Work

Blue Mood for Superfood

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: The term superfood refers to food with high levels of either nutrient or bioactive phytochemicals with human health benefits. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring compounds in plants that provide their color, flavor and odor. Phenolic compounds form the major constituents of phytochemicals. Plant traits in phytochemical production are tightly bound with the genome while modified markedly by the environmental conditions. Here, we studied the effect of supplemented blue light on the production of several phenolics in the leaves of tomato, basil and parsley, which are widely cultivated food plant species. The results indicated doubled or higher increases in the accumulation of several species-specific phenolic acids or flavonoids. In conclusion, we showed for the first time, that supplemented blue light results in high yield improvement of phytochemicals related to superfood products.

Source: Natural Product Communications

DOI: 10.1177/1934578x1300800627

Authors: Kari Taulavuori, Riitta Julkunen-Tiitto, Valtteri Hyöky, Erja Taulavuori

Institutions: University of Oulu, University of Eastern Finland

Language: English

Topic: Light effects on plants

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: green

Funder: Koneen Säätiö