Pub Date : 2025-12-19DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114108
Xiaoxuan Bai , Jing Li , Renqing Xiong , Siyu Liu , Run Liu , Gaojie Zhu , Yingping Huang , Shiping Liu
The green mold caused by Penicillium digitatum was a prevalent postharvest disease of citrus, resulting huge economic losses every year. Sanxiapeptin, a promising peptide preservative against citrus green mold caused by P. digitatum, was studied for its antifungal mechanisms using in-situ biochemical analyses and RNA-seq. The results showed that Sanxiapeptin inhibited conidiophore development-related genes, reducing spore production and viability. It also down-regulates genes for hydrolytic enzymes, disrupting cell wall and membrane integrity, subsequently altering surface morphology. Moreover, antioxidant genes and enzyme activities were decreased, while superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide increased, leading to ROS burst. In conclusion, this study deeply explores the multiple antifungal mechanisms of Sanxiapeptin through molecular biological methods, demonstrating its ideal potential as a food preservative for controlling fungal disease.
{"title":"Sanxiapeptin inhibits Penicillium digitatum by affecting cell surface and ROS accumulation","authors":"Xiaoxuan Bai , Jing Li , Renqing Xiong , Siyu Liu , Run Liu , Gaojie Zhu , Yingping Huang , Shiping Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114108","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114108","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The green mold caused by <em>Penicillium digitatum</em> was a prevalent postharvest disease of citrus, resulting huge economic losses every year. Sanxiapeptin, a promising peptide preservative against citrus green mold caused by <em>P. digitatum</em>, was studied for its antifungal mechanisms using <em>in-situ</em> biochemical analyses and RNA-seq. The results showed that Sanxiapeptin inhibited conidiophore development-related genes, reducing spore production and viability. It also down-regulates genes for hydrolytic enzymes<em>,</em> disrupting cell wall and membrane integrity, subsequently altering surface morphology. Moreover, antioxidant genes and enzyme activities were decreased, while superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide increased, leading to ROS burst. In conclusion, this study deeply explores the multiple antifungal mechanisms of Sanxiapeptin through molecular biological methods, demonstrating its ideal potential as a food preservative for controlling fungal disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114108"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786649","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 : 2025-12-18DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114116
Chao Pan , Fajuan Wang , Yanzi Chu , Yahui Xue , Yan Ye , Kunlong Yang , Jinfeng Hua , Ling Shen , Jun Tian
Fusarium root rot, caused by Fusarium solani, is one of the major postharvest diseases of sweet potato. Cinnamaldehyde (CA), a natural product from cinnamon bark, has demonstrated promising antifungal efficacy; however, its mechanism of action, especially regarding fungal sugar metabolism, remains poorly understood. CA above 0.375 g L−1 inhibited F. solani mycelial growth, induced glucose deprivation, and triggered the accumulation of reserve carbohydrates (trehalose and glycogen). Moreover, CA promoted the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), protein carbonylation, and DNA fragmentation, indicating that CA caused oxidative damage and led to apoptotic cell death in F. solani. Notably, CA suppressed the function of the metabolic regulator sucrose non-fermenting protein kinase 1 (Snf1) by disrupting its transcription and translation. Genetic knockout of Snf1 increased the inhibition rate of mycelial growth, amplified intracellular glucose scarcity, promoted the accumulation of reserve carbohydrates, accelerated H2O2 accumulation and protein oxidative damage, and ultimately exacerbated the extent of cell apoptosis. Complementarily, activation of Snf1 attenuated the antifungal effect of CA. Moreover, CA reduced rot incidence and better preserved nutritional quality (soluble sugars and starch), particularly in sweet potato roots infected with Snf1-deletion mutants. These findings reveal that CA exerts its antifungal effect by disrupting Snf1-mediated glucose supply and inducing oxidative stress in F. solani to control sweet potato postharvest decay. This study provides novel insights into the antifungal mechanism of plant essential oils and supports the potential application of CA as an eco-friendly preservative for controlling postharvest spoilage in carbohydrate-rich fresh produce.
