Preharvest Elicitors as a Tool to Enhance Bioactive Compounds and Quality of Both Peel and Pulp of Yellow Pitahaya (Selenicereus megalanthus Haw.) at Harvest and during Postharvest Storage.

Yellow pitahaya is a tropical fruit that has gained popularity in recent years. Natural elicitors are compounds that can stimulate the resistance and quality of fruits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of natural elicitors, methyl salicylate (MeSa), methyl jasmonate (JaMe), salicylic acid (SA) and oxalic acid (OA) at concentrations of 0.1 mM (MeSa and JaMe) and 5 mM (SA and OA), applied to the yellow pitahaya fruits under greenhouse conditions. After full blossom, four applications were made with a frequency of 15 days. At the time of harvest and after storage, the following variables were evaluated: firmness (whole fruit), total soluble solids (TSS), total acidity (TA), phenolics and carotenoids (in the pulp), while phenolics, carotenoids, macronutrients and micronutrients were determined in the peel. The results showed MeSa advanced the fruit maturation, according to higher TSS, lower TA and firmness than MeJa-treated fruits, for which a delayed ripening process was shown. All treatments induced a higher polyphenolic concentration during storage. Regarding the alternative use of the peel as a by-product, the application of natural elicitors significantly increased the content of polyphenols, carotenoids, macronutrients and micronutrients in the peel, especially MeSa, which can be used as a bioactive compound in the food industry. In conclusion, the results indicate that natural elicitors can be an alternative to improve the quality and shelf life of yellow pitahaya fruits.

The Effect of Lemon Juice (Citrus limon L.) Treated with Melatonin on the Health Status and Treatment of K14HPV16 Mice.

Lemon is a fruit rich in antioxidant properties and has several health benefits, namely the reduction of skin edema and anticarcinogenic properties, which are due to its high content of bioactive compounds. Melatonin can improve and preserve the properties of lemon for longer and also has health benefits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of lemon juice after melatonin treatment on murinometric parameters of wild-type (WT) mice and transgenic mice carrying human papillomavirus (HPV). Two trials were performed for oral administration of the lemon extract compound: in drinking water and in diet. First of all, lemons were treated by immersion with melatonin at 10 mM. Then, lemons were squeezed, and the juice obtained was freeze-dried and stored to be subsequently added to drinking water or diet, according to the assay. Thus, mice were divided into eight groups in the drink assay (each with n = 5): group 1 (G1, WT, control), group 2 (G2, WT, 1 mL lemon), group 3 (G3, WT, 1.5 mL lemon), group 4 (G4, WT, 2 mL lemon), group 5 (G5, HPV16, control), group 6 (G6, HPV16, 1 mL lemon) group 7 (G6, HPV16, 1.5 mL lemon) and group 8 (G6, HPV16, 2 mL lemon). The diet assay was divided into four groups: group 1 (G1, WT, control), group 2 (G2, WT, 4 mL lemon), group 3 (G3, HPV16, control) and group 4 (G4, HPV16, 4 mL lemon). In the drink assay, the highest concentration of melatonin (308 ng/100 mL) was for groups 4 and 8, while in the food assay, there was only one concentration of melatonin (9.96 ng/g) for groups 2 and 4. Both trials lasted 30 days. During this time, body weight, food and water were recorded. Afterward, they were sacrificed, and samples were collected for different analyses. At the concentrations used, the lemon juice with melatonin had no adverse effects on the animals' health and showed a positive outcome in modifying weight gain and enhancing antioxidant activity in mice. Moreover, a reduction in the incidence of histological lesions was observed in treated animals. Further research is needed to better understand the effects of lemon extract on health and treatment outcomes in this animal model.

