Regulation effect of magnetic field combined with low temperature storage on postharvest quality and cell wall pectic-polysaccharide degradation of Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels

This study investigated the regulation effect of magnetic field combined with low temperature storage on postharvest quality and cell wall pectic-polysaccharide degradation of wampee stored for 15 d at 4 degrees C and 15 degrees C. Results showed that magnetic field combined with low temperature storage reduced browning rate of fruit after 15 d storage, but its effect on weight loss rate and total soluble solids (TSS) did not surpass that of storage temperature. Interestingly, contents of flavonoid, total phenols and malondialdehyde (MDA) were also lowered at varying degrees by combined treatment. Furthermore, molecular weight distribution and monosaccharide compositions of cell wall pectic-polysaccharides were also affected, which resulted from the coordinated action of cell wall pectin-degrading enzymes. The activities of these enzymes during storage, including polygalacturonase (PG), pectin methylesterase (PME) and 8-galactosidase (8-Gal) in treated wampee decreased. These findings suggested that magnetic field combined with low temperature storage was an effective technology and had great potential in preservation of postharvest wampee in future.