枯萎病是甘薯主要的采后病害之一，是由枯萎病引起的。肉桂醛（CA）是肉桂树皮的天然产物，具有良好的抗真菌作用；然而，其作用机制，特别是关于真菌糖代谢，仍然知之甚少。CA高于0.375 g L−1时，可抑制茄茄菌菌丝生长，诱导葡萄糖剥夺，并触发储备碳水化合物（海藻糖和糖原）的积累。此外，CA促进了活性氧和过氧化氢（H2O2）的积累、蛋白质羰基化和DNA片段化，表明CA引起了茄蚜细胞的氧化损伤和凋亡细胞死亡。值得注意的是，CA通过破坏代谢调节剂蔗糖非发酵蛋白激酶1 （Snf1）的转录和翻译来抑制其功能。基因敲除Snf1增加了对菌丝生长的抑制率，放大了细胞内葡萄糖的稀缺性，促进了储备碳水化合物的积累，加速了H2O2的积累和蛋白质的氧化损伤，最终加重了细胞凋亡的程度。另外，Snf1的激活减弱了CA的抗真菌作用。此外，CA降低了腐病发生率，并更好地保存了营养品质（可溶性糖和淀粉），特别是在Snf1缺失突变体感染的甘薯根中。这些研究结果表明，CA通过破坏snf1介导的葡萄糖供应和诱导氧化应激来抑制甘薯采后腐烂，从而发挥其抗真菌作用。该研究为植物精油的抗真菌机制提供了新的见解，并支持了CA作为一种环保防腐剂在富含碳水化合物的新鲜农产品中控制采后腐败的潜在应用。
{"title":"Targeting the Snf1 kinase by cinnamaldehyde induces glucose starvation and oxidative stress in Fusarium solani for the control of sweet potato postharvest decay","authors":"Chao Pan , Fajuan Wang , Yanzi Chu , Yahui Xue , Yan Ye , Kunlong Yang , Jinfeng Hua , Ling Shen , Jun Tian","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114116","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114116","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Fusarium</em> root rot, caused by <em>Fusarium solani</em>, is one of the major postharvest diseases of sweet potato. Cinnamaldehyde (CA), a natural product from cinnamon bark, has demonstrated promising antifungal efficacy; however, its mechanism of action, especially regarding fungal sugar metabolism, remains poorly understood. CA above 0.375 g L<sup>−1</sup> inhibited <em>F. solani</em> mycelial growth, induced glucose deprivation, and triggered the accumulation of reserve carbohydrates (trehalose and glycogen). Moreover, CA promoted the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>), protein carbonylation, and DNA fragmentation, indicating that CA caused oxidative damage and led to apoptotic cell death in <em>F. solani</em>. Notably, CA suppressed the function of the metabolic regulator sucrose non-fermenting protein kinase 1 (Snf1) by disrupting its transcription and translation. Genetic knockout of <em>Snf1</em> increased the inhibition rate of mycelial growth, amplified intracellular glucose scarcity, promoted the accumulation of reserve carbohydrates, accelerated H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> accumulation and protein oxidative damage, and ultimately exacerbated the extent of cell apoptosis. Complementarily, activation of Snf1 attenuated the antifungal effect of CA. Moreover, CA reduced rot incidence and better preserved nutritional quality (soluble sugars and starch), particularly in sweet potato roots infected with <em>Snf1</em>-deletion mutants. These findings reveal that CA exerts its antifungal effect by disrupting Snf1-mediated glucose supply and inducing oxidative stress in <em>F. solani</em> to control sweet potato postharvest decay. This study provides novel insights into the antifungal mechanism of plant essential oils and supports the potential application of CA as an eco-friendly preservative for controlling postharvest spoilage in carbohydrate-rich fresh produce.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114116"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786648","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 : 2025-12-18DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114134
Xiao Yuan , Yuanyuan Jiang , Yukun Wang , Yunna Zhu , Liangjie Ba , Bin Wang
Cucumber fruit is highly susceptible to chilling injury (CI) during cold storage. In this study, postharvest cucumber fruit was treated with melatonin (MT) prior to cold storage. We found that MT treatment significantly reduced CI development and maintained high total soluble solids content throughout cold storage. Metabolomics data indicated that MT treatment significantly altered the metabolite profiles in cold-stored cucumber fruit. Specifically, the contents of 11 sugar-related metabolites were significantly higher in MT-treated fruit compared to the control at both 6 d and 12 d of cold storage. Of these, 8 were glycosides, such as n-propyl β-lactoside, (4S)-α-terpineol 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, limonin 17-β-D-glucopyranoside and kankanoside P, suggesting that MT treatment promotes sugar accumulation, particularly of glycosides. Transcriptomic data revealed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) upregulated by MT treatment were highly associated with sugar biosynthesis or metabolism pathways, as well as various types of glycan biosynthesis pathways. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and gene set enrichment analysis further confirmed the overall upregulation of DEGs in glycan biosynthesis pathway by MT treatment. A joint analysis combining metabolome and transcriptome data showed high correlations between MT-modulated metabolites and DEGs in glycan biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that MT treatment significantly upregulated the expression of 6 representative genes involved in glycan biosynthesis. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that MT treatment induces chilling tolerance in cucumber fruit during cold storage, likely by promoting glycoside accumulation and inducing glycosidation. The accumulated glycosides would maintain osmotic equilibrium across cell membranes or enhance the biological activities of various molecules, thereby bolstering resistance to cold stress.
