Abstract / Summary
Abstract Although light quality influences tomato phenolic biosynthesis, its impact on the bioaccessibility and probiotic growth remains unclear. Thus, bioaccessibility, phenolic profiles of in vitro digested tomatoes, and their effects on Lactobacillus plantarum growth were assessed using greenhouse-grown Plum Regal (PR) and TAM Hot-Ty (THT) varieties under supplemental blue (B), ultraviolet-B (UV-B), combined (B + UV-B), and no supplemental light (control). Supplemental lighting modulates phenolic bioaccessibility in a genotype-dependent manner. While UV-B may promote structural binding of hydroxycinnamic acids, blue light tends to favor soluble phenolics accumulation in tomatoes. Growth kinetics modeling revealed predominantly sigmoidal growth patterns, whereas UV-B-treated PR digesta exhibited a distinct double-sigmoidal response. The elevated caffeic and ferulic acid content in UV-B samples suggests their partial contribution to the double-sigmoidal growth pattern observed in L . plantarum . Thus, this study demonstrates how horticultural practices could be leveraged to enhance the functional potential of tomatoes as a prebiotic source.