Methyl jasmonate application downregulates red drupelet reversion by modulating the antioxidant potential and maintains fruit quality of ‘Elvira’ blackberries

Abstract

Abstract Red drupelet reversion (RDR) shortens the marketing window for blackberries by reducing cosmetic appearance of the fruit. Blackberry plants were sprayed with methyl jasmonate (MJ 0, 1, 2 or 3 mM), two weeks before tentative harvest maturity, to evaluate effects on RDR, antioxidant capacity and fruit quality in cold stored blackberry fruit for up to 12 days. MJ significantly reduced RDR while maintaining higher anthocyanins, phenolics and flavonoids during cold storage for 12 days. Fruit treated with 1 mM MJ showed higher total antioxidants, ascorbic acid, and glutathione content. Additionally, MJ treated raspberries displayed higher activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate oxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase enzymes, than controls for 12 days. In conclusion, the preharvest spray application of MJ (1 mM) has the potential to reduce RDR, improve antioxidant capacity and maintain fruit quality of cold stored blackberries.