Effects of melatonin treatment on the physiological quality and cell wall metabolites in kiwifruit

We investigated the effects of melatonin (MT) treatment on physiological quality and cell wall metabolism kiwifruit during a 12-day shelf life period (20 ± 1 °C, 90 5% RH), after days cold storage (0 0.5 RH). Our results showed that MT delayed softening, as evidence by enhanced endurance healthy appearance, quality, color difference L* value, firmness fruit flesh. reduced decay rate, respiration malondialdehyde content; furthermore, MT-treated maintained high levels total soluble solids, titratable acid, ascorbic acid. Additionally, inhibited decrease in pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose contents; it increase water-soluble pectin content kept methyl esterase, polygalacturonase, cellulase, β-galactosidase activities low. These indicated may have speed softening preserved inhibiting enzymatic degradation wall, delaying pro-pectin, degradation, well content. findings indicate be an effective measure to delay postharvest cell-wall preserve quality.