Reverse 4-flanged technique for intrascleral fixation of a foldable hydrophobic IOL in the absence of capsular support through a 2.2 mm corneal incision.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe a modified technique for sutureless intrascleral intraocular lens fixation in in patients without capsular support: the reverse 4-flanged technique. METHODS: A 2.2 mm corneal incision was made for aphakic patients. The 6-0 polypropylene sutures were threaded through a 30-gauge needle outside the eye. An MDJ® injector was employed to insert the IOL in the eye. A suture-needle snare with 7-0 polypropylene was used to exteriorize the superior end of the sutures through the sclerotomy. The 6-0 polypropylene was heated with a cautery to create the flanges. RESULTS: Nine eyes of nine patients underwent the reverse 4-flanged technique. The median follow-up time was 182 days (range 174 - 195). Best corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 20/400 [hand movement - 20/33] to 20/120 [20/400-20/21]. No vitreous haemorrhage, retinal detachment, endophthalmitis, IOL luxation or flange exposure was recorded during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: The reverse 4-flanged technique maintains the advantages of the original 4-flanged technique in terms of IOL stability while reducing the incision size and surgical manoeuvres performed inside the eye. This modification promises to be a reliable, safe and relatively simple technique to correct aphakia in the absence of capsular support.

Splenic Artery Embolization for Unstable Patients with Splenic Injury: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of splenic artery embolization (SAE) for acute splenic injury (ASI) between patients who are hemodynamically stable (HDS) and hemodynamically unstable (HDU). Nonoperative management with SAE has become an accepted practice for patients who are HDS with ASI; however, SAE for the treatment of patients who are HDU with ASI has not been well studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed, including 52 patients who were HDU and HDS who underwent SAE for ASI at a Level 1 trauma center. HDU was defined as the lowest recorded systolic blood pressure prior to intervention <90 mm Hg. Utilizing the American Association for Surgery of Trauma (AAST) splenic injury scale, AAST Grades 1-3 were defined as low grade, and Grades 4-5 were defined as high grade. The primary outcomes were survival at 30 days and the need for subsequent splenectomy. RESULTS: Seventy-five percent (n = 39) of the patients were HDS, and 25% (n = 13) were HDU. The majority (69%) of patients who were HDU who underwent SAE did not require splenectomy, compared with 95% of patients who were HDS (P = .03). No significant difference in 30-day survival between patients who were HDU and HDS was noted. No major adverse events were recorded. There was no significant difference in 30-day patient survival or the rate of subsequent splenectomy between high-grade and low-grade splenic injuries. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective cohort study, there was no statistically significant difference in the adverse events or 30-day post-SAE survival rates between patients who were HDS and HDU with ASI. The authors conclude that SAE can be a safe and effective treatment option for patients who are HDU with ASI, including high-grade splenic injury.

The Simultaneous Use of 1-Methylcyclopropene and Methyl Jasmonate Vapor as an Innovative Strategy for Reducing Chilling Injury and Maintaining Pomegranate Fruit Quality at Suboptimal Temperatures.

Spain is one of the main contributors to global pomegranate production. Pomegranate presents a challenge for preservation at suboptimal temperatures. Preserving this fruit for an extended period is challenging due to its susceptibility to chilling injury (CI). For this reason, we have examined different postharvest treatments to extend the pomegranate shelf life and their potential impact on reducing CI. For this reason, two postharvest treatments have been applied: 1-Methylcyclopropene (1000 nL L-1 1-MCP) and methyl jasmonate vapors (0.01 mM MeJA), a natural elicitor found in many plant organs that induces a wide range of physiological processes, including the activation of defense mechanisms against stress. Following the application of these treatments and subsequent fruit storage at 2 °C for 90 days, maintenance of firmness and membrane integrity was observed. Additionally, a positive synergic effect was observed in these quality traits when combining both substances (1-MCP + MeJA), especially with regard to delaying weight loss, the external color evolution, and total polyphenol accumulation. On the other hand, MeJA treatment alone or in combination with 1-MCP also increased the anthocyanin content in arils, thereby enhancing the fruit quality. In general, the best results were observed when these two different technologies were applied as a combined treatment, especially in terms of maintaining quality traits such as fruit firmness and total acidity and reducing weight loss and CI. This is the first time that these two substances have been tested together in any fruit species, and their simultaneous application in the same container represents an innovative approach that could be an interesting tool for commercial purposes.

Exogenous Application of Glycine Betaine Maintains Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Activity, and Physicochemical Attributes of Blood Orange Fruit During Prolonged Cold Storage.

