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Modern agriculture faces a dual challenge: increasing output while simultaneously improving the nutritional quality of produce for consumers. In response to this challenge, a research team is implementing the project "Study of the Influence of Light-Converting Films on the Accumulation of Bioactive Compounds in Fruit." The project falls under the priority direction "Sustainable Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex," in the field of interdisciplinary scientific research and development, and constitutes an applied study. It is being implemented on the basis of the Scientific Production and Technical Centre "Zhalyn."

Light is one of the primary factors governing plant growth, development, and chemical composition. It directly regulates photosynthesis, growth rate, and the accumulation of nutrients. Yet natural sunlight does not always provide optimal conditions for crops — particularly in northern regions or under intensive greenhouse cultivation. Excessive ultraviolet and infrared radiation can induce stress in plants, degrading fruit quality.

Light-converting films offer an innovative solution to this problem. These films transform inefficient or harmful ranges of radiation — ultraviolet and green light — into photosynthetically active ranges: blue and red light. This intensifies photosynthesis and, as a consequence, improves plant metabolism.

International research has already demonstrated impressive results. Films converting green light to red improved light use efficiency by 23%, accelerated vegetative growth in tomatoes by 10%, and reduced overall tomato waste by 36%. In early potato crops, yield increases of 12% were observed; in melons and watermelons, 10%. Nevertheless, the influence of these films on the accumulation of biologically active compounds in fruit — antioxidants, vitamins, flavonoids, carotenoids — remains insufficiently studied. Bridging this gap is the central purpose of the proposed project.

The project builds directly on prior research conducted within the same organisation. In 2023–2025, the Scientific Production and Technical Centre "Zhalyn" implemented the project "Development and Production of a Comprehensive Plant Growth Regulator". During laboratory screening of the obtained growth regulators, researchers observed that the spectral composition of sunlight significantly influenced the intensity of plant growth. This discovery prompted a deeper investigation into the relationship between light spectrum and the accumulation of bioactive compounds — which is now the central focus of the present project.

Most existing research on light-converting films concentrates on overall yield and growth parameters. The proposed project differs from prior studies in several fundamental respects.

First, it places emphasis on the accumulation of specific bioactive compounds — antioxidants, carotenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols — whose benefits for human health are well-established: antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects, and immune system support. This focus allows the study to address directly the growing consumer demand for functional foods with health-promoting properties.

Second, the project does not merely record end-point outcomes. It is designed to elucidate the physiological and biochemical mechanisms at the molecular level — specifically, how changes in the light spectrum affect the expression of genes associated with secondary metabolite synthesis. This mechanistic understanding is rare in comparable studies.

Third, rather than examining a single film type or crop species, the project investigates multiple types of light-converting films with differing spectral characteristics and evaluates their effectiveness across a broad range of agricultural crops: berries, tomatoes, grapes, vegetables, and fruit trees.

Fourth, the project incorporates a comparative analysis of film effectiveness under different climatic conditions — greenhouses, open fields, arid and humid regions at different latitudes — substantially broadening the practical applicability of the findings.

Fifth, the project gives particular attention to the ecological sustainability of the technology and its potential to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers and growth stimulants, positioning it as a contribution to environmentally responsible agriculture.

The primary goal is to study the influence of light-converting films on the accumulation of bioactive compounds (antioxidants, vitamins, phenols, carotenoids) in agricultural fruit crops, and to optimise light conditions for improving crop quality and nutritional value.

Six interconnected objectives have been set: development of the composition and structure of light-converting films; investigation of their spectral characteristics; study of their effects on photosynthesis and plant growth; optimisation of application conditions for different agricultural crops; assessment of their influence on yield and fruit quality; and analysis of economic feasibility and environmental safety.

The project employs a comprehensive suite of physical, chemical, biochemical, and molecular-genetic research methods.

Spectral analysis uses spectrophotometers to measure the intensity and spectral composition of light passing through the films. This precisely characterises the light environment created by each film type and allows comparison with control conditions.

Chemical analysis of bioactive compounds is carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry for quantitative determination of antioxidants, vitamins, flavonoids, and carotenoids. Antioxidant activity is assessed using DPPH and ABTS methods, both widely recognised assays in food science and plant biochemistry.

Genetic expression analysis uses real-time PCR (qPCR) and genomic technologies — microarrays — to investigate changes in the expression of genes responsible for secondary metabolite synthesis under the influence of altered light spectra. This layer of analysis distinguishes the project from most existing work in the field and enables mechanistic insight at the molecular level.

Fruit quality assessment encompasses organoleptic characteristics — taste, aroma, texture — as well as physicochemical parameters including acidity and sugar content, and resistance to microbial spoilage under storage conditions.

Statistical analysis employs analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis to identify dependencies between light spectrum composition and the level of bioactive compound accumulation, ensuring rigorous interpretation of experimental results.

The project is structured around five interconnected experimental series. The first analyses spectral characteristics: plants of the same species — for example, tomatoes — are grown under films with different spectral properties, and the relationship between each spectrum and bioactive compound accumulation is established. The second investigates genetic expression: tissue samples from plants grown under films are collected and the expression of genes linked to antioxidant and flavonoid biosynthesis is measured by qPCR. The third evaluates antioxidant activity in harvested fruit using DPPH and ABTS assays, comparing results from plants grown under different films with control samples. The fourth studies fruit longevity: samples are placed under standard storage conditions and their biochemical composition and resistance to spoilage are tracked over 14 days. The fifth compares the response of different crops — tomatoes, strawberries, grapes, berry crops — to identify culture-specific effects of different film types.

In 2025, the first prototypes of light-converting films with varying spectral characteristics are developed and produced. Initial laboratory experiments are conducted in greenhouse conditions. Spectral parameters and their influence on photosynthetic activity are assessed. The technology readiness level advances from laboratory prototypes toward preliminary field testing.

In 2026, field experiments are expanded. Synthesised films are tested on multiple crop species. Genetic expression analysis is conducted and bioactive compound content is quantified. Based on experimental results, optimal application conditions are determined for each crop type.

In 2027, field studies are completed and results are synthesised. Economic efficiency and environmental safety of the technology are assessed. Practical recommendations for farmers and agronomists are formulated. Research findings are submitted to international peer-reviewed journals, and a patent application is filed for the developed technology.

The project produces both scientific and practical outputs of considerable value. On the scientific side, the mechanisms linking light spectrum changes to secondary metabolite biosynthesis and gene expression will be elucidated — advancing fundamental knowledge in photobiology and plant physiology. On the practical side, new agronomic technologies based on light-converting films will be developed, accompanied by evidence-based recommendations for practitioners.

The economic potential of the technology is substantial: reduced expenditure on chemical fertilisers and growth stimulants, higher market prices for produce with elevated bioactive content, and improved yields across multiple crop types. The ecological significance lies in reducing the chemical burden on agricultural ecosystems — advancing towards the principles of sustainable, organic farming.

For consumers, produce with higher levels of antioxidants and other health-promoting compounds contributes to chronic disease prevention, immune system support, and overall well-being — a meaningful public health benefit.

All research results will be published in journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science databases. A patent application covering the developed light-converting film technology is planned for submission during the final phase of the project.