Pub Date : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114147
Tianyu Li , Jiaqi Liu , Jialin Tao , Tong Wu , Mengjun Liu , Shoukun Han
Postharvest red-turning critically impacts jujube fruit quality and shelf life. This study demonstrated that gibberellin acid (GA3) treatment significantly delayed jujube fruit red-turning during storage, preserving the contents of anthocyanins, carotenoids, and chlorophylls in severe red-turning pericarp. Integrated metabolomic and biochemical analyses revealed decreased anthocyanins and flavonoids but enriched phenolic acids and lipids during red-turning, distinguishing the postharvest red-turning from preharvest coloration of jujube fruit. Furthermore, we also found that GA3 delayed red-turning by maintaining phenolic and flavonoid levels and inhibiting the accumulation of phenolic acids and lipids while suppressing lignin synthesis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Crucially, GA3 concurrently inhibited polyphenol oxidase (PPO), laccase (LAC), and peroxidase (POD) activities and downregulated key genes (including ZjPPO1, ZjPPO2, ZjLAC7, and ZjPOD1), confirming the key role of pericarp browning in red-turning. Correlation analysis further elucidated the close connections between red-turning and the activities of PPO and POD, levels of ROS and lignin, as well as the content of phenolic compounds. These findings elucidate GA3-regulated red-turning mechanisms in postharvest jujube fruit and provide theoretical foundations for innovative jujube storage technologies.
{"title":"Gibberellin delays the red-turning of jujube fruit during storage via browning inhibition: Insights from targeted metabolomics","authors":"Tianyu Li , Jiaqi Liu , Jialin Tao , Tong Wu , Mengjun Liu , Shoukun Han","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114147","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114147","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Postharvest red-turning critically impacts jujube fruit quality and shelf life. This study demonstrated that gibberellin acid (GA<sub>3</sub>) treatment significantly delayed jujube fruit red-turning during storage, preserving the contents of anthocyanins, carotenoids, and chlorophylls in severe red-turning pericarp. Integrated metabolomic and biochemical analyses revealed decreased anthocyanins and flavonoids but enriched phenolic acids and lipids during red-turning, distinguishing the postharvest red-turning from preharvest coloration of jujube fruit. Furthermore, we also found that GA<sub>3</sub> delayed red-turning by maintaining phenolic and flavonoid levels and inhibiting the accumulation of phenolic acids and lipids while suppressing lignin synthesis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Crucially, GA<sub>3</sub> concurrently inhibited polyphenol oxidase (PPO), laccase (LAC), and peroxidase (POD) activities and downregulated key genes (including <em>ZjPPO1</em>, <em>ZjPPO2</em>, <em>ZjLAC7</em>, and <em>ZjPOD1</em>), confirming the key role of pericarp browning in red-turning. Correlation analysis further elucidated the close connections between red-turning and the activities of PPO and POD, levels of ROS and lignin, as well as the content of phenolic compounds. These findings elucidate GA<sub>3</sub>-regulated red-turning mechanisms in postharvest jujube fruit and provide theoretical foundations for innovative jujube storage technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114147"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114133
Natalia Falagán, Roberta Tosetti, Ewan Gage, Leon A. Terry
Controlled atmosphere (CA) is used to extend the postharvest life of climacteric fruit by suppressing respiration and delaying ethylene mediated ripening. However, sudden exposure to low oxygen conditions can induce hypoxic stress, triggering metabolic and hormonal disruptions that negatively impact fruit quality. This study aimed to understand the mechanisms underlying ethylene sensitivity under low oxygen conditions through the application of a novel approach to CA, called Graduated Controlled Atmosphere (GCA), in ‘Piccolo’ cherry tomato. Compared to standard CA, GCA treatment resulted in greater suppression of respiration and improved firmness retention, indicating reduced physiological stress and slower cell wall degradation. Gene expression analysis revealed downregulation of NCED1, ACS, and ACO genes under GCA, indicating delayed ethylene-associated transcriptional activity. These hormonal adjustments were also reflected in lower abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations, implying a more stable ripening trajectory. Besides hormonal modulation, GCA-treated fruit exhibited alterations in primary metabolism. Sucrose accumulation and changes in malate levels under GCA conditions suggest a shift in energy metabolism, consistent with improved hypoxia tolerance. However, a notable trade-off was observed in reduced lycopene accumulation, potentially due to lower oxidative signalling and shared precursors between carotenoid and ABA biosynthesis. These findings demonstrate that GCA promotes a more controlled physiological and molecular response to hypoxic storage by reducing stress-associated metabolic and hormonal activity. GCA, as an advanced postharvest strategy, enhances texture retention and may reduce quality losses during storage. This work provides new mechanistic insights into hypoxia adaptation in fruit and supports the use of gradual atmosphere modification to optimise CA protocols.
