Moderation of respiratory cascades and energy metabolism of fresh-cut pear fruit in response to high CO2 controlled atmosphere

Controlled atmosphere (CA) package serves as a nascent research tool in post-harvest, while validation of high levels of CO2 is plausible owing to the deficiency of biological understanding. Hence, the effect of 10 % CO2 on the respiration pathway and energy metabolism of fresh-cut pears was investigated in this study. During 5 days of storage, total respiratory rate was moderated with maintained mitochondrial membrane integrity and slowly increasing membrane permeability under 10 % CO2. Under 10 % CO2 CA package, the energy charge was 1.6 times than that of control. Enzymes involving in energy metabolism were induced or inhibited in activity and expression level. