Low-intensity light cycles improve the quality of lamb's lettuce (Valerianella olitoria [L.] Pollich) during storage at low temperature

The influence of light on fresh-cut vegetables during storage is controversial, since both positive and negative effects on shelf-life and quality of such products have been observed. In this work, the effect of low-intensity light treatments on lamb's lettuce, a fresh-cut leafy and ready-to-eat vegetable, was investigated during storage at low temperature (6 °C), in comparison with conventional storage (in the dark at 4 °C). Although continuous light treatment (1 cycle of 8 h per day) was deleterious, cycles of light treatments (8 cycles of 1 h per day; 16 cycles of 0.5 h per day) showed positive effects, assessed by evaluating the content of chlorophylls, carotenoids, ATP, glucose and ascorbate. These analyses were performed at the beginning and after 6 days of storage, in comparison with samples stored in the dark at 4 °C. Under low-intensity light treatments, even if performed at a higher temperature (6 °C), the content of such bioactive compounds increased or was at least similar to that found in samples stored in the dark at the same temperature. We suggest that continuous low-intensity light treatments during cold storage of lamb's lettuce are able to promote photosynthesis but, at the same time, induce photo-damage. On the contrary, under intermittent low-intensity light cycles, photosynthesis is only partially activated, while the metabolism of the green tissues is still able to provide carbon moieties for the synthesis of bioactive molecules involved in delaying senescence. Therefore, low-intensity light cycles at 6 °C could contribute to maintain quality of lamb's lettuce, with respect to samples stored in the dark at both 6 and 4 °C. Finally, setting the temperature at 6 °C allows reduction of refrigerator energy consumption during storage.