Melatonin treatment delays ripening in mangoes associated with maintaining the membrane integrity of fruit exocarp during postharvest

The effects of exogenous melatonin on postharvest ripening of mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. Keitt) were investigated after the fruit were dipped in 0 (as the control), 100, or 200 mu M melatonin solution for 30 min, and then stored at room temperature (25 +/- 1 degrees C). The results showed that melatonin treatments could delay the ripening process as indicated by inhibition to softening, respiration, color change and chlorophyll degradation in fruit during storage. Notably, 200 mu M melatonin treatment delayed the degradation of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylinositol (PI), and the accumulation of phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidic acid (PA) in membrane phospholipids, inhibited the decrease in unsaturated fatty acids (IUFA) index and also decreased the contents of H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the exocarp of the fruit, which might collectively contribute to the integrity of the membrane associated with the delay in the ripening process of mango fruit during postharvest.

Automated summary

The research showed that exogenous melatonin treatment can delay the ripening process of mango fruit by affecting membrane phospholipids degradation, fatty acids index, and reducing the content of H2O2 and MDA in the exocarp.