Search Results (100)

Melatonin (MEL), also known as N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, has been reported in plants as a secondary messenger involved in regulating abiotic stress responses. MEL treatment, either preharvest or postharvest, regulates several physiological and biochemical processes during fruit growth and ripening in horticultural products. These include reproductive development, tissue and quality maintenance, delayed senescence, and responses to abiotic stress. Due to its natural origin, low toxicity, and multifunctional regulatory capacity, MEL has recently attracted attention as a promising ‘green preservative’ for sustainable postharvest management. Additionally, MEL coordinates through cross-talk with other plant hormones, such as abscisic acid, ethylene, polyamines, jasmonic acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, salicylic acid, and nitric oxide, to regulate postharvest ripening and senescence. Furthermore, MEL enhances antioxidant systems and improves membrane integrity, thereby alleviating chilling injury and enhancing fruit firmness and colour. Notably, recent evidence highlights the innovative regulatory mechanisms of MEL involving redox homeostasis, hormone signalling reprogramming, and transcriptional modulation of stress-responsive pathways. MEL could therefore be considered an emerging, eco-friendly tool for prolonging the shelf-life of fruit and vegetables and maintaining their quality. This review summarises the mechanisms by which MEL contributes to plant stress resistance by regulating the biosynthesis and metabolism of stress tolerance and improving fruit quality. Full article

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most important tropical fruits; however, its limited postharvest shelf life restricts its commercial distribution. This study aimed to assess the influence of edible coatings formulated with high-acyl gellan gum (HAG), low-acyl gellan gum (LAG), and their blends enriched with an aqueous extract of Scenedesmus spp. on the preservation of mango quality during postharvest storage. The film-forming solutions based on HAG, LAG, and their combination (HAG/LAG) were enriched with Scenedesmus spp. extract at two concentrations (1 and 2% w/v) and subsequently employed for coating whole mango fruits. The coated samples were analyzed throughout storage to assess their physicochemical and physiological quality attributes, including weight loss, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, color variation, malondialdehyde accumulation, antioxidant activity, respiration rate, ethylene production, and hydrogen peroxide content. The results showed that coated fruits exhibited reduced color changes, lower weight loss, and improved visual acceptability compared to controls. Coatings containing 2% Scenedesmus spp., particularly HAG-based formulations, significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and stabilized respiration rate and ethylene production, delaying ripening and senescence. These effects were associated with the oxygen barrier properties of gellan gum and the antioxidant compounds present in Scenedesmus spp. Overall, the findings highlight that HAG coatings enriched with Scenedesmus spp. represent a sustainable and efficient approach to extend shelf life and preserve the physicochemical and nutritional attributes of mangoes. Full article

Plant-based extracts and elicitors (signaling molecules that activate the fruit’s innate defense responses) have emerged as promising and sustainable alternatives to synthetic chemicals for preserving postharvest fruit quality and extending shelf life. This review provides a comprehensive analysis, uniquely complemented by a bibliometric assessment of the research landscape from 2005 to 2025, to identify key trends and effective solutions. This review systematically examined the efficacy of various natural compounds including essential oils (complex volatile compounds with potent antimicrobial activity such as lemongrass and thyme), phenolic-rich botanical extracts like neem and aloe vera, and plant-derived elicitors such as methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid. Their preservative mechanisms are multifaceted, involving direct antimicrobial activity by disrupting microbial membranes, potent antioxidant effects that scavenge free radicals, and the induction of a fruit’s innate defense systems, enhancing the activity of enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD). Applications of edible coatings of chitosan or aloe vera gel, nano-emulsions, and pre- or postharvest treatments effectively reduce decay by Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium spp.), delay ripening by suppressing ethylene production, minimize water loss, and alleviate chilling injury. Despite their potential, challenges such as sensory changes, batch-to-batch variability, regulatory hurdles, and scaling production costs limit widespread commercialization. Future prospects hinge on innovative technologies like nano-encapsulation to improve stability and mask flavors, hurdle technology combining treatments synergistically, and optimizing elicitor application protocols. This review demonstrates the potential of continued research and advanced formulation to create plant-based preservatives, that can become integral components of an eco-friendly postharvest management strategy, effectively reducing losses and meeting consumer demands for safe, high-quality fruit. Full article

Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) is a climacteric fruit with high endogenous ethylene production, which accelerates ripening and limits shelf life, especially during transport and exportation, leading to significant losses for producers and distributors. This study evaluated the effect of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and zeatin (Zea) on delaying the ripening of Hartón plantains grown in Colombia. The goal was to assess whether these plant regulators could delay physicochemical changes under simulated cold chain conditions. A completely randomized design was used with nine treatments, plus a control, each with five replicates. Fruits were stored at 11 ± 2 °C and 75% relative humidity for 25 days. Pulp firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, starch, chlorophyll, carotenoids, total polyphenols, and polyphenol oxidase activity were assessed. The combination of GA₃ + Zea was effective in preserving firmness, maintaining starch and chlorophyll content, and limiting increases in soluble solids and polyphenol oxidase activity associated with senescence. This delayed ripening did not affect structural integrity or caused oxidative stress. Combined application of GA₃ and Zea is a low-cost and effective strategy to extend the shelf life of plantains for export, benefiting the tropical agri-food chain. This approach offers a practical alternative for maintaining fruit quality without the need for costly preservation technologies. Full article

Banana fruits are harvested and then undergo rapid ripening and senescence, sharply limiting their shelf-life and marketability. Myo-inositol (MI) is an important regulator in ethylene production and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation; however, its involvement in the postharvest ripening process of banana remains to be determined. This study found that postharvest application of MI could efficiently delay the fruit ripening and extend the time in which the luster, color, and hardness were maintained in two cultivars with contrasting storage characteristics, storable ‘Brazil’ and unstorable ‘Fenza No. 1’, when stored at room temperature (23 °C ± 2 °C). Moreover, physiological, metabolic, and gene expression analyses indicated that MI application improved MI metabolism and postponed ethylene biosynthesis and cell wall loosening. The decrease in ethylene production was associated with a reduction in the expression of ACS1 and ACO1 genes. MI treatment decreased the expressions of PL1/2, PG, and EXP1/7/8, which may account for the delay in softening. In addition, the application of MI could alleviate ROS-mediated senescence and cell membrane damage by promoting the activities of SOD, POD, and anti-O₂⁻ and decreasing PPO activity. This study shed light on the function of MI in regulating the postharvest ripening and senescence of bananas and provided an efficient strategy for extending shelf-life and reduce losses. Full article

This study presents a non-invasive approach to monitoring post-harvest fruit quality by applying CO₂ laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (CO₂LPAS) to study the respiration of “Conference” pears from local and commercially stored (supermarket) sources. Concentrations of ethylene (C₂H₄), ethanol (C₂H₆O), and ammonia (NH₃) were continuously monitored under shelf-life conditions. Our results reveal that ethylene emission peaks earlier in supermarket pears, likely due to post-harvest treatments, while ethanol accumulates over time, indicating fermentation-related deterioration. Significantly, ammonia levels increased during the late stages of senescence, suggesting its potential role as a novel biomarker for fruit degradation. The application of CO₂LPAS enabled highly sensitive, real-time detection of trace gases without damaging the fruit, offering a powerful alternative to traditional monitoring methods. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) models, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), were explored to enhance data interpretation, enabling early detection of ripening and spoilage patterns through volatile compound profiling. This study advances our understanding of post-harvest physiological processes and proposes new strategies for improving storage and distribution practices for climacteric fruits. Full article

Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) is valued for its flavor, nutrition, and economic importance, yet as a climacteric fruit, it undergoes rapid postharvest senescence due to respiratory surges and ethylene production, leading to flavor loss and reduced marketability. Recent advances in postharvest physiology, including ethylene regulation, metabolic analysis, and advanced packaging, have improved preservation. Compared with traditional methods, emerging technologies, such as nanotechnology-based coatings and intelligent packaging systems, offer environmentally friendly and highly effective solutions but face high costs, technical barriers, and other constraints. This review examines changes in key flavor components—amino acids, phenolic compounds, sugars, organic acids, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—during ripening and senescence. It evaluates physical, chemical, and biotechnological preservation methods for maintaining quality. For instance, 1-MCP extends shelf life but may reduce aroma, underscoring the need for optimized protocols. Emerging trends, including biocontrol agents and smart packaging, provide a foundation for enhancing peach storage, transportation, and marketability. Full article

