Effects of simultaneous cyanocobalamin and calcium gluconate treatment on chilling injury alleviation of 'Queen' pineapple by using peduncle infiltration

Abstract

Introduction - Chilling injury (CI) is main problem of 'Queen' pineapples during commercial storage (13 °C). The increases in calcium content and antioxidant system enhancement alleviate CI of pineapples. Cyanocobalamin (Cyn) is a novel natural agent inducing antioxidants in postharvest commodities. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the efficiency of simultaneous Cyn and calcium gluconate (Ca-Glu) peduncle infiltration on CI alleviation of 'Queen' pineapple during cold storage. Materials and methods - In the first experiment, the fruits were treated with Cyn at the concentration of 0, 1, 2.5 or 5 µM. In the second experiment, simultaneous 5 µM Cys and 2 or 3% Ca-Glu treatments were determined. Biological parameters related to CI of tissue adjacent to the core were monitored after storage at 13 °C for 7 and 14 d followed by 28 ± 2 °C for 2 d. Results - 5 µM Cyn peduncle infiltration relieved CI and membrane peroxidation rather than other concentrations. The simultaneous 5 µM Cys and 2 or 3% Ca-Glu treatments could alleviate CI symptoms, membrane peroxidation and enzymatic browning reaction and enhance antioxidant activities of tissue adjacent to the core of pineapples during storage. The simultaneous 5 µM Cyn and 3% Ca-Glu treatment enhanced antioxidant activities and alleviated CI of the fruit being greater than simultaneous 5 µM Cyn and 2% Ca-Glu treatment. Conclusion - The simultaneous 5 µM Cyn and 3% Ca-Glu peduncle infiltration was an effective approach alleviating CI of 'Queen' pineapples during commercial storage.