Hydroponics and Health Benefits of Chives
The chives herb comes from the genus Allium. Genus Allium is latin for cultivated garlic and consists of more than 500 species. From the onion family, chives is most popularly used across the globe in food, but also in medicines for various purposes (like killing cancer cells). This should make you think, if chives kills cancer cells in a petri dish, could it kill cancer cells in a body? Turns out that Chives does in fact contain anti-cancer properties.
Hydroponics of Chives
Hydroponic System
A floating raft system, as well as drip and ebb and flow systems, are commonly used to plant chives in modest amounts. A floating raft system is commonly used by experienced growers.
Temperature
Optimal temperatures for the germination of chives seeds lie somewhere between 16-degree and 22-degree C.
Nutrient Solution
The ideal pH recommended to grow chives spice lies in the range of 6.1 and 6.8. Furthermore, fertigation every week with an NPK fertilizer has the potential to produce greater biomass.
Nutritional Profile of Chives
A single tablespoon of chopped chives can provide you with the following nutrients.
Fats
Given that chives are well-known for being a nutrient-dense food, it is no surprise that they have a low-calorie count of 0.9. (FoodData Central, 2019)
Vitamins
This spice consists of various vitamins, such as A, C, and K, which make up 1%, 2%, and 5% of the daily value, respectively. (FoodData Central, 2019)
Other Minerals
One tablespoon of powdered chives further contains 2.76mg of calcium and 8.88mg of potassium. (FoodData Central, 2019)
ORAC Value
Chive leaves have a ORAC value of 2094 (4 grams).
Health Benefits of Chives
Medicinal Properties
Chives display antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant activity. Moreover, chive leaves have been proven to have a positive impact on the circulatory system by bringing about a reduction in blood pressure. The presence of potassium in the spice also allows for the treatment of kidney stones. (Friederike Espinoza, December)
Chemistry of Chives
Chives contain phenolic compounds, such as quercetin, ferulic acid, and coumaric acid, and organosulfur compounds, like allicin. (Yawen Zeng, 2017)
References
FoodData Central. (2019, April 1). Retrieved from US Department of Agriculture: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169994/nutrients
Friederike Espinoza, S. V. (December, 2019). Effects of Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales) on plant growth and secondary metabolites of extracts of hydroponically cultivated chive (Allium schoenoprasum L. [Amaryllidaceae]). ScienceDirect.
Yawen Zeng, Y. L. (2017). Therapeutic Role of Functional Components in Alliums for Preventive Chronic Disease in Human Being. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.