Delaying fruit softening of 'France' prune (Prunus domestica L.) using near-freezing temperature storage. (30th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ma, Yanyan; Zhang, Xinling; Li, Lingling; Yang, Wanting; Zhang, Weida; Cheng, Shaobo; Guo, Minrui; Chen, Guogang
• Is Part Of: Lebensmittel-Wissenschaft + Technologie =. Volume 172(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-30
• Subjects: 'France' prune -- Cold storage -- Pectin -- Softening -- Enzyme activity; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2022.114165
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0023-6438

Abstract

Abstract: To delay 'France' prune fruit softening during storage, the effects of near-freezing temperature storage (NFTS; −1.5 ∼ −1 °C) on cell wall polysaccharides, cell-wall-modifying enzyme activities, cell-wall-modifying genes, and tissue ultrastructure of 'France' prune fruit were determined. The results showed that NFTS kept a higher fruit firmness (70.9%) compared to the control group (22.6%) at the end of storage. Besides, after 12-day storage, NFTS suppressed the activities of cell-wall-modifying enzymes, the expression of key cell-wall-modifying genes, the dissolution of chelate-soluble pectin (53.1%), Na2 CO3 -soluble pectin (114.6%), cellulose (81.3%), and hemicellulose (95.2%), and ethylene production (19.7%), and maintained lower water-soluble pectin (38.2%) and lignin contents (16.0%), compared to the control group. Ultrastructural observation showed that NFTS could delay the disassembly of pectin components and protect cell wall structure. In conclusion, NFTS can effectively inhibit fruit softening and maintain fruit quality. Highlights: Near freezing temperature storage (NFTS) inhibited 'France' prune fruit softening. NFTS maintained higher CSP, NSP, cellulose, and hemicellulose contents of fruit. NFTS suppressed the activities of PG, PME, Cx, β-GAL, and α-ARF. NFTS down-regulated the expression of cell wall degrading enzyme-related genes. NFTS maintained cell wall integrity of 'France' prune fruit.