黄瓜果实在冷藏过程中极易受到冷害。在本研究中，采后黄瓜果实在冷藏前用褪黑素（MT）处理。我们发现，MT处理显著降低了CI的发展，并在整个冷藏过程中保持了较高的总可溶性固形物含量。代谢组学数据表明，MT处理显著改变了冷藏黄瓜果实的代谢物谱。具体而言，mt处理的果实在冷藏6 d和12 d的11种糖相关代谢物含量均显著高于对照。其中，8种是糖苷，如正丙基β-乳糖苷、(4S)-α-松油醇8- o -β- d -葡萄糖苷、柠檬素17-β- d -葡萄糖苷和坎卡诺苷P，这表明MT处理促进了糖的积累，尤其是糖苷的积累。转录组学数据显示，MT处理上调的差异表达基因（DEGs）与糖生物合成或代谢途径以及各种类型的糖生物合成途径高度相关。加权基因共表达网络分析和基因集富集分析进一步证实了MT处理对多糖生物合成途径中DEGs的整体上调。一项结合代谢组和转录组数据的联合分析显示，mt调节的代谢物与多糖生物合成途径中的DEGs之间存在高度相关性。此外，RT-qPCR分析表明，MT处理显著上调了6个参与聚糖生物合成的代表性基因的表达。综上所述，这些结果强烈表明，MT处理可能通过促进糖苷积累和诱导糖苷化来诱导黄瓜果实在冷藏期间的耐冷性。积累的糖苷可以维持细胞膜的渗透平衡或增强各种分子的生物活性，从而增强对冷胁迫的抵抗力。
{"title":"Melatonin treatment induces glycoside accumulation to confer chilling tolerance in cucumber fruit during cold storage","authors":"Xiao Yuan , Yuanyuan Jiang , Yukun Wang , Yunna Zhu , Liangjie Ba , Bin Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114134","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114134","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cucumber fruit is highly susceptible to chilling injury (CI) during cold storage. In this study, postharvest cucumber fruit was treated with melatonin (MT) prior to cold storage. We found that MT treatment significantly reduced CI development and maintained high total soluble solids content throughout cold storage. Metabolomics data indicated that MT treatment significantly altered the metabolite profiles in cold-stored cucumber fruit. Specifically, the contents of 11 sugar-related metabolites were significantly higher in MT-treated fruit compared to the control at both 6 d and 12 d of cold storage. Of these, 8 were glycosides, such as n-propyl β-lactoside, (4S)-α-terpineol 8-O-β-<span>D</span>-glucopyranoside, limonin 17-β-<span>D</span>-glucopyranoside and kankanoside P, suggesting that MT treatment promotes sugar accumulation, particularly of glycosides. Transcriptomic data revealed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) upregulated by MT treatment were highly associated with sugar biosynthesis or metabolism pathways, as well as various types of glycan biosynthesis pathways. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and gene set enrichment analysis further confirmed the overall upregulation of DEGs in glycan biosynthesis pathway by MT treatment. A joint analysis combining metabolome and transcriptome data showed high correlations between MT-modulated metabolites and DEGs in glycan biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated that MT treatment significantly upregulated the expression of 6 representative genes involved in glycan biosynthesis. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that MT treatment induces chilling tolerance in cucumber fruit during cold storage, likely by promoting glycoside accumulation and inducing glycosidation. The accumulated glycosides would maintain osmotic equilibrium across cell membranes or enhance the biological activities of various molecules, thereby bolstering resistance to cold stress.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114134"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786647","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 : 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114131
Renle Xu , Xiaoyu Yan , Yuge Hu , Jiuhui Ye , Pengpeng Liu , Yi Zhang , Zida Zhang , Yanqing Gao , Kai Li , Wangxia Wang , Feng Gu , Jian Li
Apple rot disease caused by Valsa mali poses a severe threat to apple production and quality. In this study, a series of renewable rosin-based 1,2,4-triazole preservative derivatives were designed and synthesized to control V. mali, using dehydroabietic acid as the lead compound. The in vitro antifungal activity evaluation revealed that most derivatives exhibited excellent inhibitory effects on V. mali, and compound 7 l (Co. 7 l) exhibited excellent antifungal activity, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 4.63 × 10−4 g L−1, outperforming the commercial fungicide flusilazole. Quantum chemical calculations highlighted the critical role of the 1,2,4-triazole ring and amide group in interactions with target proteins. In vivo measurement suggested that Co. 7 l displayed superior protective and curative effects on apple fruit and branches compared to control check. Physicochemical analysis showed that Co. 7 l avoided weight loss, increased total soluble solids and antioxidant enzyme activity, and decreased titratable acidity, superoxide anion radicals, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels of apple fruit. Additionally, mode of action studies indicated that Co. 7 l inhibited sterol biosynthesis by targeting CYP51 enzyme, reduced ergosterol content, disrupted mycelial cell membranes, causing ROS accumulation (particularly singlet oxygen) and lipid peroxidation. The acute toxicity measurement indicated that Co. 7 l exhibited low toxicity to zebrafish. Overall, Co. 7 l represents a promising eco-friendly fungicide candidate for sustainable postharvest disease management of apple fruit.
