Enhancement of chlorogenic acid application on the quality, biochemical properties, and cold storage stability of sweet cherry fruit

This study investigated the effects of chlorogenic acid (ChlA) applications on postharvest quality characteristics and biochemical components of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L. cv. ‘0900 Ziraat’) fruit. Fruits were treated with control, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mM ChlA and stored at 4 ± 0.5 °C for 21 days. Storage significantly increased weight loss and decay rate while reducing respiration rate and biochemical quality. At the end of storage, the 1.5 mM ChlA treatment reduced weight loss from 8.32% in the control to 5.20% and decreased decay rate from 9.16% to 4.50%. ChlA applications also slowed changes in soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), and pH, contributing to a more stable chemical composition. The highest vitamin C content at the end of storage was recorded in the 1.5 mM ChlA treatment (11.71 mg 100 g⁻¹), compared with 9.97 mg 100 g⁻¹ in the control. Similarly, chlorogenic acid significantly delayed losses of organic acids and phenolic compounds; for example, quercetin content was maintained at 6.80 mg 100 g⁻¹ in 1.5 mM ChlA-treated fruit compared with 3.78 mg 100 g⁻¹ in the control after 21 days of storage. Principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis revealed strong relationships among quality attributes and biochemical compounds and demonstrated the positive role of ChlA in preserving overall fruit quality. Overall, chlorogenic acid, particularly at 1.5 mM, effectively reduced postharvest quality losses and enhanced biochemical stability during cold storage.