| 摘要 |
The level of at least one phytochemical in a harvested plant cell comprising chlorophyll or in harvested plant tissues comprising chlorophyll, the plant cell or tissue being capable of photosynthesis and/or being capable of blue light adsorption can be altered by shining blue light onto the surface of the plant cell or tissue, wherein the light intensity of the blue light striking the cell surface of the tissue surface is sufficient to initiate a biochemical process within the cell or tissue thereby altering the level of at least one phytochemical therein. Preferably blue light is emitted by one or more sources such that the light intensity of blue light striking the harvested plant cell or plant tissue is at least 5 microEinsteins. The light source may produce a continuous or pulsed beam of light. An apparatus 10 for use in the method comprises a housing 11 with a glass plate 12 serving as a support for plant material 13 to be exposed to light treatment within the housing. Light sources 14 direct light to the upper surface of the plant material. Reflectors 16 direct light to the underside of the plate so that lower surface of the plant material is also exposed to the light. |
