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Influence of Ripening Stage and Selenium Biofortification on Cherry Tomato Quality During Cold Storage
Claudio Cannata1, Guglielmo Fichera1, Anita Ierna2
1Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Preharvest selenium (Se) biofortification improves cherry tomato quality and storage performance. However, its effects on nutritional compounds depend on the fruit
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Food Science
- Plant Physiology
Background:
- Preharvest selenium (Se) biofortification enhances vegetable nutritional value and postharvest performance.
- Understanding Se effects on cherry tomato quality during storage, considering ripening stage, is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of foliar Se application on cherry tomato quality during storage.
- To assess how ripening stage at harvest influences Se effects on fruit traits.
Main Methods:
- Foliar application of 0.5 mM sodium selenite (Na2SeO4) to cherry tomatoes.
- Harvesting fruits at orange-red and deep-red stages.
- Storage at 11.0 ± 0.5 °C for 0, 10, and 20 days.
- Analysis of carpometric, compositional, and functional traits.
Main Results:
- Se application increased fruit Se concentration (approx. 30-fold), dry matter (+8.1%), and firmness (+8.3%).
- Se-biofortified fruits maintained higher dry matter despite storage-induced losses.
- Effects on sugars and acidity were ripening stage-dependent; ascorbic acid increased irrespective of stage.
Conclusions:
- Selenium biofortification enriches cherry tomatoes and influences postharvest behavior.
- Stage-dependent effects on functional compounds necessitate refined biofortification strategies for consistent quality improvement.
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