LED UVB postharvest treatments modify nutraceutical quality and physical properties of ‘Cargo’ blueberries

Blueberry harvesting is challenging: the difficulties lie in monitoring full ripeness, which is only evident in the peduncle area resulting in uneven and underripe batches. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation has garnered attention as a non-thermal and chemical-free technology to enhance the shelf-life and quality of horticultural crops. This study focused on applying UVB irradiation (280–315 nm) on fresh blueberries to augment bioactive components and improve storage quality. Fresh blueberries were exposed to a range of UVB irradiation durations (2 – 5 – 10 – 15 – 20 – 25 – 30 min) using a prototype UV test box. After a 48-h dark storage interval at a thermally controlled environment of 20 °C, berries quality was studied post 24 h and 48 h intervals. Quality parameters, including weight loss, color development, and concentrations of total phenols and anthocyanins, were evaluated. Statistical analyses (one-way ANOVA) were performed to determine significant differences. UVB irradiation influenced the quality characteristics of blueberries, with optimal treatments showing reduced weight loss and enhanced color development. Phenolic content, particularly at 10-min irradiation, exhibited a notable increase. However, anthocyanin accumulation varied across treatments, suggesting UVB selective effect on specific secondary metabolite pathways. Postharvest UVB irradiation, especially at shorter durations, could be promising for enhancing blueberry quality and extending shelf-life.