Abstract
Horticultural crops are vulnerable to several disorders, which affect their physiological and organoleptic quality. For about forty years, the control of physiological disorders (such as superficial scald) in horticultural crops, particularly in fruit, was achieved through the application of the antioxidant diphenylamine (DPA), usually combined with controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions. However, identification of DPA residues and metabolites in treated fruits, associated with their toxicity, banned the use of this antioxidant in Europe. This triggered the urgent need for novel and, ideally, natural and sustainable alternatives, combined with adequate storage conditions to protect cultivars from harmful agents. This review systematizes the state-of-the-art DPA application on several fresh cultivars, such as apples, pears, and vegetables (potatoes, spinach, etc.), as well as the possible mechanisms of the action and effects of DPA, emphasizing its antioxidant properties. Alternative methods to DPA are also discussed, as well as respective effects and limitations. Recent research on scald development molecular pathways are highlighted to open new non-chemical strategies opportunities. This appraisal shows that most of the current solutions have not lead to satisfactory commercial results; thus, further research aimed to understand the mechanisms underlying postharvest disorders and to design sustainable and safe solutions to improve horticultural products storage is needed.
Highlights
Postharvest physiological disorders control is crucial for the sector since these problems can be responsible for up to 50% of postharvest losses, depending on the crop quality, harvest method, time of storage, and shelving conditions
Their results showed the positive influence of 2 g L−1 DPA solution in the reduction of conjugated trienols (CTs) production, which resulted in a 20% reduction of scald index [40]
Toivonen and Brummell [59] cited several studies showing that DPA counteracts the inhibitory effect of CO2 on fruit stored under controlled atmosphere (CA)
Summary
Postharvest physiological disorders control is crucial for the sector since these problems can be responsible for up to 50% of postharvest losses, depending on the crop quality, harvest method, time of storage, and shelving conditions. Is one of the problematic postharvest problems, mostly associated with can cause serious losses long-term storage, and isbyexpressed as which browncan or apple and pear skinquality disorders It isafter the result of anrefrigerated oxidative process induced cold stress, black areas on the fruit peel [2,3,4]. Thetime incidence of storage superficial scald depends several triggered bycultivar the oxidation of α-farnesene, a secondary metabolite present in the is pulp and triggered skin of a such as fruit [5,6], harvest time [7], and storage conditions [8] This knowledge will shed light on future research on postharvest disorder control solutions
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