Purple mango trick could boost fruit sales and nutritional value
Researchers found that exposing mangoes to specific combinations of white light and UV-B radiation after harvest dramatically increases their red-purple color and antioxidant levels. For growers and retailers, this simple postharvest technique could enhance visual appeal and marketability without genetic modification—potentially commanding premium prices in quality-conscious markets.
Originaltitel: Postharvest white light combined with different UV-B doses differently promotes anthocyanin accumulation and antioxidant capacity in mango peel
<p>Fruit peel color is an important index of mango fruit quality. Therefore, increasing the anthocyanin accumulation and improving coloration in red mango are crucial for mango industry. The anthocyanin accumulation in mango is light-regulated. However, the effect of white light combined with different doses of UV-B on anthocyanin biosynthesis has not been clarified. Also lacking is a comprehensive analysis of responses of mango fruit peel to UV-B/white light treatments. In this study, green mature ‘Guifei’ mango fruits were subjected to white light combined with low (WL+UV-BL) or high dose UV-B (WL+UV-BH). Anthocyanin concentration, anthocyanin-related gene expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant, and plant hormone concentrations, and antioxidant enzyme activity were measured. The results showed that especially a WL+UV-BH regimen promoted anthocyanin formation in mango peel. Anthocyaninand light signal-related gene expression, ROS content, antioxidant enzyme activity, antioxidant concentrations, and total antioxidant capacity were also increased by UVB/ white light. Such treatments led to higher concentrations of jasmonic acid and cytokines, but decreased content of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid and salicylic acids. Commercially, our findings may contribute to improving the commercial quality of mango. Scientifically, the present data sheds light on the mango fruit peelspecific molecular and physiological response network under UV-B/white light treatments.</p>