Postharvest benzothiazole treatment enhances healing in mechanically damaged sweet potato by activating the phenylpropanoid metabolism

Abstract BACKGROUND Sweet potato often suffers mechanical damage during harvest, handling, and transportation. Infections, water loss, and quality changes of sweet potato caused by mechanical damage pose great financial losses. Wound healing is an effective method to alleviate such problems. In this study, the effects of postharvest treatment with benzothiazole (BTH) on wound healing of sweet potato was investigated. RESULTS Postharvest BTH treatment of sweet potatoes promoted lignin accumulation in wounded tissues, and 100 mg L −1 BTH exhibited better effects than 50 mg L −1 or 150 mg L −1 BTH. The biosynthesis of lignin in wounded tissues significantly decreased the weight loss of sweet potatoes. An increase in respiration intensity after BTH treatment was observed. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents and the activity of phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase were increased in BTH‐treated sweet potatoes. This suggests that BTH increases phenylpropanoid metabolism. CONCLUSION Postharvest 100 mg L −1 BTH treatment could promote wound healing in mechanically damaged sweet potatoes. The activation of the phenylpropanoid metabolism might be the mechanism of action of BTH in wound healing. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry