Enhancement of antioxidant defense mechanism by preharvest GABA spray on postharvest quality of strawberries
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The impact of preharvest γ-aminobutyric acid (10 mM L-1 GABA) spray was investigated on ‘Rubygem’ and ‘Calinda’ strawberries, for decay and enhancing post-harvest storage quality during cold storage at 2±1 ◦C and 90% RH for 21 d. Results revealed that preharvest GABA-sprayed strawberries in both cultivars exhibited significantly reduced decay, Minolta a* values, weight loss, browning index, decay incidence, microbial counts, malondialdehyde (MDA), and H2O2 than the control. All GABA preharvest strawberries demonstrated markedly lower polyphenol oxidase (PPO), but higher phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) enzyme activity, total phenols (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC), vitamin C, endogenous GABA content and free radical scavenging capacity (FRSC) than the control. In addition, all preharvest GABA-sprayed strawberries displayed distinctly greater superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities, but lower hydrolytic enzymes polygalacturonase (PG), pectinmethylesterase (PME), xylanase, and α-amylase than the control. In addition, all GABA preharvest strawberries showed lower total soluble solids (TSS), TSS/acid ratio, and pH alongside higher titratable acidity (TA), firmness, membrane stability index (MSI) and sensory evaluation. In conclusion, preharvest spray of GABA at 10 mM could be used as a promising tool for maintaining overall quality of cold-stored strawberries.
Source: Applied Food Research
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,050
Funder: Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
Award: G7356827868
OpenAlex ID: W7125413405