The potential of postharvest zinc treatment for preservation of pomegranate aril quality.
Sci Rep
; 14(1): 1067, 2024 01 11.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38212358
ABSTRACT
A short shelf life usually limits the distribution and supply of pomegranate arils. Since zinc (Zn) has an indispensable role in the nutrient integrity of our diet and is effective in suppressing pathogens, this study was done as two separate experiments of pre-harvest spraying and postharvest dipping of arils with two zinc supplements, including nano zinc oxide (nZnO) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4). The optimized concentration of both sources was used in the experiment. The pre-harvest treatment failed to extend the shelf life of arils, and, ultimately, the arils decayed after 15 days. However, the postharvest zinc treatment significantly (P < 0.01) affected all measured indices. Also, zinc sulfate was more effective than nZnO. Zn uptake was higher in postharvest treatments because exogenous Zn was in direct contact with the aril surface. After dissolving in water, Zn ions in sulfate bind to the membrane of microorganisms and thus delay cell division and microbial growth cycle. The solubility of zinc oxide nanoparticles in water is poor. Using the ZnSO4 treatment (0.8%W/V) effectively maintained the values of titratable acidity (TA), total phenolic content (TPC), total soluble solids (TSS), anthocyanin content, and antioxidant activity. Also, this treatment significantly controlled weight loss in the arils.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Lythraceae
/
Pomegranate
Language:
En
Journal:
Sci Rep
/
Sci. rep. (Nat. Publ. Group)
/
Scientific reports (Nature Publishing Group)
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Irán
Country of publication:
Reino Unido