Application of methyl jasmonate postharvest maintains the quality of Nanguo pears by regulating mitochondrial energy metabolism

Abstract The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) dipping treatment on mitochondrial energy metabolism and quality parameters of Nanguo pears during room temperature storage. The results showed that MeJA treatment suppressed the respiration rate and weight loss, and maintained the flesh firmness of Nanguo pears. MeJA also effectively maintained the content of ascorbic acid and titratable acidity in the fruit. Furthermore, the activities of H+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and cytochrome C oxidase (CCO) of the MeJA-treated fruit were significantly higher than those of the untreated fruit. The contents of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and the energy charge were also enhanced by MeJA treatment. These results suggest that postharvest MeJA treatment could maintain the quality of Nanguo pears, in part by modulating mitochondrial energy metabolism during room temperature storage.