For evaluating the effects of UV-B treatment on lignification and quality of bamboo (Phyllostachys prominens) shoots during postharvest, fresh bamboo shoots without sheaths were irradiated with UV-B at a dose of 8.0 kJ m^–2 and then stored at (6±1)°C along with 85–90% relative humidity (RH) for 15 d.  The results showed that UV-B treatment apparently slowed down the increase rates of flesh firmness, weight loss, and contents of cellulose and lignin.  It also decreased the activities of 4-coumarate CoA ligase (4CL), peroxidase (POD), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and the expression of their encoding genes during cold storage.  It was suggested that these effects of UV-B treatment on decreases in these enzymatic activities and the expression of encoding genes might collectively regulate lignin synthesis and accumulation in the flesh of bamboo shoots and consequently benefit in maintaining the edible quality of bamboo shoots during cold storage.

 

The kiwifruit trees (Actinidia deliciosa cv. Bruno) were sprayed with 5 mmol L^–1 oxalic acid (OA) or water (as control) at 130, 137 or 144 d after full-blossom, and then the fruit were harvested at commercial maturity and stored at room temperature (20±1)°C for 13 d.  The effect of pre-harvest spraying of OA on postharvest quality of kiwifruit was evaluated during storage.  The OA spraying slowed the increase in soluble solids content (SSC) and decrease in titratable acid (TA), as well as increased contents of ascorbic acid (AsA) and total-AsA accompanied with higher AsA/DHA ratio in kiwifruit during storage.  Moreover, the OA spraying significantly reduced the contents of acetaldehyde and ethanol in kiwifruit, along with significant decrease in activities of enzymes involved in ethanol fermentation metabolism during the later period of storage, which was beneficial to control off-flavor associated with over accumulation of ethanol during postharvest.  It was suggested that pre-harvest spraying of OA might maintain the postharvest quality of kiwifruit in relation to delay in fruit ripening, AsA maintenance and regulation of ethanol fermentation.