Fresh-cut peaches are susceptible to browning when exposed to air. Reducing the browning is important to maintain the quality of the fresh-cut peaches. Nitric oxide (NO) as the signal factor can improve the antioxidant capacity of organisms; sodium alginate (SA) is a natural polysaccharide with good antibacterial and film-forming properties. The study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-browning activities of combined application of sodium alginate and nitric oxide on peaches slices preservation. The activities of some browning-related enzymes and antioxidant enzymes and the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and some browning-related components in fresh-cut peaches were determined. Results showed that combined treatment of 1% SA + 10 μmol/L NO slowed down the decrease in firmness, L*, and SSC, restrained the increase in browning degree and the activities of polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, peroxidase, and lipoxygenase. At the same time, it reduced the accumulation of O2•-, ·OH, H2O2, malondialdehyde, and total phenolic, and increased the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase in peach slices. Overall, it was concluded that treatment with 1% SA + 10 μmol/L NO maintained quality and extended storage life of fresh-cut peaches.
Keywords: Fresh-cut; nitric oxide; peach; sodium alginate; storage quality.