Functional interactions among H2O2, NO, H2S, and melatonin in the physiology, metabolism, and quality of horticultural Solanaceae

Abstract Cellular signaling is a key component of both intra- and intercellular communication, playing a crucial role in the development of higher plants as well as in their responses to environmental conditions of both abiotic and biotic origin. In recent decades, molecules such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and melatonin have gained significant relevance in plant physiology and biochemistry due to their signaling functions and their interactions, forming a comprehensive cellular communication network. The Solanaceae family includes a group of horticultural crops of great global importance, for example tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers, which are of major agroeconomic significance due to their widespread cultivation and consumption. The primary objective of this review is to analyze the functions of this group of signaling molecules, particularly in these crops, and to explore how their exogenous application or the genetic manipulation of their endogenous concentration could serve as a promising biotechnological tool in the horticultural industry. This approach could help mitigate the negative effects of various external stress factors and even preserve the organoleptic quality of these fruits during post-harvest storage.