Controlled experiment demonstrates that combined red and blue LED light boosts biomass and nutraceutical compounds in Valerianella locusta, highlighting pathways for sustainable indoor farming.
L.), focusing on sugars, organic acids, total phenolics, antioxidant activity, and enzyme inhibition. Post-harvest analyses were also conducted to assess shelf-life and microbiological characteristics of the product. The R:B LED treatment significantly enhanced plant growth, with a 133% and 68% increase in shoot fresh and dry weights, respectively, and a 21% increase in leaf area compared to controls (white LED light). Biochemical profiling revealed substantial increases in fructose (255%), sucrose (169%), citric acid (350%), and malic acid (868%) under R:B LED light. Additionally, phenolic content increased by 30%, alongside a notable modulation of 258 secondary metabolites, including flavonoid glycosides, alkaloids, and terpenoids. These biochemical changes contributed to a marked improvement in antioxidant capacity (12-45% across multiple assays) and a 300% increase in α-glucosidase inhibition, suggesting potential antidiabetic properties. Furthermore, post-harvest analysis revealed comparable shelf-life and microbiological safety between R:B and white LED-grown samples. The research highlights the potential of LED light to enhance plant biochemical responses and improve crop quality without affecting post-harvest quality, paving the way for sustainable agricultural innovations.
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Monterisi et al. (2025) studied this question.
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