Effect of photochemical treatment in the preservation of fresh tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Capello) by delaying senescence
Rohanie Maharaj, Joseph Arul and Paul Nadeau
Postharvest Biology and Technology Vol: 15 Issue: 1 Pages: 13-23
1999
บทคัดย่อ
The effect of hormic dosage of ultraviolet radiation in delaying the senescence of tomato was investigated. Mature-green tomato fruit (var. Capello) were irradiated with ultraviolet light (UV-C, 200¯280 nm) corresponding to 0, UV¯3.7×103 J m-2 and UV-24.4×103 J m-2, and were stored at 16°C, under high relative humidity for a period of 35 days. Attributes of senescence such as weight loss, color, texture, respiration rate, ethylene production and putrescine were monitored periodically throughout the storage period. A dose of UV-3.7×103 J m-2 was found to be beneficial (hormic) in delaying ripening and senescence, while the higher dose impaired ripening and caused abnormal browning, manifested as sun-scalding of the fruit's surface. The development of color and softening of tissue were significantly retarded during storage in response to the treatment with the hormic dose (UV-3.7×103 J m-2). In addition to a delay in the climacteric response by at least 7 days, the respiration rate and ethylene production of the treated fruit were also reduced. The delay in senescence was attributed in part, to the maintenance of a high level of putrescine (antisenescence agents exerting opposite physiological effect to ethylene). The results suggest that photochemical treatment may have potential for preservation of fresh fruit and vegetables.