ES2341699A1 - Plant treatment method and means therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and apparatus for altering the level of a phytochemical in a harvested plant cell or plant tissue, said method altering the level of a phytochemical in a harvested plant cell comprising chlorophyll or in a harvested plant tissue comprising chlorophyll, said process being able to perform the cell or plant tissue photosynthesis, and/or being able to adsorb blue light by impinging blue light on the surface of the cell or plant tissue, in which the light intensity of the blue light hitting the surface of the cell or the tissue surface is sufficient to initiate a biochemical process within the cell or tissue, altering the level of at least one phytochemical therein.

Description

Procedure and apparatus to alter the level of a phytochemical in a plant cell or plant tissue collected.

The present invention relates to a procedure to alter the level of a phytochemical in a plant cell or plant tissue collected. In particular, the invention refers to a method for altering the level of phytochemical substances such as primary metabolites or secondary plants in plant cells and plant tissue collected by applying the same wavelengths of light from selected intensity and wavelength that are selected from wavelengths of visible spectrum light or white light and media for the same.

It is known that the application of light from UV spectrum, such as UV-B and UV-C it can help increase the levels of, for example, the "oils essential "and secondary metabolites in whole plants. Without However, for humans the management of UV-B and UV-C is problematic and is involved in a way marked in processes of cancerous disease. As such, the light UV-B and UV-C is considered potentially harmful to healthy mammalian tissues and it considered dangerous to use.

"Essential oils" are responsible largely of the aromaticity associated with many plants, such as plants comprising herbs and scented flowers, such as Culinary herbs Essential oils consist mainly in terpenoids and may include compounds such as 1,8-cineole, limonene, linalool and β-ocimeno. Other compounds that may found in essential oils, that is, oils that are not terpenoids, may include compounds derived from phenylpropanoids such as methyl cavicol, methyl cinnamate, eugenol and methyl eugenol. So, the expression "essential oils" is used in a qualitative sense to encompass compounds such as are indicated herein that contribute to the aromaticity of plants such as herbs Culinary and ornamental scented.

It is known that ultraviolet light (and specifically UV-B) has effects on the levels of secondary compounds of the phenyl propanoids pathway of plants through the action on key regulatory enzymes such as phenylalin ammonium lyase (Kuhn, DN et al (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci , USA, 81, 1102-1106) and chalcona synthase (Batschauer, A. et al (1996) The Plant Journal 9, 63-69 and Christie, JM and Jenkins, GI (1996 ) The Plant Cell 8, 1555-1567). There are many published reports of the UV-B stimulation of phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and surface flavonols (Cuadra, P. and Harborne, JB (1996) Zeitschrift für Naturforschung 51c, 671-680 and Cuadra, P. et al (1997 ) Phytochemistry 45, 1377-1383), anthocyanins (Yatsuhashi, H. et al (1982) Plant Physiology 70, 735-741 and Oelmüller, R. and Mohr, H. (1985). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. , USA 82, 6124-6128) and betacyanins (Rudat, A. and Goring, H. (1995). J. Expl. Bot. 46, 129-134) and these compounds have been implicated both in the defense of plants (Chappell , J. and Hahlbrock, K. (1984) Nature 311, 76-78 and Guevara, P. et al (1997) Phyton 60, 137-140) as in UV protection (Lois, R. (1994) Plant 194, 498-503; Ziska, LH. Et al (1992) Am. Jnl. Bot. 79, 863-871 and Fiusello, N. et al (1985) Allionia (Turin) 26, 79-88).

Document FR 3542567 describes the application from blue and / or red light to certain fruits, usually fruits not collected, at night during periods of long duration measured in days. In addition, it seems that the effect of such light was also determined on leaf discs incubated in a 0.1 sucrose solution molar in an incubator. The purpose of that invention seems to be alter the concentration of anthocyanin in fruit skins to make them seem more attractive to the consumer. It doesn't seem to be done mention of the actual level of light intensity that hits the fruit surface and there seems to be no reference to any relationship between the light source (s) used and how far they should be from the surfaces of the fruit.

In document FR 3542567, it is stated that the light intensity of the referred source is within the range of 1 to 200 microW / cm2 (from 100 microEinsteins to 20,000 microEinsteins), depending on the wavelength of light used (for example, blue light at 0.82 microW / cm2 (82 Einsteins); red light 1.19 microW / cm2 (119 microEinsteins) over a period of 114 hours (leaf disks); for example light red at 10 microW / cm2 (1,000 microEinsteins) and 20 microW / cm2 (2,000 microEinsteins) on treated apple trees for 30 nights at 15 minutes per night; for example blue light and light red at approximately 100 microW / cm2 (10,000 microEinsteins) on apples for 4 hours between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. tomorrow).

WO 2004/103060 describes the application of white light enriched with blue to plant material collected that can perform photosynthesis. However, that International application does not include a technical education for light blue that is being applied at a particular light intensity to the surface of the target plant material.

Although comments on the effects of certain bands of UV light and infrared light for alter, usually increase the levels of certain substances phytochemicals within plant cells, the available technique it seems not to pronounce on the effect of making light from wavelengths of the visible spectrum of light intensity specifies on the surface of plant cells or surface of Plant tissue.

A recognized issue that is associated with collected vegetables and parts of picked vegetables is that levels of plant phytochemicals, such as secondary metabolites of plants, begin to decrease almost immediately after collection. For example, as the collected vegetables are processed to freeze and / or canned or they are simply placed in refrigerators, such as instruments domestic, or simply on open surfaces in a room for short periods so that consumers eat later, they lose a lot of their nutritional content as soon as at the levels of phytochemical substances found therein. Such phytochemicals include antioxidants such as vitamins, for example vitamins C and / or E, glucosinolates, such as Sinigrin, sulforaphane, glucosinolate 4-Methylsulfinylbutyl, and / or glucosinolate 3-methyl-sulfinylpropyl, progoitrin and glucobrasicin, isothiocyanates, Índoles (products of the glucosinolate hydrolysis), glutathione, carotenoids such as beta-carotene, lycopene, and carotenoids xanthophiles such as lutein and zeaxanthin, phenolic compounds that comprise flavonoids such as flavonoles (for example quercetin, rutin), flavanos / tannins (such as procyanidins comprising coumarin, proanthocyanidins, catechins and anthocyanins), flavones (for example artichoke luteolin), phytoestrogens such as cumestanes, lignans, resveratrol, isoflavones for example genistein, daidzein and glycytein, and resorcyclic acid lactones, and organoazufre compounds, phytosterols, terpenoids such as carnosol, rosmarinic acid, glycyrrhizine and saponins and chlorophyll and chlorophyllin, sugars and others food products such as anthocyanins, vanilla and others agents modifying the texture and flavor of vegetables and fruits and Similar. Research indicates that the properties Antioxidants of certain phytochemicals may help to protect against the effects of chronic diseases and aging, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease in mammals, and particularly in humans.

