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

最近的研究表明，由于植物性食品中基本营养素密度的降低，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(目前为450ppm)有关。这一现象是一个严重的公共卫生问题，需要迫切的研究关注。这项研究的目标是开发一种高效和自动化的模块化种植机，使家庭能够拥有智能微型农场，用于生产营养丰富和健康的有机蔬菜和草药；并利用创新技术促进对植物生物强化机制的了解。我们之前的研究表明，蠕虫威可以提高植物养分的获取和组织的养分密度。因此，我们将研究蚯蚓-锯末混合介质所表现出的特性，以及蒂尼农场的最佳LED光强，以实现更高的植物生产力和植物化学成分对人类的好处。短期目标是：(1)调查营养矿化动态、养分释放模式和活性微生物群落结构；(2)评估植物的形态生理反应；(3)评估目标植物的营养和功能指数；(4)使用体外试验来确定在不同比例的蚯蚓-锯末混合基质和LED光强下生长的植物中营养和功能成分的生物活性、生物有效性和生物可获得性。这项研究将积极吸引研究人员、学生和产业界参与。这项研究的新颖性是率先使用智能室内微型农场来促进人类营养和健康。这项研究对莫德加登大学、达尔豪西大学和纪念大学以及加拿大都是互惠互利的。莫德加登将利用这一成果来提高蒂尼农场及其商业化的效率和生产率，同时加拿大人将有机会在家中舒适地种植和食用健康的蔬菜和草药，带来显著的环境、社会经济和健康效益。

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.