Temporal Changes and Correlations between Quality Loss Parameters, Antioxidant Properties and Enzyme Activities in Apricot Fruit Treated with Methyl Jasmonate and Salicylic Acid during Cold Storage and Shelf-Life
, Amin Ammar 4, Zoltán Szabó 5, József Nyéki 5, Bianka Molnár 5 and Imre J. Holb 5,6,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The aim of this paper was to study the temporal changes and correlations of quality parameters in apricot fruit in the postharvest treatments with methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid under 1 °C cold storage at different times and 25 °C shelf-life at 4 and 8 days after the 21-day cold storage treatments. MeJA and SA significantly decreased the quality loss parameters of chilling injury and fruit decay. The authors conclude that MeJA and SA are practically useful and inexpensive techniques to maintain several quality attributes of apricot fruit during both CS and SL conditions.
The paper, although not contains none analysis with techniques of molecular biology, is interesting as regard the post-harvest treatment. However the manuscript needs to be revised according to following comments:
The abstract needs to be rewritten. It is not necessary to be analytic and to report all experimental data in the abstract. On the other hand, the end part of the abstract must to report what are “the several quality attributes of apricot fruit during both CS and SL conditions” due to MeJA and SA (lines 43 and 44)
Lines 97-99 It is important to know how much days from the anthesis the apricots were utilized for the experimental procedure and the mode of transport to reach the laboratory where the experiments were made. The equal size was 40 mm? the apricot fruit is round? What means “ visual defects”
Lines 100-110 It is not clear this part. Why is written “ In a previous preliminary unpublished study”,
Control treatment/s must to be added in the materials and methods. As was/were made?
Determine the Dry matter on a quantity of apricots statistically valid, is an important parameter for evaluate the water content in the apricot fruit. This parameter can change between the various fruits and could allow to compare fresh weight to dry matter.
Line 134 and 457 Antoxodant?!
Line 137 2.3.1. Total Antioxidant Capacity. Describe the experimental procedure in brief. Specify the quantity of fruit (gr or mg) that was utilized and the extraction ratio utilized (ratio between quantity of fruit and extraction buffer; Weight/volume-w/v)
Line 166 2.3.4. Ascorbic Acid Content (see previous comment) Specify the quantity of fruit (gr or mg) that was utilized and the extraction ratio utilized (ratio between quantity of fruit and extraction buffer; Weight/volume)
Line 172-173 Eliminate “for both storage treatments at all assessment dates”
Line 181 Change “ is stopped” with “was stopped”
Throughout the manuscript change “ml” with mL and “l” (liter) with L and “μl” with μL
Figure 1 E. Change FM with FW
Figure 1 G Report “ FW” in y-axis of the figure
Figure 1E and 1F. Explain why in the control there is an increase in the total carotenoids at 7 and 14 days (figure 1E) and at 4 days (figure 1F)
Figure 2. Explain why in the control there is an increase in POD activity at 14 days (figure 2C) and after a decrease.
Lines 437-445. The authors evidence the fact that in plant pathogen interactions (paper of Droby and Yaon and Tian) in presence of MeJA the infection decreased. However, in this paper no plant-pathogen interactions are present. Therefore, to compare two experimental procedure that are many different between them is not scientifically corrected. Anyway, it is necessary to report the concentration of MeJA utilized in the papers indicated, and to explain if the concentration is the same or not. In the system -interactions plant pathogen and MeJA-, the defense systems of the plant are a total result of the response of the plant plus response due to administration of the MeJA.
Lines 496 – 497. It is not clear “Meng et al. [27] and Sayyari et al. [58] as the authors also demonstrated a PAL activity increase by MeJA treatments.”
Line 501 PAL and POD enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of lignin. Lacks “are” involved
Lines 510-512. “Therefore, increasing POD activity helps to build a stronger cell wall, which can mechanically slow down the penetration of fruit pathogens into plant cells [70]. Therefore, an increase of POD results in lower fruit decays.”: This phrase is not opportune (see comments for lines 437-445)
Lines 515-516 “The SOD enzyme has several roles in the plant cells such as i) detoxifying ROS, ii) lowering
chilling injury and iii) protect cells from super oxide anion (O2-) [73,74].” The points i) and III) are the same thing.
