Postharvest L-phenylalanine Application on Shelf life and Physicochemical Characteristics of Sabrina Strawberry During Cold Storage

علوم باغبانی

Article 10, Volume 38, Issue 3 - Serial Number 63, September 2024, Pages 611-625   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jhs.2024.87437.1334

Authors

K. Manda-Hakki^* ; H. Hassanpour

Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
One of the most important global challenges is food waste, about 30% of the world's agricultural land is wasted. Every year, about 9.5 million tons of food is lost in the post-harvest phase of agriculture. Therefore, storage technology is very important to increase shelf life, preserve nutrition and maintain the taste of fresh products. Storing strawberry fruits at an inappropriate temperature after harvesting significantly increases weight loss, rotting and softening. L-phenylalanine as an amino acid is used for the biosynthesis of all phenolic compounds through the phenylpropanoid pathway. In recent years, the application of exogenous phenylalanine has been considered for use as a biologically safe molecule to maintain the postharvest quality of many horticultural crops. L-phenylalanine treatment has been reported to reduce the frost damage of plum fruit during cold storage by maintaining membrane integrity and improving reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity. The treated fruit showed a higher DPPH inhibition capacity by increasing the accumulation of phenolic compounds and antioxidant enzyme activity. Aghdam et al. (2019) also reported that application of L-phenylalanine significantly reduced cold damage, membrane lipid peroxidation and ROS accumulation in tomato fruits during cold storage.
 
Materials and Methods
Strawberry fruits were obtained from a commercial greenhouse located in Urmia at full maturity stage. The fruits were transported to the laboratory of the Department of Horticultural Sciences in Urmia University with necessary precautions to prevent any mechanical damage to the product. The fruits were separated in terms of size and uniformity, so that the fruits were divided into 3 groups, one group as a control group and 2 groups were treated with concentrations of L-phenylalanine (4 and 8 mM). After drying the treated fruits, they were placed in zipped nylon bags and kept in a cold room for 15 days at a temperature of 3 ± 0.5 °C and a relative humidity of 90-95%. Also, three biological replicates at each time point were included in the analysis. The samples obtained at each of these times were used to evaluate skin color, titratable acidity, soluble solids, taste index, pH, weight loss, firmness, antioxidant capacity, total phenol content, and polyphenol oxidase enzyme activity.
 
Results and Discussion
The results showed that the effect of post-harvest treatment, storage time, and the interaction between them were statistically significant on all of the traits. In terms of color changes, the effect of post-harvest treatment (p≤0.05) was significant only in b* index, and the highest rate was observed in the 4 Phe treatment. The effect of storage time was also significant in a* and Chroma indices (p≤0.05) and the highest level was observed in both of these indices at day 5. The effect of storage time was also significant in TA (p≤0.01), the highest value was observed in day 10. In antioxidant capacity (p≤0.05), TSS (p≤0.05) and taste index (p≤0.01), the interaction effect between storage time and Phe treatment was significant. In antioxidant capacity, the highest percentage of DPPH inhibition was observed in day 10 and 4 Phe treatment, in TSS, the highest rate was observed on day 10 and 8 Phe treatment, and in taste index, the highest rate was observed on day 15 and 4 Phe treatment. The effect of post-harvest Phe treatment and storage period on fruit weight loss was significant (p≤0.05) and (p≤0.01) respectively, and the lowest percentage of weight loss was observed in Phe 4 and day 5. In terms of firmness and total phenol content, only the effect of Phe treatment was significant (p≤0.05) and (p≤0.01), respectively, the highest level of firmness in the 4 Phe treatment and the highest amount of total phenol content in the 8 Phe treatment were observed. In the PPO enzyme, only the effect of storage time (p≤0.05) was significant.
 
Conclusion
According to the obtained results, the 4 Phe treatment is the best concentration of phenylalanine to increase the shelf life of harvested strawberry fruits under cold storage.

Keywords

Amino acid; Fruit firmness; Titratable acid; Total phenol

References

1. Aghdam, M.S., Moradi, M., Razavi, F., & Rabiei, V. (2019). Exogenous phenylalanine application promotes chilling tolerance in tomato fruits during cold storage by ensuring supply of NADPH for activation of ROS scavenging systems. Scientia Horticulturae, 246, 818-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2018.11.074
2. Ahmadkhani, S., Soleimani, A., Razavi, F., & Khairi, A. (2023). The effect of post-harvest phenylalanine treatment on the physicochemical properties of cranberries during storage. Journal of Iranian Horticultural Sciences, 53(2), 295-308. (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22059/ijhs.2022.325698.1943
3. Akhond, M., Heidarizadeh, F., & Kolahi, M. (2022). Comparative study of qualitative and chemical characteristics of Camarosa and Parus strawberry cultivars during 15 days of storage. Developmental Biology, 14(2), 43-52. https://doi.org/10.30495/jdb.2022.1941563.1270
4. Akhtar, A., Abbasi, N.A., & Hussain, A. (2010). Effect of calcium chloride treatments on quality characteristics of loguat fruit during storage. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 42, 181–188.
5. Aminifard, M., Aroiee, H., Azizi, M., Nemati, H., & Jaafar, H. (2013). Effect of compost on antioxidant components and fruit quality of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum ). Journal of Central European Agriculture, 14(2), 525-534. https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/14.2.1232
6. Asghari, M., Azarsharif, Z., Tajik, H., & Farrokhzad, A. (2019). Effect of galbanum gum coating combined with cumin essential oil and calcium chloride on quality and shelf life of sweet cherry (cv. Siah Mashhad). Journal of Horticultural Science, 32(4), 665-680. (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22059/ijhs.2023.343066.2028
7. Bishop, G., Styles, D., & Lens, P.N.L. (2021). Environmental performance of bioplastic packaging on fresh food produce: a consequential life cycle assessment. Journal of Cleaner Production, 317, 128377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128377
8. Bradford, M. (1976). A rapid and sensitive method for the quantization of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Analytical Biochemistry, 72, 248-254. https://doi.org/10.1006/abio.1976.9999
9. Brizzolara, S., Manganaris, G.A., Fotopoulos, V., Watkins, C.B., & Tonutti, P. (2020). Primary metabolism in fresh fruits during storage. Frontiers Plant Science, 11, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00080
10. Bustamante, C.A., Monti, L.L., Gabilondo, J., Scossa, F., Valentini, G., Budde, C.O., & Drincovich, M.F. (2016). Differential metabolic rearrangements after cold storage are correlated with chilling injury resistance of peach fruits. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7(September), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.01478
11. Cerdna, M., Snchez Snchez, A., Oliver, M., Juarez, M., & Snchez Andreu, J.J. (2009). Effect of foliar and root applications of amino acids on iron uptake by tomato plants. Acta Horticulturae, 830, 481-488. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.830.68
12. Chen, J., Mao, L., Mi, H., Zhao, Y., Ying, T., & Luo, Z. (2014). Detachment-accelerated ripening and senescence of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa cv. Akihime) fruit and the regulation role of multiple phytohormones. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 36(9), 2441–2451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-014-1617-6
13. Chu, Y., Gao, C.C., Liu, X., Zhang, N., Xu, T., Feng, X., Yang, Y., Shen, X., & Tang, X. (2020). Improvement of storage quality of strawberries by pullulan coatings incorporated with cinnamon essential oil nanoemulsion. In: LWT, 122, 109054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2020.109054
14. Daraei Garmakhany, A., Mirzaei, H., & Shakarami, K. (2021). Investigation of the effect of flower and leaf ethanolic extract of Humulus lupulus plant on the shelf life and quality attributes of strawberry fruits. Journal of Food Science and Technology (Iran), 17(109), 75-90. (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.52547/fsct.17.109.75
