Investigation of LED Light Qualities for Peppermint (Mentha x Piperita L.) Cultivation Focusing on Plant Quality and Consumer Safety Aspects

To understand how peppermint responds to different LED light qualities during the early vegetative phase, peppermints were illuminated with three conditions (RB = Red/Blue, RGB Red/Green/Blue, SUN artificial sunlight closely resembling terrestrial spectrum between 380 and 780 nm) in an automated vertical cultivation system. RB resulted compact growth, whereas both green-containing lighting induced excessive stem side branch elongations significant leaf expansions. Although plants achieved marketable appearances regardless of condition, essential oil (EO) compositions highly elevated amounts pulegone menthofuran did not meet consumer safety requirements. Both spectra showed lower concentrations EO at 41 43%, respectively, than detected under more 49%. Reasons for this undesirable composition are discussed as a result applied harvest time, leading incomplete reduction menthone biosynthesis. Based on these findings, aromatic LEDs can be improved regulatory requirements highlights need analytical quality controls regarding evaluate applicability fresh herb productions.