Bioactive components and market quality of apple (malus x domestica borkh.) fruits could be effectively controlled by trees pretreatment with boric acid, melatonin and gibberellic acid

Apple is the fourth most important fruit, known and valued around the world. The numerous potential health benefits are reffeed to apple regular consumption. Many factors affect the phytochemical profile of apples, some of them can be applied for optimalisation of the health benefits of apples. The aim of this investigation was the characterisation of the effect of application of boric acid, melatonin, and gibberellic acid on 'Amasya' and 'Granny Smith' apples morphological and biochemical features. Apple trees were sprayed with boric acid at concentrations of 50 and 75 ppm, gibberellic acid (50 and 75 ppm) and melatonin (50 and 75 ppm), than the physical attributes and chemical composition of fruits was investigated. All treatments significantly increased total soluble solids and phenols content in friuits as well as organic acids except for malic acid. Malic acid was determined as 9316-2439 mg/100 ml, total flavonoids 704-302, while total antioxidant activity 65.02 to 3.97 % DPPH.The observed differences in composition presented a significant magnitude that they may affect both nutritional and sensory properties. The most important for consumers aples charcateristics, like sweetness, can be effetively modified by boric acid, gibberellic acid or melatonin treatment in the manner decribed, but exact mechanisms by which these are accomplished are largely unknown. © by PSP