Exogenous melatonin activates the antioxidant system and maintains postharvest organoleptic quality in Hami melon (Cucumis. melo var. inodorus Jacq.)

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1274939
• Publication Date: 2023-10-30T11:03:31Z
• Authors: Yue Wang; Minrui Guo; Weida Zhang; Yujie Gao; Xiaoqin Ma; Shaobo Cheng; Guogang Chen
• Keywords: Melon; Cucumis; Malondialdehyde

Hami melon is prone to postharvest perishing. Melatonin a signaling molecule involved in variety of physiological processes fruit, and it improves fruit quality. We hypothesized that melatonin treatment would improve the storage quality by altering its respiration reactive oxygen species (Graphical abstract). Our results indicated optimal (0.5 mmol L-1) effectively slowed softening, weight loss, respiratory rate fruit. Furthermore, markedly improved antioxidant capacity protected from oxidative damage decreasing contents superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde. significantly enhanced activities dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase. The total phenol, flavonoids, ascorbic acid were maintained treatment. This also repressed lipase, lipoxygenase, phospholipase D, which are related lipid metabolism. Thus, exogenous can maintain organoleptic increasing activity inhibiting production.