Application of blue light led in inactivation of pathogenic fungi on tomato fruit during natural storage

Abstract

Significant losses of fresh horticultural crops occur during postharvest storage due to accelerated senescence and disease. Cooling and chemical preservation procedures are the typical postharvest techniques after harvest. Many researchers have lately used light-emitting diode (LED) therapy for postharvest storage of fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes are known as a superfood because they contain many compounds beneficial to human health. Tomato fruit contains a high proportion of lycopene, which increases as the fruit ripens to the breaker stage. LED systems have evolved as a clean and effective artificial lighting solution for use in horticulture. This research aimed to evaluate the influence of LEDs on postharvest and quality metrics. The impact on quality criteria varied greatly depending on the tomato fruit variety. Studies were conducted on timelines of LED light exposure per day throughout the postharvest fruit stage, which boosted commercial and organoleptic indices and lycopene concentrations. Overall, the results of this study indicated that postharvest exposure of tomato fruits to LED light causes lycopene synthesis, with a concentration of lycopene 41% greater than when subjected to light, dark, and 24% higher than when exposed to other LED lighting settings.