苹果腐病对苹果的生产和质量构成严重威胁。本研究以脱氢枞酸为先导化合物，设计合成了一系列以可再生松香为基础的1,2,4-三唑类防腐衍生物。体外抑菌活性评价表明，大多数衍生物对真菌有良好的抑制作用，其中化合物7 l （Co. 7 l）具有良好的抑菌活性，其半最大有效浓度（EC50）为4.63 × 10−4 g l−1，优于市售杀菌剂氟咪唑。量子化学计算强调了1,2,4-三唑环和酰胺基团在与靶蛋白相互作用中的关键作用。体内测定表明，Co. 7 l对苹果果实和枝条的保护和治疗作用优于对照。理化分析表明，Co. 7 l可避免苹果果实失重，提高总可溶性固形物和抗氧化酶活性，降低可滴定酸度、超氧阴离子自由基、过氧化氢和丙二醛水平。此外，作用方式研究表明Co. 7 l通过靶向CYP51酶抑制甾醇生物合成，降低麦角甾醇含量，破坏菌丝细胞膜，引起ROS积累（特别是单线态氧）和脂质过氧化。急性毒性测定表明，Co. 7 1对斑马鱼具有低毒性。总之，Co. 7 l是一种很有前途的生态友好型杀菌剂，可用于苹果果实采后病害的可持续管理。
{"title":"Discovery of renewable rosin-based 1,2,4-triazole preservative derivatives to control Valsa mali for postharvest disease management of apple fruit","authors":"Renle Xu , Xiaoyu Yan , Yuge Hu , Jiuhui Ye , Pengpeng Liu , Yi Zhang , Zida Zhang , Yanqing Gao , Kai Li , Wangxia Wang , Feng Gu , Jian Li","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114131","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114131","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Apple rot disease caused by <em>Valsa mali</em> poses a severe threat to apple production and quality. In this study, a series of renewable rosin-based 1,2,4-triazole preservative derivatives were designed and synthesized to control <em>V. mali</em>, using dehydroabietic acid as the lead compound. The <em>in vitro</em> antifungal activity evaluation revealed that most derivatives exhibited excellent inhibitory effects on <em>V. mali</em>, and compound <strong>7 l</strong> (<strong>Co. 7 l</strong>) exhibited excellent antifungal activity, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC<sub>50</sub>) of 4.63 × 10<sup>−4</sup> g L<sup>−1</sup>, outperforming the commercial fungicide flusilazole. Quantum chemical calculations highlighted the critical role of the 1,2,4-triazole ring and amide group in interactions with target proteins. <em>In vivo</em> measurement suggested that <strong>Co. 7 l</strong> displayed superior protective and curative effects on apple fruit and branches compared to control check. Physicochemical analysis showed that <strong>Co. 7 l</strong> avoided weight loss, increased total soluble solids and antioxidant enzyme activity, and decreased titratable acidity, superoxide anion radicals, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels of apple fruit. Additionally, mode of action studies indicated that <strong>Co. 7 l</strong> inhibited sterol biosynthesis by targeting CYP51 enzyme, reduced ergosterol content, disrupted mycelial cell membranes, causing ROS accumulation (particularly singlet oxygen) and lipid peroxidation. The acute toxicity measurement indicated that <strong>Co. 7 l</strong> exhibited low toxicity to zebrafish. Overall, <strong>Co. 7 l</strong> represents a promising eco-friendly fungicide candidate for sustainable postharvest disease management of apple fruit.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114131"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786628","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}
Postharvest losses caused by fungal pathogens are traditionally explained through a single-pathogen paradigm, where disease results from pathogen pathogenicity and virulence factors acting on a susceptible host under favorable conditions. However, emerging evidence challenges this view, pointing instead to the role of microbial consortia - the postharvest pathobiome - in shaping infection outcomes. In this opinion article, we explore the potential hidden alliance between fungi and bacteria that enhances the virulence of postharvest pathogens. Using apple - P. expansum as a model system, preliminary experiments revealed that co-inoculation with certain bacterial isolates significantly increased lesion development compared to the fungus alone, whereas bacteria alone were non-pathogenic. Amplicon sequencing further showed that fungal infection altered the wound microbiome, favoring the proliferation of anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria. We discuss multiple mechanisms by which bacteria may contribute to fungal virulence, including nutrient cross-feeding, biofilm formation, chemical signaling, pH modulation, alteration of host defenses, and the formation of endosymbiotic alliances. Recognition of this fungal-bacterial synergy has profound implications for postharvest management, as fungicide or biocontrol-based strategies may overlook the supportive role of bacteria and inadvertently favor more resilient pathogenic consortia. We propose that future disease control strategies adopt a microbiome-driven perspective, integrating high-throughput sequencing, metabolomics, imaging, and in silico modeling to disentangle these interactions and guide the development of sustainable, biologically informed interventions. Understanding and manipulating such inter-kingdom alliances may represent a crucial step toward reducing postharvest decay and improving global food security.
