Australian scientists at Edith Cowan University have found that the hormone melatonin can extend the freshness of perishable foods, including vegetables, fruit, and fruits.

Fruits and Vegetables Losing Freshness

Food Reviews International notes that, according to researchers, about 40 percent of fresh fruits and vegetables lose their freshness on the way from the farm to the consumer. The main reason lies in their cooling during storage, since the average storage temperature for subtropical fruits and vegetables most often ranges from 4-8 degrees Celsius, and the ideal temperature for storing them is 10-20 degrees Celsius.

Melatonin as a Solution

And scientists have been able to get a lot of evidence pointing to the possibility of using the hormone melatonin to solve this problem. This hormone is known to be present in all living organisms to regulate sleep.

It has been shown that the interaction of this hormone with fruits and vegetables reduces the effects of their cooling and strengthens the membranes by maintaining a higher level of antioxidants. In addition, melatonin can be a safe alternative to hazardous food industry chemicals.

Source: Linta. EN