**5. Integration of LEDs with other treatments for postharvest quality alteration**

The application of LEDs, as an environmentally sustainable and consumer-friendly approach, to preserve the quality and enhance the variety and concentration of antioxidant compounds in horticultural crops has been extensively investigated (**Table 1**). This technology has, however, some limitations depending on the wavelength used. As such, combining LEDs with other environmentally friendly treatments has recently gained attention. The aim of such combinations is to further improve the efficacy of LED treatments by generating unique properties that prevent LED limitations and contribute toward better postharvest preservation of fruit and vegetables. Hu et al. [38] investigated the combined effect of LEDs and UV light on the postharvest life of sweet oranges and revealed that different treatment combinations accelerated ripening and enhanced the nutritional quality of oranges; the study provided a potential regulation method for orange fruit quality. Hyun et al. [39] demonstrated that combining antimicrobials or photosensitizers with blue LEDs may be applied to extend the shelf life of fresh-cut apples and cherry tomatoes. LEDs can

#### *An Overview of the Recent Developments in the Postharvest Application of Light-Emitting… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109764*

also be beneficial by reducing the occurrence of postharvest pathogens, and research conducted by [40] highlights two important mechanisms of controlling postharvest pathogens using LEDSs: one of these mechanisms is inducing the biosynthesis of specific secondary plant metabolites in fruit tissues, thereby improving the fruit/tissue resistance against pathogens, while also preventing pathogen or spore development due to the presence of photosensitizers in their cells. Zhang et al. [41] further revealed that combining blue light exposure and salicylic acid application maintained the sensory and nutritional quality of strawberries by maintaining bioactive component concentrations. Other studies also explored the effects of combining LEDs with other innovative and nonchemical-based treatments, such as heat and ethylene treatments [42–44].