{"title":"A hidden alliance: The potential role of bacteria in the virulence of postharvest fungal pathogens","authors":"Samir Droby , V. Yeka Zhimo , Vijay Kumar Sharma , Rotem Bartuv , Michael Wisniewski , Hongyin Zhang , Shiri Freilich , Davide Spadaro","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114130","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114130","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Postharvest losses caused by fungal pathogens are traditionally explained through a single-pathogen paradigm, where disease results from pathogen pathogenicity and virulence factors acting on a susceptible host under favorable conditions. However, emerging evidence challenges this view, pointing instead to the role of microbial consortia - the postharvest pathobiome - in shaping infection outcomes. In this opinion article, we explore the potential hidden alliance between fungi and bacteria that enhances the virulence of postharvest pathogens. Using apple - <em>P. expansum</em> as a model system, preliminary experiments revealed that co-inoculation with certain bacterial isolates significantly increased lesion development compared to the fungus alone, whereas bacteria alone were non-pathogenic. Amplicon sequencing further showed that fungal infection altered the wound microbiome, favoring the proliferation of anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria. We discuss multiple mechanisms by which bacteria may contribute to fungal virulence, including nutrient cross-feeding, biofilm formation, chemical signaling, pH modulation, alteration of host defenses, and the formation of endosymbiotic alliances. Recognition of this fungal-bacterial synergy has profound implications for postharvest management, as fungicide or biocontrol-based strategies may overlook the supportive role of bacteria and inadvertently favor more resilient pathogenic consortia. We propose that future disease control strategies adopt a microbiome-driven perspective, integrating high-throughput sequencing, metabolomics, imaging, and <em>in silico</em> modeling to disentangle these interactions and guide the development of sustainable, biologically informed interventions. Understanding and manipulating such inter-kingdom alliances may represent a crucial step toward reducing postharvest decay and improving global food security.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114130"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786604","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 : 2025-12-16DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114114
Xiaoze Dai , Qingqing Liu , Junzheng Sun , Ruiling Zhuo , Yifen Lin , Mengshi Lin , Boqiang Li , Shiping Tian , Hetong Lin , Yihui Chen
Postharvest disease caused by Phomopsis longanae Chi (P. longanae) is a primary contributor to quality deterioration and reduced shelf life in longans. ε-Poly-L-lysine (ε-PL), a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, alleviated disease development in P. longanae-infected longans. This study investigates the mechanisms of ε-PL enhances disease resistance in longans from the viewpoint of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and membrane lipid metabolism. Results manifested that, compared to the P. longanae-infected longans, ε-PL treatment increased SOD, CAT, and APX activities, enhanced reducing power and DPPH radical scavenging ability, and increased GSH and AsA contents. Additionally, ε-PL treatment reduced PI-PLC, PC-PLC, PLD, lipase, and LOX activities, lowered DAG, PA, and SFAs levels, but increased PC, PI, USFAs, U/S and IUFA levels. These changes suppressed accumulation of O2-. and MDA, and restrained an increase of CMP, thereby maintaining membrane integrity. Overall, ε-PL treatment effectively enhanced fruit resistance to P. longanae by regulating the metabolisms of ROS and membrane lipids, and provided a potential alternative method for controlling postharvest disease in longans.
