Vol. 12, Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
Sreyashi Kashyap, Pravin Prakash and Kalyan Barman

Abstract:
The effect of melatonin on various functional characteristics of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Allahabad safeda was investigated. The guava fruits were treated with different concentrations of melatonin, 200 µM, 400 µM, 600 µM and 800 µM melatonin, and stored at ambient storage conditions (28±2 °C; 70-80% R.H.). The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design, replicated thrice and functional parameters were recorded at four days interval up to twelfth day of storage period. Treatments with higher concentration of melatonin i.e. 800 µM melatonin treatment significantly reduced the loss of weight acting as best treatment. A significant role is of peel color in determining fruits quality. The fruits treated with higher concentrations of melatonin, 800 µM showed uneven ripening. Even after 12^th day of storage period, the fruits did not degrade chlorophyll because of internal CO₂ injury. The textural characters including springiness, hardness and adhesiveness of guava was also maintained by melatonin treated fruits then untreated fruits. Other textural properties including cohesiveness was minimally maintained by melatonin treated guavas.