ABSTRACT
Black rot is a postharvest disease that is currently affecting the pineapple industry of Malaysia. The pineapple cultivars that are susceptible to this postharvest disease include Morris and Sarawak. The total polyphenol content was assayed using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The total flavonoid content was detected using the aluminum chloride colorimetric method. The increased level of antioxidant properties in pineapples infected by black rot is related to the secondary response of the plant defense mechanism. Agriculture plays an important role in the local and export industries of Malaysia. Pineapple is one of the industry that contributes to the country’s economic status. Based on statistics, Malaysia’s production of pineapples was estimated to be around 309,331 metric tons, 314,405 metric tons, and 315,977 metric tons in the year 2011, 2012, and 2013 respectively. The pineapple black rot disease is caused by a facultative parasitic fungus called Thielaviopsis paradoxa.
