Research Article

Effects of different LED light wavelengths on the growth and antioxidant activity of red cabbage microgreens (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata subvar. rubra)

Volume: 10 Number: 1 March 13, 2026

Effects of different LED light wavelengths on the growth and antioxidant activity of red cabbage microgreens (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata subvar. rubra)

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of LED lights with different wavelengths on the growth parameters, fresh weight, and total antioxidant content of red cabbage microgreens (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata subvar. rubra) grown under controlled conditions. The experiment was conducted using a fully automated plant growth chamber, named “Confetti Cabin”, with four light treatments: red LED, blue LED, red+blue LED, and a natural light control group. The study was designed with a randomized plot design and three replications. The highest stem length was observed under red LED light (59.28 mm), the highest fresh weight under red+blue LED (90.70 g), and the highest antioxidant content under blue LED (0.99 EC50 µg/mL). The findings suggest that light spectrum selection can be optimized based on production targets in microgreen cultivation.

Keywords

Microgreens, Red Cabbage, LED Light, Antioxidant, Controlled Environment

Supporting Institution

TUBITAK

Project Number

1919B012318747

Thanks

This study was supported by TÜBİTAK 2209-A University Student Research Projects Support Program (Project No:1919B012318747). We are grateful to TÜBİTAK for their support and Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Technical Sciences Vocational School Plant and Animal Production Department for their contributions to all stages of the study.

References

  1. Anderson J.M., Chow W.S.Y., Park I. (1995). The Grand Design of Photosynthesis: Acclimation of The Photosynthetic Apparatus to Environmental Cues. Photosynth Res, 46:129-139.
  2. Balık, S., & Yıldız Daşgan, H. (2025). The Effect of Seed Sowing Density on Growth Parameters in Six Different Microgreen. KSU J. Agric Nat 28 (3), 661-671. https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1574906
  3. Bian, Z.H., Yang, Q.C. and Liu, W.K. (2014) Effects of Light Quality on the Accumulation of Phytochemicals in Vegetables Produced in Controlled Environments: A Review. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 95, 869-877.
  4. Brassica, K.; Lee, S.; Park, C.H.; Kim, J.K.; Ahn, K.; Kwon, H.; Kim, J.K.; Park, S.U.; Yeo, H.J. (2023). LED Lights Influenced Phytochemical Contents and Biological.
  5. Brazaityt˙e, A., Miliauskien˙e, J., Vaštakait ˙e-Kairien ˙e, V., Sutulien ˙e, R., Laužik˙e, K., Duchovskis, P., Małek, S. (2021). Effect of Different Ratios of Blue and Red LED Light on Brassicaceae Microgreens under a Controlled Environment. Plants 10, 801. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10040801
  6. Briggs W.R., Christie J.M. (2002). Phototropins 1 and 2: Versatile Plant Blue Light Receptors. Trends Plant Sci, 7(5):204-210.
  7. Bugbee B. (2016). Towards an Optimal Spectral Quality for Plant Growth and Development: The Importance of Radiation Capture. Acta Hortic, 1134:1-12.
  8. Havan A., Köklü Ardıç Ş., Havan R., Korkmaz A. (2024). Farklı Dalga Boylu LED Aydınlatma Uygulamalarının Domateste Fide Kalitesi Üzerine Etkileri. KSÜ Tarım ve Doğa Dergisi, 27(Ek Sayı 2), 372-384.
  9. Johkan, M., Shoji, K., Goto, F., Hashida, S., Yoshihara, T. (2010). Blue Light-Emitting Diode Light Irradiation of Seedlings Improves Seedling Quality and Growth after Transplanting in Red Leaf Lettuce., 45, 1809–1814.
  10. Kozai, T., Niu, G., & Takagaki, M. (2015). Plant Factory: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production. Academic Press.
APA
Irmak, E. S., Turan, A. E., Taşcı Durgut, F., Eryılmaz Açıkgöz, F., & Özdüven, F. F. (2026). Effects of different LED light wavelengths on the growth and antioxidant activity of red cabbage microgreens (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata subvar. rubra). International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, 10(1), 96-100. https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.1.11
AMA
1.Irmak ES, Turan AE, Taşcı Durgut F, Eryılmaz Açıkgöz F, Özdüven FF. Effects of different LED light wavelengths on the growth and antioxidant activity of red cabbage microgreens (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata subvar. rubra). int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2026;10(1):96-100. doi:10.31015/jaefs.2026.1.11
Chicago
Irmak, Emir Sultan, Ali Efe Turan, Figen Taşcı Durgut, Funda Eryılmaz Açıkgöz, and Fatma Funda Özdüven. 2026. “Effects of Different LED Light Wavelengths on the Growth and Antioxidant Activity of Red Cabbage Microgreens (Brassica Oleracea L. Var. Capitata Subvar. Rubra)”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 10 (1): 96-100. https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.1.11.
EndNote
Irmak ES, Turan AE, Taşcı Durgut F, Eryılmaz Açıkgöz F, Özdüven FF (March 1, 2026) Effects of different LED light wavelengths on the growth and antioxidant activity of red cabbage microgreens (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata subvar. rubra). International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 10 1 96–100.
IEEE
[1]E. S. Irmak, A. E. Turan, F. Taşcı Durgut, F. Eryılmaz Açıkgöz, and F. F. Özdüven, “Effects of different LED light wavelengths on the growth and antioxidant activity of red cabbage microgreens (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata subvar. rubra)”, int. j. agric. environ. food sci., vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 96–100, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.31015/jaefs.2026.1.11.
ISNAD
Irmak, Emir Sultan - Turan, Ali Efe - Taşcı Durgut, Figen - Eryılmaz Açıkgöz, Funda - Özdüven, Fatma Funda. “Effects of Different LED Light Wavelengths on the Growth and Antioxidant Activity of Red Cabbage Microgreens (Brassica Oleracea L. Var. Capitata Subvar. Rubra)”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences 10/1 (March 1, 2026): 96-100. https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.1.11.
JAMA
1.Irmak ES, Turan AE, Taşcı Durgut F, Eryılmaz Açıkgöz F, Özdüven FF. Effects of different LED light wavelengths on the growth and antioxidant activity of red cabbage microgreens (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata subvar. rubra). int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2026;10:96–100.
MLA
Irmak, Emir Sultan, et al. “Effects of Different LED Light Wavelengths on the Growth and Antioxidant Activity of Red Cabbage Microgreens (Brassica Oleracea L. Var. Capitata Subvar. Rubra)”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, vol. 10, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 96-100, doi:10.31015/jaefs.2026.1.11.
Vancouver
1.Emir Sultan Irmak, Ali Efe Turan, Figen Taşcı Durgut, Funda Eryılmaz Açıkgöz, Fatma Funda Özdüven. Effects of different LED light wavelengths on the growth and antioxidant activity of red cabbage microgreens (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata subvar. rubra). int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2026 Mar. 1;10(1):96-100. doi:10.31015/jaefs.2026.1.11