Hydrogen Sulfide Postharvest Application Impacts on Physicochemical Attributes of Cornus mas Fruits during Cold Storage

In order to investigate the effects of postharvest application of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on physicochemical attributes of cornelian cherry fruit, a factorial experiment was performed based on completely randomized design with three replications (each replication including 60 fruits). Treatments included NaHS (0, 0.6, 1.2, and 1.8 mmol) and different storage times (7, 14, and 21 days). The fruits were placed in the refrigerator (at 2°C and relative humidity of 85%) immediately after treatment. Physical and biochemical variables were measured within an interval of seven days. According to the results, the maximum amount of anthocyanin (2.27 mg/g FW) and ascorbic acid (26.8 mg/100g FW) and the minimum amount of H2O2 (0.41 µm/100g FW) were obtained by 0.6 mmol of H2S. Also, H2S (1.2 mmol) was more effective in terms of maintaining the total phenol (414.13 mg GA/100g FW). Weight loss with H2S 1.8 mmol was significantly less than other treatments and accompanied with the highest amount of flavonoids (27. 9 mg QUE/100g FW) and proline (0.24 mg/ml). Fruits treated with H2S were able to maintain better physical and biochemical attributes in comparison with control fruits. Referring to the important of cornelian cherry storing at cold storage conditions in terms of maintenance of the firmness, appearance quality and long shelf life with low frost damage, H2S 0.6 mmol should consider as the favorite treatment level.