EFFECT OF MELATONIN TREATMENT ON ANTIOXIDANTS IN  THE ASCORBATE-GLUTATHIONE CYCLE AND COLOR CHANGES  IN AVOCADO FRUIT DURING RIPENING

Trương Thị Huệ; Trần Khánh Nhung; Lê Duy Thanh

doi:10.34238/tnu-jst.13066

EFFECT OF MELATONIN TREATMENT ON ANTIOXIDANTS IN THE ASCORBATE-GLUTATHIONE CYCLE AND COLOR CHANGES IN AVOCADO FRUIT DURING RIPENING

About this article

Received: 16/06/25 Revised: 21/11/25 Published: 24/11/25

Authors

1. Truong Thi Hue , Quy Nhon University
2. Tran Khanh Nhung, Quy Nhon University
3. Le Duy Thanh, Quy Nhon University

Abstract

Melatonin acts as a growth regulator with various functions in plants, particularly significant in modulating the ripening and senescence of several fruits. Currently, there is no research on the effects of melatonin on avocado fruit. This study aimed to assess the impact of melatonin on the Ascorbate-Glutathione cycle activity and the colour alterations in avocado peel and flesh during ripening. Avocado 034 was immersed in melatonin (0.1 mM and 0.5 mM) for 2 hours and then stored at 22 °C ± 1 and 75 - 80% humidity. The findings indicated that 0.5 mM melatonin treatment elevated the levels and limited the reduction of ascorbic acid and glutathione while enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle. Moreover, the melatonin treatment of avocados resulted in a significant increase in L* and a decrease in a* and b* compared to the control. This suggests that the melatonin treatment could potentially slow down the physiological maturation process, thereby maintaining the freshness and extending the shelf life of avocados. The alterations in color of avocado peel and flesh following exogenous melatonin treatment were suppressed and may be related to the activation of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle.

Keywords

Melatonin; Antioxidant; Ascorbate-glutathione cycle; Color change; Avocado fruit

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.34238/tnu-jst.13066

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