Modulating Antioxidant Capacity and Preserving Chlorophyll Levels in Pointed Gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.) through Synergistic Application of 6-Benzylaminopurine and Sodium Alginate Coating during Ambient Storage
Nitin Yadav
*
Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
Kalyan Barman
Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
Akhilesh Kumar Pal
Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
Akash Kanaujia
Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
Pooja Belwal
Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
N Anthony Baite
Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
Data Ram Saini
Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
Basant Kumar Dadrwal
Department of Plant Physiology, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Rajasthan, 303329 India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Under ambient conditions, maintaining the shelf life of pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.) beyond 2-3 days after harvest becomes a challenge. In this study, we explores the impact of combining 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) treatment with alginate coating on extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of pointed gourd. Pointed gourd were treated with 2 mM and 3 mM 6-benzylaminopurine solutions, alone or with a 2% sodium alginate coating, whereas control were treated with distilled water. The experiment was conducted over a continuous 6 days storage period at ambient condition, and parameters including weight loss, chlorophyll and carotenoid levels, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant content, phenol, flavonoids and radical scavenging activity were monitored at arbitrary intervals of 2 days. Results showed that applying 3.0 mM 6-benzylaminopurine and sodium alginate coating effectively reduced weight loss, preserved chlorophyll and carotenoid levels, and inhibited lipid peroxidation. During storage, the treatment maintained high levels of antioxidants, phenols, flavonoids, and radical scavenging activity. These results suggest that BAP treatment combined with alginate coating offers a promising solution for improving the post-harvest quality and shelf life of pointed gourd.
Keywords: Sodium alginate, pointed gourd, antioxidant capacity, chlorophyll content, 6-benzylaminopurine, shelf life