Role of Glutathione in Post-harvest Fruit Preservation

Post-harvest fruits deteriorate rapidly through water loss, oxidative damage and pathogen attack, leading to substantial economic losses. Berries such as strawberries—with their thin cuticle and very high water content—are especially difficult to keep fresh.

In recent years glutathione (GSH), a natural antioxidant, has attracted growing attention for its potential in post-harvest preservation. Studies on the cultivar ‘Sabrina’ strawberry provide a clear picture of how GSH functions and how effective it can be.

1. Glutathione markedly reduces post-harvest weight loss and maintains fruit appearance and texture.

Strawberries treated with 64 mM GSH and stored for 15 days at 4 °C and 90–95 % relative humidity lost significantly less weight than untreated or lower-dose fruit. GSH lowers membrane permeability and reduces stomatal opening, thereby curbing transpiration and respiration and slowing dehydration and softening. Similar findings have been reported in okra and other crops.

2. GSH excels at preserving nutritional quality.

Treatment with 64 mM GSH greatly increases the contents of total phenolics, anthocyanins and ascorbic acid in strawberries. It also activates key enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), stimulating the phenylpropanoid pathway and enhancing the synthesis of phenolics and flavonoids—nutrients that further strengthen the fruit’s antioxidant capacity. Among the tested concentrations, 16 mM GSH produced the highest antioxidant activity.

3. Glutathione alleviates oxidative damage and retards senescence.

Malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of membrane lipid peroxidation, was significantly lower in 64 mM GSH-treated strawberries, indicating reduced oxidative injury. GSH also boosts the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), fortifying the enzymatic antioxidant system to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and minimize cellular damage.

By decreasing weight loss, sustaining nutritional quality and mitigating oxidative damage, glutathione effectively prolongs post-harvest shelf life and enhances commercial value. A 64 mM concentration offers the best performance for strawberry preservation, providing a safe, practical technology that promises broad application in the post-harvest handling of fruits and vegetables.

Reference

[1] Manda-Hakki K, Hassanpour H. Effect of L-glutathione treatment on biochemical properties, antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzyme activity in strawberry fruits during storage. Heliyon, 2024, 10(18).

*Special note - This article is for informational purposes only and cannot replace a doctor's treatment diagnosis and advice. It should not be regarded as a recommendation or proof of efficacy of the medical products involved. If it involves disease diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, please be sure to go to a professional medical institution to seek professional advice.

by GSHWORLD

GSHWORLD is China Biological API Manufacturer. China Glutathione Supplements powder suppliers & best Glutathione benefits raw material Factory.