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Exploring ripening suppression in peach fruit during controlled atmosphere storage with transcriptome insights
Jeong Gu Lee1, Ji-Hyun Lee1, Min-Sun Chang1
1Postharvest Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju, 55365, Republic of Korea.
Scientific Reports
|April 24, 2025
Summary
Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage effectively preserves peach quality by delaying ripening and extending shelf life. This method reduces spoilage and maintains firmness through suppressed ethylene production and gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Horticultural Science
- Post-Harvest Physiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Peaches (Prunus persica) are susceptible to post-harvest quality degradation, limiting their shelf life and marketability.
- Ripening in peaches involves complex physiological and molecular changes, including ethylene production and cell wall modification.
- Effective post-harvest strategies are crucial for reducing economic losses in the peach industry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage in preserving peach post-harvest quality.
- To investigate the impact of CA storage on peach ripening, firmness, and shelf life.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying CA-mediated quality preservation in peaches.
Main Methods:
- Peaches harvested at maturity were subjected to controlled atmosphere (CA) storage with reduced oxygen and elevated carbon dioxide at 10°C.
- Physiological assessments included measurements of fruit firmness, weight loss, respiration, and ethylene production.
- Transcriptome analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes under CA conditions.
Main Results:
- CA storage significantly maintained peach firmness, reduced discoloration, and minimized weight loss.
- Ethylene biosynthesis and signaling genes (e.g., ACC synthase, ACC oxidase) were downregulated, suppressing ethylene production.
- Reduced expression of cell wall-degrading enzymes (polygalacturonase, pectate lyase) contributed to firmness maintenance.
- CA storage modulated reactive oxygen species-related enzymes, enhancing oxidative stress resistance.
Conclusions:
- Controlled atmosphere storage is a highly effective strategy for extending peach shelf life by delaying ripening.
- Suppression of ethylene biosynthesis and signaling pathways is a key molecular mechanism of CA storage benefits.
- CA storage preserves peach quality by maintaining firmness, reducing spoilage, and enhancing stress resistance, offering significant horticultural benefits.
