Biochemical dynamics during postharvest: Highlighting the interplay of stress during storage and maturation of fresh produce.

The lifecycle of fresh produce involves a sequence of biochemical events during their ontology, and these events are particularly significant for climacteric fruits. A high demand during ripening is observed in these plant products, which is reflected in a high rate of respiration and ethylene production. Increased respiratory demand triggers the activation of secondary pathways such as alternate oxidase, which do not experience critical increases in energy consumption in non-climacteric fruit.

Phytochemical Enhancement in Broccoli Florets after Harvest by Controlled Doses of Ozone.

The objective of this work was to examine the effect of controlled doses of O (0, 5 µL L of O for 60 min, and 5 µL L of O for 720 min) on the quality and phytochemical content of broccoli florets during postharvest storage. The optimal dose was found at 5 µL L of O for 60 min, from the color retention of broccoli florets exposed to the gas treatment. Overall, the antioxidant capacity of the florets was significantly affected by both doses of O compared to the non-exposed florets.

Abiotic stress hormesis: An approach to maintain quality, extend storability, and enhance phytochemicals on fresh produce during postharvest.

Postharvest losses of whole and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables cause significant reductions in food availability and an increase in economic losses/damages. Additionally, regulatory agencies are increasingly restricting the postharvest use of synthetic chemicals. This has strengthened the need to develop environmentally friendly approaches to postharvest management, such as utilization of natural compounds, antagonist microorganisms, and treatments with abiotic stresses, among others.

Quality and PR gene expression of table grapes treated with ozone and sulfur dioxide to control fungal decay.

Background: Gaseous fumigants are commonly employed to control fungal decay of cold-stored grapes. So far it is not clear if these fumigants, besides the direct interaction against fungal structures, induce transcriptional responses of defensive markers. In order to contribute to understanding the mechanisms by which these fumigants exert their effect, we studied the influence of ozone (O3) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) on the decay caused by Botrytis cinerea, and the quality and expression of the defense-related genes chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in the table grape cultivars 'Redglobe' and 'Sugraone'.