Transcription factors play a key role in plant growth and development. As the largest family of plant-specific transcription factors, the NAC family plays a central role in coordinating plant growth and development and environmental adaptation through its unique molecular design paradigm of “fixed N-terminal structural domain + variable C-terminal regulatory domain”. This review systematically analyses the multidimensional regulatory mechanisms of NAC transcription factors in developmental processes such as cell wall remodelling, root system architecture, leaf senescence and fruit ripening, and reveals their molecular basis for responding to biotic/abiotic stresses through strategies such as hormone signalling integration (ABA, SA, JA, etc.), antioxidant defence activation and metabolic reprogramming. The study found that NAC proteins precisely control plant growth through multiple regulatory mechanisms and have evolved to form both conservative and diverse functional modules, which are of great value for crop improvement. However, research still faces three major challenges: the NAC regulatory network in different crops is still unclear, the coordinated response to multiple stresses has not been solved, and the ecological risks of gene editing have not been assessed. To this end, this paper proposes to build an ‘NAC regulatory map database’ and use synthetic biology and artificial intelligence technology to design smarter, stress-tolerant and high-yielding crops, overcoming the limitations of traditional research. Full article

Melatonin is found in all classes of living organisms. In particular, in plants melatonin acts as an antioxidant that helps plants deal with both biotic and abiotic stress. In plants, melatonin improves seed germination, fruit ripening, photosynthesis, biomass production, circadian rhythm, membrane integrity, root development, leaf senescence, osmoregulation, and stress modulation. Melatonin concentrations vary enormously in different plants, different plant growth stages, different plant organs, and both the season and time of day that a plant is harvested. In addition, melatonin promotes root growth and development, prevents leaf senescence, promotes flowering and fruit ripening, promotes lateral root formation, stimulates gene expression of enzymes involved in photosynthesis, and protects plants from phytopathogen attack. Moreover, melatonin produced by soil bacteria can affect plant tolerance and health; in turn, melatonin synthesized by plants can influence the soil and rhizosphere microbiome. Finally, very recent literature indicates that melatonin can directly and positively affect the functioning of other soil bacteria. Full article

Decreases in chlorophyll control the degradation of green plants during leaf senescence and fruit ripening processes. Our previous daily monitoring of the natural senescence processes of Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) leaves demonstrated initial slow and later fast chlorophyll (Chl) decrease rates. In this study, Chl decrease processes were monitored by in situ visible and near-infrared spectroscopy during heating of maple leaves to 30–200 °C. The initial decreases with time in the 640–720 nm band area, due mainly to chlorophyll a after the water decrease, were fitted by first-order kinetics. The obtained rate constants k₁ from 200 to 60 °C showed a quasi-linear trend on an Arrhenius plot with an activation energy Ea of 38 kJ·mol⁻¹, while those from 60 to 30 °C had a different trend with an Ea of 91 kJ·mol⁻¹. Since the previous natural faster Chl decrease rates are on the extension of the higher-temperature trend, this process might occur without the protection of proteins in the photosynthetic system. On the other hand, the previous natural slower Chl decrease rates are on the extension of the lower-temperature trend, and might have protein protection. Full article

Water scarcity and climate change pose significant challenges to sustainable agriculture, emphasizing the need for optimized irrigation practices. This study evaluates the impact of limited irrigation (0.45 L/day per plant) compared to a control (0.87 L/day per plant) on tomato fruit quality and metabolic responses. Limited irrigation enhanced fruit flavor by reducing the pH from 4.2 to 3.4 and improved cellular integrity, with electrolyte leakage decreasing from 50% to 26%. Antioxidant levels increased, with the vitamin C content rising from 49 to 64 mg 100 g⁻¹ FW, while glucose and fructose accumulation contributed to improved sweetness. Notably, limited irrigation suppressed ethylene biosynthesis, reducing methionine, ACC, ACO activity, and ethylene production, which are key regulators of ripening and senescence. This suppression suggests the potential for extending shelf life and delaying over-ripening. These findings underscore the dual benefits of limited irrigation: enhancing fruit quality and supporting sustainable water use. This research provides a viable strategy for optimizing tomato production and postharvest quality in water-limited regions. Full article

