The role of LED lighting in enhancing post-harvest fruit and vegetable quality

Improper handling practices often aggravate post-harvest losses in horticultural produce. Due to ethylene production, climacteric fruits have a short shelf life, which triggers ripening and senescence. Traditionally, post-harvest preservation has relied on chemical methods, which can pose health risks. In contrast, Light-Emitting Diode (LED) treatment has emerged as an effective, residue-free alternative to conventional light sources for maintaining the quality of fruits and vegetables during storage. LED treatment has enhanced the accumulation of important phytochemicals such as vitamins, chlorophyll, total soluble solids and carotenoids in fruits and vegetables. It also leads to changes in anthocyanin, carotenoids, phenols and flavonoids. These beneficial effects are linked to the interaction of LED light with plant physiology, which can help regulate ripening, improve nutritional content and control microbial growth. Combining different LED wavelengths at varying intensities during post-harvest storage has been found to promote fresh produces’ nutritional value, slow` ripening and reduce pathogenic microbial load. While research on using LEDs for post-harvest quality preservation is still in its early stages, initial findings are promising. This review examines the applications of LED treatment in preserving the post-harvest quality of fresh horticultural produce, highlighting its role in extending shelf life, maintaining nutritional value and reducing post-harvest losses.