U.S. research shows: LED light irradiation will accelerate the deterioration of milk

Do you have a LED light in your fridge? More and more fresh supermarkets and stores are equipped with LED lights, but this may be bad news for people who drink milk.

A U.S. study shows that exposure to sunlight, LED light and other light sources have no small impact on the quality of milk. (photo: LEDinside)

Researchers at Cornell University have found that even a few hours of exposure to the LED light source can accelerate the rate of milk spoilage, even faster than the amount of time in the milk. The researchers hypothesized that not exposed to LED light under the condition that the quality of the milk can be maintained for two weeks. In the face of the longer storage of milk with just 4 hours of LED light, installed in the general translucent container of milk, consumers choose the reverse side of the former. As merchants began to use LED lights and other energy-saving light sources in the dairy collection and distribution sites, they may also unwittingly undermine the quality of dairy products.

"For some reason we like to see the sparkling milk on the shelves," said Robin, a senior researcher and assistant professor of food science at Cornell university. The milk contained in these transparent containers may be attractive, but may actually reduce the quality of these dairy products.

The quality and nutritional value of milk is inversely proportional to the ratio of sunlight and artificial light exposure, which is understandable. Riboflavin and other sensitive components of the milk in the light of the stimulus will become active, and release of electrons, resulting in decreased protein quality and lipid oxidation. The final result is the general description of the cabinet or plastic taste.

Currently popular on the market milk packaging will be more or less transparent, and even to ensure that the quality of the milk is not transparent plastic barrels will inevitably lead to deterioration of milk.

"Consumers want to drink the freshest quality of milk. "The study lead author Nicole Martin, is also the Cornell milk quality promotion plan of laboratory management said:" for most consumers, fresh meaning and product box above the preservation period close. The study shows that light is a key factor in determining the quality of milk. "

The wavelength of the LED light source is different from that of the fluorescent lamp used to illuminate the milk tank. LED lamps usually emit blue light, about 460nm, and produce a relatively large central luminous wavelength. The center of the luminous wavelength is close to the location of the absorption of riboflavin in milk, which is the reason why the researchers speculate that the nutrients in milk and quality damage.

Co authors of the study, but also the food safety department professor Martin Wedeman: "we found that in the under LED light irradiation conditions, most after sterilization of milk are kept in high quality for 14 days, this study provides new information for us to enhance the quality of milk, pointed out the direction; such as the use of opaque packing. "

Businesses use LED lights as energy-saving pipeline is becoming more common. The researchers suggest that milk companies switch to opaque packaging in order to minimize the effects of light. (compile: LEDinside editor, Zhang Yahan)

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