How Hydrogen Sulfide Helps Tomatoes Stay Fresh and Firm in Cold Storage

Jenn Hoskins
25th June, 2024

How Hydrogen Sulfide Helps Tomatoes Stay Fresh and Firm in Cold Storage

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study from Guangxi University explored how hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can help tomatoes resist cold storage damage
  • Tomatoes treated with H2S showed better energy metabolism, keeping them fresh and firm during cold storage
  • H2S treatment also slowed down cell wall degradation, preventing the softness and spots usually caused by cold storage
Postharvest cold storage of tomato fruits is a common practice to extend their shelf life. However, this method often leads to chilling injury (CI), which manifests as softness and spots on the fruit surface, compromising their quality. Recent research from Guangxi University has shown that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can improve the cold resistance of tomato fruits by regulating energy metabolism and delaying cell wall degradation, thereby alleviating the damage caused by cold storage[1]. In the study, tomato fruits were fumigated with different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 mM) of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) solution, a donor of H2S, for 24 hours and then stored at 4°C for 25 days. The results demonstrated that fumigation with 1 and 1.5 mM NaHS solution significantly promoted the accumulation of endogenous H2S in the fruits. This increase in H2S was associated with enhanced activities of enzymes involved in its biosynthesis, specifically L-cysteine desulfurase (LCD) and D-cysteine desulfurase (DCD). The study found that H2S treatment improved the activities of key energy metabolism enzymes, including H+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, cytochrome C oxidase (CCO), and succinic dehydrogenase (SDH). These enzymes play crucial roles in maintaining cellular energy balance and overall fruit vitality during cold storage. Additionally, the treatments increased the contents of cellulose and hemicellulose in the tomato fruits, which are vital components of the cell wall. Interestingly, the study also observed that H2S treatment down-regulated the activities of cell wall-degrading enzymes such as cellulase (CL), pectin lyase (PL), α-mannosidase (α-man), and β-Galactosidase (β-Gal). This was accompanied by a decrease in the expression of genes associated with these enzymes, including PL1, PL8, MAN4, and MAN7. By reducing the activity of these enzymes, H2S helped maintain cell wall integrity, thereby preventing the softness and surface spotting characteristic of CI. These findings align with previous research on the beneficial effects of H2S in mitigating stress in plants. For instance, a study on bananas showed that H2S application reduced CI and improved various physiological parameters during cold storage[2]. Similarly, H2S was found to enhance seed germination under high temperature stress by modulating specific signaling pathways[3]. Additionally, H2S pretreatment in strawberry plants conferred tolerance to salt and osmotic stress by enhancing antioxidant mechanisms and regulating multiple transcriptional pathways[4]. The current study expands on these earlier findings by demonstrating the specific mechanisms through which H2S alleviates CI in tomato fruits. By improving energy metabolism and delaying cell wall degradation, H2S helps maintain the quality and shelf life of tomatoes during cold storage. This research provides a promising approach for extending the postharvest life of tomatoes and potentially other fruits, thereby reducing food waste and improving food security. In conclusion, the application of H2S as a fumigation treatment offers a viable solution to the problem of CI in tomato fruits during cold storage. By enhancing energy metabolism and preserving cell wall integrity, H2S treatment ensures that tomatoes remain firm and free from surface defects, thereby maintaining their marketability and consumer appeal.

FruitsBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Involvement of energy and cell wall metabolisms in chilling tolerance improved by hydrogen sulfide in cold-stored tomato fruits.

Published 24th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-024-03263-2

Related Studies

2) Hydrogen Sulfide Mitigates Chilling Injury of Postharvest Banana Fruits by Regulating γ-Aminobutyric Acid Shunt Pathway and Ascorbate-Glutathione Cycle.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.941246

3) The hydrogen sulfide signal enhances seed germination tolerance to high temperatures by retaining nuclear COP1 for HY5 degradation.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2019.04.024

4) Hydrogen sulfide induces systemic tolerance to salinity and non-ionic osmotic stress in strawberry plants through modification of reactive species biosynthesis and transcriptional regulation of multiple defence pathways.

https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ert055


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