控制气氛（CA）通过抑制呼吸作用和延迟乙烯介导的成熟来延长更年期果实的采后寿命。然而，突然暴露在低氧条件下会引起缺氧应激，引发代谢和激素紊乱，对水果品质产生负面影响。本研究旨在了解低氧条件下乙烯敏感性的机制，通过应用一种新的CA方法，称为渐次可控气氛（GCA），在‘ Piccolo ’樱桃番茄中。与标准CA相比，GCA治疗导致更大的呼吸抑制和硬度保持改善，表明生理应激减少，细胞壁降解减慢。基因表达分析显示，GCA下NCED1、ACS和ACO基因下调，表明乙烯相关转录活性延迟。这些激素调节也反映在较低的脱落酸（ABA）浓度上，这意味着更稳定的成熟轨迹。除了激素调节外，gca处理的果实还表现出初级代谢的改变。蔗糖积累和苹果酸水平在GCA条件下的变化表明能量代谢的转变，与缺氧耐受性的提高一致。然而，在减少番茄红素积累中观察到一个显著的权衡，可能是由于氧化信号的降低和类胡萝卜素和ABA生物合成之间共享的前体。这些发现表明，GCA通过降低与应激相关的代谢和激素活性，促进了对缺氧储存的更可控的生理和分子反应。GCA作为一种先进的采后策略，可以提高果实的质地保留，减少贮藏过程中的品质损失。这项工作为水果的缺氧适应提供了新的机制见解，并支持使用渐进的大气调节来优化CA协议。
{"title":"Molecular and metabolic response of ‘Piccolo’ cherry tomato to Graduated Controlled Atmosphere","authors":"Natalia Falagán, Roberta Tosetti, Ewan Gage, Leon A. Terry","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114133","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114133","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Controlled atmosphere (CA) is used to extend the postharvest life of climacteric fruit by suppressing respiration and delaying ethylene mediated ripening. However, sudden exposure to low oxygen conditions can induce hypoxic stress, triggering metabolic and hormonal disruptions that negatively impact fruit quality. This study aimed to understand the mechanisms underlying ethylene sensitivity under low oxygen conditions through the application of a novel approach to CA, called Graduated Controlled Atmosphere (GCA), in ‘Piccolo’ cherry tomato. Compared to standard CA, GCA treatment resulted in greater suppression of respiration and improved firmness retention, indicating reduced physiological stress and slower cell wall degradation. Gene expression analysis revealed downregulation of <em>NCED1</em>, <em>ACS</em>, and <em>ACO</em> genes under GCA, indicating delayed ethylene-associated transcriptional activity. These hormonal adjustments were also reflected in lower abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations, implying a more stable ripening trajectory. Besides hormonal modulation, GCA-treated fruit exhibited alterations in primary metabolism. Sucrose accumulation and changes in malate levels under GCA conditions suggest a shift in energy metabolism, consistent with improved hypoxia tolerance. However, a notable trade-off was observed in reduced lycopene accumulation, potentially due to lower oxidative signalling and shared precursors between carotenoid and ABA biosynthesis. These findings demonstrate that GCA promotes a more controlled physiological and molecular response to hypoxic storage by reducing stress-associated metabolic and hormonal activity. GCA, as an advanced postharvest strategy, enhances texture retention and may reduce quality losses during storage. This work provides new mechanistic insights into hypoxia adaptation in fruit and supports the use of gradual atmosphere modification to optimise CA protocols.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114133"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-24DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114142
Trishna Taye , Popy Bora
The global citrus industry faces significant annual economic losses due to postharvest decay pathogens. This study focused on identifying the major postharvest pathogens affecting Khasi Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) and evaluating the efficacy of Bacillus spp. as biocontrol agents, as well as their impact on fruit quality. Based on morpho-cultural characteristics, the isolated pathogens were identified as Penicillium digitatum (PQ606361) and Aspergillus niger (PV657140). Four Bacillus spp. Cell-free supernatants (CFS) were screened against these pathogens, all of which significantly inhibited fungal mycelial growth. Among them, Bacillus subtilis LB22 CFS exhibited the highest inhibition, at 74.60 % for P. digitatum and 86.20 % for A. niger. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed morphological disintegration in fungal hyphae and spores upon treatment with B. subtilis LB22 CFS. GC-MS analysis of the LB22 CFS identified nine antimicrobial and four ethylene-inhibiting compounds, including 4-di-tert-butylphenol, n-hexadecanoic acid, and 1H-indene derivatives. In-vivo assays of CFS demonstrated that fruit coating with the B. subtilis CFS prevented A. niger and P. digitatum invasion in khasi mandarin fruits with 100 % bioprotective efficiency upto 15 days against 100 % fruit decay in control at 3 days. Quality assessment of treated fruits after 15 days of storage revealed a total soluble solids (TSS) value of 11.90°Brix and titratable acidity of 0.85 %, both statistically non-significant compared to the control. Organoleptic evaluations, based on colour, flavour, texture, taste, and overall acceptability, supported the efficacy of the treatment. Collectively, our findings confirm that B. subtilis LB22 acts as a potent biocontrol agent against green and black mold in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Our study hence perch Bacillus subtilis LB22 CFS based fruit coating as a promising option for post harvest handling of Khasi mandarin fruits, preventing fruit decay and enhancing the shelf life.
