Abstract
Vegetables, once harvested and stored on supermarket shelves, continue to perform biochemical adjustments due to their modular nature and their ability to retain physiological autonomy. They can live after being harvested. In particular, the content of some essential nutraceuticals, such as carotenoids, can be altered in response to environmental or internal stimuli. Therefore, in the present study, we wondered whether endogenous rhythms continue to operate in commercial vegetables and if so, whether vegetable nutritional quality could be altered by such cycles. Our experimental model consisted of rocket leaves entrained under light/darkness cycles of 12/12 h over 3 days, and then we examined free-run oscillations for 2 days under continuous light or continuous darkness, which led to chlorophyll and carotenoid oscillations in both constant conditions. Given the importance of preserving food quality, the existence of such internal rhythms during continuous conditions may open new research perspective in nutrition science. However, while chromatographic techniques employed to determine pigment composition are accurate, they are also time-consuming and expensive. Here we propose for the first time an alternative method to estimate pigment content and the nutritional quality by the use of non-destructive and in situ optical techniques. These results are promising for nutritional quality assessments.
Highlights
The intake of carotenoids as β-carotene (β-C), lutein (L), and zeaxanthin (Z) is associated with ocular health [1,2,3] and cognitive benefits [4]
The effect of illumination conditions on pigment composition was analyzed in rocket leaves packaged in protected atmosphere bags by exposing each of the bags to light/dark cycles in an entrainment phase of 3 days followed by continuous conditions of light, or darkness for 2 days
We demonstrated that chlorophylls and carotenoids of rocket leaves stored in commercial protected bags for human consumption are under circadian regulation, but this fact is not considered in the storage procedures employed at either the post-harvest or supermarkets stages
Summary
The intake of carotenoids as β-carotene (β-C), lutein (L), and zeaxanthin (Z) is associated with ocular health [1,2,3] and cognitive benefits [4]. This is probably due to their role as antioxidant agents [5], as has been demonstrated in plant and animal tissues [6]. A diet rich in carotenoids has been associated with cancer resistance [7,8] and prevention of cardiovascular diseases [9]. Because humans cannot synthesize carotenoids, they should be consumed in the diet. Several pre-harvesting, and post-harvesting factors have been identified as regulators of the carotenoid pool: growing environment and cultivation method, genotype, ripening time, and/or processing conditions [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
