Light Spectrum Effects on the Ions, and Primary and Secondary Metabolites of Red Beets (<i>Beta vulgaris</i> L.)
Changmin Oh,
Jai-Eok Park,
Yang-Ju Son,
Chu Won Nho,
Nam Il Park,
Gyhye Yoo
Affiliations
Changmin Oh
Smart Farm Research Center, Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung 25451, Gangwon-do, Korea
Jai-Eok Park
Smart Farm Research Center, Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung 25451, Gangwon-do, Korea
Yang-Ju Son
Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
Chu Won Nho
Smart Farm Research Center, Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung 25451, Gangwon-do, Korea
Nam Il Park
Department of Plant Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University, 7 Jukheon-Gil, Gangneung 25457, Gangwon-do, Korea
Gyhye Yoo
Smart Farm Research Center, Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung 25451, Gangwon-do, Korea
Red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is a root vegetable consumed and cultivated all around the world. It contains plenty of sugars, inorganic ions and a variety of secondary metabolites known to improve human health. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of light spectra on red beets and their components in a vertical farm (VF) compared to open field (OF). RED (red:blue-white = 4:1)-treated shoots elevated total phenolic contents (TPC) among lights. Sugar content in VF red beets was 4.2 times higher than beets from OF. Betalains in VF red beets were 2.4–2.8 times higher than OF ones, and RED-treated roots had significantly higher betalain levels compared to CON (red:blue-white = 2:1)-treated ones. VF red beets contained a higher level of inorganic nitrates and lower chloride compared to OF beets. In conclusion, the light spectrum alters the concentration of beet components to be higher than that of OF red beets, and RED light elevated TPC, sugars and betalains.
