Bioactive Compounds and Quality Attributes of Fresh Seedless Barberry (<em>Berberis vulgaris</em> L.) at Cold Storage as Influenced by Multiple Spraying of Calcium Nitrate and Potassium Nitrate

Abstract

Purpose: Seedless barberry is one of the most important small fruits, which is cultivated in dry areas of east of Iran. However, due to high water content (~80%) and thin skin it is susceptible to postharvest decay, and thus it has a short postharvest life. Research Method: This study was carried out to investigate the impact of pre-harvest application of calcium nitrate 0.5% and potassium nitrate 0.5%, and cold storage on biochemical and postharvest quality attributes of fresh seedless barberry fruits in the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons. Findings: The results showed that both chemicals applied resulted in better appearance and firmness in both years. In addition, control fruit were redder in the 2017 season. Fruit at harvest had the highest content of vitamin C (21.11 mg.100g-1) in 2017 and total phenolic content (7.36 mg.100g-1) in 2018 compared to stored fruit. Interestingly, the highest total anthocyanin was obtained after 30 days of cold storage, 1146.13 and 3071.32 mg.L-1, respectively, in both growing seasons. The appearance and firmness of seedless barberry decreased with an increment of the storage period in both seasons, and the best taste was assessed at harvest time. Moreover, the fruit brightness in 2017 and ‘b*’ and hue color parameters in 2018 decreased as storage time progressed. The highest weight loss percentage in stored fruit was obtained in harvested fruit in both seasons. Research Limitation: The high sensitivity of barberry fruit due to high water content and its thin skin. Originality/ Value: Both chemicals preserved some of the quality properties of barberry fruit during cold storage.