Postharvest salicylic acid treatment on artichokes delays senescence

In this study, the effect of postharvest treatment with salicylic acid (SA) at 1 mM concentration on artichokes (Cynara scolymus L.) on the quality attributes (respiration rate, weight loss, firmness and color) was evaluated. Also other parameters related with functional quality as chlorophyll content, total polyphenols and total antioxidant activity (TAA) were evaluated after 28 days of storage at 2?C plus 3 days at 20 ?C. SA treatment was able to reduce weight loss and respiration rate maintaining artichoke firmness at the same time so senescence of artichokes was delayed. This delay in the senescence of the artichoke was also observed on the external bracts, which showed lower degradation of the initial chlorophyll levels of the artichokes that also showed higher concentrations of total polyphenols in the edible part. In addition, the described effect of SA into the stimulation of the defense systems involved could have become manifested by reducing the microbial population especially when molds and yeasts were evaluated after seven days of cold storage. By these reason postharvest treatments containing SA could be considered a safe and environmentally friendly application to maintain the whole quality of artichokes ?Blanca de Tudela?. SourcesEffect of salicylic acid on quality attributes of artichokes `Blanca de Tudela? during post-harvest storageGuill?n, F., Ru?z-Jim?nez, J.M., Valero, D., Mart?nez-Romero, D., Castillo, S., Valverde, J. M., Zapata, P.J.Ctra de Beniel km 3,2, Ctra de Beniel km 3,2, 03312 Alicante Orihuela, Spain. fabian.guillen@umh.es; chema@gmail.com; daniel.valero@umh.es; dmromero@umh.es; scastillo@umh.es; jm.valverde@umh.es; pedrojzapata@umh.esArtichoke 2019, X International Symposium, Orihuela, Spain Picture by?Come Fruta