Thus, phytochemicals can serve as pharmaceutical compounds themselves in mammalian species, such as humans, or pharmaceutically active derivatives can be synthesized from other phytochemicals, therefore such as intermediates, and can be isolated from plants. Thus, phytochemical substances that can be pharmaceutically substantially inactive can find use to provide intermediate products for the synthesis of active ingredients for the treatment of diseases such as cancers, and / or in the treatment of the pain of mammals suffering from diseases, such like human beings. Phytochemical substances that are known to be useful in the design of and / or the provision of pharmaceutically active compounds include vincristine and vinblastine of Catharanthus roseus , taxanes such as those described in US Patent No. 5,665,576, for example, taxol (paclitaxel ), baccatin III, 10-deacetylbacatin III, 10-deacetyltaxol, xylosiltaxol, 7-epitaxol, 7-epibacatin III, 10-deacetylcephaloomanine, 7-epicephalomanine, taxotere, cephalomannin, xylosyl-cephalomannin, taxagifine, 8-benzoyloxy-taxag 9 -acetyloxy-taxusin, 9-hydroxy-taxusin, taiwanxam, taxane, taxane Ib, taxane, taxane Id, GMP paclitaxel, 9-dihydro-13-acetylbacatin III and 10-deacetyl-7-epitaxol of plants of the family of taxaceae such as plants of the genus Amentotaxus, Austrotaxus, Pseudotaxus, Torreya and Taxus , for example of plants of the genus Taxus , such as T. brevifolia, T. baccata, T. x media (for example Taxus media hicksii, Taxus x media Rehder ), T. wailichiana, T. Canaden sis, T. cuspidata, T. floridiana, T. ceiebica and T. x hunneweiliana, T. Canadensis , and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) of cannabis plants such as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis , and others Pharmaceutical products such as genistein, diadzein, codeine, morphine, quinine, shikonin, ajmalacina, serpentine and the like.

It has been observed below that by exposure or direction of certain wavelengths selected from those that form white light on the plant material collected such as parts of green plants or plant cells that comprise chlorophyll, the transient may be increased level of phytochemical substances in it. Such substances Phytochemicals include primary and secondary metabolites such as described herein and other phytochemicals for use as pharmaceutical products, for example, such as referenced herein. Due, the level of desired plant phytochemical substances, such as secondary plant metabolites, for example, antioxidants, may increase in the collected plant material by simply application of light wavelengths for periods of time relatively short selected wavelengths or bands found in cold light, that is, visible light.

According to the present invention a procedure for altering the level of at least one substance phytochemistry in a collected plant cell comprising chlorophyll or in collected plant tissue comprising chlorophyll, being able to performing said plant cell or said plant tissue photosynthesis or absorb light energy, affecting only blue light of the visible spectrum on the surface of the plant cell or the plant tissue, in which the light intensity of the blue light that collides with said surface of the plant cell or said surface of plant tissue is enough to start a biochemical process within said plant cell or said plant tissue altering from that way the level of at least one phytochemical in the same.

The expression "collected plant tissue" can comprise collected plant matter including parts of cut plants such as broccoli florets, green beans, heads of cabbage, picked fruits such as apples, pears and others green or immature fruits, such as immature tomatoes, and can include any form of plastid that a substance can form plant phytochemistry with the application of at least blue light at same. Examples of such plastids include ethioplasts, chloroplasts and chromoplasts.

The level of intensity of blue light that collides with the surface of the collected plant cell or plant tissue collected can be anyone that affects a level alteration of at least one phytochemical substance inside the cell Vegetable or plant tissue. The intensity of blue light that collides with the plant cell or the collected plant tissue can be minus 5 microEinsteins +/- 3 microEinsteins. Intensity level of blue light used in the process of the invention can be in the range of from 5 microEinsteins +/- 3 microEinsteins up to 400 microEinsteins +/- 50 microEinsteins; since 5 microEinsteins +/- 3 microEinsteins up to 300 microEinsteins +/- 50 microEinsteins; from 5 microEinsteins +/- 3 microEinsteins to 200 microEinsteins +/- 50 microEinsteins; from 50 microEinsteins +/- 10 microEinsteins up to 150 microEinsteins +/- 30 microEinsteins; approximately 100 microEinsteins +/- 20 microEinsteins; 200 microEinsteins +/- 50 microEinsteins; 250 microEinsteins +/- 50 microEinsteins and the like, depending on the design. An example of the level of blue light in combination with light red, that is, in which the plant material is not exposed to any another light source other than blue and / or red light, is provided in the examples below herein using cooling conditions of 0ºC-1ºC, that is a temperature that can be used in a domestic refrigerator typical. The process of the invention whether it uses blue light alone as a combination of two wavelengths of light selected from only the visible spectrum blue and red, you can be used at any temperature in the range from -0.5º centigrade to a higher room temperature at which collected plant cells can still perform the activity photosynthetic An appropriate temperature range in which you can using the method of the invention is from -0.5 ° centigrade to approximately 45 ° centigrade and in a application of the method of the invention, can be used within of a cooling temperature range normally found in domestic refrigeration conditions and commercial refrigeration conditions or other conditions of cooling, such as from -0.5º Celsius to 18º centigrade, and preferably from about 1st centigrade up to approximately 16 degrees Celsius, and most preferably from about 1 centigrade to about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 degrees Celsius. The expert it will also be appreciated that the method of the invention can be used to a temperature in the range of from about + 8º Celsius to about room temperature (+ 25º centigrade) Normally, the process of the invention will be performed on collected plant material in which moisture relative environment is between 60% and 100%, such as the 65% RH, 70% RH, 75% RH or 80% RH. The level of intensity of blue light on the surface of the plant part can be increased with white light from a second source of light or in which white light is not used, the second source of light can provide red light, the combined level of intensity of light that collides with the surface of the plant material from the two such light sources may be in the range of from 40 microEinsteins +/- 25 microEinsteins up to 3,000 microEinsteins +/- 300 microEinsteins or more depending on the design. Examples of intervals of combined blue and red light intensities that can be used in the present invention include 240 microEinsteins +/- 100 microEinsteins up to 2,000 microEinsteins +/- 200 microEinsteins; of 300 microEinsteins +/- 100 microEinsteins up to 1,500 microEinsteins +/- 150 microEinsteins; 500 microEinsteins +/- 200 microEinsteins; of 40 microEinsteins +/- 10 microEinsteins up to 100 microEinsteins +/- 25 microEinsteins; of 15 microEinsteins +/- 5 microEinsteins up to 300 microEinsteins +/- 50 microEinsteins; from 15 microEinsteins +/- 5 microEinsteins up to 200 microEinsteins +/- 20 microEinsteins; of 15 microEinsteins +/- 5 microEinsteins up to 150 microEinsteins +/- 15 microEinsteins; 40 microEinsteins +/- 10 microEinsteins and the like. Naturally the subject matter expert will appreciate that lower light intensities for red, blue or combinations of red and light blue from 30 microEinsteins +/- 10 microEinsteins up to approximately 100 microEinsteins +/- 25 microEinsteins will be sufficient for your use in refrigeration or other covered applications such as domestic family items and the like.

