Effect of postharvest hydrogen sulphide on lignification and biochemical markers of pointed gourd
Deep Lata, Fozia Homa, Md. Abu Nayyer, Amit Kumar, Mahwish Aftab, Mohammed Wasim Siddiqui
Abstract
ABSTRACT Hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S) has emerged as a gasotransmitter molecule that modulates several physiological functions in plants, specially, different biotic and abiotic stresses. Pointed gourd (PG) fruits start losing their soft texture and appealing colour within 2–3 days of harvest, resulting in poor marketability and shelf life. Here, the effect of exogenous H 2 S (1 and 2 m m ) application on lignification and other biochemical markers linked to ripening, shelf‐life and edible quality of PG was assessed during cold (12 °C, 85–90% RH) and ambient (27 ± 2 °C, 55 ± 5% RH) storage. The synergistic effect of H 2 S was recorded during simulated storage at ambient conditions. Postharvest H 2 S treatment (1 m m ) effectively delayed yellowing and chlorophyll loss (four‐fold reduction) and maintained the phenolic content and higher antioxidant activity (36%). The H 2 S‐treated PG fruits had significantly lower lignification and membrane permeability i.e . 15% and 13%, respectively, than control samples. H 2 S‐treated fruit also maintained higher PAL and lower PPO activity. Therefore, postharvest application of H 2 S (2 m m ) could be effective in maintaining postharvest quality of PG fruits and extending the marketing period.