Varietal response of Russian plum fruits to long-term cold storage

Cultivation of Russian plum in the humid subtropics conditions of Russia is a promising direction for industrial horticulture. The key task is the development of technologies that ensure prolongation of storage life of fruits without deterioration of their nutritional and consumer properties. Optimization of postharvest processing becomes especially important for minimizing economic losses and extending the time window for selling seasonal products. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of a preparation based on 1-methylcyclopropene (“1-MCP “Fresh-Form”) for prolongation of cold storage of two varieties of Russian plum of medium maturity – ‘Gek’ and ‘July Rose’. The research included a comprehensive study of biochemical and organoleptic parameters of fruits to substantiate the suitability of varieties for prolonged storage and validation of postharvest processing technology. Preparation “1-MCP “Fresh-Form” is a gaseous compound 1-methylcyclopropene, which belongs to the class of ethylene inhibitors, a phytohormone regulating the cascade of biochemical reactions associated with ripening, senescence and destructive processes in the postharvest period. Experimental fruit samples after harvesting were divided into two groups: control and 1-MCP-treated. Storage was carried out in industrial chambers at a temperature of (+2 ± 0.5) °C and humidity of 85–90 %. Quality monitoring included quantitative analysis of organic acids, determination of ascorbic acid dynamics, evaluation of carbohydrate profile (sucrose, glucose, fructose), calculation of sugar-acid index and soluble solids content, quantitative determination of total polyphenols, organoleptic evaluation. The study revealed varietal specificity of biochemical response of plum fruits of ‘Gek’ and ‘July Rose’ varieties to the treatment during cold storage. A decrease in carbohydrate metabolism and degradation of ascorbic acid was found, with simultaneous active synthesis of polyphenols. The ‘Gek’ variety showed resistance to the treatment, while the ‘July Rose’ variety showed susceptibility. The treatment increased the shelf life by 46 %. Application of 1-MCP confirmed the effectiveness in prolongation of storage of Russian plum without critical loss of quality. The obtained data indicate the feasibility of technology implementation in agropractice of the region with adaptation of treatment protocols to varietal specificity of metabolism.

1. Liu R. H. Health-promoting components of fruits and vegetables. Advances in Nutrition, 2013, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 384–392. https://doi.org/10.3945/an.112.003517

2. Boeing H., Bechthold A., Bub A., Ellinger S., Haller D., Kroke A., Leschik-Bonnet E., Müller M.J., Oberritter H., Schulze M., Stehle P., Watzl B. Critical review: vegetables and fruit in the prevention of chronic diseases. European Journal of Nutrition, 2012, vol. 51, no. 6, pp. 637–663. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-012-0380-y

3. Kalt W., Cassidy A., Howard L. R., Krikorian R., Stull A.J., Tremblay F., Zamora-Ros R. Recent research on the health benefits of blueberries and their anthocyanins. Advances in Nutrition, 2020, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 224–236. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz065

4. Mironov M. A., Akimov M. Yu., Koltsov V. A., Bogdanov R. E. Insight into a complex of phenolic compounds in plump fruits (Prunus domestica L.) in the conditions of Tambov oblast. Russian Agricultural Sciences, 2023, vol. 49, no. 4, pp. 361–367. https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068367423040109

5. Scalbert A., Johnson I. T., Saltmarsh M. Polyphenols: antioxidants and beyond. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2005, vol. 81, suppl. 1, pp. 215S–217S. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/81.1.215S

6. Eremin G. V. Stone fruit crops: genetic diversity and its use in breeding. Krasnodar, Prosveshchenie-Yug Publ., 2021. 558 p. (in Russian).

7. Eremin G. V. Improving of the assortment of Russian plum. Plodovodstvo i yagodovodstvo Rossii = Pomiculture and Small Fruits Culture in Russia, 2017, vol. 48, no. 1, pp. 98–102 (in Russian).

8. Gudkovskii V. A. The system of reducing losses and preserving the quality of fruits and grapes during storage: methodological recommendations. Michurinsk, All-Russian Research Institute of Horticulture, 1990. 119 p. (in Russian).