The blue light wavelength used can be selected from the range of 410 nm to 490 nm so that the selected blue light wavelength can, or the blue light wavelengths, can alter the level of phytochemicals found in a collected plant cell or collected plant tissue. Normally, the level of phytochemical substances contained within the collected plant material is raised with exposure to desired wavelengths of light for a suitable time interval and to a suitable light intensity according to the invention. Examples of blue light wavelength ranges and values used in the process of the invention include from 420 nm-480 nm; from 435 nm to 465 nm; and 450 nm +/- 15 nm. Thus, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the blue light wavelength (s) used in the present invention on plant material, such as collected vegetables or green leaf matter or green plant cells in culture, such as moss cells, for example Physcomitrella patens cells, according to the method of the invention, constitutes (n) wavelengths of blue light and does not include (n) wavelengths of violet or higher energy light .

Additionally, the collected plant material can be exposed to blue light from a light source together with white light (i.e. visible spectrum light) a from a second light source. This second light source white may already be enriched with blue light, as in the case of conventional light emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit light that it presents a deviation towards the emission of blue light, and in the case of certain white halogen lights for example the Quartzline EHJ, 24 V light, 250 W, from General Electric. The first and / or second  light source can also be enriched with red light of a wavelength that is in the range of from 600 nm-700 nm. The intensity of red light of red light which collides with the target plant material as described in the This memory is normally in the range of from 1 up to 200 microEinsteins +/- 50 microEinsteins. Examples of the intensity of red light colliding with the material surface Vegetable includes 5 microEinsteins +/- 2 microEinsteins up to 150 microEinsteins +/- 50 microEinsteins; of 30 microEinsteins +/- 5 microEinsteins up to 150 microEinsteins +/- 50 microEinsteins; of 25 microEinsteins +/- 10 microEinsteins up to 100 microEinsteins +/- 20 microEinsteins; and the like The expert will appreciate that the intensity real light to be used on the surface of the plant It will depend on the design and plant material used.

In addition, it should be understood that the lengths of wavelength or the wavelength of light used (s) herein invention are selected from the so-called wavelengths of "cold light", that is, the light used in the present invention It does not include UV wavelengths and is not constituted by infrared wavelengths, both forms that are potentially dangerous for use. In a preferred embodiment, the wavelengths or bands of light used are found in the range from 420 nm to 490 nm for blue light; from 400 nm to 700 nm for white light enriched with blue light as described In the present memory; and / or 600 nm to 700 nm for red light or in any combination of wavelengths of light in this regard, depending on the design and the phytochemical substance of interest. Examples of the red wavelength used herein invention can be selected from a wavelength within from the range of from 600 nm to 700 nm; 620 nm to 680 nm; from 625 nm to 670 nm; or at approximately 640 nm +/- 15 nm. May used in the process of the invention blue or red light or a combination of both blue and red light at any energy reason Dadaist. For example, the blue light energy ratio: red light can be selected from within the range of from 10: 1 to 1:10, of 9: 1 to 1: 9, from 8: 1 to 1: 8, from 7: 1 to 1: 7, from 6: 1 to 1: 6 and from 5: 1 to 1: 5, such as from 5: 2 to 2: 5, from 5: 3 to 3: 5 or from 5: 4 to 4: 5. Another blue light: Red light reasons can be selected from within the intervals from 4: 1 to 1: 4, from 3: 1 to 1: 3, from 2: 1 to 1: 2 and 1: 1 and any permutation within these intervals depending on the design. The real energy ratio of red, blue or azuixoja light or light red: selected blue may depend on the species, the age of the parts of the plant, the phytochemical substance of interest and the design. Normally, a unit of energy for blue light can be approximately 15 microEinsteins +/- 3 microEinsteins and one power unit for red light can be about 2 microEinsteins +/- 1 microEinsteins. From such approaches can be prepared the intensity of red light light, or blue light, or the reason for blue light: red light that has an impact on plant material, such as leaf surfaces. Naturally, the expert will appreciate that depending on the cells vegetables or plant tissue used, the length of time that the plant tissue or cells are exposed to the light of wavelengths summarized herein will be altered with design. Suitably, the length of time that cells vegetables and plant tissue may be exposed to lengths of wave used in the present invention to give an effect on the levels of phytochemicals to be observed is during a predetermined time interval. The interval of time can be selected from a continuous time interval or a Pulse time interval. Normally, the time interval is a time interval per pulses of a frequency default that extends over a period of time that is of longer duration than said time interval per pulse. He period of time may be of any duration and may be of Up to 96 hours or more. When a range of Pulse time, the pulse time interval can be any duration and can be found, for example, in the interval from 1 second to 120 minutes; from 1 minute to 60 minutes; of 5 minutes to 40 minutes; from 10 to 30 minutes; from 10 to 20 minutes; of 15 minutes and the like, depending on the design, kind of part of The plant and requirements. Naturally, the subject matter expert you will appreciate that there will be a time interval between pulses of light during which the light sources described will not affect the plant material of interest. In addition, the subject matter expert you will appreciate that these time intervals between pulses of light separated may be shorter than the light interval by pulses, of the same duration as the light interval by pulses or of longer duration than the range of light pulses. Normally, the level of phytochemicals rises with the application of light to the cultivation of plant cells or plant tissue for short time intervals as referenced in This memory.

In another variant in the operation of the method of the present invention, the light from said a or more light sources are made to influence the cell surface vegetable or plant tissue over a period of time default for a continuous time interval. The interval of continuous time can be of any length of time up to 96 hours or more. Examples of time intervals Continuous include 168 hours; 144 hours; 96 hours; and 72 hours and Similar. Examples of intervals from which they can be selected continuous intervals include from 30 minutes to 96 hours; of 30 minutes to 96 hours; from 30 minutes to 48 hours; from 30 minutes to 24 hours; from 30 minutes to 12 hours; from 30 minutes to 8 hours and Similar. Naturally, the subject matter expert will also appreciate that the number of minutes or hours will be selected depending on the design, kind of plant and need.

In another aspect, the invention can be employed in any plant tissue that can respond to exposure to, or irradiation with, wavelengths of light as summarized herein. Preferably, the plant tissue comprises tissue that can perform photosynthesis and / or adsorb blue and red light. The plant material that can be used in the process of the invention includes all green vegetables and green seeds, for example peas, green beans, spinach, tirabeques (sugary pea) species of Brassica oleracea such as broccoli, green cabbage, red cabbage , Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, cauliflower, white cabbage and the like, and all plant materials, such as green plant material, for example, cells comprising chlorophyll, green stems, calyx, leaves and the like that can respond to wavelengths of light as described hereinbefore. Another plant material that can be treated according to the methods of the invention can be green material such as green needles derived from non-vegetable sources such as plants of the order the taxaceae as described herein, tea leaves, of cells that are made grow in plant cell cultures in bioreactors such as tissues and moss cells (e.g. protonema) of Physcomitrella patens , and other plant cell cultures, for example, callus cell cultures, cultures of Lemnospora species, algae or even clusters of somatic embryonic cells and fruits such as tomatoes, apples, grapes, immature (green) bananas, mangoes, kiwis, pineapples, and the like. Naturally, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that "fruit" is used in the context of the consumer in the supermarket or greengrocer.

In another embodiment, a procedure of elevation of the content in phytochemical substances in plant tissue or living plant cells in an environment by the exposure of said tissue or said plant cells to a light of at least one selected wavelength of light from wavelengths found in cold light from a artificial light source. Naturally, the subject matter expert you will appreciate that the light, as described herein and used in the present invention, alters the substance profile phytochemicals of a plant cell or a plant tissue, such as Find a collected tissue. Preferably, the combination of light sources includes red light of a wavelength that can be selected from a wavelength within the range of from 600 nm-700 nm, preferably from 620 nm-680 nm, more preferably from 625 nm-670 nm, and generally at approximately 640 nm +/- 15 nm. Light can be used in the process of the invention blue or red or a combination of blue and red light, or a combination of red and / or blue light with white light at any energy reason selected In a preferred embodiment, said cells vegetables or said plant tissue can be placed under cover. The "Covered" expression means that cells or tissue are covered when they are exposed, for example, during a food processing stage before processing additional such as frozen, canned or heat treated or cooked as referenced hereinbelow memory.

When an advantage of the shock is to be achieved with heat from collected plant cells or plant tissue collected, the process of the invention can be used at a temperature within the range of +35 degrees Celsius up to about +45 degrees Celsius, for example, at +40, +41, +42, +43, +44 or +45 degrees Celsius, during a period of from a few seconds, for example from 30 seconds to about few minutes, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 minutes or more depending on the type of plant tissue and design. Naturally, the expert will appreciate that the temperature of heat shock should be such that it does not adversely affect the general viability of the plant material that is subjected to a stage of heat shock

In another aspect, a procedure is provided of collection of plant cells or plant tissues to cover, in which said plant cells or said plant tissues are exposed to light as described herein to from one or more sources of artificial light.

They are also included as an aspect of the present invention plant cells or plant material collected that can be obtained by a procedure according to present invention and presenting altered levels of substances phytochemicals, usually high levels of substances photochemicals compared to plant cells or plant material that have not been exposed to light of wavelengths used in the procedure of the present invention.

The term "Cover" has to be understood as a general term and can be considered to mean a receptacle in which plant cells or material can be placed vegetable, for example a closed container with a light source incorporated therein, such as a refrigeration unit that it comprises a built-in light source that can be activated at demand during a predetermined time interval. So for carry out the process of the invention, can be used cooling means, such as a conventional refrigerator that it comprises a light source that can emit blue light in the manner described above herein. Alternatively, the "covered" expression can be considered to mean a processing factory in which the collected plant material is exposes one or more light sources that produce light of length appropriate wavelength or wavelengths over a period of time short during the processing operation, such as canning, frozen plant material, or immediately before cooking of canned food or food manufacturing for babies, for example purees and the like, and processed foods additionally such as soups, vegetable-based sauces and Similar.

Therefore, as another aspect of the invention, provides a processed food that can be obtained through a food processing procedure by exposure of living plant cells at a light of wavelengths such as are described herein at light intensities such as are described herein. Wavelengths of light suitable are those described herein and apply during predetermined time intervals, appropriate as described herein. Still another aspect of the invention provides a food processing procedure which comprises exposing living plant cells to lengths of light wave as described herein from At least one source of artificial light. Normally the (s) Wavelength (s) of light is selected from wavelengths as described herein and are apply for a predetermined period of time enough to alter the phytochemical profile of the collected plant tissue and / or exposed plant cells.

"Plant cells" also include tissues or parts of the plant that have an aromaticity that can be detected by the sense of human smell when cut or collected. Such plants may naturally have aromaticity, for example in the case of cut herbs, of cut leaves. Parts or plant tissue or cells include elements of the Labiatae family, such as broadleaf herbs. Suitable examples of broadleaf herbs include basil, oregano, sage, coriander, dill, marjoram and thyme. Other herbs, such as cut herbs that can benefit from being treated according to the present invention include chives, garlic, bay leaf, lemon balm, mint, lavender, parsley, fennel, for example, fennel with a tan color and common fennel and the like. A more complete list of common herbs to which the invention can be applied should be found in Taylors Guide to Herbs 1995, Ed. Buchanan R. & Tenebaum F. Houghton Mifflin Co. New York: Teaching this guide reference is incorporated by the present report to the teaching of the present specification. Naturally, the expert will appreciate that said plant cells or said parts of the plant are alive when exposed to light according to the present invention and can respond to the application of the light stimulus derived from cold light.

Plant cells or parts of the plant can be collected at any stage of growth provided that the collected tissue or plant cells can respond to the wavelength and duration light application as summarized In the present memory. In a preferred embodiment, the plant tissue or cells collected from broadleaf herbs they can be exposed to wavelengths of light used in the present invention of sheet phase 3 to 4 and most preferably In the case of culinary herbs such as basil, the phase of sheet 5. Tissue and / or plant cells such as Culinary herbs and green vegetables are exposed in the most useful as described herein immediately before processing (for example, lyophilization, addition to processed foods such as sauces, soups, canned goods and  similar), that is, after the collection of cuts of such plants and / or the provision of young plants to process, for example as dried herbs Dried herbs treated with light as summarized here immediately after collection, for a short period of time, particularly the measurements in the phase of sheet 5, is considered to have an increase of aromaticity with respect to controls that are not exposed to light such as described herein.

Artificial sources or light source they can be of any suitable conventional type, such as a light emitting diode or even a white light source comprising filters that let light of the length (s) of desired wave (s). The light source can be placed to any distance of the collected material provided that the light energy used enough to influence, for example to induce or saturate the evolution of oxygen at the center of the reaction of photosystem II and / or provoke, that is, give rise to stress transient photooxidative and / or a moderate inhibition of transport of electrons from photosynthesis. Optimizing light energy and the light composition can be realized, for example, by the control of the evolution of oxygen and chlorophyll, procedures conventional ones that use fluorescence (for example according to instruction manual and software of Hansatech Instruments Ltd., King's Lynn, UK). It is preferable to place the light source in a position that provides the largest amounts of irradiation per square unit (for example, cm 2, m 2, etc.) of collected plant material. Adequately, depending on the size of the covered area, for example that of a compartment of processing in a processing factory, or of a refrigerator or from another container such as a microwave oven or a magnetron equipped with a suitable light source that can be activated manually or automatically, for example, using programming means and thereby emitting wavelengths of light as indicated herein and described herein. Alternatively, a separate container can be used. specifically designed to expose cells or parts of the plant in light of wavelengths as described herein memory. In another alternative, the number of light sources can be from just one to a complete "battery" of light sources arranged in series and / or in parallel, for example, in an environment of processing factory, each light source being distanced from properly with each other at appropriate intervals such that effect exposure of plant material to a light of lengths waveform as described herein which gives as result a significant alteration of the level of substances phytochemicals found therein, preferably an increase in the desired photochemical substances.

