Abstract
In nature, melatonin is widely distributed, and not only does it play a vital role for animals and humans, but also for plants. Plants use melatonin for a wide range of purposes, including preventing senescence, acting as an antioxidant, regulating growth and development, and adjusting to stressful conditions. Fruits and vegetables contain it naturally, and its presence greatly influences the ripening and post-harvest processes. As a result of increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, non-enzymatic antioxidants, and enzymes involved in repairing oxidized proteins, melatonin is effective in reducing reactive oxygen species levels in post-harvest fruits and vegetables. Exogenous melatonin can also increase endogenous melatonin levels, enhancing its effects on a variety of physiological processes. Exogenous melatonin has been shown to improve the post-harvest preservation of fruits and vegetables in several studies. While transgenic methods could potentially be used to overproduce melatonin in plants and improve post-harvest preservation, current attempts are limited to increasing endogenous melatonin in plants. Recent advances in understanding melatonin’s role and mechanisms in post-harvest fruits and vegetables are summarized in this review. Additionally, it provides insights into future approaches to maximizing fruit and vegetable preservation post-harvest. Research in this area could lead to innovative strategies for reducing food losses and improving the quality of fruits and vegetables after harvest.
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Lal, M.K., Tiwari, R.K., Lal, P., Kumar, A., Kumar, R. (2023). Regulatory Role of Melatonin in Post-harvest Management of Vegetables and Fruits. In: Kumar, R., Altaf, M.A., Lal, M.K., Tiwari, R.K. (eds) Melatonin in Plants: A Regulator for Plant Growth and Development. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-6745-2_10
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