Postharvest changes in white asparagus cell wall during refrigerated storage

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Postharvest Physiology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• White asparagus cell wall composition changes postharvest.
• These changes are linked to the toughening process along the spear.
• Understanding these alterations is crucial for maintaining asparagus quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate postharvest changes in the white asparagus cell wall.
• To correlate these changes with the toughening process.
• To analyze alterations in polysaccharides, neutral sugars, lignin, and phenolics along the spear.

Main Methods:

• Dividing asparagus spears into apical, middle, and basal sections.
• Analyzing polysaccharide turnover, including uronic acid and neutral sugars (xylose, glucose, galactose).
• Quantifying lignin and wall phenolics in different sections.

Main Results:

• Significant polysaccharide turnover occurred during storage.
• Uronic acid decreased, while neutral sugars showed varied changes across sections.
• Xylose accumulated in hemicellulose, glucose levels shifted, and galactose decreased.
• Lignin increased most in the middle section; hardening was limited to the basal section.

Conclusions:

• Postharvest cell wall modifications in white asparagus involve complex polysaccharide turnover.
• Lignin accumulation and specific sugar dynamics contribute to the localized hardening in the basal section.
• Apical and middle sections exhibit different compositional changes, indicating varied responses to postharvest conditions.