The effect of melatonin (MT) dipping and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) fumigation either individually or combined, on reducing delaying fruit senescence in apricot fruit was investigated. The results showed that the individual and combined MT and 1-MCP treatments maintained the quality of apricot fruits after harvest and reduced fruit softening, rot, and weight loss. This was mainly attributed to the high levels of ascorbic acid content, total phenol content, and total flavonoid content, as well as the upregulation of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase enzyme activities, which reduced the active oxygen content. Besides, 1-MCP and MT in individual or in combined treatments suppressed the process of membrane lipid peroxidation by inhibiting the malondialdehyde content and lipoxygenase activities, contributing to delaying the senescence of apricot fruits. Among these three treatments, 1-MCP was the best method to delay the postharvest senescence of apricots. Novelty impact statement: The individual and combined MT and 1-MCP treatments had positive effect on apricot fruits quality during cold storage. The individual and combined MT and 1-MCP treatments apparently enhanced the activity of enzymatic antioxidants and nonenzymatic antioxidants. Decreased H 2 O 2 generation was observed in the individual and combined MT-and 1-MCP-treated fruits during storage time.

Biodegradable materials have attracted considerable attention to be applied in maintaining food quality and safety due to their ability of a sustained release of antimicrobial agents. In this study, cinnamon essential oil (CEO) loaded poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (ε-caprolactone) (PEG-PCL) micelles (CEO-micelles) were prepared for humidity-controlled CEO release and preservation of strawberry quality. The CEOmicelles with spherical shape and uniform size were obtained, and a high encapsulation rate (92.00 ± 1.77%) of CEO was achieved. X-ray diffraction demonstrated that the CEO was successfully encapsulated in PEG-PCL micelles. The release rate could be controlled by adjusting the relative humidity (RH) and 75% RH was favorable for CEO release from micelles (with 72% total amount release in 7 d). The encapsulation of CEO with high concentrations in PEG-PCL micelles reduced the cytotoxicity. Additionally, CEO-micelles exhibited high antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea, the main pathogenic fungus of strawberry. Finally, the application of CEO-micelles to the preservation of strawberries had a positive effect on changes in decay rate, weight loss, rmness, color and total soluble solids.

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Biodegradable materials have attracted considerable attention to be applied in maintaining food quality and safety due to their ability of a sustained release of antimicrobial agents. In this study, cinnamon essential oil (CEO) loaded poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (ε-caprolactone) (PEG-PCL) micelles (CEO-micelles) were prepared for humidity-controlled CEO release and preservation of strawberry quality. The CEO-micelles with spherical shape and uniform size were obtained, and a high encapsulation rate (92.00 ± 1.77%) of CEO was achieved. X-ray diffraction demonstrated that the CEO was successfully encapsulated in PEG-PCL micelles. The release rate could be controlled by adjusting the relative humidity (RH) and 75% RH was favorable for CEO release from micelles (with 72% total amount release in 7 d). The encapsulation of CEO with high concentrations in PEG-PCL micelles reduced the cytotoxicity. Additionally, CEO-micelles exhibited high antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea, the main pathogenic fungus of strawberry. Finally, the application of CEO-micelles to the preservation of strawberries had a positive effect on changes in decay rate, weight loss, firmness, color and total soluble solids.