Abstract:

In order to investigate the effect of exogenous L-arginine on the storage quality of mandarin orange (Citrus
reticulata Blanco), mandarin fruits were soaked in L-Arg solutions at 100 μmol/L and 200 μmol/L for 10 min, respectively
and then stored at 20 ℃ with 85%–90% relative humidity. The results showed that at optimal concentration (200 μmol/L),
exogenous L-Arg effectively inhibited the yellowing of mandarin fruits and the increase of the peel cell membrane
permeability to a certain extent. L-Arg treatments maintained the content of soluble solids in fruits during the first 28 days
of storage and showed no significant difference in respiratory rate compared with the control group. L-Arg at appropriate
concentration of 200 μmol/L inhibited the increase of weight loss of fruits to a certain extent and delayed the decrease of
total phenols and ascorbic acid. There was no significant difference in flavonoid contents between the treatment and control
groups during the first 21 days of storage, but flavonoid contents decreased quickly in the treated fruits thereafter. It was
suggested that exogenous L-Arg treatment at 200 μmol/L can effectively delay the senescence and quality loss of mandarin
oranges after harvest.

Key words: exogenous L-Arg, mandarin orange, color, storage quality