Evaluation of melatonin efficacy in maintaining qualitative, phytochemical properties ‎and increasing storage life of raspberry fruit (Rubus ulmifolius subsp. Sanctus)‎

Nowadays, many efforts are being in the worldwide to find alternative methods for controlling postharvest horticultural waste. In the present study, the effect of different concentrations of melatonin (000.001, 0.01 and 0.1 mM) on increasing the storage life of raspberries was investigated. After 5 min immersion, the fruits were maintained in a cold storage with a 4±1 °C 90-95%RH for 9 days. The results showed that the highest level of pH and TSS were observed in the control treatment on the ninth day and TA in the treatment of 0.001 mmol on the third days of storage with mean 3.64 and 0.62 mg citric acid/100 ml fruit Juice and 16.31 ̊brix, respectively. The highest levels of total phenol and flavonoids content were observed with 25.37 mg GAE/ 100 ml juice and 9.60 mg QE/ 100 ml juice on the third day storage, respectively. The results of data factor analysis also confirmed that the two factors PC1 (64%) and PC2 (14.8%) had the most role in the classification of treatments. In general, the results of this study showed that treatment with 0.001 mM melatonin, as a natural compound compatible with the environment and humans, in addition to the maintaining the nutritional values of the harvested raspberry it,s can increased storage life and reduced waste of fruits.