Evaluation of storage life and postharvest quality of pomegranate cv, Rabbab- e-Shiraz fruits produced in conventional, integrated and organic agricultural systems

In recent years, demand for organic products because of their high nutritional value and healthier is rapidly increasing. In this research, the effects of organic, integrated and conventional garden management systems investigated on storage life and postharvest quality of pomegranate fruit cv. Rabbab -e-Shiraz at 5°C for 90 days. Characteristics such as weight loss, quality and biochemical parameters were analyzed at harvest, 45 and 90 days after storage. Results showed that the weight loss in organic fruits were significantly lower than conventional and integrated management system during storage. Total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA) content in fruits of conventional management system was higher and ratio of TSS/TA was lower than organic fruits. The highest TSS/TA ratio of pomegranate fruits was obtained from integrated management system. While, total phenolics and flavonoids content of organic fruits were higher at harvest and during storage, they were decreased in all fruits during storage time. Also, total anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity was higher in organic fruits, but contrary to phenolic compounds, anthocyanins content increased during storage. Overall, organic fruits showed higher nutritional value and more storage life.