Review Article

Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidants in Postharvest Vegetables and Fruits

Table 1

Approaches of postharvest management to maintain quality, which are regulated by the balance of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant contents or activities.

CommodityTreatmentResultsReference

Water bamboo shoot (Zizania aquatica L.)Modified atmosphere packaging and low temperature storageLowered production rate of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide[62]
Maintained high activities of SOD, CAT, and APX

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)Chitosan coatingEnhanced activity of SOD, CAT, and APX[59]
Inhibited activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX)

Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa)Chitosan coating and cold storageDelayed changes in the content of ascorbic acid, polyphenol, anthocyanin, flavonoid, and total antioxidant capacity[63]
Enhanced activity of CAT, APX, and lipoxygenase (LOX) activity

Banana (Musa acuminata)Coating with chitosan and putrescineIncreased phenolic compound contents and total antioxidant activity[64]

Citrus (Citrus sinensis L.)Antagonistic yeast (Pichia membranaefaciens)Increased resistance to pathogenic fungi[11]
Regulated O2- and H2O2
Enhanced activity of SOD and CAT

Apple (Malus domestica) and citrus (Citrus sinensis L.)Antagonistic yeasts (Metschnikowia fructicola and Candida oleophila)Increased H2O2 content[65]

Muskmelon fruit (Cucumis melo L.)Acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), a functional analog of salicylic acidIncreased resistance to fungi[66]
Elevated concentration of O2- and H2O2
Enhanced activity of NADPH oxidase (NOX), SOD, and APX

Cornelian cherry fruit (Cornus mas)Salicylic acidIncreased content of phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and ascorbic acid[67]
Enhanced activity of DPPH scavenging and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) enzyme

Cornelian cherry fruit (Cornus mas)Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in cold storageReduced H2O2 production[68]
Enhanced activity of SOD, CAT, GR, and APX

Litchi (Litchi chinensis)Sodium para-aminosalicylateInhibited ROS production[6]
Enhanced activity of SOD, CAT, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX)

Peach (Prunus persica)MelatoninDecreased content of O2-, H2O2, and malondialdehyde and activity of LPX[7]
Enhanced activity of SOD, CAT, peroxidase, and APX

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)Biofortification with potassiumLimited weight and water loss[69]
Improved concentration of lycopenes and flavonoids

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea)Fumigation with hydrogen sulfideDecreased content of O2-, H2O2, and malondialdehyde[70]
Enhanced activity of GPX, APX, CAT, and GR and concentration of carotenoids, anthocyanins, and ascorbate

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)Moderate heat shockEnhanced chlorophyll content and potential quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm)[71]
Increased content of ascorbic acid and H2O2

Cassava (Manihot esculenta)Overexpression of SOD and CATDecreased activity of LPX and content of H2O2 and malondialdehyde[13]

Shitake mushroom (Flammulina velutipes)Nanocomposite packagingDecreased content of O2-, H2O2, and malondialdehyde[8]