Preconditioning treatment induces changes in plasma membrane lipid composition and vanadate-sensitive ATPase activity of zucchini fruit during cold storage

Plasma membrane (PM) plays a central role in triggering primary responses to chilling injury and sustaining cellular homeostasis.
Fatty acids are major constituents of all cell membranes and their content and composition influence their fluidity, and therefore their behavior.
An increase in unsaturated fatty acid content has been associated with cold acclimation in plants and fruits.
During postharvest life, the fatty acid composition in fruit plasma membrane is important for the adaptation to cold storage conditions.
Zucchini fruit (Cucurbita pepo L. morphotype zucchini) is very susceptible to develop chilling injury during the postharvest cold storage.
Previous studies have revealed a good correlation between the integrity of the plasma membrane and maintenance of fruit quality.
In this study, we present the isolation of exocarp plasma membrane and analysis of fatty acids composition and plasma membrane ATPase activity of zucchini fruit during cold storage.
In PM of zucchini fruit, palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), hexadecadienoic acid (C16:2), linoleic acid (C18:2) and linolenic acid (C18:3) were the main fatty acids detected.
Preconditioned fruit showed a higher increase in unsaturated fatty acids content, double bond index and plasma membrane ATPase activity than control fruit after 1 and 2 week of cold storage.
These responses could be associated with cold tolerance by maintaining the integrity of the plasma membrane.

VIII International Postharvest Symposium: Enhancing Supply Chain and Consumer Benefits – Ethical and Technological Issues

F. Palma, F. Carvajal, R. Jiménez-Muñoz, A. Pulido, D. Garrido

zucchini fruit, plasma membrane, fatty acids, chilling injury, vanadate-sensitive ATPase

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1194.205