Sodium nitroprusside as an effective postharvest treatment to mitigate quality deterioration in Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, Jahrom University, P.O. Box: 74135-111, Jahrom, Iran

10.22077/jhpr.2026.9633.1541
Abstract
Purpose: Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) is a highly valued citrus fruit, renowned for its nutritional and therapeutic properties. However, its postharvest life is considerably limited due to rapid senescence-related color changes and weight loss. This study evaluated the effectiveness of postharvest immersion in sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in preserving the quality of Mexican lime fruits during 30 days of storage. Research Method: A completely randomized factorial design was employed, testing four SNP concentrations (0, 30, 60, and 90 µM) across three storage intervals (10, 20, and 30 days). Fruits were dipped in SNP solutions for five minutes, air-dried, packed in perforated plastic bags, and stored at 7 °C with 80 ± 5% relative humidity. Each treatment included four replicates of 15 fruits. Evaluations were performed at 10-day intervals. Findings: Sodium nitroprusside treatment effectively preserved the postharvest quality of Mexican lime during the storage period. Compared to the control, it significantly reduced weight loss and electrolyte leakage, maintained chlorophyll content, and delayed carotenoid accumulation in the peel, thereby slowing yellowing and visual senescence. In addition to these preservative effects, SNP treatment also enhanced juice quality by increasing titratable acidity (TA) and ascorbic acid content, and by reducing the total soluble solids to titratable acidity (TSS/TA) ratio, resulting in a more favorable taste index. Among the tested concentrations, 30 µM SNP proved to be the most effective in maintaining external fruit characteristics and improving internal juice quality. Research Limitations: No specific limitations were identified in this study. Originality/Value: This research demonstrates that postharvest immersion in 30 µM SNP is a safe and promising strategy for extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of Mexican lime, thereby enhancing its economic value.

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Subjects

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Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 16 October 2026

  • Receive Date 23 June 2025
  • Revise Date 12 October 2025
  • Accept Date 04 January 2026