{"title":"Application of ε-poly-L-lysine alleviates postharvest disease in fresh longans incurred by Phomopsis longanae Chi via regulating the metabolisms of reactive oxygen species and membrane lipids","authors":"Xiaoze Dai , Qingqing Liu , Junzheng Sun , Ruiling Zhuo , Yifen Lin , Mengshi Lin , Boqiang Li , Shiping Tian , Hetong Lin , Yihui Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114114","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114114","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Postharvest disease caused by <em>Phomopsis longanae</em> Chi (<em>P. longanae</em>) is a primary contributor to quality deterioration and reduced shelf life in longans. <em>ε</em>-Poly-<span>L</span>-lysine (<em>ε</em>-PL), a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, alleviated disease development in <em>P. longanae-</em>infected longans. This study investigates the mechanisms of <em>ε</em>-PL enhances disease resistance in longans from the viewpoint of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and membrane lipid metabolism. Results manifested that, compared to the <em>P. longanae-</em>infected longans, <em>ε</em>-PL treatment increased SOD, CAT, and APX activities, enhanced reducing power and DPPH radical scavenging ability, and increased GSH and AsA contents. Additionally, <em>ε</em>-PL treatment reduced PI-PLC, PC-PLC, PLD, lipase, and LOX activities, lowered DAG, PA, and SFAs levels, but increased PC, PI, USFAs, U/S and IUFA levels. These changes suppressed accumulation of O<sub>2</sub><sup>-.</sup> and MDA, and restrained an increase of CMP, thereby maintaining membrane integrity. Overall, <em>ε</em>-PL treatment effectively enhanced fruit resistance to <em>P. longanae</em> by regulating the metabolisms of ROS and membrane lipids, and provided a potential alternative method for controlling postharvest disease in longans.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114114"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786629","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 : 2025-12-15DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114121
Shuhan Yang , Jiayi Liu , Yicheng Ren , Dong Li , Zisheng Luo , Yanpei Chen
Sound treatment (ST) is a non-invasive and eco-friendly technology with potential in postharvest fruit quality regulation. However, its effects and underlying mechanisms in postharvest climacteric fruits remain an unexplored frontier. This study evaluated the effects of ST (1 kHz, 100 dB, 12 h/d) on the postharvest ripening of bananas (Musa acuminata cv. Huangjinjiao, AAA) under ethephon-based ethylene fumigation. ST significantly accelerated peel degreening, with chlorophyll content in the control group 2.3 times higher than that in the ST group by 8 d. In addition, the firmness in the ST group was 57.9 % (peel) and 10.3 % (flesh) of the value in the CT group on 8 d, reflecting an accelerated softening process. Under ST, the soluble calcium level in the ST group was 1.58 times that in the CT group, and the expression of genes related to calcium and ethylene signaling was upregulated. Moreover, the activities of ethylene biosynthesis enzymes were enhanced, thereby promoting ethylene production. Consequently, chlorophyll-degrading enzymes were activated, accelerating peel degreening. Overall, this study provides the first systematic evidence of how ST modulates calcium–ethylene crosstalk to regulate fruit quality during ripening and highlights its potential as a green strategy for improving postharvest management and commercial handling of bananas.
{"title":"Sound treatment accelerates banana peel degreening via calcium-signaling-mediated ethylene action","authors":"Shuhan Yang , Jiayi Liu , Yicheng Ren , Dong Li , Zisheng Luo , Yanpei Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114121","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114121","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sound treatment (ST) is a non-invasive and eco-friendly technology with potential in postharvest fruit quality regulation. However, its effects and underlying mechanisms in postharvest climacteric fruits remain an unexplored frontier. This study evaluated the effects of ST (1 kHz, 100 dB, 12 h/d) on the postharvest ripening of bananas (<em>Musa acuminata</em> cv. Huangjinjiao, AAA) under ethephon-based ethylene fumigation. ST significantly accelerated peel degreening, with chlorophyll content in the control group 2.3 times higher than that in the ST group by 8 d. In addition, the firmness in the ST group was 57.9 % (peel) and 10.3 % (flesh) of the value in the CT group on 8 d, reflecting an accelerated softening process. Under ST, the soluble calcium level in the ST group was 1.58 times that in the CT group, and the expression of genes related to calcium and ethylene signaling was upregulated. Moreover, the activities of ethylene biosynthesis enzymes were enhanced, thereby promoting ethylene production. Consequently, chlorophyll-degrading enzymes were activated, accelerating peel degreening. Overall, this study provides the first systematic evidence of how ST modulates calcium–ethylene crosstalk to regulate fruit quality during ripening and highlights its potential as a green strategy for improving postharvest management and commercial handling of bananas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114121"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786582","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 : 2025-12-15DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114128
Jialing Li , Ziqian Zhang , Yingyin Wu , Zhiwei Ye , Yuan Zou , Hyun-Gyun Yuk , Qianwang Zheng
Fungal infection remains the primary cause of postharvest blueberry decay. As a non-thermal technology, light-emitting diode (LED) offers a promising approach to preservation by inhibiting fungal activity. This study investigated the antifungal effects and mechanisms of LED against the main spoilage fungi (Penicillium sclerotiorum and Cladosporium cladosporioides) in blueberries and its application potential for preservation. Under optimal conditions (410–420 nm LED, 25°C, 12 h), LED treatment achieved spore inhibition rates of 99.46–99.52 % in vitro. The in vivo study using inoculated blueberries, under the same conditions (extended to 36 h), demonstrated maximum log reductions of 4.11 and 2.50 CFU/g for the two fungi, respectively. Based on these, the antifungal mechanism was further elucidated through cellular and molecular analyses. At the cellular level, results indicated that cellular membrane damage (lipid peroxidation and intracellular leakage), oxidative stress (ROS accumulation and diminished antioxidant enzyme activities), and mitochondrial dysfunction (ΔΨm dysregulation and ATP depletion) are the main causes of cell damage. Molecular analysis revealed that LED disrupted structural integrity by suppressing cell wall/membrane biosynthesis genes, impaired antioxidant defense by inhibiting peroxisome biogenesis (P. sclerotiorum) and GSH synthesis genes (C. cladosporioides), and dysregulated energy metabolism by altering key genes in glycolysis, TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, compared with the untreated control, the LED treatment had no significant effect on the blueberries' color, soluble solids, and pH, though it increased weight loss and reduced firmness. These findings suggest a novel LED-based preservation strategy for blueberries and provide a theoretical basis for its application.
