Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, Van
Abstract
Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.) fruits are highly perishable after harvest owing to their delicate structure and high respiration rate. This study evaluated the effects of melatonin (MEL; 100 and 200 µmol L-1) and chitosan (CS; 1%, w/v), applied alone or in combination, on the postharvest quality, bioactive compounds, and oxidative stability of 'Chester' blackberries. Treated and control fruits were stored at 0±1ºC and 90-95% relative humidity for 12 days. During storage, weight loss increased, whereas titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids content (SSC), total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and total antioxidant capacity generally decreased; fruit flesh firmness followed a non-linear and treatment-dependent pattern. At the end of storage, 200 µmol L-1 MEL limited weight loss to 1.75% (control: 3.46%), while MEL treatments contributed to preserving total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and total antioxidant capacity and to reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) content. CS containing treatments maintained fruit flesh firmness; at the end of storage, fruit flesh firmness was 5.60 N with 1% CS+200 µmol L-1 MEL (control: 3.27 N), while MDA content was 97.35 nmol g-1 FW with 1% CS (control: 145.87 nmol g-1 FW). CS+MEL combinations resulted in higher L*, a*, and chroma values, whereas 200 µmol L-1 MEL maintained total antioxidant capacity at 65.16 µmol TE g-1 FW at the end of storage. Overall, MEL and CS treatments delayed postharvest quality losses, while their combined use may provide a promising approach for maintaining blackberry quality under the tested storage conditions.
TEKİN, O. (2026). Postharvest Preservation of Blackberry Fruit: Effects of Melatonin and Chitosan on Quality, Bioactive Compounds and Oxidative Stability. ISPEC Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 10(3), 863–881. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21868988
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