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of carvacrol on the postharvest storage quality and cell wall metabolism of the ’Guichang’ kiwifruit. For this purpose, the ’Guichang’ kiwifruit is selected as the test material and treated with 0.03 mg/mL of a carvacrol solution for dipping. The storage quality and cell wall metabolism of the fruit are then evaluated under ambient conditions (20 ± 1 °C). The results indicate that treatment with carvacrol effectively reduces the postharvest respiration rate and weight loss in the kiwifruit, while preserving the levels of vitamin C (VC), soluble protein, total phenols, flavonoids, soluble solids, solid–acid ratio, and soluble pectin. Additionally, it delays the decline in the starch content and mitigates the increase in soluble sugars. Furthermore, carvacrol significantly decreases amylase activity and inhibits the elevation of polygalacturonase (PG), pectin methylesterase (PME), β-galactosidase (β-Gal), and cellulase (Cx) activity. Consequently, this treatment effectively maintains fruit firmness as well as protopectin (PP) and cellulose content at elevated levels. A correlation analysis shows that firmness is highly and negatively correlated with the cell wall degrading enzymes PG, PME, β-Gal, Cx, and α-L-Af, with R values of −0.88, −0.83, −0.98, −0.94, and −0.93, respectively. The negative correlation values for the control group are all lower than 0. In conclusion, treatment with carvacrol effectively preserves a high level of postharvest ripening quality in the kiwifruit, attenuates the metabolic processes of the cell wall, and delays fruit softening and senescence. Full article

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification process that can alter the functionality of a genome. It has been reported to be a key regulator of fruit ripening. In this study, the DNA methylation changes of CpG islands of ethylene signaling genes regulated by 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) during ripening and senescence of tomato fruit were detected. The results showed that the 1-MCP treatment decreased the accumulation of lycopene, maintained the content of vitamin C, and delayed the ripening and senescence of tomato fruit. The quantitative real-time PCR and bisulfite sequencing analysis showed that 1-MCP treatment changed the expression and the DNA methylation level of CpG islands related to the ethylene signaling pathway genes, among which the DNA methylation change of LeEIN3 was the most significant. Compared with the control, 1-MCP treatment increased the DNA methylation level of the CpG island of the LeEIN3 gene, reduced the expression of LeEIN3 in tomato fruit, and was involved in 1-MCP delaying the postharvest senescence of tomato fruit. The results indicated that DNA methylation changes of ethylene signaling genes were involved in ethylene synthesis and signal transduction and played an important role in the regulation of 1-methylcyclopropene, delaying postharvest ripening and senescence of tomato fruit. Full article

Buddleja saligna Willd. is an evergreen tree native to South Africa. Historically, the tree has been used for the treatment of various diseases and has been scientifically found to have promising pharmacological effects. In the current study, the phenological growth stages of B. saligna are characterised according to the Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale standardised coding. A total of eight out of ten principal growth stages have been described for the development of buds, leaves and shoots, inflorescence emergence, flowering, the development and ripening of fruits, and senescence. A total of thirty-three secondary growth stages were identified and described in detail. Illustrative images with codification have been provided to better define and describe the growth stages. The temperature fluctuations during the study period could have influenced the flowering time, as phenological shifts were observed during the study period. These data are a useful reference for efficient management, cultivation, and scientific research. Full article

The increasing global population has heightened the demand for food, leading to escalated food production and, consequently, the generation of significant food waste. Factors such as rapid ripening, susceptibility to physiological disorders, and vulnerability to microbial attacks have been implicated as contributing to the accelerated senescence associated with food waste generation. Fruits and vegetables, characterized by their high perishability, account for approximately half of all food waste produced, rendering them a major area of concern. Various postharvest technologies have thus been employed, including the application of phytohormone treatments, to safeguard and extend the storability of highly perishable food products. This review, therefore, explores the physicochemical properties and biological aspects of phytohormones that render them suitable for food preservation. Furthermore, this review examines the effects of externally applied phytohormones on the postharvest physiology and quality attributes of fresh produce. Finally, the review investigates the mechanisms by which exogenous phytohormones preserve food quality and discusses the associated limitations and safety considerations related to the use of these compounds in food applications. Full article