Abiotic stress hormesis: An approach to maintain quality, extend storability, and enhance phytochemicals on fresh produce during postharvest

Abstract

Postharvest losses of whole and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables cause significant reductions in food availability and an increase in economic losses/damages. Additionally, regulatory agencies are increasingly restricting the postharvest use of synthetic chemicals. This has strengthened the need to develop environmentally friendly approaches to postharvest management, such as utilization of natural compounds, antagonist microorganisms, and treatments with abiotic stresses, among others. The current review focuses on the potential of low doses of abiotic stresses to extend the shelf life, increase the amount of health beneficial phytochemicals, and reduce postharvest losses of fresh produce. The positive effects of the responses to low doses of abiotic stresses are based on a biological phenomenon termed hormesis. Research to develop new technologies to improve postharvest handling of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as minimally processed products is critical. The phenomenon of abiotic stress hormesis in fresh fruit and vegetables shows the potential not only to enhance defense compounds that could reduce diseases during postharvest storage and extend shelf life but also to elevate the content of health-promoting substances. The beneficial effects of UV-C hormesis have been extensively investigated in numerous types of fresh produce. However, our knowledge on hormesis exhibited by other abiotic stresses is still limited. Hence, the objective of this review is to discuss the relevance of hormesis for postharvest research by examining whether all abiotic stresses exhibit the phenomenon, its biological significance, the potential application in various commodities, and how it may direct the future of postharvest research.

Transcriptome Responses of Wild Arachis to UV-C Exposure Reveal Genes Involved in General Plant Defense and Priming

“…Recently, Xu and co-workers [ 17 ] suggested that a series of transcriptional events occurred in strawberry ( Fragariae × ananassa ) plants primed by UV-C, mounting a synergistic response with pathogen elicitors to establish an effective resistance. There are also a series of transcriptome surveys reporting UV-C-regulated genes that could mediate induction of pathogen resistance and delay in ripening and senescence by postharvest treatments in fresh fruits and vegetables [ 14 , 15 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 ]. These genes are mainly involved with oxidative signaling, defense responses, cell wall disassembly, lipid, and sugar metabolism.…”

“…The priming effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation of seeds has long been adopted by farmers as an effective and low-cost technique (named on-farm seed priming) to improve germination rate, seedling vigor, stress tolerance at later developmental stages, and, ultimately, better crop yields [ 13 ]. In addition to seeds, the exposure of fruits, flowers, tubers, and vegetables to low doses of UV is also a very efficient strategy used by producers in delaying senescence, improving nutritional content, and inhibiting the development of pre- and post-harvest diseases that reduce losses and waste of fresh produce [ 14 ]. These adaptive responses induced by UV treatment occur in the framework of the biological phenomenon known as UV hormesis and trigger both stress and antioxidative signaling in plants, with enhanced generation of ROS and production of secondary metabolites and synthesis of non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants.…”

Activating stress memory: eustressors as potential tools for plant breeding

“…In plants, it can promote growth, enhancing wound-healing capacity and secondary metabolite production to maintain homeostasis. The hormetic response is stress-dependent, such that it is classified in eustress and distress, according to the effect produced to plant, either beneficial or harmful, respectively (Vargas-Hernandez et al 2017 ; Duarte-Sierra et al 2020 ).…”

Effects of UV-C and Edible Nano-Coating as a Combined Strategy to Preserve Fresh-Cut Cucumber

“…The hormesis produced by abiotic stress is an alternative to reduce the microbial growth and increase the shelf life of fresh-cut fruits, and the hormeses caused by the use of low doses of UV-C irradiation in these products has been reported to the produce beneficial effects in terms of the modification and synthesis of polyphenols; this treatment has been extensively investigated [13,14]. Recent research includes advances in developing nano-coatings based on emerging technologies, but little information is available on the effect of combined strategies in terms of preserving the quality of fresh fruit during storage; for example, the effects surface disinfection with UV-C radiation accompanied by a nanocoating have not been adequately investigated.…”