Dynamic Changes and Correlation Analysis of Pumpkin Quality and Physiological Indicators during Postharvest Storage
Zhenyu Liu,
Pengwei Wang,
Zhenwei Liu,
Li Sun,
Xinzheng Li,
Junjie Liu,
Rongyao Xing,
Xitian Zhang,
Haoyu Deng,
Yiming Zhang
Affiliations
Zhenyu Liu
College of Horticulture and Landscape, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China; and Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Horticultural Plant Resource Utilization and Germplasm Enhancement, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China
Pengwei Wang
College of Horticulture and Landscape, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China; and Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Horticultural Plant Resource Utilization and Germplasm Enhancement, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China
Zhenwei Liu
College of Horticulture and Landscape, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China; and Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Horticultural Plant Resource Utilization and Germplasm Enhancement, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China
Li Sun
College of Horticulture and Landscape, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China; and Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Horticultural Plant Resource Utilization and Germplasm Enhancement, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China
Xinzheng Li
College of Horticulture and Landscape, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China; and Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Horticultural Plant Resource Utilization and Germplasm Enhancement, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China
Junjie Liu
College of Horticulture and Landscape, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China; and Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Horticultural Plant Resource Utilization and Germplasm Enhancement, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China
Rongyao Xing
College of Horticulture and Landscape, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China; and Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Horticultural Plant Resource Utilization and Germplasm Enhancement, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China
Xitian Zhang
College of Horticulture and Landscape, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China; and Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Horticultural Plant Resource Utilization and Germplasm Enhancement, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China
Haoyu Deng
College of Horticulture and Landscape, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China; and Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Horticultural Plant Resource Utilization and Germplasm Enhancement, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China
Yiming Zhang
College of Horticulture and Landscape, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China; and Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Horticultural Plant Resource Utilization and Germplasm Enhancement, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China
Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) is a versatile crop with strong stress resistance and promising growth potential. Widely cultivated in various regions of China, it ranks among the top crops globally in terms of both planting area and consumption. Known for its pleasant taste and high nutritional value, pumpkin pulp is rich in essential trace elements for the human body. Even after harvest, pumpkin fruit remains metabolically active, requiring its own nutrients to complete the postripening process. Failure to provide proper postharvest storage conditions can lead to excessive water loss and rapid nutrient depletion, resulting in rough, shriveled, and even rotten peel, ultimately diminishing the economic value of the pumpkin. This study aimed to investigate the changes in pumpkin quality and physiological indicators during storage to provide insights to determine optimal consumption and processing periods of pumpkins. The pumpkins were stored at a temperature of 16 ± 2 °C and 60% to 80% humidity during the experiment. The dynamic changes in fruit quality, hardness, respiration rate, malondialdehyde content, level of antioxidant enzymes, and other indicators of two pumpkin cultivars (BM5 and JQ) were assessed during storage, and the correlation among these indicators was evaluated. The results indicated a decrease in the vitamin C content and pulp hardness, whereas the superoxide dismutase and catalase contents initially increased and then decreased, and malondialdehyde and weight loss rates increased over the storage period. The weight loss rate exhibited significant positive and negative correlations with the malondialdehyde content (P < 0.01) of the two cultivars, whereas the vitamin C content showed a significant positive correlation with pulp hardness (P < 0.01). The findings indicate that optimal fruit quality was maintained within 40 days of postharvest storage. This study provides valuable insights into the selection of storable pumpkin cultivars.