{"title":"Bioprotective potential of Bacillus spp. against postharvest pathogens of Khasi Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) with enhanced shelf life","authors":"Trishna Taye , Popy Bora","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114142","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114142","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The global citrus industry faces significant annual economic losses due to postharvest decay pathogens. This study focused on identifying the major postharvest pathogens affecting Khasi Mandarin (<em>Citrus reticulata</em> Blanco) and evaluating the efficacy of <em>Bacillus</em> spp. as biocontrol agents, as well as their impact on fruit quality. Based on morpho-cultural characteristics, the isolated pathogens were identified as <em>Penicillium digitatum</em> (PQ606361) and <em>Aspergillus niger</em> (PV657140). Four <em>Bacillus</em> spp. Cell-free supernatants (CFS) were screened against these pathogens, all of which significantly inhibited fungal mycelial growth. Among them, <em>Bacillus subtilis</em> LB22 CFS exhibited the highest inhibition, at 74.60 % for <em>P. digitatum</em> and 86.20 % for <em>A. niger</em>. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed morphological disintegration in fungal hyphae and spores upon treatment with <em>B. subtilis</em> LB22 CFS. GC-MS analysis of the LB22 CFS identified nine antimicrobial and four ethylene-inhibiting compounds, including 4-di-tert-butylphenol, <em>n</em>-hexadecanoic acid, and 1H-indene derivatives. <em>In-vivo</em> assays of CFS demonstrated that fruit coating with the <em>B. subtilis</em> CFS prevented <em>A. niger</em> and <em>P. digitatum</em> invasion in khasi mandarin fruits with 100 % bioprotective efficiency upto 15 days against 100 % fruit decay in control at 3 days. Quality assessment of treated fruits after 15 days of storage revealed a total soluble solids (TSS) value of 11.90°Brix and titratable acidity of 0.85 %, both statistically non-significant compared to the control. Organoleptic evaluations, based on colour, flavour, texture, taste, and overall acceptability, supported the efficacy of the treatment. Collectively, our findings confirm that <em>B. subtilis</em> LB22 acts as a potent biocontrol agent against green and black mold in both in vitro and <em>in vivo</em> conditions. Our study hence perch <em>Bacillus subtilis</em> LB22 CFS based fruit coating as a promising option for post harvest handling of Khasi mandarin fruits, preventing fruit decay and enhancing the shelf life.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114142"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-24DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114135
Nannan Dong , Ling Wei , Wanfeng Wu , Yizhou Xiang , Qiannan Hu , Yaoqi Zhang , Zisheng Luo , Yunbin Jiang , Li Li
Fresh chestnut is highly susceptible to postharvest browning and quality deterioration. Therein, the effect of postharvest application of exogenous sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) and glutathione (GSH) and their combination on quality attributes of fresh chestnut during shelf-life was investigated in present study. Compared with those in the control group, chestnuts treated with Na2SeO3 and GSH on day 10 presented an increase in firmness of 90.9 % and a reduction in weight loss and browning index of 44.4 % and 5.1 %, respectively. The combination of Na2SeO3 and GSH enhanced nutritional quality and antioxidant performance by increasing the ascorbic acid (AsA) and GSH content and increasing the expression levels of CmSOD and CmCAT on day 20. The inorganic selenium (Se) in the GSH+Na2SeO3 group was predominantly selenite on day 0. After 20 days, inorganic Se was metabolized into organic Se (selenocysteine, methylselenocysteine, and selenomethionine). Our results indicated that the combination of Na2SeO3 and GSH enhanced antioxidant properties, promoted the accumulation of AsA and GSH, facilitated Se accumulation and biotransformation, and extended the shelf-life of chestnuts. Overall, this work provided a promising strategy to improve the postharvest storage quality and nutritional values of fresh chestnut.
