BACKGROUND Pistachio fruits suffer from postharvest decay, caused by Aspergillus flavus. This results in aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) accumulation in kernels, which is hazardous for human health due to its carcinogenic activity. In this study, the mechanism used by exogenous β‐aminobutyric acid (BABA) treatment for attenuating Aspergillus decay, minimizing aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) accumulation, and maintaining nutritional quality in fresh‐in‐hull pistachio kernels, infected by A. flavus during storage at 25 °C for 18 days, was investigated. RESULT Results of an in vivo assay showed that the spore germination and germ tube elongation of A. flavus was repressed by BABA treatment at 7.5 mM. Aspergillus decay accompanied by AFB1 accumulation was also minimized in fresh‐in‐hull pistachio kernels treated with BABA at 7.5 mM and infected by A. flavus. Fresh‐in‐hull pistachio kernels, infected by A. flavus, treated with BABA at 7.5 mM, also exhibited higher phenol and flavonoid accumulation and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity accompanied by higher phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) enzyme activity. CONCLUSION Promoting phenylpropanoid pathway activity with higher PAL enzyme activity in fresh‐in‐hull pistachio kernels treated with BABA may not only reduce Aspergillus decay in kernels by cell wall fortification but also may be favorable for maintaining the kernels’ nutritional quality through its effects on ROS scavenging capacity. As oxidative stress, represented by ROS accumulation, is responsible for A. flavus growth and AFB1 accumulation, higher phenol and flavonoid accumulation in fresh‐in‐hull pistachio kernels treated with BABA may be beneficial for attenuating Aspergillus decay and minimizing AFB1 accumulation. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms activated by melatonin treatment for attenuating Aspergillus decay, suppressing aflatoxin B1 (AB1) accumulation, and preserving nutritional quality in fresh pistachio fruits during storage at 25°C for 18 days. At 6‐day intervals, samples from each of three replications were selected, and subjected to biochemical analysis. Our results showed that fresh pistachio fruits treated with 1,000 µM melatonin and inoculated with Aspergillus flavus, exhibited lower Aspergillus decay accompanied by lower endogenous AB1 accumulation. Melatonin treated fruit also showed lower H2O2 and malondialdehyde accumulation during storage. Furthermore, higher linolenic acid accumulation accompanied by higher phenols and flavonoids accumulation as well as superior DPPH scavenging capacity in fresh pistachio fruits treated with 1,000 µM melatonin, could be ascribed to lower lipoxygenase and higher phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase enzymes activity, respectively, during storage. Besides, melatonin applying at 1,000 µM suppressed spore germination and germ tube elongation in A. flavus. Practical applications Aflatoxin B1 (AB1) accumulation as carcinogenic mycotoxin in pistachio fruits during Aspergillus flavus infection have been considered as a risk for human health. Since ROS generating from kernels could be responsible for triggering A. flavus growth and AB1 biosynthesis. Therefore, alleviating oxidative stress by melatonin treatment not only could be operative for attenuating fungal decay and decreasing AB1 accumulation but also could be favorable for maintaining the quality of fresh pistachio fruits.
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