Effect of a high voltage electrostatic field (HVEF) on the shelf life of persimmons (Diospyros kaki)

Abstract This study investigated the effects of HVEF as a potential postharvest technology in persimmon cultivation ( Diospyros kaki ). We used an electric field strength of 600 kV/m and treated samples for different lengths of time (0, 30, 60, 90 or 120 min) before storing the fruit for 15 d. The results showed that HVEF can reduce the rate of weight loss by 1.0–3.4-fold, demonstrating not only that HVEF has the ability to delay tissue deterioration but that the effect increases with treatment time. HVEF also delays the rate of decreasing hardness by 1.0–1.3-fold, indicating that it may have the ability to inhibit the activity of tissue enzymes. HVEF further demonstrated the ability to suppress the rate of malondialdehyde (MDA) production by 1.46–11.22-fold; increasing the treatment time improved the efficacy of the inhibition. HVEF can also delay the decreasing rate of carbon dioxides yield by 1.0–2.3-fold, indicating that it has the ability to inhibit metabolism. This inhibition rate of carbon dioxides yield also results in a delay of organizational deterioration. Finally, HVEF inhibited pectinesterase activity and had no impact on the amount of total phenols.