In another embodiment of the invention, provides the use of blue light from a source of artificial light in a cell processing procedure Vegetables or plant tissue collected under cover. Preferably, the Blue light wavelength is selected from the lengths of light wave found as described herein. Blue light can be used in conjunction with other wavelengths of light as described herein.

In another embodiment, the use of the least blue light in a procedure such as described herein to increase the content in Phytochemical substances in collected live plant material. Preferably, said plant material is located under cover.

In another embodiment of the invention there is provided the use of parts of the plant exposed to blue light as described herein in the manufacture of food products for humans, such as frozen vegetables (eg spinach or parts from the plant of a kind of Brassica ) or seeds (for example peas), canned or bottled condiments, for example sauces for meat, fish and chicken dishes, flavorings, for example tapenade, salad dressing, cooking oils such such as olive oil, sunflower oil and the like, soups, pasta and cheeses.

As another application of the present invention, blue light or red light or a combination of red and blue light can be used in a greenhouse environment in plant growing. In many northern hemisphere countries such as the Netherlands, the Scandinavian countries, Belgium, Germany and the UK, many varieties of decorative plants, lettuce, tomatoes and other salad vegetables grown in the greenhouse are grown under cover. The lighting is supplied in the form of yellow light, usually sodium lamps. However, such lighting systems lose a lot of energy like heat and do not mimic the blue, red or red and blue spectra of natural sunlight. By modulating the light intensity of the blue and / or red light with which the plants are affected, it is possible to optimize the plant's growth phase and improve the number of seeds that germinate, the appearance of the plants and the yield . Therefore, plants can be produced that have optimal health and that have a complete complement of phytochemicals as mentioned herein. In still a further embodiment of the invention, the use of blue light and / or red light is provided to improve the number of seeds that germinate from plants grown under cover in a greenhouse or in a hydroponic cultivation system. In addition, the use of blue light and / or red light to optimize the appearance of plants grown in the greenhouse or in a hydroponic system is provided as another aspect of the invention. Such uses provide more efficient production of plants grown under cover in the greenhouse, such as decorative plants, salad plants such as lettuce, tomatoes, Capsicums and the like.

According to a further aspect of the invention, provides an apparatus for performing the procedure according to any of the above aspects, the apparatus comprising a enclosure defining an exposure camera, support media arranged in the chamber to support the plant material in it of a manner and position such as to allow exposure to the light from a plurality of directions, and means of generation and application of light to generate blue light and to apply light generated to the plant material in the support during a period of predetermined time and from a plurality of addresses to provide an exposure of the material to light from more than one side.

The enclosure preferably has the form of a suitable volumetric housing, for example cuboidal, which is closed on some or all of its sides. A accommodation of this type can range from an instrument of relatively small size of the type compatible with use domestic, for example a concept similar to a microwave oven, up to a medium sized device suitable for use in commercial food preparation establishments, for example, a restaurant, up to a large facility appropriate for the treatment of bulk material in a context industrial, such as a food processing plant. In In the case of larger-sized applications, the enclosure can take the shape of a structure delimited by walls, base and ceiling representing internal elements integrated or incorporated from a building.

The exposure chamber defined by the enclosure it can be similarly of any appropriate subject volume only to the consideration that it must be large enough to harbor light paths to the plant material in the support in all the intended directions, but preferably not so large that the paths to the material are of a length such that undue energy expenditure is necessary to ensure the application of the required light intensity.

The support means in a basic form of they comprise an element, such as a shelf, forming a surface on which the plant material can be placed. In that case, the element must be permeable to light, or by means of construction from a transparent material such as glass or transparent plastics or by building from an intrinsically non-transparent or opaque material that presents openings for the passage of light, for example a plate with holes, of grid or mesh. Other forms of support media are equally possible depending on the type of plant material, by example strips that can be hooked on the end parts of the material if it is stably, tweezers or clips to fix and stretch or suspend the material, a pin or pins to support the material punctually or even nail the material or a receptacle (either transparent or perforated) to receive the material, particularly loose material. Numerous are possible different forms of support media as long as the light can reach several sides of the material so that the material is exposed to light along a sufficient proportion of its area.

In addition, the support means can be stationary or mobile depending on whether the plant material is going to stay in the camera in a fixed location or will move to Through the camera In the case of material movement, the support means can be stationary and the enclosure itself, including the means of generating and applying light, it can be mobile so that it moves, perhaps reciprocally, in relation to the support means and the material in the support. At case of mobile support means or a mobile enclosure, the enclosure it can be formed with one or more openings defining an entrance and a combined exit or entrance / exit, and the o each opening optionally by means of a door or other means of closing.

The means of generating and applying light preferably comprise a plurality of light sources, a single light source with an appropriate number of reflectors located properly or a plurality of light sources along with reflectors The use of reflectors reduces costs energy at the expense of some attenuation of light intensity, which may or may not be important depending on the size of the exposure chamber and the amount of plant material that is going to be treated The number and arrangement of the light source or the light sources and reflectors are selected therefore preferably depending on the construction parameters of the apparatus and also of the treatment method parameters particular. In a small-sized instrument, the light sources can be mounted, for convenience in the provision of the supply of energy, in the same general region, for example a roof of the camera, and provide reflectors in the base region of the camera. The light output surfaces of the sources and the planes of the reflective surfaces of the reflectors can orient to ensure that light wavelength or Selected wavelengths goes directly to the part top, bottom and sides of plant material in the support. Such light sources can be, as already mentioned, individual lamps or series of lamps, for example bulbs incandescent or fluorescent tube lights. Reflectors they can be, for example, mirrors, polished metal panels or simply covers or reflective coatings applied to the internal surfaces properly oriented of the enclosure. The light emission at preferred wavelength ranges, such as described herein, it can be achieved transmitting the light emitted by the or each source through a transmission filter that lets light through only one specific wavelength selected. Similarly, the duration of the application of light to plant material in the support can be controlled by switching the operating voltage of the source or sources of light by means of programming with a Time selection facility. However, control of the duration of exposure to light can be achieved equally well by other optical measures, including shielding or protecting the plant material, shield or protect the source or sources of light and reflector or reflectors, and influencing so selective so that reflective surfaces are made transmissive with respect to light. Alternatively, the treated plant material can be removed from the exposure chamber at the end of the predetermined period of time, or by expulsion after a stop time in a state of rest or by camera exit after moving through it for a predetermined period of time, covering such transfer both the movement of the support means that support the material such as the movement of the enclosure including the source or light sources and any associated reflector.

Light generating means can understand a plurality of light sources for different shapes of light, for example, a blue light emitting source, such as one or more blue light emitting diodes (LED), and a light emitting source white, such as one or more white light emitting diodes (LEDs) conventional. The light generating means may comprise also one or more sources of red light emitting, such as, one or More red LED. If a single light source that emits is used light wavelengths of the selected wavelength in a apparatus of the invention, or a plurality of sources are used of light emitting a combination of light of different lengths of Wave, will depend on the nature and purpose of the device.

It is understood that the teachings of all references cited herein are incorporated into the Present descriptive report.

The invention will be described below. referring to the following examples. It is understood that the examples are not to be considered in any way by title limiting the scope of the invention.