Line 524 “CAT is a key enzyme in the catalyzation of H2O2 into H2O and O2”. This is true. However, in plant and fruits the ascorbate peroxidase is another key enzyme in the removal of H2O2. As in the manuscript is reported the content of ascorbic acid, to study the data on the ascorbate peroxidase activity contributes to the understand better the mechanism of the antioxidant capacity and of the defense systems involved.
Line 529” In the study of Chan and Tian [60], CAT activity was significantly inhibited by SA treatment on sweet cherry fruit inoculated with P. expansum”. This phrase is not opportune. See comments for lines 437-445
Lines 546-548. “Overall, our results on the activities of enzymes may imply that the four enzymes can promote various functions in the defense system and these may be jointly induced by MeJA and/or SA in apricot fruit. The above four enzymes are substantially induced by the given MeJA and SA concentrations; and as a result, storability of apricot fruit is increased.” Add the name of the four enzymes
Throughout the manuscript “Up to our knowledge”, “our studies”, the word “study” and other words are redundant
The abstract needs to be rewritten. It is not necessary to be analytic and to report all experimental data in the abstract. On the other hand, the end part of the abstract must to report what are “the several quality attributes of apricot fruit during both CS and SL conditions” due to MeJA and SA (lines 43 and 44)
Lines 97-99 It is important to know how much days from the anthesis the apricots were utilized for the experimental procedure and the mode of transport to reach the laboratory where the experiments were made. The equal size was 40 mm? the apricot fruit is round? What means “ visual defects”
Lines 100-110 It is not clear this part. Why is written “ In a previous preliminary unpublished study”,
Control treatment/s must to be added in the materials and methods. As was/were made?
Determine the Dry matter on the quantity of apricots statistically valid is an important parameter for evaluate the water content in the apricot fruit that can change between the various fruits.
Line 134 and 457 Antoxodant?!
Line 137 2.3.1. Total Antioxidant Capacity. Describe the experimental procedure in brief. Specify the quantity of fruit (gr or mg) that was utilized and the extraction ratio utilized (ratio between quantity of fruit and extraction buffer; Weight/volume-w/v)
Line 166 2.3.4. Ascorbic Acid Content (see previous comment) Specify the quantity of fruit (gr or mg) that was utilized and the extraction ratio utilized (ratio between quantity of fruit and extraction buffer; Weight/volume)
Line 172-173 Eliminate “for both storage treatments at all assessment dates”
Line 181 Change “ is stopped” with “was stopped”
Throughout the manuscript change “ml” with mL and “l” (liter) with L and “μl” with μL
Figure 1 E. Change FM with FW
Figure 1 G Report “ FW” in y-axis of the figure
Figure 1E and 1F. Explain why in the control there is an increase in the total carotenoids at 7 and 14 days (figure 1E) and at 4 days (figure 1F)
Figure 2. Explain why in the control there is an increase in POD activity at 14 days (figure 2C) and after a decrease.
Lines 437-445. The authors evidence the fact that in plant pathogen interactions (paper of Droby and Yaon and Tian) in presence of MeJA the infection decreased. However, in this paper no plant-pathogen interactions are present. Therefore, to compare two experimental procedure that are many different between them is not scientifically corrected. Anyway, it is necessary to report the concentration of MeJA utilized in the papers indicated, and to explain if the concentration is the same or not. In the system -interactions plant pathogen and MeJA-, the defense systems of the plant are a total result of the response of the plant plus response due to administration of the MeJA.
Lines 496 – 497. It is not clear “Meng et al. [27] and Sayyari et al. [58] as the authors also demonstrated a PAL activity increase by MeJA treatments.”
Line 501 PAL and POD enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of lignin. Lacks “are” involved
Lines 510-512. “Therefore, increasing POD activity helps to build a stronger cell wall, which can mechanically slow down the penetration of fruit pathogens into plant cells [70]. Therefore, an increase of POD results in lower fruit decays.”: This phrase is not opportune (see comments for lines 437-445)
Lines 515-516 “The SOD enzyme has several roles in the plant cells such as i) detoxifying ROS, ii) lowering
chilling injury and iii) protect cells from super oxide anion (O2-) [73,74].” The points i) and III) are the same thing.