{"title":"Postharvest application of glutathione and selenium and their combination enhances quality performance of chestnut","authors":"Nannan Dong , Ling Wei , Wanfeng Wu , Yizhou Xiang , Qiannan Hu , Yaoqi Zhang , Zisheng Luo , Yunbin Jiang , Li Li","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114135","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114135","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fresh chestnut is highly susceptible to postharvest browning and quality deterioration. Therein, the effect of postharvest application of exogenous sodium selenite (Na<sub>2</sub>SeO<sub>3</sub>) and glutathione (GSH) and their combination on quality attributes of fresh chestnut during shelf-life was investigated in present study. Compared with those in the control group, chestnuts treated with Na<sub>2</sub>SeO<sub>3</sub> and GSH on day 10 presented an increase in firmness of 90.9 % and a reduction in weight loss and browning index of 44.4 % and 5.1 %, respectively. The combination of Na<sub>2</sub>SeO<sub>3</sub> and GSH enhanced nutritional quality and antioxidant performance by increasing the ascorbic acid (AsA) and GSH content and increasing the expression levels of <em>CmSOD</em> and <em>CmCAT</em> on day 20. The inorganic selenium (Se) in the GSH+Na<sub>2</sub>SeO<sub>3</sub> group was predominantly selenite on day 0. After 20 days, inorganic Se was metabolized into organic Se (selenocysteine, methylselenocysteine, and selenomethionine). Our results indicated that the combination of Na<sub>2</sub>SeO<sub>3</sub> and GSH enhanced antioxidant properties, promoted the accumulation of AsA and GSH, facilitated Se accumulation and biotransformation, and extended the shelf-life of chestnuts. Overall, this work provided a promising strategy to improve the postharvest storage quality and nutritional values of fresh chestnut.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114135"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114141
Kangwei Xie , Yusha Du , Jiatong Zhang , Xiujuan Gan , Tieyi Hu , Niqi Xie , Xingyong Yang
Tomatoes, a vital cash crop, are highly susceptible to postharvest soft rot caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum. Bio-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), generated via a green synthesis approach, offer a promising strategy for managing postharvest diseases due to their potent antibacterial properties. In this study, the endophytic Burkholderia plantarii BpMS90 was shown to reduce silver ions to form AgNPs (Bp-AgNPs). These nanoparticles exhibited characteristic surface plasmon resonance peaks between 400–450 nm and had an average size of 78.04 ± 29.66 nm. In vitro assays revealed that Bp-AgNPs had a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.625 ppm against P. carotovorum and demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against six additional bacterial species. Microstructural analysis indicated that Bp-AgNPs inhibited P. carotovorum proliferation by compromising cellular integrity. Treatment with Bp-AgNPs significantly decreased the incidence of tomato soft rot and minimized postharvest weight loss. Additionally, 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that Bp-AgNPs preserved the relative diversity of endophytic bacterial communities in postharvest tomatoes, notably sustaining the relative abundance of Weissella species in comparison to diseased tomatoes. Metabolomic correlation analysis revealed that Weissella abundance was positively associated with L-phenylalanine, citric acid, and L-tryptophan levels, metabolites implicated in postharvest disease resistance. These findings highlight the potential of biosynthetic Bp-AgNPs as effective antimicrobial agents and support their application in sustainable postharvest disease management.
{"title":"Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by endophytic Burkholderia plantarii and their protection efficacy against postharvest tomato soft rot","authors":"Kangwei Xie , Yusha Du , Jiatong Zhang , Xiujuan Gan , Tieyi Hu , Niqi Xie , Xingyong Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114141","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114141","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tomatoes, a vital cash crop, are highly susceptible to postharvest soft rot caused by <em>Pectobacterium carotovorum</em>. Bio-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), generated via a green synthesis approach, offer a promising strategy for managing postharvest diseases due to their potent antibacterial properties. In this study, the endophytic <em>Burkholderia plantarii</em> BpMS90 was shown to reduce silver ions to form AgNPs (Bp-AgNPs). These nanoparticles exhibited characteristic surface plasmon resonance peaks between 400–450 nm and had an average size of 78.04 ± 29.66 nm. <em>In vitro</em> assays revealed that Bp-AgNPs had a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.625 ppm against <em>P. carotovorum</em> and demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against six additional bacterial species. Microstructural analysis indicated that Bp-AgNPs inhibited <em>P. carotovorum</em> proliferation by compromising cellular integrity. Treatment with Bp-AgNPs significantly decreased the incidence of tomato soft rot and minimized postharvest weight loss. Additionally, 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that Bp-AgNPs preserved the relative diversity of endophytic bacterial communities in postharvest tomatoes, notably sustaining the relative abundance of <em>Weissella</em> species in comparison to diseased tomatoes. Metabolomic correlation analysis revealed that <em>Weissella</em> abundance was positively associated with <span>L</span>-phenylalanine, citric acid, and <span>L</span>-tryptophan levels, metabolites implicated in postharvest disease resistance. These findings highlight the potential of biosynthetic Bp-AgNPs as effective antimicrobial agents and support their application in sustainable postharvest disease management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114141"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114137
