The influence of light-emitting diodes on the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities in pea sprouts

Abstract The effects of various light-emitting diodes (LEDs), such as red, blue, and yellow LED lamps, as well as white fluorescent lamps and darkness, on the levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities in pea sprouts were evaluated. The total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of the pea sprouts under the blue and red LED light, as well as the white fluorescent lamps, were 1.46, 1.25, 1.45 times and 24.55, 21.01, 24.29 times, respectively, when compared to the dark environment control. The ABTS cation radical-scavenging activity, ferric reducing activity power (FRAP), and reducing power of the pea sprouts under blue LED light were 1.75, 3.52, and 1.97 times, respectively, compared to the control. The blue LED light significantly increased all of the individual phenolic contents when compared to the control. These results indicate that blue LED light should be recommended as a light source for enhancing the content of phenolic compounds.