Postharvest UV radiation enhanced biosynthesis of flavonoids and carotenes in bell peppers

• A UV-C treatment of 6 kJ m ?2 greatly enhanced the flavonoid accumulation in red bell peppers. UV-C+UV-B increased by ?94 % carotenoid content and UVB + C are good abiotic elicitors biosynthesis. Rutin is highly (?70 %) after UV treatments. stresses have beneficial effects plants inducing synthesis secondary metabolites when low doses were applied. The aim this study was to evaluate effect (B or C) on main bioactive compounds peppers during a refrigerated shelf-life period. Changes carotenoids, phenolics, flavonoids studied 8 14 d at 7 °C, an additional retail sale period 4 18 °C. Physicochemical quality attributes not affected any treatment. Generally, treatments induced accumulation, highlighting that UVC 59 total content, did it 94 compared non-UV-treated as control (CTRL). UVC, UVB, biosynthesis with 42, 66, 43 increases just treatment, respectively, CTRL. This behaviour treated °C (15 44 %, respectively) (146 137 regarding CTRL peppers, which also shown assayed In conclusion, postharvest -2 could be great tool for increasing carotenoids