The fruit of pomegranate is bioactive compound source but is sensitive to low storage temperature. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) spray on pomegranate trees was used in an attempt to evaluate its possible effect on fruit bioactive constituent changes and chilling injury (CI) incidence. Pomegranates trees were treated 15 days before harvest with distilled water or 1 and 2 mM MeJA, and then harvested fruit was stored at 4°C about 80 days. It was found that preharvest MeJA treatments improved arils color at harvest and reduced the postharvest CI index. Electrolyte leakage increased over storage, however, it was significantly higher in control rather than those treated. In addition, MeJA treatments significantly increased flavonoids, total antioxidant activity (TAA), total phenolics (TP), and total anthocyanins in comparison with untreated control. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The demand for pomegranate fruit is rising because of its special taste and unique bioactive constituents. Therefore, find out methods to store it and deliver in expanded time has commercial value. The common method to extend food life is low temperature but pomegranate shows chilling evidence when stored at low temperature. Several methods have been used to alleviate chilling. In current study, methyl jasmonate was sprayed on tree and its possible effect on fruit that stored at low temperature was assessed. The results revealed that MeJA might have potential preharvest application to reduce chilling, retain the quality and nutrition value in pomegranate arils by affecting the antioxidant systems.
Keywords: bioactive compound; cold storage; membrane stability; phenol.
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