UV LED Irradiation for Higher Plant Phenolic Content
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for increasing phenolic compounds in plants using ultraviolet light are inefficient and harmful due to the use of broad wavelength bands, which can decrease the abundance of these compounds and cause adverse effects.
Innovation Solution
Irradiate plants with ultraviolet light at specific wavelengths of 270 to 290 nm with a fluence of 1500 to 50000 µmol/m², while limiting the fluence at wavelengths of 310 to 400 nm to less than 50% of that at 270 to 290 nm, using LED sources to selectively enhance phenolic compounds without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If broad wavelength band ultraviolet light is used to increase phenolic compounds in plants, then the amount of phenolic compounds can be increased, but harmful effects on plants and organisms occur
Solution Approach 1:
The ultraviolet spectrum is segmented into specific wavelength bands. The patent applies this by using UV light with peak wavelengths at 280 nm and 310 nm separately, rather than using broad-spectrum UV light. This segmentation allows selective activation of phenolic compound synthesis pathways while avoiding harmful wavelength ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
Different wavelength regions of ultraviolet light have different effects on plants. The patent applies local quality by targeting specific wavelength regions (280 nm and 310 nm peaks) that are most effective for increasing phenolic compounds while avoiding other regions that cause harm. This is achieved through LED light sources with narrow spectral bandwidths.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional ultraviolet light with peak wavelength at 312 nm is used, then phenolic compounds can be increased, but the emission spectrum is too broad causing inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ultraviolet spectrum into multiple narrow bands centered at 280 nm and 310 nm, each with half-width of 10 nm. This segmentation concentrates the energy in effective wavelength ranges rather than dispersing it across a broad spectrum, thereby improving the efficiency of phenolic compound synthesis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spectral parameters of the ultraviolet light by using LED sources with peak wavelengths at 280 nm and 310 nm and narrow half-widths of 10 nm. This parameter optimization ensures that the majority of the light energy falls within the most effective range for inducing phenolic compound synthesis, improving productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method efficiently increases the amount of phenolic compounds in plants while minimizing adverse effects, allowing for the production of high-value-added plants and phenolic compounds for use in functional foods and medicaments.
Implementation Method 1
plants are believed to synthesize flavonoids having a maximum absorption in the ultraviolet region so as to escape the impacts of ultraviolet light in the sunlight
Implementation Method 2
irradiating the plant with ultraviolet light, wherein a fluence at wavelengths of 270 to 290 nm is 1500 to 50000 µmol/m²
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a method that can effectively/efficiently increase the amount of a phenolic compound such as a polyphenol. The invention provides a method for increasing an amount of a phenolic compound in a plant, or a method for producing a plant containing an increased amount of a phenolic compound, the method comprising irradiating the/a plant with ultraviolet light, wherein a fluence at wavelengths of 270 to 290 nm is 1500 to 50000 µmol/m2 and a fluence at wavelengths of 310 to 400 nm is less than 50% of that at wavelengths of 270 to 290 nm.