15. Davarpanah, J., Kiasat, A.R., Noorizadeh, S., & Ghahremani M. (2013). Nano magnetic double-charged diazoniabicyclo [2.2.2] octane dichloride silica hybrid: Synthesis, characterization, and application as an efficient and reusable organic–inorganic hybrid silica with ionic liquid framework for one-pot synthesis of pyran annulated heterocyclic compounds in water. Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical, 376, 78–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2013.04.020
16. Du, G., Li, M., Ma, F., & Liang, D. (2009). Antioxidant capacity and the relationship with polyphenol and vitamin C in Actinidia Food Chemistry, 113, 557-562. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.08.025
17. Erkan, M., & Selcuk, N. (2015). The effects of 1-MCP treatment on fruit quality of medlar fruit (Mespilus germanica cv. Istanbul) during long term storage in the palliflex storage system. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 100, 81–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2014.09.018
18. Faz, F.N., Mirdehghan, S.H., Karimi, H., & Alaei, H. (2016). Eeffect of thymol and menthol essential oils combined with packaging with celofan on the maintenance of postharvest quality of strawberry cv. Parus. Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science, 47(1), 81-91. (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22059/ijhs.2016.58214
19. Garde-Cerdan, T., Santamaría, P., Rubio-Breton, P., Gonzalez-Arenzana, L., Lopez-Alfaro, I., & Lopez, R. (2014). Foliar application of proline, phenylalanine, and urea to tempranillo vines: Effect on grape volatile composition and comparison with the use of commercial nitrogen fertilizers. LWT Food Science and Technology, 60, 684-689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2014.10.028
20. Ghasemnezhad, M., Nezhad, M.A., & Gerailoo, S. (2011). Changes in postharvest quality of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) fruits influenced by chitosan. Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology, 52(1), 40-45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-011-0028-5
21. Gol, N.B., Patel, P.R., & Rao, T.V.R. (2013). Improvement of quality and shelf-life of strawberries with edible coatings enriched with chitosan. Postharvest Biology Technology, 85, 185–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2013.06.008
22. Holler, M., Alberdi-Cedeno, J., Aunon-Lopez, A., Pointner, T., Martínez-Yusta, A., Konig, J., & Pignitter, M. (2023). Polylactic acid as a promising sustainable plastic packaging for edible oils. Food Packag. Shelf Life 36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fpsl.2023.101051
23. Hong, K., Gong, D., Xu, H., Wang, S., Jia, Z., Chen, J., & Zhang, L. (2014). Effects of salicylic acid and nitric oxide pretreatment on the expression of genes involved in the ethylene signaling pathway and the quality of postharvest mango fruit. New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 42, 205-216. https://doi.org/10.1080/01140671.2014.892012
24. Jalili Marandi, R. (2013). Postharvest physiology (handling and storage of fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants and medicinal plants). 4nd Ed., Jahad University Press, West Azerbaijan Branch, 624 P. (In Persian)
25. Khalifa, H., Barakat, H.A., El-mansy, S.A., & Soliman, S.A. (2016). Effect of chitosan–olive oil processing residues coatings on keeping quality of cold-storage strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa var. Festival). 39, 504–515. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfq.12213
26. Khoshghalb, H., Arzani, K., Tavakoli, A., Malakouti, M.J., & Barzegar, M. (2008). Quality of some Asian pear (Pyrus serotina ) fruit in relation to pre-harvest CaCl₂, Zn and B sprays, harvest time, ripening and storage conditions. Acta Horticulturae, 800, 1027-1034. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.800.140
