Document Type : Research Article-en
Authors
1 Horticultural Sciences, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
2 University of Hormozgan
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effects of preharvest melatonin spraying and immersion in xanthan gum on the overall quality and postharvest performance of Orlando tangelo mandarin fruits. After selecting suitable and uniform trees, melatonin foliar spraying was performed at three different concentrations: 0,100 μM, and 200 μM. Foliar spraying was performed one month before harvest and was repeated three times at weekly intervals. Furthermore, the fruits were immersed in two different concentrations of xanthan gum (0.1% and 0.2%) subsequently, these fruits were stored in a cold room at a temperature of 5±1°C. Evaluation of fruit characteristics was carried out at the time of harvest as well as after 45 and 90 days of storage in the cold storage. The results of the experiment showed that foliar spraying of melatonin at a concentration of 100 μM showed the highest weight and pulp of the fruit. Furthermore, melatonin treatment resulted in higher levels of ascorbic acid and increased fruit acidity compared to the control. During storage, fruits treated with melatonin and xanthan coatings showed better quality from those of the control. At the end of the experiment, the lowest weight loss was observed in fruits treated with 200 μM xanthan + 0.1% xanthan. The highest ascorbic acid content was observed in the 100 μM +0.1 xanthan. The maximum antioxidant activity was observed in 100 μM and 200 μM +0.1 xanthan and also melatonin 100 μM alone. In general, the findings suggest that preharvest foliar spraying and the application of xanthan coatings can be effective strategies for maintaining fruit quality during storage.
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