Melatonin‐mediated postharvest quality and antioxidant properties of fresh fruits: A comprehensive meta‐analysis

At postharvest, fruits have a short shelf life. Recently, there has been much literature on the effects of melatonin on the postharvest quality of horticultural crops. However, reports of various findings comprise mixed claims and product‐specific conclusions. Therefore, a meta‐analysis systematically dissects the comprehensive effect on several fruits. In this meta‐analysis, standard mean difference (SMD) was adopted using a random‐effect model. The study used 36 articles and isolated 24 indicator parameters of postharvest quality and antioxidant properties based on the inclusion criteria. As exhibited in the forest plot, melatonin reduced chilling injury, weight loss, respiration rate, and ethylene content (SMD −0.90, 95% CI [−1.14, −0.65]; I2 = 81%; p