TABLE 1

one

Examples section A. Broccoli

Control: Samples 1.1-1.3 are broccoli florets from a supermarket. Vitamin C level was measured by assay (Foyer et al . (1983) Plant 157: 239-44; Wise & Naylor (1987) Plant Physiol. 83: 278-82; Yoshimura et al . (2000) Plant Physiol. 123 : 223-33) in the samples before light treatment.

Samples 2.1-2.3 are broccoli florets treated with i) white light enriched with light blue (distance of the light source from the sample, 50 cm) over a period of 4 hours (600 microE +/- 50 white light enriched with blue light of halogen lamps (Quartzline EHJ, light 24 V, 250 W, obtained from General Electric) and ii) with 15 pulses min. additional (15 min. with pulses; 15 min. without pulses; distance of the light source with respect to the sample, 30 cm) of blue light alone (20 microE +/- 3 generated by LED (333 / 2UBC / C340, GaN / SiC supplied by Everlight Electronics Co. Ltd. Taipai 236 Taiwan), applied during the same period of 4 hours.

Vitamin C levels were measured using the same test that was used in the control.

Samples 3.1-3.3 are broccoli florets treated only with white light enriched with blue light (distance of the light source from the sample, 50 cm) over a period of 4 hours (600 microE +/- 50 white light enriched with blue light of halogen lamps (Quartzline EHJ, light 24 V, 250 W, obtained from General Electric).

The results are shown in Table 1.

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B. Arugula

Control: Samples 4.1-4.3 are arugula samples from a supermarket. Vitamin C level was measured by assay, Foyer et al . (1983) Plant 157: 239-44; Wise & Naylor (1987) Plant Physiol. 83: 278-82; Yoshimura et al . (2000) Plant Physiol. 123: 223-33) in the samples before light treatment.

Samples 5.1-5.3 are sheets of arugula treated with i) white light enriched with blue light (distance of the light source from the sample, 50 cm) during a period of 4 hours (600 microE +/- 50 enriched white light with blue light of halogen lamps as described for the example of previous broccoli) and ii) with pulses of 15 min. additional (15 min. With pulses; 15 min. Without pulses; distance from the source of light relative to the sample, 30 cm) of single blue light (50 microE +/- 5 LED generated as used in the broccoli example above) applied during the same period of 4 hours.

Vitamin C levels were measured using the same test that was used in the control.

Samples 6.1-6.3 are sheets of arugula treated only with white light enriched with blue light (distance of the light source from the sample, 50 cm) during a period of 4 hours (600 microE +/- 50 enriched white light with blue light of halogen lamps as described previously).

Vitamin C levels were measured using the same test that was used in the control.

The results are shown in Table 1.

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C. Peas

Peas were treated as described to the broccoli and arugula samples provided above. Be observe alterations in vitamin C levels.

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D. Green cabbage

Green cabbage obtained from a supermarket was treated as described for broccoli and arugula samples provided above. Alterations are observed in the vitamin C levels

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E. Green Beans

Green beans obtained from a supermarket as described for broccoli samples and arugula provided above. Alterations are observed in the vitamin C levels

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F. Tirabeques

Tirabeques (sugary pea) were treated. obtained from a supermarket as described for the samples of broccoli and arugula provided above. They look themselves alterations in vitamin C levels.

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Improvement of the nutritional value of vegetables collected through application of red and blue light at cooling temperatures

This report presents a procedure that illustrates some appropriate light treatments of collected parts of the plant that can be used for storage of fresh vegetable product collected in refrigerators domestic or commercial refrigeration and other areas of storage.

Material and procedures

Broccoli, French lettuce (romaine), tirabeques and green peppers ( Capsicum ) were obtained from a local supermarket.

The plant material was placed in a refrigerator in the dark (0º-1º centigrade at 80% relative humidity) over a period of 10 days.

During this period, the plant material was exposed to blue and red light combined using a custom-built luminous screen as described in the British patent application being processed along with this
GB 06 23 636.8, whose teachings are incorporated herein, comprising 12 red light diodes and 12 blue light diodes, "Lumiled" LXHL-LD3C diodes (trade name) and "Lumiled" LXHL-LR3C diodes (trade name ), respectively. The plant parts were exposed to the combined blue and red light conditions for 2.5 hours a day for a period of 10 days in the following light combination at the given light intensities: blue light (B), 5 microE xs <-1> m <2> (0.5 W) and red light (R), 10 microE xs <-1> m <2> (1.0 W) at 0 ° C. The distance of the light source from the shelf was 35 cm.

Samples were taken for the analysis of vitamins and sweetness at the beginning of the experiment, T_ {0} and after second, fourth and eighth day of exposure to light conditions, previous temperature and humidity. The plant material was maintained control in the same refrigerator, but in the dark.

Sweetness

Sweetness was measured with a refractometer of pocket according to the manufacturer's instruction booklet (PAL-3 pocket refractometer, ATAGO®, Tokyo, Japan). Samples were taken for measurement just before each exposure to the combination of red light: blue in each case.

Vitamin C

The level of vitamin C (ascorbate) was measured (Foyer et al . (1983) Plant 157: 239-44; Wise & Naylor (1987) Plant Physiol. 83: 278-82; Yoshimura et al . (2000) Plant Physiol. 123: 223-33) by testing all samples using methodologies described in the field.

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Results and Discussion General state of the plants during the experiment

During the first days, (less than 4 days) of exposure of plant material to the above conditions is not observed significant differences in senescence and loss Fresh weight and freshness of plant material compared to Control plant material kept in the dark. But nevertheless, after 4 days and afterwards, the differences became evident. He exposed plant material, that is, the test plant material, it was generally in a better state than the plant material control. Symptoms of decomposition and senescence were observed of the plant material control after 7 days, while the material Test vegetable remained in good or very good condition. Further, after a week the test plant material had a smell nice while the control plant material produced the smell characteristic but not intense senescence and decomposition. During the 7-day period the differences became obvious. These observations are consistent with the data presented in the Tables 1 and 2 (below).

Sweetness

The sweetness (measured as Brix index) of all analyzed plants increased after exposure to red and blue light combined at 0 degrees Celsius as described above (Table 1) compared to control plants maintained at 0º centigrade Increased sugar levels were due to the activation of photosynthetic activity in test plants. It is well known that photosynthesis converts CO2 and H2O into sugars and chemical energy that is stored in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Decreased sugar levels observed in plant material stored in the dark correlate with the accelerated decomposition and senescence of plant material, what which is associated with increased respiratory processes (metabolization of sugars and lipids in chemical energy).

TABLE 1 Sweetness (Brix) of lettuce, broccoli, pea and green pepper. Samples were taken at different points of time (T_ {0}, 2-days, 4-days and 8-days) after treatment with red light and light combined

2

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Vitamin C

The changes in the level of sweetness were going accompanied by an increase in ascorbate levels (table 2).

The increase in content was observed in Vitamin C in plant material exposed to blue and red light combined. Taken together, the results presented indicate that the combined blue and red light treatment gives optimal results in as for the increased vitamin C content and sweetness.

