Effects of hydrogen sulphide, nitric oxide and ethylene on postharvest deterioration of pak choy

Ethylene, hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO) are signaling molecules that affect plant metabolism. Postharvest fumigations with these gases have been shown to interfere with a range of factors associated with postharvest senescence. This study reports on postharvest studies with pak choy (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) that examined the effect of fumigation with hydrogen sulphide and nitric oxide and subsequent storage at 10°C in air with and without the addition of 0.1 μL L-1 ethylene. The results showed that treatment with nitric oxide increased the shelf life and decreased respiration rates for the pak choy heads during the storage. However, fumigation with H2S alone or in combination with NO resulted in greater inhibition of respiration rate and extension in market life, and this effect was more pronounced in the presence of 0.1 μL L-1 ethylene.