Post-harvest Application of Methyl Jasmonate, 1-Methylcyclopropene and Salicylic Acid Elevates Health-promoting Compounds in Cold-stored ‘Kinnow’ Mandarin (Citrus nobilis Lour x C. deliciosa Tenora) Fruit

An investigation was carried out to evaluate the influence of the post-harvest application of different ethylene inhibitors viz., 1-methylcylcopropene (1-MCP; 500, 1000 and 1500 ppb), methyl jasmonates (MeJA; 1, 2 and 3 mM) and salicylic acid (SA; 1, 2 and 3 mM) on health-promoting compounds such as total phenols, total antioxidants, flavonoids, protein, total free amino acids and sugars in cold-stored ‘Kinnow’ mandarin fruit. The fruit were stored at 6 ± 1°C and 90 ± 5% RH for 75 days. Fruit treated with MeJA (1 mM), 1-MCP (1500 ppb) and SA (2 mM) maintained significantly highest levels of total phenols, total antioxidants activity, flavonoids, protein, total free amino acids and sugars as compared with the control. In conclusion the post-harvest application of MeJA (1 mM), 1-MCP (1500 ppb) and SA (2 mM) can be used to maintain the highest levels of these bioactive compounds in cold-stored ‘Kinnow’ mandarin fruit for up to 60 days.