High Carbon dioxide Delays Postharvest Changes in RuBPCase and Polygalacturonase-related Protein in Cherimoya Peel

The peel of `Fino de Jete' cherimoya ( Annona cherimola Mill.) stored at 20 °C in air and in an atmosphere with high levels of CO 2 was analyzed for changes in protein levels, color, chlorophyll content, and firmness. The accumulation of immunoreactive proteins was studied using Rubisco and polygalacturonase antibodies. During storage in air, cherimoya peel tissues exhibited a decrease in chlorophyll content and an immunodetected drop in the abundance of the large subunit of ribulose 1,5-biphosphate carboxylase (LSR). An immunodetected rise in polygalacturonase (PG)-related protein was quantified. High CO 2 levels delayed the softening of cherimoya fruit, retarded the maximum accumulation of PG-related protein, and maintained LSR levels, greenness, and chlorophyll content of peel tissues.