Effects of sodium silicate dipping on reactive oxygen species metabolism and phenylpropanoid pathway in apricot fruit

Apricot ( Prunus simonii Carr) fruit were used as materials, which were treated with 50mmol /L sodium silicate to investigate its effect on reactive oxygen species and phenylpropanoid pathway in fruit. The results indicated that sodium silicate significantly promoted the production rate of superoxide anion ( O-2·) and the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide ( H2O2) , increased the activity of superoxide dismutase ( SOD) , and inhibited the activity of catalase ( CAT) . Moreover, sodium silicate increased the activity of phenylalanine ammonia- lyase ( PAL) , enhanced the accumulation of total phenolic compounds and lignin in fruit.These results suggested that postharvest sodium silicate treatment could increase the resistance in apricot fruit against postharvest disease by activating reactive oxygen species metabolism and activation of phenylpropanoid pathway.