Line 524 “CAT is a key enzyme in the catalyzation of H2O2 into H2O and O2”. This is true. However, in plant and fruits the ascorbate peroxidase is another key enzyme in the removal of H2O2. As in the manuscript is reported the content of ascorbic acid, to study the data on the ascorbate peroxidase activity contributes to the understand better the mechanism of the antioxidant capacity and of the defense systems involved.
Line 529” In the study of Chan and Tian [60], CAT activity was significantly inhibited by SA treatment on sweet cherry fruit inoculated with P. expansum”. This phrase is not opportune. See comments for lines 437-445
Lines 546-548. “Overall, our results on the activities of enzymes may imply that the four enzymes can promote various functions in the defense system and these may be jointly induced by MeJA and/or SA in apricot fruit. The above four enzymes are substantially induced by the given MeJA and SA concentrations; and as a result, storability of apricot fruit is increased.” Add the name of the four enzymes
Throughout the manuscript “Up to our knowledge”, “our studies”, the word “study” and other words are redundant
Author Response
We thank you very much for your helpful and valuable comments. Below under 'ANSWER', we replied all of your comments and suggestions.
The aim of this paper was to study the temporal changes and correlations of quality parameters in apricot fruit in the postharvest treatments with methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid under 1 °C cold storage at different times and 25 °C shelf-life at 4 and 8 days after the 21-day cold storage treatments. MeJA and SA significantly decreased the quality loss parameters of chilling injury and fruit decay. The authors conclude that MeJA and SA are practically useful and inexpensive techniques to maintain several quality attributes of apricot fruit during both CS and SL conditions.
The paper, although not contains none analysis with techniques of molecular biology, is interesting as regard the post-harvest treatment.
ANSWER: Thank you very much for your positive comment and all valuable comments made on our manuscript.
However the manuscript needs to be revised according to following comments:The abstract needs to be rewritten. It is not necessary to be analytic and to report all experimental data in the abstract.
ANSWER: We agree with you that ’it is not necessary to be analytic and to report all experimental data in the abstract.’ We tried to change the Abstract in order to fullfil your requirements. We would like to note that we added an additional introductory sentence according to the query of reviewer 3.
On the other hand, the end part of the abstract must to report what are “the several quality attributes of apricot fruit during both CS and SL conditions” due to MeJA and SA (lines 43 and 44)
ANSWER: According to your advice, at the end part of the Abstract we were more specific to write what are “the several quality attributes of apricot fruit during both CS and SL condition due to MeJA and SA’’: ’… to maintain quality attributes of CI, FD, TAC, TSPC, TCC, PAL, POD and SOD in apricot fruit during both CS and SL conditions.’
Lines 97-99 It is important to know how much days from the anthesis the apricots were utilized for the experimental procedure and the mode of transport to reach the laboratory where the experiments were made. The equal size was 40 mm? the apricot fruit is round? What means “ visual defects”
ANSWER: Cultivar ‘Bergarouge’ starts flowering at end March under Hungarian climate conditions and fruit maturity starts at mid June and ends at mid July. In our experiment, the hatvest date was 5 July. The fruits were packed in papers bags and trasported to the laboratory at the same day of harvest. Usully apricot fruit is classified by fruit sizes in commerical categories called A, AA and AAA. The most desirable size of cv. ‘Bergarouge’ for fresh consumsion is 40 mm diameter. The fruit is round. Visual defect means that the fruit should be accepatable for the consumers without any cracking, infections, insufficient colouration or insufficient shape.
The added information and changed texts in the manuscript were the following: ’The fruits were harvested 98 days from the anthesis (at 5 July) for the experiment. The fruits were packed in papers bags and transported to the laboratory at the same day of harvest. Healthy and uniform fruits (40 mm, equally colored, equally matured and equally shaped) were used for the experiment.’
Lines 100-110 It is not clear this part. Why is written “ In a previous preliminary unpublished study”,
ANSWER: This section was removed
Control treatment/s must to be added in the materials and methods. As was/were made?
ANSWER: Control treatment was added in the manuscript text in M and M.
Determine the Dry matter on a quantity of apricots statistically valid, is an important parameter for evaluate the water content in the apricot fruit. This parameter can change between the various fruits and could allow to compare fresh weight to dry matter.
