Postharvest Application of Riboflavin Enhances Red Color in Strawberry

Abstract

<jats:p>`Seascape' strawberries were harvested and treated with various concentrations of riboflavin and placed on a lab bench for 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 days, respectively, in a cold room at 4 °C. After each day, samples were taken and stored in a freezer at -20 °C until they were evaluated for anthocyanins content. Both exogenously applied riboflavin and storage time increased cyaniding 3-glucoside and pelargonidin 3-glucoside in the strawberry fruits. This result indicates that riboflavin could be used to increase red color in strawberries destined for processing as well as be included as a vitamin supplement in the processed products.</jats:p>