Abstract:
Postharvest illumination is an emerging nonthermal preservation technique used to preserve the quality of vegetables. This review aimed to provide an insight into the effect,
importance, and limitations of postharvest illumination by fluorescent and ultraviolet
(UV) light on the physical and nutraceutical properties of vegetables. It presents the
current information on the postharvest application of these two lightings based on the
vegetable species. According to the existing studies, both photoperiod and continuous
(low-intensity) fluorescent lighting treatments were beneficial more toward preserving
the quality (delaying senescence and deterioration) of postharvest vegetables, mainly
leafy vegetables. However, inconsistent results are also possible with the light quality
(intensity and duration) on the postharvest fluorescent lighting treatment. According to
gathered information, both UV-B and UV-C postharvest irradiation has been beneficial
in delaying senescence and chlorophyll degradation and inducing bioactive compounds
accumulation in some vegetable species. UV-C application is appeared to have a relatively steady effect on the postharvest storage of vegetables. But UV-B irradiation effect
on the postharvest quality of vegetables was appeared to be dose dependent and not
stable. In conclusion, it is important to consider vegetable (species, cultivar, harvesting
age, and intact or fresh-cut), previous treatments/conditions, optimum postharvest lighting condition (illumination source, dose, intensity, and duration), and the storage condition (temperature and relative humidity) for a successful implementation of postharvest
illumination. More research is required to explore the postharvest application of fluorescent and UV (UV-A, UV-B, UV-C) irradiation on vegetables.
