Abstract
Chilling injury (CI) is a postharvest disorder occurring in the fruit of cold-sensitive Citrus species during storage at low temperatures. This study investigated the involvement of carotenoids and vitamin C, two major antioxidants of citrus peel, and the antioxidant capacity in the CI susceptibility of mandarin fruit. To that end, the fruit of three commercial varieties, Fortune, Nova, and Nadorcott, with significant differences in CI susceptibility, were selected. By on-tree fruit bagging, carotenoids and vitamin C contents were modified, and a differential effect of each cultivar on CI was observed. Carotenoid analysis in the peel revealed a strong negative correlation between total carotenoid concentration (TCC) at harvest, and specifically of β-cryptoxanthin and violaxanthin, and CI index at the end of storage. In contrast, vitamin C content was significantly and positively correlated with CI susceptibility. The antioxidant activity assessed by the DPPH• and FRAP reflected the contribution of vitamin C to the antioxidant system, while the SOAC assay correlated positively with TTC, β-cryptoxanthin, and violaxanthin. Collectively, the antioxidant capacity of carotenoids at harvest, as efficient singlet oxygen quenchers, suggests a protective role against the development of CI in mandarin fruit, while vitamin C is not likely playing a critical role.
Highlights
Storage at low temperatures is the technology most widely used to maintain fruit quality and extend postharvest life
SIntocirdaegnece of Chilling Injury and Changes in Peel Pigmentation of Fortune, Nova and Nadorcott mandarins during Cold Storage The mandarins Fortune, Nova, and Nadorcott were selected on their reported different sensitivity to chilling injury (CI) and peeTl hceolmoranindtaerninssitFy.orFtournteu,nNeoavnad, atnodaNloawdoerrcoetxttwenetreNsoevleactferduiotnatrheepirrorenpeotroteddedvieffleorpenCt Isednusritiinvgity storage atstotolCorawIgaetneadmt plopeweerlatcetomulorperesirna[t3teu4nr,se4is1ty][3,. 4wF,o4hr1it]ul,enwNehaailndedoNrtacodoaottrlocaowptpteraepaeprxsteeatnortsbNtoeobmveaomfrreourrieteasreirsestiasptnraotnnttoetotCoCId,I,eeevvveeelnonptthhCooIuudgguhhriiitntigs is suscepstuibscleeptotibolethteoropthoesrthpaorsvtheasrtvbelsetmbliesmhiessh[e2s,[422,4].2]N
Fruit of three mandarin cultivars with different susceptibility to develop CI (Fortune > Nova > Nadorcott) during cold storage were selected to investigate the potential relationship between CI, carotenoids, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity/capacity in hydrophilic and lipophilic peel extracts
Summary
Storage at low temperatures is the technology most widely used to maintain fruit quality and extend postharvest life. Higher carbohydrate content has been associated with higher tolerance to disorders during cold storage of the Nules Clementine [6,7] and Pinalate sweet orange [8], no relationship between changes in carbohydrate content and CI could be established in Fortune mandarin [9]. Other peel properties, such as rind coloration, are influenced by environmental and endogenous factors and may be involved in the differential sensitivity to CI among Citrus cultivars [5,6]
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