Integration of UV-C with antagonistic yeast treatment for controlling post-harvest disease and maintaining fruit quality of Ananas comosus

Significant losses in harvested pineapple fruit are caused directly by decay fungi. Here, integration of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) with antagonistic yeast Candida tropicalis treatment was evaluated for preventing post-harvest black rot and maintaining fruit quality of pineapple. Fruit firmness was better maintained in UV-C/yeast treated fruits, corresponding to lower activities of pectin methylesterase, polygalacturonase and cellulose. UV-C/yeast treatment retarded cell wall disassembly of fruit pericarp, and maintained high contents of total soluble solids and reducing sugars during storage. In addition, the integrated treatment improved the antioxidant system by enhancing catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities. Resistance to fungi was also strengthened by increasing total phenolic content and improving enzyme activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, beta-1,3-glucanase and chitinase. Our results indicate that the integrated management is a potentially effective method for controlling post-harvest disease and extending shelf-life of pineapple fruit.