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Review
. 2024 Aug 11:23:101730.
doi: 10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101730. eCollection 2024 Oct 30.

Alternatives to DPA and ethoxyquin for preventing the development of superficial scald in apples: A review

Konstantinos Papoutsis  1
Affiliations
Review

Alternatives to DPA and ethoxyquin for preventing the development of superficial scald in apples: A review

Konstantinos Papoutsis. Food Chem X. .

Abstract

Apples are one of most economically important crops worldwide with a production of approximately 96 million tons in 2022. During postharvest storage, apple quality can decline due to the development of physiological disorders. Superficial scald is one of the main physiological disorders that develops in apples during cold storage and results in quality deterioration. Superficial scald is controlled by synthetic antioxidants such as diphenylamine (DPA) and ethoxyquin. Both chemicals have been banned from the EU due to their toxicity. The current review provides an update on superficial scald complicated development mechanism and summarizes studies investigating postharvest treatments as alternatives to DPA and ethoxyquin. Ethylene and oxygen are important factors that trigger the development of superficial scald in apples by regulating various metabolic pathways during cold storage. More studies are required to investigate alternatives to synthetic antioxidants and elucidate the contribution level of the different metabolites to superficial scald development.

Keywords: Chilling injury; Physiological disorders; Pome fruit; Postharvest losses; Postharvest quality; Storage.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Structure of diphenylamine (A) and ethoxyquin (B).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Different hypothesis on superficial scald development.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Summary of the modes of action of different treatments.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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