Exogenous application of glycine betaine (GB) was evaluated on bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and physicochemical attributes of blood orange fruit cv. Moro at 3°C for 90 days. Vacuum infiltration (30 kPa) of GB was applied at 15 and 30 mM for 8 min. Parameters were measured after 1, 30, 60, and 90 days of storage plus 2 days at 20°C to simulate the shelf-life period. GB treatments significantly reduced weight and firmness losses in "Moro" blood orange fruit during cold storage. GB treatment maintained a higher concentration of organic acids (citric, malic, succinic, and oxalic acids) and sugars (sucrose, glucose, and fructose), especially for the higher GB doses (30 mM). During storage, GB treatments enhanced total anthocyanin concentration, total phenolic content, and total antioxidant activity. With respect to enzyme activities, the application of exogenous GB showed increases in catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, while suppressing the polyphenol oxidase activity. Overall, the most effective treatment was 30 mM GB leading to maintaining bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and quality in "Moro" blood orange fruit during long-term storage. The positive results would permit the use of GB as a postharvest tool to maintain the quality attributes of blood orange fruit.

Anthocyanin in blood oranges: a review on postharvest approaches for its enhancement and preservation.

Anthocyanin concentration is considered an important fruit quality index of blood oranges and has gained popularity among consumers due to its antioxidant capacity, therapeutic properties, and prevention of some human diseases. Anthocyanin biosynthesis occurs in the cytoplasmic face of the endoplasmic reticulum by multi-enzymes complexes through the flavonoid pathway. Polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and ß-glucosidase (anthocyanase) are the enzymes responsible for anthocyanin degradation. Blood oranges are cold-dependent for anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation, and thus, the low temperature of storage can enhance anthocyanin concentration and improve internal fruit quality. In addition, anthocyanin accumulation can be accelerated by postharvest technologies, either physical treatments or chemical elicitors. However, low temperatures can induce chilling injury (CI) incidence in blood oranges. Postharvest chemical elicitors treatments can enhance anthocyanin accumulation and prevent CI. This review provides the most updated information about postharvest tools modulating the anthocyanin content, and the role of enhancing and preserving pigmentation to produce blood orange with the highest quality standards.

Interventional oncology update.

Interventional Oncology (IO) is a subspecialty field of Interventional Radiology bridging between diagnostic radiology and the clinical oncology team, addressing the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. There have been many exciting advancements in the field of IO in recent years; far too many to cover in a single paper. To give each topic sufficient attention, we have limited the scope of this review article to four topics which we feel have the potential to drastically change how cancer is treated managed in the immediate future.

Oxalic Acid Preharvest Treatment Improves Colour and Quality of Seedless Table Grape 'Magenta' Upregulating on-Vine Abscisic Acid Metabolism, Relative VvNCED1 Gene Expression, and the Antioxidant System in Berries.

The effect of oxalic acid (OA) in determining poorly coloured table grape quality remains relatively unknown. Some red cultivars, such as seedless table grape 'Magenta' are characterised by a poor berry colour, an attribute highly demanded by the consumer. The aim of this research was to elucidate the effect of a preharvest OA treatment (5 mM) on berry colour and quality of table grape by investigating its role in berry development, on-vine ripening, and postharvest senescence. We found that OA significantly increased abscisic acid (ABA) and ABA glucose ester (ABA-GE) content in treated berries. This increase was mediated by changes in the ABA biosynthetic pathway, specifically by the upregulation of the 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (VvNCED1) gene. The accumulation of ABA in treated berries resulted in colour improvement and a higher individual and total anthocyanins content at harvest compared with control; whereas at harvest, OA-treated table grapes showed a significantly lower glucose and fructose content and a higher content of tartaric, ascorbic, and succinic acids. Furthermore, antioxidant enzyme activity was increased during berry development in OA-treated berries. On the other hand, those berries treated with OA showed a delay in loss of firmness and colour during cold storage, as well as less susceptibility to postharvest decay incidence. This effect of OA delaying the senescence process was also related to enzymatic antioxidant system stimulation. For the first time, the role of OA on increasing quality, mainly colour, in table grapes was elucidated, highlighting that this treatment upregulated ABA metabolism, relative VvNCED1 gene expression and antioxidant system, delaying postharvest berry senescence.

Postharvest Application of 24-Epibrassinolide Reduces Chilling Injury Symptoms and Enhances Bioactive Compounds Content and Antioxidant Activity of Blood Orange Fruit.