27. Kumar Patel, M., Maurer, D., Feygenberg, O., Ovadia, A., & Elad, Y. (2020). Oren-Shamir, M.; Alkan, N. Phenylalanine: A promising inducer of fruit resistance to postharvest pathogens. Foods, 9, 646. https://doi.org/10.3390%2Ffoods9050646
28. Meng, X., Li, B., Liu, J., & Tina, S. (2007). Physiological responses and quality attributes of table grape fruit to chitosan preharvest spray and postharvest coating during storage. Food Chemistry, 106, 501-508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.06.012
29. Mo, Y., Gong, D., Liang, G., Han, R., Xie, J., & Li, W. (2008). Enhanced preservation effects of sugar apple fruits by salicylic acid treatment during postharvest storage. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 88, 2693-2699. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.3395
30. Mohseni, F., Pakkish, Z., & Panahi, B. (2015). The role of foliar application of amino acids on vegetative and reproductive characteristics of strawberry (Fragaria× ananassa) cultivar Parous. M.Sc. Thesis. Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran. (In Persian)
31. Najafi, R., Barzegar, T., Razavi, F., & Gharmani, Z. (2021). The effect of post-harvest treatments of phenylalanine and hydrogen sulfide on maintaining the quality and increasing the storage life of eggplant fruit (Solanum melongena). Journal of Horticultural Sciences (Agricultural Sciences and Industries), 34(4), 717-705. (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22067/jhorts4.v34i4.87237
32. Nakajima, J.I., Tanaka, I., Seo, S., Yamazaki, M., & Saito, K. (2004). LC/PDA/ESI-MS profiling and radical scavenging activity of anthocyanins in various berries. Biomed Research International, 241-247. https://doi.org/10.1155%2FS1110724304404045
33. Patel, M.K., Fanyuk, M., Feyngenberg, O., Maurer, D., Sela, N., Ovadia, R., Orenshamir, M., & Alkan, N. (2023). Phenylalanine induces mango fruit resistance against chilling injuries during storage at suboptimal temperature. Food Chemistry, 405, 134909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134909
34. Pathare, P.B., Opara, L.U., & Al-Said, A.F. (2013). Colour measurement and analysis in fresh and processed food: A review. Food Bioprocess Technology, 6(1), 36-60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-012-0867-9
35. Pelayo-Zaldivar, C., Ebeler, S.E., & Kader, A. (2005). Cultiver and harvest date effect on flavor and other quality attributes of California strawberries. Journal of Food Quality, 28, 78-97. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-4557.2005.00005.x
36. Perkins-Veazie, P. (1995). Growth and ripening of strawberry fruit. Horticultural Reviews, 17(8), 267-297. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470650585.ch8
37. Piechowiak, T., Antos, P., Kosowski, P., Skrobacz, K., Jozefczyk, R., & Balawejder, M. (2019). Impact of ozonation process on the microbiological and antioxidant status of raspberry (Rubus ideaeus ) fruit during storage at room temperature. Agriculture Food Science, 28(1), 35–44. https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.70291
38. Pizzocaro, F., Torreggiani, D., & Gilardi, G. (1993). Inhibition of apple polyphenoloxidase (PPO) by ascorbic acid, citric acid and sodium chloride. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 17, 21 30. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-4549.1993.tb00223.x
39. Portu J., López-Alfaro I., Gómez-Alonso S., López R., & Garde-Cerdán T. (2015). Changes on grape phenolic composition induced by grapevine foliar applications of phenylalanine and urea. Food Chemistery, 180, 171-180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.02.042
40. Prassad, M.N.N. (1997). Trace metals, in: MNV Prasad plant ecophysiology, wiley, New York, pp: 207-249.
41. Quintana, S.E., Llalla, O., García-Risco, M.R., & Fornari, T. (2021). Comparison between essential oils and supercritical extracts into chitosan-based edible coatings on strawberry quality during cold storage. The Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 171, 105198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.supflu.2021.105198
