Abstract:

The effects of UV-C treatment on postharvest decay, phenylpropanoid metabolism and antioxidant activity in
strawberry fruit (Fragaria × ananassa Duch. cv. Hongyan) during storage at 5 ℃ for up to 12 days were investigated.
The results showed that UV-C treatment at 2.0 kJ/m² had the most significant inhibitory effect on fruit decay during the
storage period. Meanwhile, this treatment significantly enhanced the activities of phenylalnine ammonialyase, cinnamate-4-
hydroxylase, 4-coumarate coenzyme A ligase, chalcone isomerase and dihydroflavonol-4-reductase, maintained higher contents
of total phenolics, anthocyanins and flavnoids as well as main individual phenolic and anthocyanin compounds than controls,
promoted the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging activity and reducing power and inhibited the decrease
of hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity, thus maintaining higher antioxidant activity of strawberry fruit.

Key words: strawberry, ultraviolet-C, fruit decay, phenylpropanoid metabolism, antioxidant activity