Postharvest application of polyamines to improve the shelf-life of tomato fruit

The effect of postharvest application of polyamines at two concentrations on shelf-life and other physico-chemical characteristics of tomato were studied. Among the polyamines, spermine at 1.0 mM most effectively improved the days taken for ripening (19 days) and shelf-life (43 days) when compared to 11 days and 26 days respectively in control. While spermidine at 1.0 mM improved the days taken for ripening by 16 days and shelf-life by 38 day and putrescine at both the concentration used was least effective in improving the shelf-life of tomato fruits. The treatments which improved the shelf-life, retained highest reducing sugars, TSS and acidity till the end of the storage period.