Inhibition of lignification of Zizania latifolia with radio frequency treatments during postharvest.

Zizania latifolia is easily lignified after harvesting, leading to the degradation of food quality and commercial value. Thus, this study evaluated the effect of radio frequency (RF) treatments on lignification inhibition of Zizania latifolia. The results showed that the lignin content of Zizania latifolia treated with RF decreased significantly compared with the control group. At the 7th day of storage, the phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity of the 90 W RF treatment group decreased by 52.9% compared with the initial value. The activities of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase in the stems of Zizania latifolia were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased after RF treatments. Besides, a decrease in conversion rate of O(2) (-) and H(2)O(2) to downstream products was observed, indicating that the related invertases were inhibited by RF treatment. All of these showed that RF treatments contribute to inhibit or delay the lignification of Zizania latifolia, providing a better taste and quality for products.