9. Gudkovsky V. A., Kozhina L. V., Nazarov Y. B., Balakirev A. E., Gocheva R. B. High-precision technologies of storage of apple fruits is the basis for ensuring their quality: achievements, challenges for the future. Dostizheniya nauki i tekhniki APK = Achievements of Science and Technology of AIC, 2019, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 61–67 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.24411/0235-2451-2019-10215

10. Abelentsev V. I., Podgornaja M. E., Smoljakova V. M. Influence post-harvest of handling biological preparations on storage of apples. Plodovodstvo i vinogradarstvo Yuga Rossii = Fruit Growing and Viticulture of South Russia, 2010, no. 4 (3), pp. 105–109 (in Russian).

11. Budagovskii A. V., Budagovskaya O. N. Laser processing of apples. Khranenie i pererabotka sel’khozsyr’ya = Storage and Processing of Farm Products, 2008, no. 8, pp. 40–43 (in Russian).

12. Budagovsky A. V., Budagovskaya O. N., Maslova M. V., Grosheva E. V. Application of coherent light to reduce the loss of apples in the post-deliberary period. Agropromyshlennye tekhnologii Tsentral’noi Rossii = Agro-industrial Technologies of Central Russia, 2018, no. 2 (8), pp. 16–22 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.24888/2541-7835-2018-8-16-22

13. Goudkovsky V. A., Klad A. A., Kozhina L. V., Balakirev A. Ye., Nazarov Yu. B. Advanced fruit storage technologies. Dostizheniya nauki i tekhniki APK = Achievements of Science and Technology of AIC, 2009, no. 2, pp. 66–68 (in Russian).

14. Kolesnik A. A., Fedorov M. A., Osenova E. Kh. Fruit storage in a controlled atmosphere. Moscow, Kolos Publ., 1973. 144 p. (in Russian).

15. Lisovoy V. V., Kabalina D. V. Russian and foreign experience of the application of biopreparations in storage of fruits. Nauchnyi zhurnal KubGAU = Scientific Journal of KubSAU, 2017, no. 134, pp. 205–217 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.21515/1990-4665-134-017

16. Nemenushchaya L. A., Stepanishcheva N. M., Solomatin D. M. Modern technologies of storage and processing of fruit and vegetable products: scientific analytical review. Moscow, Rosinformagrotekh Publ., 2009. 170 p. (in Russian).

17. Rusanova L. A. Modern way to store fruits, vegetables, berries and grapes. Sfera uslug: innovatsii i kachestvo = Services Sector: Innovation and Quality, 2013, no. 13, art. 11 (in Russian).

18. Uaild G., Paradovskii A. Commercial use of ethylene inhibitor (1-MSR) technology in the USA. Vysokotochnye tekhnologii proizvodstva, khraneniya i pererabotki plodov i yagod [High-precision technologies for the production, storage and processing of fruits and berries]. Krasnodar, 2010, pp. 330–336 (in Russian).

19. Watkins C. B. Ethylene synthesis, mode of action, consequences and control. Fruit quality and its biological basis. Sheffield, Boca Raton, 2002, pp. 180–224.

20. Zanella A. Control of apple superficial scald and ripening – a comparison between 1-methylcyclopropene and diphenylamine postharvest treatments, initial low oxygen stress and ultra-low oxygen storage. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 2003, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 69–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-5214(02)00187-477

21. Kunina V. A., Platonova N. B. Application of a preparation based on 1-methylcyclopropene to extend the storage life of peach and nectarine fruits. Izvestiya vuzov. Pishchevaya tekhnologiya = Izvestiya vuzov. Food Technology, 2024, no. 5–6, pp. 15–20 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.26297/0579-3009.2024.5-6.2

22. Blankenship S. M., Dole J. M. 1-Methylcyclopropene: a review. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 2003, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0925-5214(02)00246-6

23. State catalogue of pesticides and agrochemicals approved for use on the territory of the Russian Federation: as of April 23, 2025. Ministry of Agriculture of Russia. Available at: https://mcx.gov.ru/search/?q=государственный+каталог+пестицидов&test=test (accessed 16 May 2025) (in Russian).

24. Eremin G. V. (ed.). Atlas of the best varieties of fruit and berry crops of the Krasnodar Region. Vol. 2. Stone fruits. Krasnodar, 2009. 134 p. (in Russian).

25. Chupakhina G. N., Maslennikov P. V. (comp.). Methods of vitamin analysis: workshop. Kaliningrad, Publishing house of Kaliningrad State University, 2004. 35 p. (in Russian).

