Impact of methyl jasmonate treatment on antioxidant system of pomegranate fruit ‎cv "Malase" Saveh during storage

In this study, the impacts of methyl jasmonate treatment applied by preharvest spray in combination with postharvest immersion on husk and aril antioxidant system of pomegranate fruit during storage at 4±0.5 °C and relative humidity of 90-95 percent, for 120 days during two years was investigated. Methyl jasmonate treatment at 0.2 mM displayed lower husk and aril H2O2 accumulation (36%) due to higher antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (34%), catalase (41%) and superoxide dismutase activity (26%), that evetually caused to higher membrane integrity in pomegranate fruit husk. Also, pomegranate fruit treated with methyl jasmonate at 0.2 mM displayed significantly lower husk and aril polyphenol oxidase enzymes activity (47%) than control fruits. Overall, methyl jasmonate treatment can be used as promising technology for maintaining nutraceutical properties of pomegranate fruit partially by promoting antioxidant system activity.