Work

Preharvest melatonin (MT) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) regulate nutritional components and bioactive substances to maintain postharvest quality of Chinese kale sprouts

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Brassica sprouts possess substantial nutritional value. In this study, the effects of pre-harvest MT and CaCl 2 alone and MT+CaCl 2 combined treatment on the quality of Chinese kale sprouts during low temperature storage were investigated. The results demonstrated that preharvest MT alone reduced weight loss, increased the content of soluble sugar, soluble protein, total chlorophylls, total carotenoids, total phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and total glucosinolates, which were 1.12, 1.04, 1.09, 1.09, 1.08, 1.06, 1.37, and 1.36 times those of CK, respectively. It also upregulated the expression of photosynthesis-related genes. Preharvest CaCl 2 alone treatment can up-regulate the expression of genes related to phenylpropanoid and glucosinolate biosynthesis, and promoted the accumulation of phenolics and glucosinolates. Preharvest MT+CaCl 2 combined treatment could increase the content of soluble sugar, ascorbic acid and total glucosinolates, which were 1.06, 1.87, and 1.26 times those of CK, respectively. In conclusion, preharvest MT and CaCl 2 alone and MT+CaCl 2 combined treatment can maintain postharvest quality of Chinese kale sprouts by specifically regulating nutritional components and bioactive substances, thereby providing a technical approach for postharvest preservation of sprouts.

Source: Journal of Food Composition and Analysis

DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2026.109201