Effect of methyl jasmonate on the anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity of blueberries during cold storage

Abstract BACKGROUND The effects of postharvest methyl jasmonate ( MeJA ) fumigation on total soluble solids ( TSS ), titratable acidity ( TA ), ascorbic acid, total phenolic content ( TPC ), total monomeric anthocyanins ( TMAs ), individual anthocyanins and antioxidant activity of blueberries stored at 1 °C for 28 days were evaluated. Prior to storage, the blueberries were fumigated with 0.05 mmol L −1 MeJA for 12 h. Control blueberries were subjected to the same conditions but were not exposed to MeJA . RESULTS MeJA treatment had no adverse effect on TSS and TA and inhibited the decrease in ascorbic acid during storage. MeJA treatment induced an enhancement in TPC on day 21; TPC decreased thereafter. Similarly, a significant increase in TMAs and individual anthocyanins was observed 21 days after MeJA treatment. TPC , TMAs and individual anthocyanins increased in control fruits on day 7 and decreased thereafter. Moreover, MeJA treatment maintained higher levels of antioxidant activity during the entire storage period. CONCLUSION These results suggest that cold storage enhances TPC , TMAs and individual anthocyanin content during short‐term storage. However, postharvest application of MeJA to blueberries enhances TPC , TMAs and individual anthocyanin content during long‐term storage. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry