Supplemental white LED lighting enhances strawberry fruit quality and physicochemical properties under tropical climate conditions

Light exposure during cultivation can alter the concentration of bioactive compound in strawberries. This study employs engineered lighting using white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and conventional sunlight in a controlled indoor environment to determine the effects on the physicochemical properties of three strawberry cultivars: “Haruhi,” “KS75,” and “Sakura,” which originated from Japan by cross-breeding. The results showed that the exposure of white LED significantly affects the physicochemical characteristics of all three cultivars. In particular, “Sakura” exhibited an increase in flavonoid content, fresh fruit weight, and moisture content. Independent statistical analysis of each cultivar revealed that pH (3.91), fruit color (54.41 C*ab), and antioxidant activity (0.72%) were predominantly associated with “Sakura.” Meanwhile, vitamin C content (59.40 mg 100 g−1) and dry fruit weight (14.50 g plant−1) were highest in “KS75,” whereas total phenol content (0.451 mg g−1) was most prominent in “Haruhi.” These results provide valuable references for plant breeding efforts to develop new strawberry cultivars with enhanced nutritional quality, adapted to tropical climates.