Research progress on the effects of postharvest storage methods on melon quality

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Postharvest Biology
• Food Science

Background:

• Melon is a vital global crop, but its postharvest physiology and susceptibility to pathogens cause significant economic losses.
• Ensuring melon freshness and extending shelf life are critical challenges for annual market supply.
• Postharvest storage of melon is an area of increasing research interest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize research on postharvest preservation techniques for melon.
• To analyze the impact of various preservation methods on melon quality and physiology.
• To provide a theoretical foundation for future melon preservation strategies.

Main Methods:

• Literature search conducted using academic, PubMed, and Web of Science databases.
• Keywords focused on postharvest storage and melon quality.
• Retrieved literature was classified, sorted, and summarized.

Main Results:

• Physical, chemical, and biological preservation methods impact melon's sensory quality, compound content, and respiration.
• Effective storage inhibits cell wall metabolism, reactive oxygen species, and ethylene pathways, reducing fruit consumption.
• These methods delay ripening and senescence, extending postharvest life and shelf life.

Conclusions:

• The reviewed literature offers a theoretical basis for advancing melon postharvest preservation technologies.
• Findings provide guidance for the future development of the melon industry.
• Optimizing preservation techniques is key to improving melon production and market supply.