Blood oranges (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck cv. Sanguinello) fruit were treated with 24-epibrassinolide (Br) at 1, 5, and 10 µM previous to storage at 5°C during 42 days. The samples were analyzed after 14, 28, and 42 days plus 2 days at 20°C. Chilling injury was reduced in Br-treated fruit based on the lower percentage of electrolyte leakage and visual symptoms of peel dehydration and browning. Treated fruit showed lower acidity losses, due to retention of the main organic acids' concentration (citric and malic acids), as well as was higher content of sugars (sucrose, fructose, and glucose), especially in those fruit treated with the highest concentration (10 µM). Total phenolics and hydrophilic total antioxidant activity (H-TAA) decreased in control fruit over storage, while Br-treated fruit showed significantly higher concentration. In addition, total anthocyanins were enhanced in Br-treated oranges, which were correlated with color Hue angle. Overall, the application of Br at 10 µM provides results increasing the storability of blood oranges and their content on bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity.

Enhancing antioxidant systems by preharvest treatments with methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid leads to maintain lemon quality during cold storage.

The effects of preharvest treatments with 0.1 mM methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and 0.5 mM salicylic acid (SA) on quality parameters of lemon fruit and their relationship with antioxidant systems, gene expression and bioactive compounds at harvest and during cold storage were evaluated. Results showed that total antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and the major individual phenolics (hesperidin and eriocitrin) were always higher in treated fruit than in controls. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase was also increased at harvest by SA and MeJA treatments, especially the last enzyme, for which the expression of its codifying gene was also enhanced. In addition, treated fruit had lower weight and firmness losses, respiration rate and production of ethylene than controls. Moreover, sugars and organic acids were maintained at higher concentration in flavedo and juice as a consequence of preharvest SA and MeJA treatments, showing an effect on maintaining fruit quality properties.

Susceptibility of Blood Orange Cultivars to Chilling Injury Based on Antioxidant System and Physiological and Biochemical Responses at Different Storage Temperatures.

Susceptibility of four blood orange cultivars ('Moro', 'Tarocco', 'Sanguinello' and 'Sanguine') to chilling injury (CI) was studied. Antioxidant enzymes as well as physiological and biochemical changes were measured monthly at 2 and 5 °C plus 2 days at 20 °C for shelf life. At 2 °C, CI symptoms were higher than at 5 °C, and 'Moro' and 'Tarocco' had significantly higher CI than 'Sanguinello' and 'Sanguine'. 'Moro' and 'Tarocco' had the highest electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and polyphenol oxidase activity and lower phenylalanine ammonia-lyase compared with 'Sanguinello' and 'Sanguine'. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs revealed that 'Moro' and 'Tarocco' showed severe fractures in the flavedo due to CI. 'Sanguinello' and 'Sanguine' were more tolerant to CI due to an increase of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, which could prevent the loss of membrane integrity and alleviate CI symptoms. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) for cultivars and temperatures revealed four main clusters. The first cluster included 'Moro' and 'Tarocco' at 2 °C, and the second cluster included 'Moro' and 'Tarocco' at 5 °C. The third cluster involved 'Sanguinello' and 'Sanguine' at 2 °C, and the fourth cluster included 'Sanguinello' and 'Sanguine' at 5 °C. The order of susceptibility of cultivars to CI was 'Moro' > 'Tarocco' > 'Sanguine' > 'Sanguinello'.

Thymol Encapsulated into HP-ß-Cyclodextrin as an Alternative to Synthetic Fungicides to Induce Lemon Resistance against Sour Rot Decay.

Consumers demand the use of eco-friendly fungicides to treat fruit and vegetables and governmental authorities have unauthorized the application of chemical antifungals for the efficient control of sour rot. In the present research, the microwave irradiation (MW) method was used to encapsulate thymol into 2-hydroxylpropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD) and the effect of these HP-ß-CD on controlling sour rot in citrus fruit, caused by Geotrichum citri-aurantii, was evaluated. Amounts of 25 and 50 mM of HP-ß-CD-thymol were used, and compared with propiconazole, to control the decay of inoculated lemon fruit. The treatments were performed in curative and preventive experiments. The incidence and severity of Geotrichum citri-aurantii in 25 and 50 mM HP-ß-CD-thymol-treated fruit were reduced in both experiments. The preventive 50 mM HP-ß-CD-thymol treatment showed the best effect, reducing the sour rot, respiration rate and fruit weight loss during storage at 20 °C. HP-ß-CD-thymol increased polyphenol concentration and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POD) in lemon peel, and the highest effects were found with the 50-mM dose. In conclusion, the results show that the use of thymol encapsulated by MW into HP-ß-CD could be an effective and sustainable tool, a substitute to the synthetic fungicides, for G. citri-auriantii control in citrus fruit.