{"title":"Antifungal mechanisms and preservation applications of LED technology against postharvest spoilage fungi in blueberries","authors":"Jialing Li , Ziqian Zhang , Yingyin Wu , Zhiwei Ye , Yuan Zou , Hyun-Gyun Yuk , Qianwang Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114128","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114128","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fungal infection remains the primary cause of postharvest blueberry decay. As a non-thermal technology, light-emitting diode (LED) offers a promising approach to preservation by inhibiting fungal activity. This study investigated the antifungal effects and mechanisms of LED against the main spoilage fungi (<em>Penicillium sclerotiorum and Cladosporium cladosporioides</em>) in blueberries and its application potential for preservation. Under optimal conditions (410–420 nm LED, 25°C, 12 h), LED treatment achieved spore inhibition rates of 99.46–99.52 % <em>in vitro</em>. The <em>in vivo</em> study using inoculated blueberries, under the same conditions (extended to 36 h), demonstrated maximum log reductions of 4.11 and 2.50 CFU/g for the two fungi, respectively. Based on these, the antifungal mechanism was further elucidated through cellular and molecular analyses. At the cellular level, results indicated that cellular membrane damage (lipid peroxidation and intracellular leakage), oxidative stress (ROS accumulation and diminished antioxidant enzyme activities), and mitochondrial dysfunction (ΔΨm dysregulation and ATP depletion) are the main causes of cell damage. Molecular analysis revealed that LED disrupted structural integrity by suppressing cell wall/membrane biosynthesis genes, impaired antioxidant defense by inhibiting peroxisome biogenesis (<em>P. sclerotiorum</em>) and GSH synthesis genes (<em>C. cladosporioides</em>), and dysregulated energy metabolism by altering key genes in glycolysis, TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, compared with the untreated control, the LED treatment had no significant effect on the blueberries' color, soluble solids, and pH, though it increased weight loss and reduced firmness. These findings suggest a novel LED-based preservation strategy for blueberries and provide a theoretical basis for its application.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114128"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786646","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 : 2025-12-15DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114120
Zhongqi Fan , Lingzhen Zeng , Shucheng Li , Hui Wang , Ruiling Zhuo , Yifen Lin , Yihui Chen , Wangjin Lu , Boqiang Li , Shiping Tian , Hetong Lin
The storability of fresh longan is negatively correlated with the accumulation of organic acids throughout storage. Our previous work reported that the expressions of six genes (DlACL, DlLDH, DlPEPC, DlSCS, DlAST, DlMDH) related to organic acid synthesis increased during storage. Moreover, compared to the good storability ‘Dongbi’ longan, these genes maintained higher expression levels in the poor storability ‘Fuyan’ longan. Here, one bHLH transcription factor, DlbHLH66, was identified. It was upregulated in parallel with fruit deterioration in postharvest longan, and also kept higher levels in poor storability ‘Fuyan’ longan, compared with ‘Dongbi’ longan. Subcellular localization and transactivation assays showed that DlbHLH66 is a globally localized transcriptional activator. Furthermore, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR (ChIP-qPCR) analysis demonstrated that DlbHLH66 directly bound to the promoters of those six organic acid synthesis genes, and activated their transcription. Additionally, transient overexpression of DlbHLH66 in the pulp of longan fruit upregulated the expression of organic acid synthesis genes, accelerated pulp breakdown and acidity increase, thereby promoting fruit deterioration. In summary, DlbHLH66 acts as an activator to accelerate fruit deterioration by upregulating organic acid synthesis genes. These data provide novel perspectives regarding the regulatory network associated with the storability difference of fresh longan cv. ‘Fuyan’ and ‘Dongbi’ during storage.