42. Ranjbar Malidarreh, T., Askari Sarcheshmeh, M.A., Babalar, M., Shokri Heydari, H., & Ahmadi, A. (2019). Changes in some physiological and biochemical characteristics of plum (Prunus salicina Flavor supreme pluot) affected by salicylic acid and iron pretreatment during storage with two different temperatures. Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science, 55(3), 525-539. (In Persian). https://doi.org/10.22059/ijhs.2019.278214.1620
43. Sayyari, M., & Gharibi, R. (2016). Effects of lavender essential oil and methyl salicylate on gray mold control and postharvest quality of strawberry. Journal of Horticultural Science, 29(4), 662-670. https://doi.org/10.22067/jhorts4.v29i4.42384
44. Shahimoridi, A., & Dastjerdi, A.M.M. (2020). The effects of ethanol extract of red mangrove and eucalyptus leaves on antioxidant capacity, enzyme activity and malondialdehyde of fresh banana fruit. Journal of Food Researches, 30(1), 15-28. (In Persian)
45. Sogvar, O.B., Rabiei, V., Razavi, F., & Gohari, G. (2020). Phenylalanine alleviates postharvest chilling injury of plum fruit by modulating antioxidant system and enhancing the accumulation of phenolic compounds. Food Technojogy & Biotechnology Original Scientific, 1330-9862. https://doi.org/10.17113%2Fftb.58.04.20.6717
46. Sowmyashree, A., Sharma, R., Rudra, S.G., & Grover, M. (2021). Layer-by-Layer coating of hydrocolloids and mixed plant extract reduces fruit decay and improves postharvest life of nectarine fruits during cold storage. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 43(8), 112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-021-03256-8
47. Taherpour, L., Hosseinifarahi, M., & Radi, M. (2020). Application of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) with sodium alginate (Alg-Na) coating on fruit decay control and quality postharvest of sweet lemon fruit cv Mahali. Journal of Food Technology and Nutrition, 17, 107-122. (In Persian)
48. Taiz, L., Zeiger, E., Moller, I., & Murphy, A. (2017). Physiology and plant development. Porto Alegre: Artmed. 858.
49. Treviño Garza, M.Z., García, S., Del Socorro Flores González, M., & Arévalo Niño, K. )2015(. Edible active coatings based on pectin, pullulan, and chitosan increase quality and shelf life of strawberries (Fragaria ananassa). Journal of Food Sciences, 80(8), 1823-1830. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.12938
50. De Bruno, A., Gattuso, A., Ritorto, D., Piscopo, A., & Poiana, M. (2023). Effect of edible coating enriched with naturpal antioxidant extract and Bergamot essential oil on the shelf life of strawberries. Foods, 12(3), 488. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12030488
51. Unal, U.M., Yabaci, S.N., & Sener, A. (2011). Extraction, partial purification and characterization of polyphenol oxidase from tea leaf (Camellia sinensis). GIDA, 36(3), 137-144.
52. Valero, D., & Serrano, M. (2010). Postharvest biology and technology for preserving fruit quality. CRC-Taylor and Francis, Boca Raton, FL, USA. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781439802670
53. Valero, D., Martinez-Romero, A.D., Valverde, J.M., Guillen, F., & Serrano, M. (2003). Quality improvement and extension of shelf life by 1- methylcyclopropene in plumas affected by ripening stage at harvest. Food Sciences Emergency and Technology, 4, 339–348. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1466-8564 (03)00038-9
54. Van Assche, F., & Clijsters, H. (1990). Effects of metals on enzyme activity in plants. Plant Cell Environ, 13, 195–206. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3040.1990.tb01304.x
55. Vaya, J., Belinky, P.A., & Aviram, M. (1997). Antioxidant constituents from licorice roots: Isolation, structure elucidation and antioxidative capacity toward LDL oxidation. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 23(2), 302-313. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0891-5849 (97)00089-0
56. Yang, Z., Cao, S., Cai, Y., & Zheng, Y. (2011). Combination of salicylic acid and ultrasound to control postharvest blue mold caused by Penicillium expansum in peach fruit. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies, 12, 310-314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2011.04.010