ANSWER: We do not include these physical parameters in this study as it was published in a pervious study already ’Ezzat A.; Ammar A.; Szabó Z.; Nyéki J.; Holb I.J. Postharvest treatments with methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid for maintaining physico-chemical characteristics and sensory quality properties of apricot fruit during cold storage and shelf-life. Polish J. Food Nutr. Sci. 2017b, 67(2), 159-166.’
Line 134 and 457 Antoxodant?!
ANSWER: Thank you very much for noting us. It was changed to ’antioxidant’ throughout the whole text.
Line 137 2.3.1. Total Antioxidant Capacity. Describe the experimental procedure in brief. Specify the quantity of fruit (gr or mg) that was utilized and the extraction ratio utilized (ratio between quantity of fruit and extraction buffer; Weight/volume-w/v)
ANSWER: The following additional information was given in the manuscript text: ‘2.3.1. Fruit extract - Samples of apricot fruit were placed in laboratory in the day of harvest then the fruit were frozen at -18°C. The extract were prepared by homogenized the fresh fruit for 5 minutes in 95% ethanol (1:3 w/v). Then the homogenates were blended for 30 minutes at room temperature, and then centrifuged at 1500 g for 5 minutes. The supernatants were concentrated in evaporator. Always the extract obtained from each fruit was adjusted to the same volume by reconstituted the samples in the water. The adjusted ratio was 0.20 mL extract/gram of fruit.’
and the following text was given for the section of Total Antioxidant Capacity: ‘Briefly, the FRAP reagent was prepared early before the measurements by add 2.5 mL of a 10 mmol L-1 TPTZ (Sigma) solution in 40 mmol L-1 HCl plus 2.5 mL of 20 mmol L-1 FeCl3 and 25 mL of 0.3 mol L-1 acetate buffer, pH 3.6 and then it was warmed up to 37 oC 0.04 mL sample supernatant were mixed with 0.2 mL distilled water and 1.8 mL FRAP reagent.’
Line 166 2.3.4. Ascorbic Acid Content (see previous comment) Specify the quantity of fruit (gr or mg) that was utilized and the extraction ratio utilized (ratio between quantity of fruit and extraction buffer; Weight/volume)
ANSWER: The following text was given for the section of Ascorbic Acid Content: ’10 mg of each sample (2 mL extract) was added into a 100 mL flask contain 50 mL acetic acid solution, 5 drops of bromine water has been added until the solution had colored, then thiourea solution drops were added to it till the clear solution was obtained. Then 2, 4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine solution was added. Then complete the solution with acetic acid.’
Line 172-173 Eliminate “for both storage treatments at all assessment dates”
ANSWER: According to your suggestion, ’ “for both storage treatments at all assessment dates”’ was deleted
Line 181 Change “ is stopped” with “was stopped”
ANSWER: “ is stopped” was changed with “was stopped”.
Throughout the manuscript change “ml” with mL and “l” (liter) with L and “μl” with μL
ANSWER: Throughout the manuscript was changed “ml” with mL and “l” (liter) with L and “μl” with μL.
Figure 1 E. Change FM with FW
ANSWER: Figure 1 E. FM was change to FW
Figure 1 G Report “ FW” in y-axis of the figure
ANSWER: FW was added to y-axis of Figure 1 G.
Figure 1E and 1F. Explain why in the control there is an increase in the total carotenoids at 7 and 14 days (figure 1E) and at 4 days (figure 1F)
ANSWER: Apricot fruit is climatric fruit which can increase in maturity after harvest. It was reported that the carotiniod content increased in apricot fruit with the storage time as the fruit get more matured. Indeed the total carotenoids increased in the control treatments but i) the increase was not signficantly different at day 7 compared to day 14 in the CS treatments, ii) the increase was not signficantly different at day 4 day compared to day 0 in the SL treatments, iii) carotiniods showed a significantly much higher increase in both MeJA and SA treatments in both the CS and the SL conditions compared to the control treatement. In sum, the increase of carotiniods in control treatments was negligible.
The following text was included in the text: ’In the control treatments, carotenoids slightly increased at days 7 and 14 in the CS and at day 4 in the SL treatments (Figure 1EF) but these increases were negligible and non-significant compared to the increase of carotenoids in either MeJA or SA treatments.’
Figure 2. Explain why in the control there is an increase in POD activity at 14 days (figure 2C) and after a decrease.
