Antioxidant response of lettuce plants to four wavelengths of LED visible light

Plants are highly sensitive to variations in components of the visible light such as its wavelength, recently, the incorporation of LED (Lighting-Emitting Diode) artificial lighting of different wavelengths in horticulture has allowed to evaluate the responses generated in different levels of plant biology and use the synthesis of antioxidant compounds, whose consumption is beneficial for human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant response of lettuce plants to four wavelengths of LED visible light. Plants type Romaine cultivated until the end of their productive cycle were subjected to treatments of red, yellow, green and blue light; later, the kinetic response was characterized under red and yellow light for their capacity to stimulate the antioxidant synthesis. As main result, red light generated an antioxidant response in the fourth day which could be used for adding a functional component to lettuce plants. Yellow light could also be used, but the antioxidant response required at least six days. Despite the results, further research is required regarding the postharvest conservation of the antioxidant compounds and their usage for human health.