Natural compound for Apple's Red Color

Experiments by scientists indicate that methyl jasmonate increases the total percent of attractive, uniformly red color of Fuji, Gala, and Red Delicious apples. 04/08/2003 Misting a natural compound, derived from plant oils, onto apples before or after they're picked from the tree may improve their red color. Experiments by scientists at the Tree Fruit Research Laboratory, Wenatchee, Wash., indicate that methyl jasmonate increases the total percent of attractive, uniformly red color of Fuji, Gala, and Red Delicious apples. Though expensive, the compound is already classified as "Generally Recognized as Safe" by the Food and Drug Administration. Field applications stimulate production of red anthocyanin pigments. Postharvest applications break down the peel's green pigment, chlorophyll, boosting the visibility of the red pigments.