Impact of light quality (white, red, blue light and UV-C irradiation) on changes in anthocyanin content and dynamics of PAL and POD activities in apical and basal spear sections of white asparagus after harvest

•Red light and UV-C inhibited anthocyanin synthesis in spear tips.•Light responses of PAL and POD activities differed in the apical and basal sections.•PAL was inhibited by red and blue light and accelerated by UV-C.•POD was promoted by UV-C and inhibited by white, red and blue light.•Targeted radiation wavelength might be used to trigger quality related processes.