H2S: A new gas with potential biotechnological applications in postharvest fruit and vegetable storage: An overview

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a new gas signal molecule involved in many physiological processes, including plant growth and development, senescence and oxidative stress. It has been shown that H2S reduces damage induced by biotic and abiotic stresses, regulates the ripening and postharvest storage of climacteric and non-climacteric fruits and vegetables, thus maintaining the nutritional and edible value of postharvest fruits and vegetables. In this regard, H2S has huge prospects for application in improving the nutrition index and the quality of fruits and vegetables by stimulating the expression of defense genes and inducing disease resistance. Accordingly, this approach can supplement the current storage strategy of fruits and vegetables to maintain the postharvest quality and enhance its additional output value. This review mainly summarizes the biochemistry of H2S, and the latest information on the role of H2S in the senescence, disease resistance and postharvest stages of fruits and vegetables, providing a theoretical basis for the application and popularization of H2S.