Bingce Wang , Xia Lei , Hao Luo , Xiaolan Yang , Xianhui Yin , Weizhen Wang , Youhua Long
Kiwifruit, a climacteric fruit, rapidly ripens and is highly susceptible to postharvest deterioration, and Botryosphaeria dothidea is the most important pathogen. This vulnerability highlights the urgent need for safe and effective preservation strategies. In this study, a biocontrol bacterium identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BacXF14, which harbors 8 known biosynthesis-related gene clusters for secondary metabolites, was isolated from the surface of healthy kiwifruit. Both BacXF14 and its cell-free supernatant (CFS) significantly suppressed the mycelial growth and biomass accumulation of six major postharvest pathogens, exhibiting particularly strong antagonistic activity against B. dothidea. Further analyses revealed that the CFS induced spore deformation and inhibited the germination of both spores and sclerotia in B. dothidea. It also severely disrupted the hyphal cell wall and membrane integrity and suppressed the activities of the infection-related hydrolytic enzymes β-glucosidase and pectinase. LC–MS/MS analysis confirmed the presence of 26 structurally diverse antifungal compounds in the supernatant. BacXF14 stably colonized kiwifruit surfaces for at least 15 days, significantly reducing the incidence of soft rot. In addition to direct antagonism, it modulates the epiphytic microbiome by suppressing pathogenic fungi and enriching beneficial taxa. This microbial shift improved fruit quality in B. dothidea-infected kiwifruit and delayed ripening in healthy fruit. These findings highlight the dual roles of BacXF14 in both pathogen inhibition and microbiome modulation, offering a promising and sustainable strategy for postharvest disease control and shelf-life extension in kiwifruit.
{"title":"Dual-mechanism biocontrol against postharvest soft rot by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BacXF14 via pathogen inhibition and microbiome modulation","authors":"Bingce Wang , Xia Lei , Hao Luo , Xiaolan Yang , Xianhui Yin , Weizhen Wang , Youhua Long","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114137","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114137","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Kiwifruit, a climacteric fruit, rapidly ripens and is highly susceptible to postharvest deterioration, and <em>Botryosphaeria dothidea</em> is the most important pathogen. This vulnerability highlights the urgent need for safe and effective preservation strategies. In this study, a biocontrol bacterium identified as <em>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</em> BacXF14, which harbors 8 known biosynthesis-related gene clusters for secondary metabolites, was isolated from the surface of healthy kiwifruit. Both BacXF14 and its cell-free supernatant (CFS) significantly suppressed the mycelial growth and biomass accumulation of six major postharvest pathogens, exhibiting particularly strong antagonistic activity against <em>B. dothidea</em>. Further analyses revealed that the CFS induced spore deformation and inhibited the germination of both spores and sclerotia in <em>B. dothidea</em>. It also severely disrupted the hyphal cell wall and membrane integrity and suppressed the activities of the infection-related hydrolytic enzymes β-glucosidase and pectinase. LC–MS/MS analysis confirmed the presence of 26 structurally diverse antifungal compounds in the supernatant. BacXF14 stably colonized kiwifruit surfaces for at least 15 days, significantly reducing the incidence of soft rot. In addition to direct antagonism, it modulates the epiphytic microbiome by suppressing pathogenic fungi and enriching beneficial taxa. This microbial shift improved fruit quality in <em>B. dothidea</em>-infected kiwifruit and delayed ripening in healthy fruit. These findings highlight the dual roles of BacXF14 in both pathogen inhibition and microbiome modulation, offering a promising and sustainable strategy for postharvest disease control and shelf-life extension in kiwifruit.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114137"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114140
Wong Junyang , Mohamad Yusof Maskat , Maimunah Mohd Ali
Chili (Capsicum frutescens) is an important vegetable crop widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, where postharvest quality deterioration particularly color and freshness loss, poses significant challenges during storage. Traditional visual inspection methods are often subjective and inconsistent. This study evaluated the postharvest quality of bird’s eye chilies stored at 5 °C and 28 °C on Days 1, 3, and 5 using non-destructive image processing combined with machine learning approach. Image features were extracted from chili samples and classified using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Support Vector Machine (SVM), k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN), and ensemble model. Using a 70:30 training–testing split, SVM achieved the highest average classification accuracy (69.1 % at 5 °C and 66.7 % at 28 °C). Under 10-fold stratified cross-validation, k-NN and ensemble models demonstrated improved robustness, with the ensemble yielding the highest average classification accuracy (74.08 % at 5 °C and 79.26 % at 28 °C). To complement the machine learning models, deep learning models where a feature-level 1D-Convolutional Neural Network was implemented, achieving an average 57.6 % accuracy under 10-fold, while an image-based MobileNetV2 architecture achieved 78.8 % validation accuracy. These results highlighted that automatic feature extraction can outperform hand-crafted features for postharvest chili quality assessment. Additionally, Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression identified the L* value as the most effective color parameter for quality detection (R² > 0.93). Overall, integrating image processing with machine learning and supported by deep learning offers a reliable, non-invasive framework for evaluating postharvest chili quality.