ANSWER: Indeed there was a fluctuation in POD activity of control fruit but the overall level POD activity was always lower compared to both chemical treated fruits. In addition, the general trend of POD activity was that all chemical treated fruits showed significantly higher POD activity than control fruit. So the fluctuation of POD activity in the control treatment has no effect on the POD activity in MeJA or SA treatments. The following text was included in the text: ’… fluctuating levels of POD activity in the control treatments …’.
Lines 437-445. The authors evidence the fact that in plant pathogen interactions (paper of Droby and Yaon and Tian) in presence of MeJA the infection decreased. However, in this paper no plant-pathogen interactions are present. Therefore, to compare two experimental procedure that are many different between them is not scientifically corrected. Anyway, it is necessary to report the concentration of MeJA utilized in the papers indicated, and to explain if the concentration is the same or not. In the system -interactions plant pathogen and MeJA-, the defense systems of the plant are a total result of the response of the plant plus response due to administration of the MeJA.
ANSWER: The reason why we cited the tow papers (Yao and Tian, 2005 and Droby et al., 2018) was that we wanted to report that the effect of MeJA or SA on fruit deacy can be either an indirect or a direct reducing effect. Droby et al. (2018) studied the effect of postharvest treatments of different MeJA concentrations (1 to 50 mmol·L–1) on grapfruit. They evaluated the chilling injuries and decay incidence (visually by reporting how many fruit had the symptoms) at the end of the 6-week of cold storage and then after 4 and 21 days of shelf life. They reported that applications of MeJA reduced fruit deacay. Parallel to this experiment they did in vitro experiment to check whether the reducing effect of MeJA was it was indirect effect by activating the defense system of the plants or direct antifungal activity on P. digitatum. Their results showed that MeJA had no direct antifungal effect on P. digitatum spore germination or germ tube elongation; therefore, they suggested that MeJA probably reduced P. digitatum indirectly by enhancing the natural resistance of the fruit. In the case of Yao and Tian (2005) the FD reduction effects of MeJA and SA treatments was due to a direct toxixity to the FD causing fungi of Monilinia fructicola.
In the manuscript, we rewrote the lines 437-445 again considering your comment: ’The study of Droby et al. [18] on grapefruit showed that fruit treated with different MeJA concentrations (1 to 50 mmol L–1) had less FD compared to untreated fruit. They reported that the MeJA treatments had no direct toxicity effect on the fungus (Penicillium digitatum), which cased FD. They suggested that MeJA decreased FD indirectly by enhancing the natural resistance mechanisms of the fruit to fungus infection [18]. The effect of SA and MeJA in reducing FD was also reported by Yao and Tian [26]. Authors demonstrated that the sweet cherry fruit treated with SA (2 mM) or with MeJA (0.2 mM) had lower fruit damage caused by Monilinia fructicola than in the control treatment. Authors reported that SA and MeJA had direct inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth of M. fructicola.’
Lines 496 – 497. It is not clear “Meng et al. [27] and Sayyari et al. [58] as the authors also demonstrated a PAL activity increase by MeJA treatments.”
ANSWER: The sentence was reformulated as ’ … also demonstrated that MeJA increased the activity of PAL in fruits of sweet cherry, peach and pomegranate.’
Line 501 PAL and POD enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of lignin. Lacks “are” involved
ANSWER: ’are’ was added to the sentence
Lines 510-512. “Therefore, increasing POD activity helps to build a stronger cell wall, which can mechanically slow down the penetration of fruit pathogens into plant cells [70]. Therefore, an increase of POD results in lower fruit decays.”: This phrase is not opportune (see comments for lines 437-445)
ANSWER: According to your suggestion we reformulated this section and we cited other reference in relation to direction of our results: ’In addition, induction of systemic resistance to biotic or abiotic stresses can lead to direct activation of defense-related proteins. POD has an essential role in the structure components of cell walls and lignin formation. An increase of POD activity was reported for SA treated (4 mM) mandarin fruit which was related to low FD [70].’ Deleted refererence was: De Gara L.; De Pinto M.C.; Tommasi F. The antioxidant systems vis-a-vis reactive oxygen species during plant pathogen interaction. Plant Physiol. Biochem. 2003, 41, 863-370. and the new replacing reference was: Haider S.T.A.; Ahmad S.; Khan S.; Anjum M.A.; Nasir M.; Naz S. Effects of salicylic acid on postharvest fruit quality of “Kinnow” mandarin under cold storage. Sci. Hortic. 2020, 259, 108843
Lines 515-516 “The SOD enzyme has several roles in the plant cells such as i) detoxifying ROS, ii) lowering chilling injury and iii) protect cells from super oxide anion (O2-) [73,74].” The points i) and III) are the same thing.
