Pre-storage kojic acid application delays pericarp browning and maintains antioxidant activities of litchi fruit

•KA maintained red colour with reduction in fruit weight loss and pericarp browning.•KA preserved higher pericarp TPC and DPPH-radical scavenging activity.•KA application reduced pericarp H2O2, MDA, activities of PPO and POD enzymes.•KA maintained higher activities of pericarp APX, CAT and SOD enzymes. Pericarp browning is known as one of the leading problems during the supply chains of litchi fruit. The effects of pre-storage kojic acid (KA) application on pericarp browning, activities of antioxidative enzymes in the pericarp tissues, and the quality attributes, soluble solid concentrations, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid concentrations of the flesh of ‘Gola’ litchis have been investigated. Fruit were treated with 2, 4 or 6mmolL−1 KA and stored at 5±1°C with 90±5% relative humidity for 20 d. Fruit treated with 4mmolL−1 KA had reduced fruit weight loss and fruit decay; while, 6mmolL−1 KA delayed pericarp browning by maintaining higher total anthocyanin and phenolic concentrations, and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Reduced malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide concentrations, and activities of oxidative enzymes such as peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were also observed in 6mmolL−1 KA-treated fruit. In contrast, activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes were found to be higher in pericarp tissues of fruit subjected to 6mmolL−1 KA application. Moreover, soluble solid concentrations, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid concentrations and sensory characteristics were also higher in 6mmolL−1 KA-treated litchi fruit. In conclusion, pre-storage application of 6mmolL−1 KA to litchi fruit delayed pericarp browning and maintained activities of antioxidative enzymes.