{"title":"Non-destructive monitoring of postharvest quality changes in chili (Capsicum frutescens) during storage using image processing coupled with machine learning","authors":"Wong Junyang , Mohamad Yusof Maskat , Maimunah Mohd Ali","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114140","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114140","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chili (<em>Capsicum frutescens</em>) is an important vegetable crop widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, where postharvest quality deterioration particularly color and freshness loss, poses significant challenges during storage. Traditional visual inspection methods are often subjective and inconsistent. This study evaluated the postharvest quality of bird’s eye chilies stored at 5 °C and 28 °C on Days 1, 3, and 5 using non-destructive image processing combined with machine learning approach. Image features were extracted from chili samples and classified using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Support Vector Machine (SVM), k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN), and ensemble model. Using a 70:30 training–testing split, SVM achieved the highest average classification accuracy (69.1 % at 5 °C and 66.7 % at 28 °C). Under 10-fold stratified cross-validation, k-NN and ensemble models demonstrated improved robustness, with the ensemble yielding the highest average classification accuracy (74.08 % at 5 °C and 79.26 % at 28 °C). To complement the machine learning models, deep learning models where a feature-level 1D-Convolutional Neural Network was implemented, achieving an average 57.6 % accuracy under 10-fold, while an image-based MobileNetV2 architecture achieved 78.8 % validation accuracy. These results highlighted that automatic feature extraction can outperform hand-crafted features for postharvest chili quality assessment. Additionally, Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression identified the L* value as the most effective color parameter for quality detection (R² > 0.93). Overall, integrating image processing with machine learning and supported by deep learning offers a reliable, non-invasive framework for evaluating postharvest chili quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114140"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114139
Chenyang Li , Jun Ling , Yue Han , Xiaobing Li , Xueqiang Chai , Huali Hu , Hongsheng Zhou , Xuesong Liu , Chun Zhao , Yingtong Zhang , Pengxia Li
Pink mold caused by Trichothecium roseum (T. roseum) is a major postharvest disease affecting fruit and vegetable crops, necessitating eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides for its control. This study investigates the antifungal efficacy of Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water (SAEW) against T. roseum in vitro and in vivo. SAEW can inhibit the mycelial growth and spore germination of T. roseum, as well as significantly reduce disease development on apples and tomatoes in a dose-dependent manner, with complete inhibition achieved at ACC values of 100 mg L−1. SAEW disrupted fungal membrane integrity, as indicated by propidium iodide staining, increased electrolyte leakage, reduced total lipid and ergosterol content, and elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Additionally, SAEW treatment downregulated the expression and enzyme activities of several cell wall-degrading enzymes associated with pathogenicity. These results collectively demonstrate that SAEW is highly effective in reducing postharvest diseases caused by T. roseum and has strong potential as a green alternative for fruit preservation.
