Enhancing peach quality and extending storability by regulating ethylene metabolism and enzymes using 1-(3-phenyl-propyl) cyclopropene and salicylic acid

ABSTRACT

To assess the influence of 1-(3-phenyl-propyl) cyclopropene (1-PPCP) and salicylic acid (SA) on the storability of peach (cv. ‘Early Swelling’), we applied the following treatments; 5 μL L⁻¹ 1-PPCP for 24 h, 2 mmol L⁻¹ SA for 5 min, and a combination of both treatments, concurrently, a control group. The fruit samples were stored at 6 ± 1°C with 90–95% RH for 28 d, followed by 3 d at 20°C to simulate market shelf life. The objective was to maintain fruit quality and enhance fruit storability. 1-PPCP+SA significantly reduced decay, weight loss, and respiration rate, while also contributing to the maintenance of fruit colouration and SSC. The treatments also led to a decrease in browning incidence, malondialdehyde levels, and electrolyte leakage. Additionally, they effectively slowed down the activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Furthermore, all treatments led to a reduction in ethylene production and the activity of key enzymes involved in ethylene biosynthesis, such as ACC-synthase and ACC-oxidase, when compared to the control group. Additionally, these treatments regulated related pectin-degrading enzymes such as pectin methylesterase (PME), β-galactosidase (β-Gal), and polygalacturonase (PG). Therefore, the utilisation of 1-PPCP and SA is suggested as post-harvest treatments to enhance the storability of peach while preserving overall quality.

KEYWORDS:

• Ethylene inhibitor
• firmness
• oxidative stress
• early swelling
• storage life
• senescence

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Deanship of Scientific Research, Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia for funding this research project (Project No. GRANT5524).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

Conceptualisation, E.H.K. and J.M.A.-K.; visualisation, E.H.K.; investigation, E.H.K.; methodology, E.H.K.; resources, E.H.K. and J.M.A.-K.; data curation, E.H.K.; formal analysis, E.H.K.; writing – original draft, E.H.K.; writing – review and editing, E.H.K. and J.M.A.-K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Data availability statement

The article includes the original contributions reported in the study; further questions can be referred to the corresponding authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by The Deanship of Scientific Research, Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia [Project No. GRANT5524].