BACKGROUND This study aimed to analyze the nutritional quality of radish sprouts (Raphanus sativus L.) after domestic short-term storage. We stored fresh radish sprouts at 25 +/- 1 degrees C and at 4 +/- 1 degrees C for 12 h, and detected phenolic substances, glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, vitamin C, and various antioxidant and abiotic stress-related factors. We investigated nutrient-related metabolic differences and associated pathways and postharvest treatment effects on nutritional quality using metabolomic analysis. RESULTS CONCLUSION Most active substances and antioxidant properties, but not phenolic acids and vitamin C, decreased significantly (P < 0.05) upon domestic storage; this reduction decelerated at low temperatures. Short-term storage disrupted redox balance; low temperature enhanced stress resistance. Differences were observed in amino acid and vitamin derivatives, phospholipid accumulation, and organic acids. Short-term storage at ambient temperature promoted lysine, threonine, cysteine, vitamin H, phospholipid, and lauric (dodecanoic) acid accumulation, inhibiting proline, phosphatidic acid (PA) (14:1(9Z)/12:0), and phosphatidylcholine (PC) (O-18:0/O-18:0) accumulation; low-temperature, short-term storage promoted myristic acid and phospholipid accumulation and reduced methionine synthesis and vitamin H and K accumulation. Overall, the nutritional quality of radish sprout decreased upon short-term storage, with differences in certain active substances. (c) 2018 Society of Chemical Industry