Preharvest application of methyl salicylate, acetyl salicylic acid and salicylic acid alleviated disease caused by Botrytis cinerea through stimulation of antioxidant system in table grapes.

The main goal of this study was to describe impact of preharvest application of methyl salicylate (MeSA), acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) and salicylic acid (SA) on the reduction of disease caused by Botrytis cinerea in two table grape cultivars ('Crimson' and 'Magenta'). Based on previous studies, MeSA and SA were applied at 0.1 and 0.01 mM for both cultivars, while ASA was applied at 1 mM in 'Crimson' and 0.1 mM in 'Magenta'. At time of harvest, berry maturity-quality attributes, bioactive compounds and antioxidant enzymes were determined. In addition, grapes were artificially inoculated with B. cinerea spores, and the berries were ranked for visual decay incidence after 5 days of inoculation. Salicylates preharvest treatments led to higher total acidity, content of bioactive compounds and activity of antioxidant enzymes in treated than in control berries. The application of salicylate derivatives induced resistance to B. cinerea spoilage, since higher percentage of berries with no symptoms was observed and on the contrary, the highest percentages of berries were obtained in control grapes. All preharvest treatments with SA, ASA and MeSA alleviated postharvest disease caused by B. cinerea probably due to increasing levels of phenolic compounds and activity of antioxidant enzymes, although the best results were obtained with MeSA at 0.1 mM. Also, for this treatment and dose, higher quality properties, such as higher concentrations of ascorbic, succinic and fumaric acids, were observed compared with no treated-grapes.

Blood oranges maintain bioactive compounds and nutritional quality by postharvest treatments with γ-aminobutyric acid, methyl jasmonate or methyl salicylate during cold storage.

The effects of postharvest treatments with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA) or methyl salicylate (MeSA) on antioxidant systems and sensory quality of blood oranges during cold storage were evaluated (150 days at 3 °C plus 2 days at 20 °C, shelf life). Fruit firmness, titratable acidity (TA), total antioxidant activity (TAA) and ascorbic acid (AA) decreased during cold storage, all these changes being delayed in treated fruit, with the greatest differences observed with the 50 µmol L-1 MeJA and 100 µmol L-1 MeSA treatments. Total phenolic content (TPC), total anthocyanin content (TAC) and the major individual anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-(6″-malonylglucoside), were found at higher concentration in treated fruit than in control during the whole cold storage period. Overall, 100 µmol L-1 MeSA was the most effective for maintaining fruit quality and maintained higher anthocyanin concentration due to higher phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and lower polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities.

Postharvest treatments with γ-aminobutyric acid, methyl jasmonate, or methyl salicylate enhance chilling tolerance of blood orange fruit at prolonged cold storage.

BACKGROUND: Blood orange is sensitive to chilling injury (CI) depending on cultivar and storage temperature. Postharvest treatments with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), or methyl salicylate (MeSA) are known to alleviate CI. γ-Aminobutyric acid aqueous solution, applied at 20 and 40 mM, was vacuum-infiltrated at 30 kPa for 8 min at 20 °C. Methyl jasmonate or MeSA vapor treatments were applied separately at 50 and 100 µM by putting the fruit in 20 L plastic containers for 18 h at 20 °C. There have been no reports about postharvest treatments of GABA, MeJA, or MeSA on enhancing the tolerance of 'Moro' blood orange to chilling during long-term cold storage at 3 °C for 150 days, which was the subject of this study. RESULTS: All treatments significantly alleviated CI symptoms of blood orange manifested by lower electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) concentrations, and higher proline content in flavedo during storage. The largest effects were obtained with 100, 50 µM, and 40 mM for MeSA, MeJA, and GABA, respectively, which enhanced the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). On the other hand, these treatments suppressed peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities. CONCLUSION: The mechanisms involved in enhancing the tolerance of 'Moro' blood orange to chilling could involve scavenging H2 O2 by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, higher PAL/PPO activity ratio, and osmoregulation by increasing proline content. These changes led to the maintenance of the epidermis structure. This was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pre-harvest methyl jasmonate treatments increase antioxidant systems in lemon fruit without affecting yield or other fruit quality parameters.

