Effect of Electrostatic Atomization Spraying of Methyl Jasmonate on the Postharvest Storage Quality and Aroma of Prune

To investigate the effects of methyl jasmonate (MEJA) electrostatic atomization treatment on the postharvest storage quality of prune fruits, 'French' prunes (Prunus domestica L.) from Xinjiang were treated with 0.1 mmol/L MEJA and stored at 0 ℃ for 100 days. The results demonstrated that exogenous methyl jasmonate (MEJA) applied via electrostatic atomization significantly delayed postharvest quality deterioration in prune fruits. Compared with the control group (CK), the MEJA-treated group showed a 10.3% reduction in respiration rate, a 20-day delay in ethylene production peak, a 60.89% decrease in decay incidence, and a 15.10% increase in firmness at the end of storage period. Ultrastructural observations revealed that MEJA treatment effectively inhibited the depolymerization of cell wall components in prune fruits, thereby maintaining cellular structural integrity. Further investigation indicated that MEJA treatment significantly suppressed the activities of key enzymes in the ethanol metabolic pathway, including pyruvate carboxylase (PDC) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), resulting in 17.4% and 18.4% reductions in ethanol and acetaldehyde accumulation, respectively. A total of 94 volatile aroma compounds were identified using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, with significant differences observed in the major aroma components between different storage periods and between treatment groups, MEJA treatment was found to promote the release and maintenance of fruit aroma components. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships (P<0.05) between physicochemical quality parameters and enzymatic activities, while principal component analysis demonstrated distinct storage quality characteristics between groups, with the MEJA-treated samples exhibiting superior preservation effects. In conclusion, MEJA electrostatic atomization treatment effectively maintains fruit quality during storage, representing a promising postharvest preservation method for prune fruits.