Postharvest exogenous melatonin treatment of strawberry reduces postharvest spoilage but affects components of the aroma profile

El-Mogy, Mohamed M, Ludlow, Richard A, Roberts, Callum, Muller, Carsten T ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0455-7132 and Rogers, Hilary J ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3830-5857 2019. Postharvest exogenous melatonin treatment of strawberry reduces postharvest spoilage but affects components of the aroma profile. Journal of Berry Research 9 (2) , pp. 297-307. 10.3233/JBR-180361

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Strawberries are perishable fruits that decay quickly after harvest, but are valued for their distinctive taste and aroma. Melatonin is involved in plant resistance against stress, plant senescence and fruit ripening, and was shown to delay post-harvest spoilage of strawberries. OBJECTIVE: The effects of melatonin postharvest treatment on shelf-life and volatile organic compound profile were assessed in strawberry fruits cv “Luca”. METHODS: Strawberry fruit were treated with 100 μM melatonin and stored at 4°C for 12 days to assess whether melatonin treatment could delay spoilage without adversely affecting aroma. RESULTS: Melatonin treatment delayed fruit deterioration by reducing weight loss and incidence of decay as well as maintaining total soluble solids, titratable acidity, anthocyanin, and taste. Melatonin treatment also significantly reduced CO2 production compared to control fruits. The relative abundance of the majority of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was not affected, however abundance of two VOCs that are important components of strawberry aroma were affected by melatonin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Post-harvest treatment of strawberries with 100 μM melatonin improved strawberry quality and conserved bioactive compounds after 12 d of storage. However, components of the aroma profile were altered in a way which may affect consumer perception of quality.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Biosciences
Publisher:	IOS Press
ISSN:	1878-5093
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	9 January 2019
Date of Acceptance:	21 December 2018
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2023 18:42
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/118191

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