Salicylic acid operates in maintenance of post-harvest quality acerolas

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the SA elicitor effect applied in the West Indian cherries postharvest in the conservation and rot resistance induction. The West Indian cherries were harvested, selected and submitted to application of four SA concentrations (0.5; 1.0 1.5 and 2.0 mM) and the control treatment (distiller water). After 192 hours storage in the 8 ±2°C, it was evaluated the weight loss, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and fruits rots incidence. At intervals of 24, 48, 96 and 192 hours, it was evaluated the anthocyanin, flavonoids and, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chitinases and ?-1, 3-glucanase enzymes activities. Salicylic acid acted to maintain the postharvest West Indian cherry quality, with the titratable acidity greater and retention of the total soluble solids, what it demonstrated to delay the fruit ripening/senescence. The anthocyanin and flavonoids contents, as well as, the PAL activity had changes during the experiment due to the SA application, what it demonstrated to activate of phenylpropanoid route for secondary metabolites synthesis. The salicylic acid acted in the chitinases and ?-1,3-glucanase enzymes activation, which it demonstrated to induce fruit resistance for rot control by use of this inductor.