It is hereby presented that the red and blue light treatment of collected plant material can increase levels of vitamins and sugars and avoid senescence in plants stored in refrigerators.

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TABLE 2 Vitamin C content (µmol per g of weight fresh) of lettuce, broccoli, tirabeque and green pepper. They were taken samples at different time points (T_ {0}, 2-days, 4-days and 8-days) after combination treatment red and blue light

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3

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Rapid improvement of the nutritional value of vegetables collected by applying high intensity blue and red light to ambient temperatures Introduction

This report presents a procedure that illustrates some appropriate light treatments of collected parts of the plant that can be used for improvement Quick nutritional values of fresh vegetable product collected directly before consumption.

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Material and procedures

Broccoli, pepper ( Capsicum ) and cabbage were obtained from a local supermarket.

First the plant material was submerged in water in a glass mixing bowl and exposed directly at a high intensity of combined red and blue light for periods of up to 45 minutes.

Green plant material was exposed at previous light conditions for up to 45 minutes in the following light combination: red light (R), 340 microE (34.0 W) and blue light (B), 200 microE x s -1 m -2 (20 W) at 20 degrees centigrade

Samples were taken for the analysis of vitamins and sweetness at the beginning (T0) of the experiment and after 15 (T 15), 30 (T 30) and 45 (T 45) minutes of exposure to given light conditions and temperature. The ones were kept control plants in the dark and samples were taken for the Vitamin and sweetness analysis at T 0 and T 45.

Sweetness

Sweetness was measured with a refractometer of pocket according to the manufacturer's instruction booklet (PAL-3 pocket refractometer, ATAGO®, Tokyo, Japan).

Vitamin C

The level of vitamin C (ascorbate) was measured (Foyer et al . (1983) Plant 157: 239-44; Wise & Naylor (1987) Plant Physiol. 83: 278-82; Yoshimura et al . (2000) Plant Physiol. 123: 223-33) by testing all samples using methodologies described in the field.

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Results and Discussion Sweetness

The sweetness (measured as Brix index) of all analyzed plant material increased after exposure to red light and blue combined at 20 degrees Celsius as described to continuation (table 1) compared to non-plant material Exposed kept in the dark. Increased levels of sugars were due to an increased photosynthetic activity in the plant material exposed to light. It is well known that the photosynthesis converts CO 2 and H 2 O into sugars and energy Chemistry stored in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

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TABLE 1 Sweetness (Brix) of broccoli, cabbage and green pepper. Be sampled at different time points (T_ {0}, 15 (T 15), 30 (T 30) and 45 min. (T 45)) after treatment with the combination of red and blue light as described in the present memory

4

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Vitamin C

The changes in the level of sweetness were going accompanied by an increase in ascorbate levels (table 2).

The increase in vit content was observed. C in plant material exposed to a combination of blue and red light (see table 2). Taken together, the results presented indicate that the combination of red and blue light treatment of High intensity gives optimal results when it comes to vit content. C and sweetness quickly increased.

It is hereby presented that the red and blue light treatment of collected parts of the plant can quickly increase vitamin and sugar levels just before consumption

TABLE 2 Vitamin C content (µmol per g of weight fresh) of broccoli, cabbage and green pepper. Samples were taken at different time points (T_ {0}, 15 (T_ {15}), 30 (T_ {30}) and 45 min. (T_ {45})), after being treated with a combination of light red and blue

5

With reference now to the attached drawings, shows a schematic elevation of the apparatus 10 suitable for the performing a procedure that shows by way of example the invention. The apparatus 10 has the form, only by way of a example of a suitable domestic instrument for use in the kitchen and comprises a housing 11 generally cuboidal with roof, base and three permanently closed walls, running the fourth wall (not shown) as a door that Provides access to the interior of the accommodation.

The accommodation joins an exhibition chamber presenting, in an approximately central position a plate 12 of glass that serves as a support for the plant material 13 that goes to be exposed to the treatment light in the chamber. Such light is generated by three light sources 14 separated from each other arranged in the upper region of the chamber and presenting exit surfaces 15 of light oriented to direct the light generally towards the part upper plate 12 and therefore the upper surface of the plant material supported on it, and generally laterally of the plate towards the base of the camera. In the vicinity of the base and in positions such as to intercept the directed light laterally, receptors 16 are arranged in the form of inclined mirrors so that the incident light is directed towards the bottom side of plate 12 and therefore the bottom surface of the plant material, exposing the lower surface to light under the transparency of the plate. The illustrated location of the reflectors 16 and associated reflected light rays is simply by way of example and others can be provided reflectors of this type to reflect rays obliquely towards front and back with respect to the drawing plane. He material 13 supported on plate 12 is then exposed to light both on its upper and lower surface and, to varying degrees, on its lateral surfaces. It has been found that a provision of this type of light sources and reflectors provides a balance between effective exposure of plant material in the support to the generated light and a simple construction with costs of economic performance

Light sources include filters of transmission to let only light of a wavelength pass selected or selected wavelengths in the range of 400 to 700 mm and are controlled by a programmable timer 17 in the power supplies 18 so that light is emitted during a predetermined period of time for it to be sufficient to achieve the desired transient alteration in the photochemical substances of cell or tissue of the treated plant material.

Therefore, the instrument can be used in convenient way to perform the procedure of treatment immediately before cooking or consuming the material treaty.

Claims (61)