{"title":"DlbHLH66 transcription factor is involved in the acidity differences in the pulp of fresh longan cv. ‘Fuyan’ and ‘Dongbi’ during storage","authors":"Zhongqi Fan , Lingzhen Zeng , Shucheng Li , Hui Wang , Ruiling Zhuo , Yifen Lin , Yihui Chen , Wangjin Lu , Boqiang Li , Shiping Tian , Hetong Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114120","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114120","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The storability of fresh longan is negatively correlated with the accumulation of organic acids throughout storage. Our previous work reported that the expressions of six genes (<em>DlACL</em>, <em>DlLDH</em>, <em>DlPEPC</em>, <em>DlSCS</em>, <em>DlAST</em>, <em>DlMDH</em>) related to organic acid synthesis increased during storage. Moreover, compared to the good storability ‘Dongbi’ longan, these genes maintained higher expression levels in the poor storability ‘Fuyan’ longan. Here, one bHLH transcription factor, DlbHLH66, was identified. It was upregulated in parallel with fruit deterioration in postharvest longan, and also kept higher levels in poor storability ‘Fuyan’ longan, compared with ‘Dongbi’ longan. Subcellular localization and transactivation assays showed that DlbHLH66 is a globally localized transcriptional activator. Furthermore, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR (ChIP-qPCR) analysis demonstrated that DlbHLH66 directly bound to the promoters of those six organic acid synthesis genes, and activated their transcription. Additionally, transient overexpression of <em>DlbHLH66</em> in the pulp of longan fruit upregulated the expression of organic acid synthesis genes, accelerated pulp breakdown and acidity increase, thereby promoting fruit deterioration. In summary, DlbHLH66 acts as an activator to accelerate fruit deterioration by upregulating organic acid synthesis genes. These data provide novel perspectives regarding the regulatory network associated with the storability difference of fresh longan cv. ‘Fuyan’ and ‘Dongbi’ during storage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114120"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786583","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 : 2025-12-13DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114129
Yunhe Zhang , Shuo Wang , Xue Li , Kaiyi Cai , Hongying Sun , Zhihong Zhang
Postharvest softening in strawberry fruit substantially shortens shelf life and incurs significant economic losses; however, the regulatory networks governing this process remain poorly characterised. To elucidate these mechanisms, we integrated pectin quantification, cell wall ultrastructure analysis, and RNA-seq profiling of ‘Chulian’ (low-firmness) and ‘Yanli’ (high-firmness) cultivars across developmental and postharvest stages. This approach identified FaPG1 as a master regulator of pectin degradation during both preharvest and postharvest phases. Subsequent weighted gene co-expression network analysis coupled with yeast one-hybrid screening revealed FaERF6, an EAR-motif-containing dehydration-responsive element binding transcription factor. Functional validation confirmed FaERF6’s direct binding to and transcriptionally activating the FaPG1 promoter. Moreover, transient transformation assays demonstrated that FaPG1 overexpression induced accelerated softening and water-soluble pectin (WSP) accumulation. Subsequently, FaERF6 overexpression was shown to further activate FaPG1 transcription, leading to firmness reduction and increased WSP levels. Collectively, we establish a FaERF6-FaPG1 regulatory module that mechanistically explains DREB-mediated transcriptional control of cell wall remodelling during fruit softening.
{"title":"FaERF6 activates the polygalacturonase gene FaPG1 to promote strawberry fruit softening","authors":"Yunhe Zhang , Shuo Wang , Xue Li , Kaiyi Cai , Hongying Sun , Zhihong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114129","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114129","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Postharvest softening in strawberry fruit substantially shortens shelf life and incurs significant economic losses; however, the regulatory networks governing this process remain poorly characterised. To elucidate these mechanisms, we integrated pectin quantification, cell wall ultrastructure analysis, and RNA-seq profiling of ‘Chulian’ (low-firmness) and ‘Yanli’ (high-firmness) cultivars across developmental and postharvest stages. This approach identified <em>FaPG1</em> as a master regulator of pectin degradation during both preharvest and postharvest phases. Subsequent weighted gene co-expression network analysis coupled with yeast one-hybrid screening revealed FaERF6<em>,</em> an EAR-motif-containing dehydration<em>-</em>responsive element binding transcription factor. Functional validation confirmed FaERF6’s direct binding to and transcriptionally activating the <em>FaPG1</em> promoter. Moreover, transient transformation assays demonstrated that <em>FaPG1</em> overexpression induced accelerated softening and water-soluble pectin (WSP) accumulation. Subsequently, FaERF6 overexpression was shown to further activate FaPG1 transcription, leading to firmness reduction and increased WSP levels. Collectively, we establish a FaERF6-FaPG1 regulatory module that mechanistically explains DREB-mediated transcriptional control of cell wall remodelling during fruit softening.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114129"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145737318","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}
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