abstract
Horticultural crops are vulnerable to several disorders, which affect their physiological and organoleptic quality. For about forty years, the control of physiological disorders (such as superficial scald) in horticultural crops, particularly in fruit, was achieved through the application of the antioxidant diphenylamine (DPA), usually combined with controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions. However, identification of DPA residues and metabolites in treated fruits, associated with their toxicity, banned the use of this antioxidant in Europe. This triggered the urgent need for novel and, ideally, natural and sustainable alternatives, combined with adequate storage conditions to protect cultivars from harmful agents. This review systematizes the state-of-the-art DPA application on several fresh cultivars, such as apples, pears, and vegetables (potatoes, spinach, etc.), as well as the possible mechanisms of the action and effects of DPA, emphasizing its antioxidant properties. Alternative methods to DPA are also discussed, as well as respective effects and limitations. Recent research on scald development molecular pathways are highlighted to open new non-chemical strategies opportunities. This appraisal shows that most of the current solutions have not lead to satisfactory commercial results; thus, further research aimed to understand the mechanisms underlying postharvest disorders and to design sustainable and safe solutions to improve horticultural products storage is needed.
keywords
GRANNY-SMITH APPLES; DYNAMIC CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERES; ULTRA-LOW OXYGEN; ALPHA-FARNESENE; FUNCTIONAL-DISORDER; STORED APPLES; FRUIT-QUALITY; CONJUGATED TRIENOLS; ELECTRON-TRANSPORT; BRAEBURN APPLES
subject category
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Pharmacology & Pharmacy; Food Science & Technology
authors
Dias, C; Amaro, AL; Salvador, AC; Silvestre, AJD; Rocha, SM; Isidoro, N; Pintado, M
our authors
Armando Jorge Domingues Silvestre
Full professoracknowledgements
This work received external funding of the project ReStoragePear grant number 17777, supported by the COMPETE Operational Programme (COMPETE 2020) under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).