ANSWER: Thank you for noting us. We kept number i) and deleted number iii).
Line 524 “CAT is a key enzyme in the catalyzation of H2O2 into H2O and O2”. This is true. However, in plant and fruits the ascorbate peroxidase is another key enzyme in the removal of H2O2. As in the manuscript is reported the content of ascorbic acid, to study the data on the ascorbate peroxidase activity contributes to the understand better the mechanism of the antioxidant capacity and of the defense systems involved.
ANSWER: We do not investigated ascorbate peroxidase activity but your suggestion was involved in the manuscript text as: ’In addition, not only CAT, but ascorbate peroxidase is also a key enzyme of fruits in the removal of H2O2. Although this peroxidase was not investigated in this study, future data on ascorbate peroxidase activity also contributes to the better understanding of the mechanism of the antioxidant capacity and of the defense systems involved.’
Line 529” In the study of Chan and Tian [60], CAT activity was significantly inhibited by SA treatment on sweet cherry fruit inoculated with P. expansum”. This phrase is not opportune. See comments for lines 437-445
ANSWER: We agree with you and we removed the sentnece of ’ In the study of Chan and Tian [60], CAT activity was significantly inhibited by SA treatment on sweet cherry fruit inoculated with P. expansum’.
Lines 546-548. “Overall, our results on the activities of enzymes may imply that the four enzymes can promote various functions in the defense system and these may be jointly induced by MeJA and/or SA in apricot fruit. The above four enzymes are substantially induced by the given MeJA and SA concentrations; and as a result, storability of apricot fruit is increased.” Add the name of the four enzymes
ANSWER: The names of the four enzymes were added.
Throughout the manuscript “Up to our knowledge”, “our studies”, the word “study” and other words are redundant
ANSWER: According to your suggestion, the experssions of “Up to our knowledge”, “our studies”, the word “study” were changed or removed from the text throughout the whole manuscript.
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript finelized to investigate the effect of MeJA and SA on quality loses, quality antioxidants and enzymes activities of apricot fruits under 1°C cold storage and shalf life at 25°C for different days, is very interesting also because was the first case to study the effect of MeJA and SA jointly on quality
losses, antioxidant properties and enzyme activities of apricot fruit in CS and SL conditions.
Introduction was very exhaustive, explaining the background of MeJA and SA use and its influence on fruit during storage.
I think it would be interesting a brif description of the variety chosen and why do you made up this experiment on it? have it some problems of storage than others? Is the best in your area?
Line 65: I think is CS and not SC.
Material and methods are not always clear:
In line 100 you say that you have chosen the two concentrations of MeJA and SA because in a previous preliminary unpublished study you evaluated that they were the best...the best why? wich results have you obteined to stimate that They were the best?
In line 107-108 you say:" The second unit, the SL treatment was
incubated at 1°C and 95% RH for 15 days then held at 25 °C for 4 and 8 days but in line 87-88 "on 10 fruit quality parameters of apricot ..... and 25 °C SL (4 and 8 days after the 21-day CS) treatments." Which is the correct period of cold storage for SL?
I do not understent well the experiment design? Is it a randomized design??? are you sure?
Author Response
We thank you very much for your helpful and valuable comments. Below under 'ANSWER' we replied all of your comments and suggestions.
The manuscript finelized to investigate the effect of MeJA and SA on quality loses, quality antioxidants and enzymes activities of apricot fruits under 1°C cold storage and shalf life at 25°C for different days, is very interesting also because was the first case to study the effect of MeJA and SA jointly on quality losses, antioxidant properties and enzyme activities of apricot fruit in CS and SL conditions.
Introduction was very exhaustive, explaining the background of MeJA and SA use and its influence on fruit during storage.
ANSWER: Thank you very much for your positive comments.
I think it would be interesting a brif description of the variety chosen and why do you made up this experiment on it? have it some problems of storage than others? Is the best in your area?
