Modulation of secondary metabolism and redox regulation by exogenously applied glutathione improves the shelf life of Capsicum annuum L. fruit

• Published in: Plant physiology and biochemistry Vol. 212; p. 108789
• Main Authors: Pal, Sayan, Das, Abir, Sarkar, Bipul, Hasanuzzaman, Mirza, Adak, Malay Kumar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France Elsevier Masson SAS 01.07.2024
• Subjects: Antioxidation; Fluorescence; NADP malic enzyme; Postharvest storage; Reactive oxygen species; Fluorescence; Reactive oxygen species; Postharvest storage; Antioxidation; NADP malic enzyme
• ISSN: 0981-9428; 1873-2690; 1873-2690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108789

Role of redox homeostasis in fruit ripening of Capsicum annuum L. with oxidative metabolism was studied. The research aims the ability to reduce agents during postharvest storage on fruit for delayed ripening with the regulation of oxidative stress. Thus, we applied 10 mM reduced glutathione (GSH) to fruit as pretreatment followed by 1 mM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as ripening-inducing treatment and observed during 7 days of storage at 25 °C. A decrease in total soluble solid and firmness under H2O2, was increased while dehydration in tissue was decreased by GSH pretreatment. Glutathione regulated the turnover of organic acids to reducing sugars with higher activity of NADP malic enzyme that sustained the fruit coat photosynthesis through chlorophyll fluorescence, pigment composition, and photosystem II activity. Malondialdehyde accumulation was inversely correlated with GSH content and antioxidative enzyme activity that reduced loss of cell viability. Conclusively, regulation of oxidative stress with GSH may be effective in the extension of shelf life under postharvest storage. •The chili fruit ripens when its H2O2 content rises beyond a cellular threshold.•Glutathione is activated as electron donor for ROS by ascorbate-glutathione pathway.•Refixation of CO2 by malic enzyme maintains acidity.•NADP(H) oxidation under glutathione controls the redox of fruit.