Effect of blue and red LED light irradiation on β-cryptoxanthin accumulation in the flavedo of citrus fruits

J Agric Food Chem. 2012 Jan 11;60(1):197-201. doi: 10.1021/jf203364m. Epub 2011 Dec 13.

Abstract

β-Cryptoxanthin (β-cry), an antioxidant abundant in citrus fruits, plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases, especially cancers. In the present study, to increase the content of β-cry in citrus flavedo, the effects of blue (470 nm) and red (660 nm) light-emitting diode (LED) lights on the accumulation of carotenoids and expression of genes related to carotenoid biosynthesis were investigated in the flavedo of Satsuma mandarin. The results showed that accumulation of β-cry was induced by red light, while it was not affected by blue light. The accumulation of β-cry under red light was attributed to simultaneous increases in the expression of CitPSY, CitPDS, CitZDS, CitLCYb1, CitLCYb2, CitHYb, and CitZEP. The results presented herein might provide new strategies to enhance the commercial and nutritional value of citrus fruits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Citrus / genetics
  • Citrus / metabolism*
  • Citrus / radiation effects*
  • Cryptoxanthins
  • Fruit / genetics
  • Fruit / metabolism*
  • Fruit / radiation effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / radiation effects
  • Light
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Xanthophylls / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cryptoxanthins
  • Plant Proteins
  • Xanthophylls