Hydrogen Sulfide: A Potent Tool in Postharvest Fruit Biology and Possible Mechanism of Action

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), an endogenous gaseous molecule, is considered as a signaling agent, in parallel with other low molecular weight reactive substances, mainly hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO), in various plant systems. New studies are now revealing that the postharvest application of H2S, through H2S donors such as sodium hydrosulfide (NaSH) or sodium sulfide (Na2S), can inhibit fruit ripening and senescence programs in numerous fruits. We discuss here current knowledge on the impact of H2S in postharvest physiology of several climacteric and non-climacteric fruits such as banana, apple, pear, kiwifruit, strawberry, mulberry fruit, and grape. Although there is still a considerable lack of studies establishing the mechanisms by which H2S signaling is linked to fruit metabolism, we highlight several candidate mechanisms, including a putative cross-talk between H2S and ethylene, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, oxidative/nitrosative stress signaling, sulfate metabolism, and post-translational modification of protein cysteine residues (S-sulfhydration) as being functional in this H2S postharvest action. Understanding H2S metabolism and signaling during postharvest storage and the interplay with other key player molecules would therefore provide new, improved strategies for better fruit postharvest storage. To achieve this understanding, postharvest fruit physiology research will need to focus increasingly on the spatial interaction between H2S and ethylene perception as well as on the interplay between S-sulfhydration/desulfhydration and S-nitrosylation/denitrosylation under several postharvest conditions.

Inhibition of NADP‐malic enzyme activity by H2S and NO in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits

“…Further research needs to be carried out to determine how the different isozymes in all these NADPH‐generating enzymes present in the subcellular compartments are differentially affected and how they interact with systems like the ascorbate‐glutathione cycle, which is NADPH‐dependent and also located in diverse cell loci. This would increase our understanding of the key elements involved in fruit ripening and provide a useful tool for developing biotechnological applications for exogenous H 2 S (Hu et al , Corpas et al , Ziogas et al ).…”

Sodium hydrosulfide priming improves the response of photosynthesis to overnight frost and day high light in avocado (Persea americana Mill, cv. ‘Hass’)

“…Postharvest treatments with H 2 S have been shown to inhibit the ripening and senescence of both climacteric and non‐climacteric fruits. These effects were attributed to the reduced accumulation of ROS and enhanced activities of antioxidant systems, but also possibly to inhibition of ethylene synthesis and/or signaling, modulation of sugar metabolism and control of autophagic processes (recent review by Ziogas et al ). Priming of plants with H 2 S donors (most commonly NaHS) has been shown to enhance their tolerance to a multitude of abiotic stresses including high light, drought, salinity, cold, heat, freezing, osmotic and heavy metal stress (Wang et al , Jin et al , Christou et al , Fu et al , Shi et al , Fan et al , Li et al , Yang et al , Du et al ).…”

Beyond Ethylene: New Insights Regarding the Role of Alternative Oxidase in the Respiratory Climacteric

“…Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), though a known phytotoxin, in minuscule doses can enhance alternative pathway respiration and inhibit ROS production (Hu et al, 2012;Luo et al, 2015;Li et al, 2016;Ziogas et al, 2018). Exogenous treatment with H 2 S leads to the accumulation of sulfides in the cytoplasm, some of which are directly converted to the amino acid cysteine (Calderwood and Kopriva, 2014).…”