Methyl Jasmonate: An Alternative for Improving the Quality and Health Properties of Fresh Fruits
Marjorie Reyes-Díaz,
Tomas Lobos,
Liliana Cardemil,
Adriano Nunes-Nesi,
Jorge Retamales,
Laura Jaakola,
Miren Alberdi,
Alejandra Ribera-Fonseca
Affiliations
Marjorie Reyes-Díaz
Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco 4811230, Chile
Tomas Lobos
Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
Liliana Cardemil
Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 356, Santiago 7750000, Chlie
Adriano Nunes-Nesi
Max Planck PartnerGroup at Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa-Minas Gerais 36570-900, Brazil
Jorge Retamales
Departamento de Horticultura, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Talca, Talca 3465548, Chile
Laura Jaakola
Department of Arctic and Marine Biology UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø NO-9037, Norway
Miren Alberdi
Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco 4811230, Chile
Alejandra Ribera-Fonseca
Center of Plant, Soil Interaction and Natural Resources Biotechnology, Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN-UFRO), Universidad de La Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco 4811230, Chile
Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a plant growth regulator belonging to the jasmonate family. It plays an important role as a possible airborne signaling molecule mediating intra- and inter-plant communications and modulating plant defense responses, including antioxidant systems. Most assessments of this compound have dealt with post-harvest fruit applications, demonstrating induced plant resistance against the detrimental impacts of storage (chilling injuries and pathogen attacks), enhancing secondary metabolites and antioxidant activity. On the other hand, the interactions between MeJA and other compounds or technological tools for enhancing antioxidant capacity and quality of fruits were also reviewed. The pleiotropic effects of MeJA have raisen numerous as-yet unanswered questions about its mode of action. The aim of this review was endeavored to clarify the role of MeJA on improving pre- and post-harvest fresh fruit quality and health properties. Interestingly, the influence of MeJA on human health will be also discussed.