园艺产品的采后寿命与营养品质的损失密切相关,伴随着保质期的快速下降,商业价值,和市场性。褪黑素(MT)的应用不仅可以保持园艺产品的质量,而且可以延迟其衰老。本文综述了内源性MT的生物合成和代谢,总结了外源MT对采后园艺产品的显着影响,检查MT介导的效应的调节机制,并提供了综合审查,以了解MT在衰老延迟和质量维持中的积极作用。作为一种多功能分子,MT协调其他信号分子,比如ABA,ETH,JA,SA,NO,和Ca2+,调节采后成熟和衰老。采后衰老过程中MT的几种代谢途径参与调节,包括植物激素的合成和信号转导,氧化还原稳态,能量代谢,碳水化合物代谢,以及色素和细胞壁成分的降解。此外,MT调节与植物激素相关的基因的表达,抗氧化系统,能源生产,果实硬度和颜色,膜完整性,和碳水化合物储存。因此,MT可以成为一种新兴的环保防腐剂,以延长园艺产品的保质期并保持其采后质量。
The postharvest lifespan of horticultural products is closely related to loss of nutritional quality, accompanied by a rapid decline in shelf life, commercial value, and marketability. Melatonin (MT) application not only maintains quality but also delays senescence in horticultural products. This paper reviews biosynthesis and metabolism of endogenous MT, summarizes significant effects of exogenous MT application on postharvest horticultural products, examines regulatory mechanisms of MT-mediated effects, and provides an integrated review for understanding the positive role of MT in senescence delay and quality maintenance. As a multifunctional molecule, MT coordinates other signal molecules, such as ABA, ETH, JA, SA, NO, and Ca2+, to regulate postharvest ripening and senescence. Several metabolic pathways are involved in regulation of MT during postharvest senescence, including synthesis and signal transduction of plant hormones, redox homeostasis, energy metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and degradation of pigment and cell wall components. Moreover, MT regulates expression of genes related to plant hormones, antioxidant systems, energy generation, fruit firmness and colour, membrane integrity, and carbohydrate storage. Consequently, MT could become an emerging and eco-friendly preservative to extend shelf life and maintain postharvest quality of horticultural products.