Improvement of Lycopene, Ascorbic Acid and Total Phenol Content of Postharvest Tomato Fruits by Exogenous Application of Salicylic Acid and Methyl Jasmonate

Abstract

Biochemical features of tomatoes were evaluated with dip-treatment of chemical inducers such as salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Mature tomato fruits (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were dipped in 1 mM SA and MeJA solutions along with double-distilled water (control) at 20°C for 15 min. The contents of lycopene, ascorbic acid and total phenolics were measured at 5, 10, 15 and 20 days after treatments. It was observed that SA and MeJA dip treatment enhanced the biosynthesis of these biochemicals with respect to control. Maximum content of all these biochemicals was found in SA treated fruits. Increase in the biosynthesis of these biochemicals is directly related to the yield and quality of fruits.