Application of melatonin in maintaining post harvest quality of fruits and vegetables: A review Gurjar P.S.1,*, Killadi Bharati2, Pareek Pawan Kumar1, Hada T.S.3 1ICAR-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner-334 001, Rajasthan, India 2ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow-226 101, Uttar Pradesh, India 3Vidyabhavan Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Udaipur-313 011, Rajasthan, India *Corresponding Author: P.S. Gurjar, ICAR-Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner-334 001, Rajasthan, India, Email: pawan09996@gmail.com
Online Published on 15 July, 2022. Abstract Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a nontoxic biological molecule produced naturally in a pineal gland of animals and different tissues of plants. Melatonin acts as an antioxidant during postharvest storage and augments the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Our review highlighted the role of pre and post harvest application of melatonin in extending post harvest shelf life and alleviating chilling injury in fruits and vegetables in cold storage. Review also included available information regarding biosynthesis of melatonin in plants and mode of action of melatonin in maintaining post harvest quality. Top Keywords Fruits, Melatonin, Post-harvest, Quality, Vegetables. Top |