玫瑰毛霉（Trichothecium roseum， T. roseum）引起的粉红霉菌是影响果蔬作物的主要采后病害，需要使用环保的化学杀菌剂来防治。本文研究了微酸性电解水（SAEW）对roseum的体外和体内抑菌作用。SAEW可以抑制玫瑰镰刀菌的菌丝生长和孢子萌发，并以剂量依赖的方式显著降低苹果和番茄的病害发展，ACC值为100 mg L−1时完全抑制。碘化丙啶染色表明，SAEW破坏了真菌膜的完整性，增加了电解质泄漏，降低了总脂质和麦角甾醇含量，升高了丙二醛（MDA）水平。此外，SAEW处理下调了几种与致病性相关的细胞壁降解酶的表达和酶活性。综上所述，SAEW可有效减少玫瑰红霉的采后病害，具有作为水果绿色保鲜的潜力。
{"title":"Antifungal efficacy and mechanisms of slightly acidic electrolyzed water against Trichothecium roseum","authors":"Chenyang Li , Jun Ling , Yue Han , Xiaobing Li , Xueqiang Chai , Huali Hu , Hongsheng Zhou , Xuesong Liu , Chun Zhao , Yingtong Zhang , Pengxia Li","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114139","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114139","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pink mold caused by <em>Trichothecium roseum</em> (<em>T. roseum</em>) is a major postharvest disease affecting fruit and vegetable crops, necessitating eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides for its control. This study investigates the antifungal efficacy of Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water (SAEW) against <em>T. roseum in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em>. SAEW can inhibit the mycelial growth and spore germination of <em>T. roseum</em>, as well as significantly reduce disease development on apples and tomatoes in a dose-dependent manner, with complete inhibition achieved at ACC values of 100 mg L<sup>−1</sup>. SAEW disrupted fungal membrane integrity, as indicated by propidium iodide staining, increased electrolyte leakage, reduced total lipid and ergosterol content, and elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Additionally, SAEW treatment downregulated the expression and enzyme activities of several cell wall-degrading enzymes associated with pathogenicity. These results collectively demonstrate that SAEW is highly effective in reducing postharvest diseases caused by <em>T. roseum</em> and has strong potential as a green alternative for fruit preservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114139"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-20DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114138
Huiying Wang , Haiyan Shi , Xiaona Li
Postharvest senescence limits the storability and market value of sand pear, yet the role of aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) in this process remains unclear. Here, we conducted a genome‑wide analysis of the PpAKR superfamily and functionally characterized PpAKR1, previously identified as salicylic acid (SA) responsive in ‘Whangkeumbae’ fruit. A total of 50 PpAKR genes were identified and categorized into four families-AKR2, AKR4, AKR6, and AKR13-based on phylogenetic analysis. The PpAKR1 gene, which belongs to the AKR13 family, exhibited the highest homology with PpAKR40. The PpAKR1 was localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Furthermore, RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that PpAKR1 is predominantly expressed during the postharvest stage and responds to treatments with SA, auxin, ethylene, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid in ‘Whangkeumbae’ fruit. Silencing of the PpAKR1 gene in pear fruit resulted in a marked reduction in fruit firmness and SA content, accompanied by significant increases in ethylene production, MDA, H2O2, and O2- levels. Concurrently, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including SOD, POD, and CAT, were substantially decreased. In contrast, the activities of cell wall-degrading enzymes—PG, PME, and CX—were significantly elevated. Notably, exogenous application of SA effectively mitigated the fruit senescence symptoms induced by PpAKR1 silencing. Overexpression of PpAKR1 in sand pear callus resulted in increased SA content, a reduction in the accumulation of MDA, H₂O₂, and O₂⁻, while enhancing the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT, and reducing the activities of PG, PME, and CX, thereby delaying callus senescence. In response to SA, the senescence of PpAKR1-overexpressing callus was further delayed, whereas ethylene accelerated the senescence process. These findings provide valuable insights into the PpAKR gene superfamily and offer preliminary evidence supporting the role of the SA-induced PpAKR1 gene in delaying senescence in sand pear fruit.
{"title":"Genome-wide analysis of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) gene family and the role of PpAKR1 in salicylic acid-mediated delaying sand pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) fruit senescence","authors":"Huiying Wang , Haiyan Shi , Xiaona Li","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114138","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114138","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Postharvest senescence limits the storability and market value of sand pear, yet the role of aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) in this process remains unclear. Here, we conducted a genome‑wide analysis of the <em>PpAKR</em> superfamily and functionally characterized <em>PpAKR1</em>, previously identified as salicylic acid (SA) responsive in ‘Whangkeumbae’ fruit. A total of 50 <em>PpAKR</em> genes were identified and categorized into four families-AKR2, AKR4, AKR6, and AKR13-based on phylogenetic analysis. The <em>PpAKR1</em> gene, which belongs to the AKR13 family, exhibited the highest homology with <em>PpAKR40</em>. The PpAKR1 was localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Furthermore, RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that <em>PpAKR1</em> is predominantly expressed during the postharvest stage and responds to treatments with SA, auxin, ethylene, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid in ‘Whangkeumbae’ fruit. Silencing of the <em>PpAKR1</em> gene in pear fruit resulted in a marked reduction in fruit firmness and SA content, accompanied by significant increases in ethylene production, MDA, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, and O<sub>2</sub><sup>-</sup> levels. Concurrently, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including SOD, POD, and CAT, were substantially decreased. In contrast, the activities of cell wall-degrading enzymes—PG, PME, and CX—were significantly elevated. Notably, exogenous application of SA effectively mitigated the fruit senescence symptoms induced by <em>PpAKR1</em> silencing. Overexpression of <em>PpAKR1</em> in sand pear callus resulted in increased SA content, a reduction in the accumulation of MDA, H₂O₂, and O₂⁻, while enhancing the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT, and reducing the activities of PG, PME, and CX, thereby delaying callus senescence. In response to SA, the senescence of <em>PpAKR1</em>-overexpressing callus was further delayed, whereas ethylene accelerated the senescence process. These findings provide valuable insights into the <em>PpAKR</em> gene superfamily and offer preliminary evidence supporting the role of the SA-induced <em>PpAKR1</em> gene in delaying senescence in sand pear fruit.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114138"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-20DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114136
Hongcan Fei , Xiaoyun Zhang , Opoku Genevieve Fremah , Esa Abiso Godana , Jun Li , Yuanyuan Xie , Lina Zhao , Hongyin Zhang
Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliense (Pcb) is a prevalent pathogen responsible for tomato soft rot disease, which reduces the edible quality of tomatoes, resulting in significant economic losses. However, the mechanisms of Pcb infecting tomatoes remain incompletely elucidated. This study comprehensively explored the mechanisms involved by integrating phenotypic analysis with transcriptomic analysis. Experimental results demonstrated progressive development of tomato soft rot over time following Pcb inoculation, with active bacterial division in fruit tissues at 36 h post-inoculation (hpi). Pcb demonstrated strong ability in proliferation, biofilm formation and motility, which facilitated its infection of the fruits. In vitro assays confirmed the secretion of three principal plant cell wall-degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) by Pcb: protease, pectinase, and cellulase. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the pathways including the phosphotransferase system (PTS) pathway, two-component system (TCS) pathway, bacterial secretion pathway, and bacterial chemotaxis pathway of Pcb were significantly enriched, suggesting these pathways played crucial roles in the infection of Pcb. The key virulence-related genes such as FliC, Egl, and EpsA were notably upregulated, contributing to the progression of soft rot. This study elucidates the key mechanisms of Pcb infecting tomatoes, laying a solid foundation for developing targeted control strategies against tomato soft rot, and demonstrates promising application prospects in disease management of postharvest tomatoes.
胡萝卜乳杆菌亚种brasiliense （Pcb）是一种流行的番茄软腐病病原，它降低了番茄的食用品质，造成了重大的经济损失。然而，多氯联苯感染番茄的机制尚未完全阐明。本研究通过结合表型分析和转录组分析全面探讨了相关机制。实验结果表明，接种多氯联苯后，随着时间的推移，番茄软腐病逐渐发展，接种后36 h （hpi）果实组织中细菌分裂活跃。Pcb具有较强的增殖能力、生物膜形成能力和运动性，有利于侵染果实。体外实验证实了三种主要的植物细胞壁降解酶（PCWDEs）：蛋白酶、果胶酶和纤维素酶。转录组分析结果显示，Pcb的磷酸转移酶系统（PTS）、双组分系统（TCS）、细菌分泌途径和细菌趋化途径显著富集，表明这些途径在Pcb感染中发挥了重要作用。FliC、Egl、EpsA等关键毒力相关基因显著上调，促进了软腐病的发展。本研究阐明了Pcb侵染番茄的关键机制，为制定番茄软腐病的针对性防治策略奠定了坚实的基础，在番茄采后病害管理中具有广阔的应用前景。
{"title":"Exploring the mechanisms involved in Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliense infecting postharvest tomato fruits","authors":"Hongcan Fei , Xiaoyun Zhang , Opoku Genevieve Fremah , Esa Abiso Godana , Jun Li , Yuanyuan Xie , Lina Zhao , Hongyin Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114136","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114136","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliense (Pcb) is a prevalent pathogen responsible for tomato soft rot disease, which reduces the edible quality of tomatoes, resulting in significant economic losses. However, the mechanisms of Pcb infecting tomatoes remain incompletely elucidated. This study comprehensively explored the mechanisms involved by integrating phenotypic analysis with transcriptomic analysis. Experimental results demonstrated progressive development of tomato soft rot over time following Pcb inoculation, with active bacterial division in fruit tissues at 36 h post-inoculation (hpi). Pcb demonstrated strong ability in proliferation, biofilm formation and motility, which facilitated its infection of the fruits. In vitro assays confirmed the secretion of three principal plant cell wall-degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) by Pcb: protease, pectinase, and cellulase. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the pathways including the phosphotransferase system (PTS) pathway, two-component system (TCS) pathway, bacterial secretion pathway, and bacterial chemotaxis pathway of Pcb were significantly enriched, suggesting these pathways played crucial roles in the infection of Pcb. The key virulence-related genes such as FliC, Egl, and EpsA were notably upregulated, contributing to the progression of soft rot. This study elucidates the key mechanisms of Pcb infecting tomatoes, laying a solid foundation for developing targeted control strategies against tomato soft rot, and demonstrates promising application prospects in disease management of postharvest tomatoes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114136"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号