Use of DENBA+ to assist refrigeration and extend the shelf-life of strawberry fruit

Postharvest decay is the leading constraint for extension of shelf life and marketing of strawberry fruit. In this work, strawberry fruit were treated with DENBA+ (0, control; 500 or 1200 V) and stored at 4 ℃ for 11 d to investigate its effect on postharvest quality. DENBA+ treated fruit showed reduced decay index, weight loss, firmness and pH value, compared to control. DENBA+ treatment had higher contents of soluble solids, total sugar, total phenol and anthocyanin, compared to control. In conclusion, DENBA+ could be considered an ecofriendly non-chemical alternative treatment for postharvest quality management of strawberry fruit. • Impact of DENBA+ on the storage life of strawberry fruit was studied. • Decay index and weight loss were lower in treated strawberries compared to control. • DENBA+ treatment maintained total sugar, total phenol and total anthocyanin content. • The best results were obtained at voltage strength of 500 V.