Role of Melatonin and Pomegranate Seed Oil in Maintaining the Quality of Mexican Limes during Storage

Mexican limes have a limited shelf life due to color changes and reduced freshness. This study evaluated the effects of Melatonin (ML) and Pomegranate Seed Oil (PSO) on maintaining postharvest quality at ۲۰±۲°C and ۵۰-۶۰% relative humidity. The results showed that melatonin at ۱۰۰ and ۲۰۰ µM+PSO exhibited the highest overall fruit acceptability. The control group displayed the most weight loss (۲۰.۸%), while PSO demonstrated the least (۱۲.۵%). With the exception of the PSO treatment, all other treatments exhibited significantly elevated levels of phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidants. The PSO and control treatments demonstrated the lowest catalase (۶۹ U mg-۱ FW) and peroxidase (۵۳.۵ U mg-۱ FW) activities, while the highest polyphenol oxidase activity (۹۹.۶ U mg-۱ FW) was also observed in these groups. The control and PSO treatments also exhibited the highest Total Soluble Solids (TSSs) content (۸.۲%) and the lowest acidity (۸.۵%). Overall, most traits exhibited significant differences between the treatment groups and the control, excluding the PSO treatment.

کلیدواژه ها:

Antioxidant ، Citrus ، Postharvest quality ، shelf life