26. Singleton V. L., Orthofer R., Lamuela-Raventós R. M. Analysis of total phenols and other oxidation substrates and antioxidants by means of folin-ciocalteu reagent. Methods in Enzymology, 1999, vol. 299, pp. 152–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0076-6879(99)99017-1

27. Lobanov G. A. (ed.). Program and methodology of varietal study of fruit, berry and nut crops. Michurinsk, 1973. 495 p. (in Russian).

28. Ma L., Ghorbani Y., Kongar-Syuryun C. B., Khayrutdinov M. M., Klyuev R. V., Petenko A., Brigida V. Dynamics of backfill compressive strength obtained from enrichment tails for the circular waste management. Resources, Conservation and Recycling Advances, 2024, vol. 23, art. 200224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200224

29. Golik V. I., Razorenov Yu. I., Brigida V. S., Burdzieva O. G. Mechanochemical technology of metal mining from enriching tails. Izvestiya Tomskogo politekhnicheskogo universiteta. Inzhiniring georesursov = Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Assets Engineering, 2020, vol. 331, no. 6, pp. 175–183 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2020/6/ 2687

30. Dzhioeva A. K., Brigida V. S. Spatial non-linearity of methane release dynamics in underground boreholes for sustainable mining. Journal of Mining Institute, 2020, vol. 245, pp. 522–530. https://doi.org/10.31897/pmi.2020.5.3

31. Brigida V. S., Zinchenko N. N. Methane release in drainage holes ahead of coal face. Journal of Mining Science, 2014, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 60–64. https://doi.org/10.1134/s1062739114010098

32. Sheng L., Shen D., Yang W., Zhang M., Zeng Y., Xu J., Deng X., Cheng Y. GABA pathway rate-limit citrate degradation in postharvest citrus fruit evidence from HB pumelo (Citrus grandis) × Fairchild (Citrus reticulata). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2017, vol. 65, no. 8, pp. 1669–1676. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6b05237

33. Medvedev S. S. Plant physiology. St. Petersburg, BKhV-Peterburg Publ., 2013. 496 p. (in Russian).

34. Etienne A., Génard M., Lobit P., Mbeguié-A-Mbéguié D., Bugaud C. What controls fleshy fruit acidity? A review of malate and citrate accumulation in fruit cells. Journal of Experimental Botany, 2013, vol. 64, no. 6, pp. 1451–1469. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ert035

35. Yahia E. M., Carrillo-Lopez A. (eds.). Postharvest physiology and biochemistry of fruits and vegetables. Duxford, Woodhead Publishing, 2018. 510 p.

36. Zhang L. H., Zhang A. N., Xu Y., Zhu L. C., Ma B. Q., Li M. J. Accumulation and regulation of malate in fruit cells. Fruit Research, 2024, vol. 4, art. e031. https://doi.org/10.48130/frures-0024-0025

37. Zhou D., Chen S., Xu R., Tu S., Tu K. Interactions among chilling tolerance, sucrose degradation and organic acid metabolism in UV-C-irradiated peach fruit during postharvest cold storage. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 2019, vol. 41, no. 6, art. 79. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-019-2871-4

38. Batashova S. S., Zolotukhina A. A., Guryleva A. V., Platonova N. B., Kunina V. A. Method for automated assessment of the effectiveness of fruit safety enhancement using an acousto-optical imaging spectrometer. Journal of Optical Technology, 2024, vol. 91, no. 7, pp. 452–458. https://doi.org/10.1364/JOT.91.000452

39. Vetrova O. A. Makarkina M. A., Roeva T. A. The mineral nutrition effect on some indicators of the cherry fruits biochemical composition. Vestnik KrasGAU = Bulliten KSAU, 2023, no. 9 (198), pp. 67–76 (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.36718/1819-4036-2023-9-67-76

40. Ufimtseva L. V., Glaz N. V., Lezin M. S. The use of sugar-acid index in the evaluation of varieties taste of honeyberry. Uchenye zapiski Chelyabinskogo otdeleniya Russkogo botanicheskogo obshchestva [Scientific notes of the Chelyabinsk branch of the Russian Botanical Society]. Chelyabinsk, 2020, iss. 3, pp. 123–127 (in Russian).