Development of a new strategy based on the application of phytoregulators to induce phenolic acids in olive fruits

Abstract

A new strategy based on the application of phytoregulators was developed to minimize the natural degradation of antioxidants during olives storage. For that purpose, the effect of the phytoregulators abscisic acid and methyl jasmonate on olive phenolic acids was studied. In particular, four treatments were applied: abscisic acid was applied as a paste and as a spray together with low temperatures, whereas methyl jasmonate as a paste at low temperatures and as a vapor at mild temperatures. As a result, abscisic acid spray and methyl jasmonate vapor resulted in significantly higher contents of all phenolic acids. In contrast, when the phytoregulators were applied in paste form, no effect was observed. To confirm these results, the IC50 value was also determined. An increase of IC50 from 2.31 to 4.10 µg/ml after abscisic acid spray treatment and from 2.72 to 5.36 µg/ml after methyl jasmonate vapor treatment was obtained.