Pre-treatment of p-coumaric acid reduced chilling injury by increasing some antioxidant and enzyme activity in loquat fruit to maintain post-harvest quality

Abstract Background Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) fruits are popular for their distinctive flavor and numerous health benefits. However, their short shelf life limits commercial viability. In this study, we sought to evaluate the effect of p-coumaric acid (p-CA) treatment at a concentration of...

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Main Authors: Huifen Zhang, Yunting Xu, Jing Pu, Miao Wang, Jie Niu, Hongxia Wang, Xiaofu Tang, Ying Du, Xian Luo, Xiaoai Zhang, Yongqing Wang, Qunxian Deng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Plant Biology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07049-w
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author Huifen Zhang
Yunting Xu
Jing Pu
Miao Wang
Jie Niu
Hongxia Wang
Xiaofu Tang
Ying Du
Xian Luo
Xiaoai Zhang
Yongqing Wang
Qunxian Deng
author_facet Huifen Zhang
Yunting Xu
Jing Pu
Miao Wang
Jie Niu
Hongxia Wang
Xiaofu Tang
Ying Du
Xian Luo
Xiaoai Zhang
Yongqing Wang
Qunxian Deng
author_sort Huifen Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) fruits are popular for their distinctive flavor and numerous health benefits. However, their short shelf life limits commercial viability. In this study, we sought to evaluate the effect of p-coumaric acid (p-CA) treatment at a concentration of 300 mg·L−1 on the quality of loquat fruits during storage. Results The results indicated that the p-CA treatment reduced fruit chilling injury, prevented fruit rot, and retarded the decomposition of soluble sugar, titratable acid, and phenolic substances. It also reduced accumulation of malondialdehyde, lignin, and other substances to maintain fruit quality. Additionally, p-CA treatment improved antioxidant activity of the fruit by promoting the synthesis of enzymatic antioxidants and activities of antioxidant enzymes. Conclusions In summary, p-CA application preserved the quality and enhanced the antioxidant capacity of post-harvest loquat fruits. Graphical Abstract
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institution Kabale University
issn 1471-2229
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Plant Biology
spelling doaj-art-d5262e28a59b4b7b918f2a6169aa3c4f2025-08-24T11:16:37ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292025-08-0125111110.1186/s12870-025-07049-wPre-treatment of p-coumaric acid reduced chilling injury by increasing some antioxidant and enzyme activity in loquat fruit to maintain post-harvest qualityHuifen Zhang0Yunting Xu1Jing Pu2Miao Wang3Jie Niu4Hongxia Wang5Xiaofu Tang6Ying Du7Xian Luo8Xiaoai Zhang9Yongqing Wang10Qunxian Deng11College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural UniversityCollege of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural UniversityAbstract Background Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) fruits are popular for their distinctive flavor and numerous health benefits. However, their short shelf life limits commercial viability. In this study, we sought to evaluate the effect of p-coumaric acid (p-CA) treatment at a concentration of 300 mg·L−1 on the quality of loquat fruits during storage. Results The results indicated that the p-CA treatment reduced fruit chilling injury, prevented fruit rot, and retarded the decomposition of soluble sugar, titratable acid, and phenolic substances. It also reduced accumulation of malondialdehyde, lignin, and other substances to maintain fruit quality. Additionally, p-CA treatment improved antioxidant activity of the fruit by promoting the synthesis of enzymatic antioxidants and activities of antioxidant enzymes. Conclusions In summary, p-CA application preserved the quality and enhanced the antioxidant capacity of post-harvest loquat fruits. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07049-wLoquatp-Coumaric acidStorageChilling injuryAntioxidant activity
spellingShingle Huifen Zhang
Yunting Xu
Jing Pu
Miao Wang
Jie Niu
Hongxia Wang
Xiaofu Tang
Ying Du
Xian Luo
Xiaoai Zhang
Yongqing Wang
Qunxian Deng
Pre-treatment of p-coumaric acid reduced chilling injury by increasing some antioxidant and enzyme activity in loquat fruit to maintain post-harvest quality
BMC Plant Biology
Loquat
p-Coumaric acid
Storage
Chilling injury
Antioxidant activity
title Pre-treatment of p-coumaric acid reduced chilling injury by increasing some antioxidant and enzyme activity in loquat fruit to maintain post-harvest quality
title_full Pre-treatment of p-coumaric acid reduced chilling injury by increasing some antioxidant and enzyme activity in loquat fruit to maintain post-harvest quality
title_fullStr Pre-treatment of p-coumaric acid reduced chilling injury by increasing some antioxidant and enzyme activity in loquat fruit to maintain post-harvest quality
title_full_unstemmed Pre-treatment of p-coumaric acid reduced chilling injury by increasing some antioxidant and enzyme activity in loquat fruit to maintain post-harvest quality
title_short Pre-treatment of p-coumaric acid reduced chilling injury by increasing some antioxidant and enzyme activity in loquat fruit to maintain post-harvest quality
title_sort pre treatment of p coumaric acid reduced chilling injury by increasing some antioxidant and enzyme activity in loquat fruit to maintain post harvest quality
topic Loquat
p-Coumaric acid
Storage
Chilling injury
Antioxidant activity
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07049-w
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