BACKGROUND: Jasmonic acid (JA) and its volatile derivative methyl jasmonate (MeJA) are hormones involved in the regulation of many processes in plants and act (when applied as a post- or pre-harvest treatment) to increase fruit bioactive compounds with antioxidant potential. However, there is no literature available regarding the effect of pre-harvest MeJA treatment on lemon fruit antioxidant systems, which was the aim of the present study. RESULTS: MeJA treatment (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mmol L-1 ) increased antioxidant compounds, such as phenolics, in the juice and flavedo of 'Fino' and 'Verna' lemons at harvest, with the most effective concentration being 0.1 mmol L-1 in both cultivars. In addition, catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities were also increased by MeJA treatment, with the highest increases being also found with 0.1 mmol L-1 . The increases in APX and CAT were maintained from one treatment to another during fruit development on the tree, whereas the increase on POD disappeared after 8-10 days of each treatment. For both antioxidant systems, the highest increases were found in lemon harvested at the commercial ripening stage. By contrast, crop yield, fruit ripening process and quality parameters were generally not affected by MeJA treatment. CONCLUSION: Preharvest MeJA treatment could be a useful tool for increasing antioxidant potential and the health beneficial effects of lemon fruit consumption, given the relationship between these properties and phenolic content. Moreover, the increased concentration of phenolics and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the flavedo of MeJA treated fruit could increase lemon tolerance to chilling injury and decay during postharvest storage. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Oxalic acid preharvest treatment increases antioxidant systems and improves plum quality at harvest and during postharvest storage.

BACKGROUND: Plums are much appreciated by consumers as fresh fruit but have a limited storage life. Since reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with fruit ripening, an increase in ROS scavenging antioxidant systems could lead to a delay in postharvest plum ripening and in maintaining fruit quality after long cold storage. RESULTS: Results showed that crop yield (kg per tree) and fruit weight were enhanced by preharvest oxalic acid (OA) treatment of plum cultivars ('Black Splendor' and 'Royal Rosa'), although the on-tree ripening process was delayed. In addition, the ripening process during cold storage was delayed in plums from OA-treated tress, manifested by lower firmness and acidity losses and reduced ethylene production, as compared with fruits from control trees. Antioxidant compounds (phenolics, anthocyanins and carotenoids) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes were higher in plums from OA-treated trees than in controls, at harvest and during 50 days of cold storage. CONCLUSION: OA preharvest treatment could be a useful tool to maintain plum quality properties during long-term storage, by delaying the postharvest ripening process through a delay in ethylene production, with an additional effect on increasing bioactive compounds with health beneficial effects. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Preharvest treatments with salicylates enhance nutrient and antioxidant compounds in plum at harvest and after storage.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports have addressed the effectiveness of salicylic acid (SA), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and methylsalicylate (MeSA) postharvest treatments on maintaining quality properties during storage in several commodities. However, there is no literature regarding the effect of preharvest treatments with salicylates on plum quality attributes (at harvest or after long-term cold storage), which was evaluated in this research. RESULTS: At harvest, weight, firmness, individual organic acids, sugars, phenolics, anthocyanins and total carotenoids were found at higher levels in plums from SA-, ASA- and MeSA-treated trees than in those from controls. During storage, softening, colour changes and acidity losses were delayed in treated fruits as compared to controls. In addition, organic acids and antioxidant compounds were still found at higher levels in treated than in control plums after 40 days of storage. Results show a delay in the postharvest ripening process due to salicylate treatments, which could be attributed to their effect in delaying and decreasing ethylene production. CONCLUSION: Preharvest treatment with salicylates could be a safety, eco-friendly and new tool to improve (at harvest) and maintain (during storage) plum quality and especially its content of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties, increasing the health effects of plum consumption. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.