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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Citrus and Other Subtropical Products Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #382322
Research Project: Determination of Flavor and Healthful Benefits of Florida-Grown Fruits and Vegetables and Development of Postharvest Treatments to Optimize Shelf Life an Quality for Their Fresh and Processed Products

Location: Citrus and Other Subtropical Products Research

Title: Visually imperceptible mechanical damage of harvested tomatoes changes ethylene production, color, enzyme activity, and volatile compounds profile

Author
item SPRICIGO, POLIANA - University Of São Paulo
item FREITAS, THAIS - University Of São Paulo
item PURGATTO, EDUARDO - University Of São Paulo
item MITSUYUKI, MILENE - University Of São Paulo
item FERREIRA, MARCOS - University Of São Paulo
item CORRÊA, DANIEL - University Of São Paulo
item Bai, Jinhe
item BRECHT, JEFFREY - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Postharvest Biology and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/6/2021
Publication Date: 4/19/2021
Citation: Spricigo, P., Freitas, T., Purgatto, E., Mitsuyuki, M., Ferreira, M., Corrêa, D., Bai, J., Brecht, J. 2021. Visually imperceptible mechanical damage of harvested tomatoes changes ethylene production, color, enzyme activity, and volatile compounds profile. Postharvest Biology and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2021.111503.

Interpretive Summary: Abused postharvest handling often cause bruise in fruit. The postharvest damage accelerates fruit deterioration even even when the wound is visually imperceptible. This research provided evidences that ethylene production increased in tomatoes subjected to compression. Damaged fruits were unable to develop the red color and showed a transient increase in the activity of the enzymes LOX, HPL and ADH. The imperceptible damage applied to tomatoes modified the profile of volatile compounds produced by the fruit, reducing the emission of compounds perceived as fruity and sweet.

Technical Abstract: Inefficient postharvest handling often impairs horticultural quality even when damage is visually imperceptible. In this study, tomato fruit were subjected to controlled compressive forces (20kg) and the effects of this mechanical damage were evaluated. The following parameters were assessed: production of CO2, ethylene (C2H4), color, enzymatic activity (LOX, HPL and ADH) and volatile compounds. Ethylene production increased in tomatoes subjected to compression. Damaged tomatoes were unable to develop the red color typically when compared to the control fruit and showed a transient increase in the activity of the enzymes LOX, HPL and ADH. The imperceptible damage applied to tomatoes modified the profile of volatile compounds produced by the fruit, reducing the emission of compounds perceived as fruity and sweet.