Impact of abscisic acid treatment on postharvest storage quality and volatile flavor substances in blueberries

To investigate the impact of abscisic acid (ABA) on the postharvest flavor and quality of blueberries, this study employed different concentrations of ABA (400 mu M ABA, 600 mu M ABA, and 800 mu M ABA) to treat the blueberries. The treated blueberries were then stored at 4degree celsius (similar to 80% relative humidity) for 35 day. Subsequently, genes associated with the metabolism of volatile aromatic substances and fatty acids in postharvest blueberries were assessed using real-time PCR. Our results revealed that the treatment of ABA could maintain a high level of nutrient and aromatic substances in blueberries. Particularly, 600 mu M ABA caused most significant changes in fatty acid metabolism-related enzyme activities, such as lipoxygenase, hydroperoxide lyase, alcohol dehydrogenase, as well as related gene expressions, like VcLOX2S, VcHPL, VcADH1-1, VcADH1-2, VcADH1-3, and VcADH1-4. In addition, Furthermore, the blueberries treated with 600 mu M ABA exhibited a superior quality when compared to the control group. This superior quality included higher levels of total acid, ascorbic acid, total phenol, anthocyanin, soluble sugar contents, and so forth. In conclusion, postharvest ABA treatment decelerated the decrease in volatile aroma substances and effectively maintained the flavor of blueberries.