Abstract: In this study, the effect of a mixed coating of the cereal cell wall polysaccharides arabinoxylan (AX), (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan (BG) and α-cellulose on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism system of postharvest apricot fruits and its action mechanism were investigated. The results showed that the coating could effectively inhibit the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) and ROS contents. The contents of MDA, H2O2, and O2– in the control group were 37.50%, 33.33%, and 57.14% higher than those in the ABF-C8 treatment group (8 g/100 mL α-cellulose), respectively. In addition, the coating treatment maintained the antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzyme activity of apricot fruits, and its ascorbic acid and total phenol contents were 73.33% and 8.40% higher than those in the control group, respectively. The polysaccharide coating could effectively retard the generation and accumulation of ROS during apricot fruit respiration, thereby preserving the integrity of the cell membrane. At the same time, the coating was able to form a barrier against gas and water between the fruit and the external environment, maintaining the activity of ROS scavenging enzymes as well as the antioxidant capacity, thus prolonging the storage period of apricot fruits after harvest.

Key words: apricot preservation; coating preservation material; cell wall; arabinoxylan; (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan; α-cellulose