LED-stimulated Levodopa Production in Broad Bean Sprouts

  Objective  Effect of LED photoculture on yield of levodopa in broad bean sprouts was studied.

  Method  Broad bean sprouts were exposed to LED of varied intensity and cultured for varied time periods in single factor and L₉ (3⁴) orthogonal experiments. Levodopa generated in the sprouts under the conditions was determined for process optimization.

  Result   Low LED light enhanced the accumulation of sprout dry matters. However, it was under high intensity the productivity of levodopa in the sprouts was significantly encouraged. The optimum conditions for a maximized levodopa production of 19.62 g·m⁻² were found to include 9 h of 500 lx LED exposure in 6 d of cultivation.

  Conclusion  The photoculture of broad bean sprouts under intense LED lights could significantly promote the production of the functional amino acid, levodopa.