1. Procedure for altering the level of at least one phytochemical substance in a collected plant cell comprising chlorophyll or in collected plant tissue comprising chlorophyll, said plant cell or said plant tissue can perform photosynthesis, and / or being able to absorb blue light causing only blue light to affect the surface of the plant cell or plant tissue, in which the light intensity of the blue light that collides with said surface of the plant cell or said surface of the plant tissue is sufficient to initiate a biochemical process inside said cell
plant or said plant tissue, thereby altering the level of at least one phytochemical in them. 2. Method according to claim 1, in the one that the intensity of blue light light that collides with the cell Vegetable or plant tissue collected is at least 5 microEinsteins +/- 3 microEinsteins. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the intensity of blue light light that collides with the cell Vegetable of collected plant tissue is in the range of from 5 microEinsteins +/- 3 microEinsteins to 400 microEinsteins +/- 50 microEinsteins. 4. Procedure according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein said blue light is applied from of at least a first light source, and the red light is applied to from at least a second light source. 5. Method according to claim 4, in the one that the combined light intensity from the light sources blue and red that collides with the plant cell or plant tissue found in the range of from 15 microEinsteins +/- 5 microEinsteins up to 300 microEinsteins +/- 50 microEinsteins. 6. Method according to claim 5, in which said light intensity is in the range of from 15 microEinsteins +/- 5 microEinsteins up to 200 microEinsteins +/- 20 microEinsteins 7. Procedure according to any of the claims 4 to 6, wherein said light intensity is found in the range of from 15 microEinsteins +/- 5 microEinsteins up to 150 microEinsteins +/- 15 microEinsteins. 8. Procedure according to any of the claims 4 to 7, wherein said light intensity is 40 microEinsteins +/- 10 microEinsteins. 9. Procedure according to any of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the blue light wavelength is found in the range of 420 nm to 490 nm. 10. Method according to claim 9, in the one that the wavelength of the blue light is in the range from 430 nm to 470 nm. 11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, in which the wavelength of said blue light is at the range from 435 nm to 465 nm. 12. Procedure according to any of the claims 4 to 11, wherein the red light is a length of wave that is in the range of 600 nm to 700 nm. 13. Method according to claim 12, in the one that the blue light energy ratio: red light is in the range from 7: 1 to 1: 7. 14. Method according to claim 13, in the one that the blue light energy ratio: red light is in the 6: 1 to 1: 6 range. 15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, in which the blue light energy ratio: red light is found in the range of 5: 1 to 1: 5. 16. Procedure according to any of the claims 13 to 15, wherein the blue light energy ratio: Red light is in the range of 2: 1 to 1: 2. 17. Procedure according to any of the claims 13 to 16, wherein the blue light energy ratio: Red light is 1: 1. 18. Procedure according to any of the claims 1 to 17, wherein the ambient temperature is found in the range of -0.5º Celsius up to 45º centigrade 19. Method according to claim 18, in that the ambient temperature is in the range of -0.5º centigrade at 18º centigrade. 20. Method according to claim 18 or 19, in which the ambient temperature is in the range from 1st centigrade to approximately 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 degrees Celsius. 21. Procedure according to any of the claims 18 to 20, wherein the ambient temperature is found in the range of 1º centigrade to 12º centigrade. 22. Procedure according to any of the claims 1 to 21, wherein the procedure is performed at a relative humidity that is in the range of 60% to 100% of HR 23. Procedure according to any of the claims 1 to 22, wherein the light from said one or more light sources are made to influence the cell surface plant or plant tissue for a period of time predetermined. 24. Method according to claim 23, in which said time interval is selected from an interval of continuous time or by pulses. 25. Method according to claim 23 or 24, in which the time interval is pulsed at a frequency default that extends over a period of time that is of longer duration than said time interval by pulses 26. Method according to claim 25, in which said time interval is up to 96 hours. 27. Method according to claim 25 or 26, in which the time interval is in the range of 1 second to 120 minutes for each pulse of light. 28. Method according to claim 27, in the one that the time interval is in the interval of 1 Second to 60 minutes. 29. Procedure according to any of the claims 23 to 27, wherein the time interval is found in the range of 5 minutes to 45 minutes. 30. Procedure according to any of the claims 23 to 29, wherein the time interval for Pulses are in the range of 10 minutes to 30 minutes. 31. Procedure according to any of the claims 23 to 30, wherein the time interval is found in the range of 10 minutes to 20 minutes. 32. Method according to claim 31, in The time interval is 15 minutes. 33. Method according to claim 23 or 24, wherein said time interval is a time interval continuous from 30 minutes to 96 hours. 34. Method according to claim 33, in which said time interval is from 60 minutes to 96 hours. 35. Method according to claim 33 or 34, in which the time interval is from 60 minutes to 48 hours. 36. Method according to claim 35, in which the time interval is from 60 minutes to 24 hours. 37. Method according to claim 36, in the time interval is between 60 minutes and 12 hours. 38. Procedure according to any of the claims 1 to 37, wherein the plant cell or tissue collected vegetables are selected from among plant tissue that can perform the photosynthesis that is selected from among green stems, chalice and leaves of higher order plants, algae cells, moss protonema and cell cultures of plant species upper and lower unpleasant or inedible and / or groceries. 39. A method according to claim 38, wherein the plant cell or plant tissue collected is obtained from a plant selected from the group consisting of herbs, Catharanthus roseus , taxaceae family plants, Cannabis plants, green vegetables and green seeds 40. A method according to claim 38, wherein the collected plant cell or plant tissue is obtained from a plant selected from the group consisting of Catharanthus roseus , peas, green beans, spinach, tirabeques (sugary pea), species of the Brassica oleracea such as broccoli, green cabbage, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, cauliflower, white cabbage, lettuce, Chinese cabbage, moss tissue such as Physcomitrella patens protonema, lemnospora species cultures, algae cell cultures, clusters of embryonic somatic cells and fruits such as tomatoes, apples, grapes, immature (green) bananas, mangoes, kiwis and
pineapples. 41. Procedure according to any of the claims 1 to 40, wherein the at least one substance Phytochemical is selected from among antioxidants. 42. Method according to claim 41, in which the phytochemical substance is selected from between vitamin C and Vitamin E. 43. Plant material or plant cells obtainable by a procedure according to any of the claims 1 to 42. 44. Processed food comprising material plant or treated plant cells that can be obtained by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 43 45. Apparatus for performing the procedure according to any one of claims 1 to 43, comprising an enclosure which defines an exposure camera, support means arranged in the chamber to support the plant material in its interior in such a way and in a position that allows exposure to light from a plurality of directions, and means of light generation and application to generate blue light and to apply the light generated to the plant material in the support during a predetermined period of time and from a plurality of directions to thereby provide material exposure in the light from more than one side. 46. Apparatus according to claim 45, in the that the enclosure presents the form of an enclosed accommodation in so minus some of the sides of it. 47. Apparatus according to claim 45, in the that the device is a domestic table instrument. 48. Apparatus according to claim 45, in the that the enclosure comprises a structure delimited by walls, a base and a roof, at least some of which are provided by internal or integral elements of a building 49. Apparatus according to any of the claims 45 to 48, wherein the exposure chamber is dimensioned so that the lengths of the light paths in at least most of the addresses allow the exposure of the material to a predetermined light intensity for a given minimum expenditure of operating energy of the means of light generation and application. 50. Device according to any of the claims 45 to 49, wherein the support means are arranged so that the light can reach several sides of the material to expose it to light along a proportion Default minimum of your area. 51. Apparatus according to any of the claims 45 to 50, wherein the support means comprise an element that has a surface on which it can put the material. 52. Apparatus according to claim 51, in the that the element is of construction and / or material permeable to the light. 53. Device according to any of the claims 45 to 52, wherein the support means and the enclosure can move each other. 54. Apparatus according to any of the claims 45 to 53, wherein the generating means and light application comprise a plurality of light sources for emit light in different directions. 55. Device according to any of the claims 45 to 54, wherein the generating means and light application comprise a single light source and a plurality of reflectors to reflect light from the source in different directions. 56. Device according to any of the claims 45 to 52, wherein the generating means and light application comprise a plurality of light sources and a plurality of reflectors to emit light and reflect light, respectively, in different directions. 57. Device according to any of the claims 54 to 56, wherein the or each light source It comprises a light emitting diode. 58. Device according to any of the claims 45 to 57, wherein the generating means and application of light include elements that emit light and / or that they reflect light arranged on a plurality of sides of the enclosure. 59. Apparatus according to claim 58, in the that the means of generating and applying light can be made function also to emit at least one of blue light and light red 60. Device according to any of the claims 45 to 59, comprising switching means to turn off the light generation and application means after operation for the predetermined period of time. 61. Device according to any of the claims 45 to 60, comprising programming means to select the default time period.