UVA and UVB Radiation as Innovative Tools to Biofortify Horticultural Crops with Nutraceuticals

Abstract

The consumption of fruits and vegetables is related to the prevention and treatment of chronic–degenerative diseases due to the presence of secondary metabolites with pharmaceutical activity. Most of these secondary metabolites, also known as nutraceuticals, are present in low concentrations in the plant tissue. Therefore, to improve the health benefits of horticultural crops, it is necessary to increase their nutraceutical content before reaching consumers. Applying ultraviolet radiation (UVR) to fruits and vegetables has been a simple and effective technology to biofortify plant tissue with secondary metabolites. This review article describes the physiological and molecular basis of stress response in plants. Likewise, current literature on the mechanisms and effects of UVA and UVB radiation on the accumulation of different bioactive phytochemicals are reviewed. The literature shows that UVR is an effective tool to biofortify horticultural crops to enhance their nutraceutical content.

Keywords

• ultraviolet radiation (UVR)
• UVA
• UVB
• nutraceuticals
• functional foods
• biofortification