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Title: PREHARVEST APPLICATION OF METHYL JASMONATE INCREASES FRUIT QUALITY AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY IN RASPBERRIES

Author
item Wang, Shiow
item ZHENG, WEI - ZHENJIANG UNIV

Submitted to: Journal of Food Science and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/27/2003
Publication Date: 8/27/2003
Citation: Wang, S.Y., Zheng, W. 2005. Preharvest application of methyl jasmonate increases fruit quality and antioxidant capacity in raspberries. Journal of Food Science and Technology. 40: 187-195

Interpretive Summary: Raspberries serve as good sources of natural antioxidants and are rich in vitamins, minerals, anthocyanins, flavonoids and phenolic acids. Jasmonic acid and its methyl ester (methyl jasmonate) are naturally-occurring compounds. When exogenously applied, jasmonate enhances ethylene production, fruit ripening, chlorophyll degradation, tuber formation and protein synthesis in plants. However, no information is available on the effects of preharvest jasmonate application on fruit quality and antioxidant capacity in raspberries. We applied jasmonate as a foliage-berry spray to runoff when berries were in the early light pink stage, and repeated the spray twice at four-day intervals. We then evaluated the effects of preharvest jasmonate spray on the nutritional quality of fruit. Raspberries treated with jasmonate had higher soluble solids and total sugars, and lower titratable acids than untreated fruit. Raspberry treated with jasmonate also significantly enhanced flavonoid content and antioxidant capacities in the fruit. This information will be useful to raspberry growers interested in selecting the best conditions for maximizing phytonutrient content and antioxidant capacity in raspberry fruit.

Technical Abstract: The effects of preharvest methyl jasmonate application on fruit quality, flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity in black raspberry cv. Jewel (Rubus occidentalis L) and red raspberry cv. Autumn Bliss (Rubus idaeus subsp.) were studied under field conditions. Raspberries treated with methyl jasmonate had higher soluble solids content, total sugars, fructose, glucose, sucrose and lower titratable acids, malic acid and citric acid than untreated fruit. Methyl jasmonate also significantly enhanced flavonoid content and antioxidant capacities in the fruit. The cv. Jewel had higher soluble solids and lower titratable acids compared to the cv. Autumn Bliss. On the basis of fresh weight of fruit, Jewel also had significantly higher anthocyanin, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity than Autumn Bliss.