Effect of postharvest melatonin treatment on biochemical contents and some quality criteria of avocado fruits during cold storage

In this study, post-harvest doses of 0,25 mM, 0,5 mM and 1,0 mM melatonin were applied to perishable avocado fruit and the fruits were stored for 30 days, 60 days and 90 days. Additionally, some fruits were stored as a control group on the same day without any processing. During storage in fruits, weight loss, decay rate, fruit firmness, amount of water-soluble solids (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), pH and fruit color characteristics (L*, a*, b*, chroma and Hueo) and specific biochemical properties (total phenolic content, total anthocyanin content, total protein content and DPPH activity value) were investigated. In the study, according to different melatonin applications at different storage periods, generally, there were increases in weight loss, decay rate, SSC, TA and color values in control group fruits, and there were decreases in same group fruits in terms of total phenolic content, total anthocyanin content, total protein content, DPPH activity value and fruit firmness. As a result of the study, it was determined that although it varied according to 30-day, 60-day and 90-day storage periods and quality parameters, the application of 1,0 mM melatonin at most preserved the quality characteristics of the stored avocado fruit better. It was also concluded that all melatonin doses used (0,25 mM, 0,5 mM and 1,0 mM) could be used as a post-harvest tool to preserve the quality and storage life of avocado fruit.