Transcriptomics and metabolomics profiling revealed the adaptive mechanism of Penicillium digitatum under modified atmosphere packaging-simulated gas stress

Abstract

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is an effective method to preserve fruit and vegetables. However, pathogen inhibition can be challenging due to their adaptive capacity. This study used combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses to elucidate the adaptive mechanism of Penicillium digitatum (P. digitatum) under MAP-simulated gas stress based on its carbohydrates and energy metabolism. The colony diameter of P. digitatum in the MAP treatment was comparable to that in the Air treatment and significantly larger than that in the controlled atmosphere (CA) treatment. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed that MAP treatment facilitated the degradation of 1,3-β glucan, glycogen, and sucrose to glucose, ensuring a sustained glucose supply for the glycolysis (EMP) and pentose phosphate (PP) pathways. Upregulation of related genes in the MAP treatment accelerated the EMP and PP pathways and promoted oxidative glucose degradation. MAP-simulated gas stress augmented P. digitatum’s adaptive response by promoting the EMP, alcoholic fermentation, PP, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathways and increasing energy production. Based on reverse thinking, this study suggests a potential control strategy for P. digitatum contamination during MAP storage of fruit and vegetables.