structure; (2) evaluate plant morpho-physiological response; (3) assess the nutritional and functional indices of target plants; and (4) use in vitro assays to determine bioactivity, bioavailability and bioaccessibility of nutritional and functional ingredients in plants grown in different proportions of vermicast-sawdust mixed medium and LED light intensity. The research will actively engage researchers, students and industry. The novelty of the research is pioneering the use of smart indoor microfarm to promote human nutrition and health. This research is mutually beneficial to Modgarden, Dalhousie and Memorial Universities and Canada. Modgarden will exploit the results to improve the efficiency and productivity of the Tinyfarm and its commercialization while Canadians will have the opportunity to grow and eat healthy vegetables and herbs in the comfort of their homes with significant environment, socioeconomic and health benefits.