ANSWER: We insert the following additional information about the cultivar: ’This cultivar is planted in large areas in Hungary in the past few years. The mature fruit is firmer than most other cultivars but the storage ability of this cultivar is similar to other commonly grown apricot cultivars in Hungary.’
Line 65: I think is CS and not SC.
ANSWER: Yes it was changed to CS.
Material and methods are not always clear:
In line 100: you say that you have chosen the two concentrations of MeJA and SA because in a previous preliminary unpublished study you evaluated that they were the best...the best why? wich results have you obteined to stimate that They were the best?
ANSWER: The best concentrations mean that the concentrations which maintained fruit quality the best during cold storage and shelf life. We removed this section and we keep shortly as ’ The concentrations of 0.2 mmol L-1 MeJA and 2 mmol L-1 SA were used for the experiments together with an untreated control (water treated).’
In line 107-108: you say:" The second unit, the SL treatment was incubated at 1°C and 95% RH for 15 days then held at 25 °C for 4 and 8 days but in line 87-88 "on 10 fruit quality parameters of apricot ..... and 25 °C SL (4 and 8 days after the 21-day CS) treatments." Which is the correct period of cold storage for SL?
ANSWER: The correct one is ’25 °C SL (4 and 8 days after the 21-day CS) treatments.’ It was changed in the text.
I do not understent well the experiment design? Is it a randomized design??? are you sure?
ANSWER: Yes it was a completelly randomized design (CRD) to evaluate the effects of treatment (MeJA, SA, and untreated control), storage condition (CS and SL) and their interactions were evaluated on all parameters of quality losses, antioxidant properties and enzyme activities. The experiments were well controlled and under the laboratory conditions in CS: 1 culivar x 3 chemical tretaments (MeJA, SA, control) x 3 storage times (days 7, 14, 21) and in SL: 1 culitvar x 3 chemical tretaments (MeJA, SA, control) x 2 storage times (days 4 and 8).
Reviewer 3 Report
The manuscript addresses an issue that is very important to the storage of fruit (apricot) in the food industry. The results were presented in an interesting way with a lot of emphasis on statistical analysis. The manuscript is a continuation of the research that has already been published in several renowned journals and are quoted in this work. I suggest a slight change to the abstract that starts with the purpose of the work. It would be very advisable to include an introducing sentence in the abstract of the manuscript before presenting the goal of the work.
Author Response
We thank you very much for your review. Below under 'ANSWER' we replied your suggestions.
The manuscript addresses an issue that is very important to the storage of fruit (apricot) in the food industry. The results were presented in an interesting way with a lot of emphasis on statistical analysis. The manuscript is a continuation of the research that has already been published in several renowned journals and are quoted in this work. I suggest a slight change to the abstract that starts with the purpose of the work. It would be very advisable to include an introducing sentence in the abstract of the manuscript before presenting the goal of the work.
ANSWER: Thank you for all the positive feedback on our manuscript. According to your advice, in the Abstract, we included an introducing sentence of the manuscript before presenting the goal of the work.
’The apricot storability is one of the largest challenges, which the apricot industry has to face all over the world; therefore, to find options for prolonging fruit quality during cold storage (CS) and shelf-life (SL) will help to decrease postharvest losses of apricot.’
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Dear Authors,
In this modified version the paper can be published in Applied Sciences.
Best Regards
Author Response
Thank you very much for your work on our manuscript!
Your statemenet: 'In this modified version the paper can be published in Applied Sciences.'
ANSWER: We thank you very much for your final statement on our ms that ’this modified version can be published in Applied Sciences’.
Reviewer 2 Report
Now the text is better but there is some small changes:
At line 32 you have to insert "Total soluble phenolic compounds" instead "total polyphenolic".
In the conclusions, I would delete the bulleted list.
Author Response
We thank you very much for your work on our manuscript!
Your statement: Now the text is better but there is some small changes:
ANSWER: Thank you for your positive comment and for the small suggested changes
Your statement: At line 32 you have to insert "Total soluble phenolic compounds" instead "total polyphenolic".
ANSWER: We changed "total polyphenolic" to "Total soluble phenolic compounds" in Line 32.
Your statement: In the conclusions, I would delete the bulleted list.
ANSWER: We removed bullet points in Conclusions.
