Temperature and Light-Dependent Quercetin Glycoside Transformation in Shallot Bulbs: Integrated Assessment of Bioactive Dynamics and Storage Quality

Shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.) contain valuable quercetin glycoside bioactive compounds that undergo complex transformations during postharvest storage. This study aimed to elucidate the transformation kinetics of individual quercetin compounds under different temperature-light combinations to optimize storage protocols for improved bioactive retention. Fresh shallot bulbs were stored using factorial combinations of temperature (15 vs 30 °C) and light conditions (darkness vs 18,000 lux). Individual quercetin compounds (quercetin 3,4’-diglucoside, quercetin 4’-glucoside, free quercetin, and quercetin 3-glucoside), reducing sugar content, and weight loss were monitored during storage. Temperature and light exhibited interactive effects on the kinetics of quercetin transformation. The combination of 15 °C with 18,000 lux illumination produced maximum free quercetin accumulation (27.00 g/kg dw) at day 12, substantially enhancing bioactive compound concentrations. Higher temperature (30 °C) accelerated conversion rates but reduced overall compound stability, with rapid degradation observed in later storage phases. Additionally, storage at 15 °C in darkness best maintains reducing sugar stability (64.51 mg/100 g dw), whereas storage at 30 °C with light exposure shows a steep decline to 32.89 mg/100 g dw, indicating metabolic instability. These findings provide insight into optimizing postharvest storage of Allium crops to retain functional compounds in tropical environments. HIGHLIGHTS Temperature-light interactions control quercetin transformation 15 °C with light maximizes free quercetin Cool, dark storage best preserves reducing sugar stability High temperature (30 °C) increases bioactive conversion but reduces compound stability Temperature-light management protocols enhance bioactive retention GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

• Publication year

  2025

• Venue

  TRENDS IN THE SCIENCES

• Publication date

  2025-10-30

• Fields of study

  Not labeled

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.48048/tis.2026.11293
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

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  Semantic Scholar

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• No concepts are published for this paper.

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