Abstract:
In order to investigate the effects of postharvest ambient temperature on the physical characteristics and volatile components of jasmine flowers,
J.sambac ‘Shuangban-moli’ flowers buds was employed as experimental materials in this study. The physical characteristics of jasmine flowers (bulk density, moisture content, floral temperature, jasmine pile temperature, CO
2 concentration, and O
2 concentration) were examined under different postharvest ambient temperatures (29±2, 35±2, and 41±2 ℃; humidity: 85%±3%). Automated thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (ATD-GC-MS) was employed to analyze the volatile components of jasmine flowers under different postharvest ambient temperature. The results showed that the physiological activities of jasmine flowers were suppressed, and the blooming process was delayed at the postharvest ambient temperature 29 ℃. In contrast, it was more conducive to their fragrance release, and jasmine flowers exhibited the highest degree of blooming, the peak flowering condition, and the faster blooming process at the postharvest ambient temperature 35 ℃. Sensory evaluation also indicated that jasmine flowers had a rich aroma and pure white color at the postharvest ambient temperature 35 ℃. A total of 102 volatile components were identified from jasmine flowers maintained at different postharvest ambient temperatures, including 28 esters, 19 terpenes, 15 alcohols, 11 alkanes, 7 aromatic hydrocarbons, 4 halogenated hydrocarbons, 4 aldehydes, 2 cyclic hydrocarbons (non-aromatic), 2 ethers, 2 ketones, 2 phenols, 2 acids, and 4 other substances. Jasmine flowers exhibited significantly higher relative abundance of some volatile components during the flower starts blooming stage, flower fully blooming stage, and flower starts senescence stage at the postharvest ambient temperature 35 ℃ compared to other temperatures (
P<0.05). As the key contributors to the "fresh floral scent" of jasmine flowers, such as
α-farnesene and trans-caryophyllene etc terpenes with floral and fruity fragrances had significantly higher relative content during the flower starts blooming stage and flower fully blooming stage at the postharvest ambient temperature 35 ℃ (
P<0.05). In summary, it was beneficial for jasmine flower blooming and fragrance release at the postharvest ambient temperature 35 ℃.