Effect of selenium enrichment on metabolism of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit during postharvest ripening

Summary

ABSTRACT Background Selenium (Se) enrichment of plants seems effective in enhancing the health‐related properties of produce and in delaying plant senescence and fruit ripening. The current study investigated the effects of Se on tomato fruit ripening. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants were grown in hydroponics with different Se‐enriched nutrient solutions. Se, as sodium selenate, was added at a rate of 0 mg L−1 (control), 1, and 1.5 mg L−1. Results Selenium was absorbed by roots and translocated to leaves and fruit. Enrichment with Se did not significantly affect the qualitative parameters of fruit at commercial harvest; instead it delayed ripening by affecting specific ripening‐related processes (respiration, ethylene production, color evolution) during postharvest. In the current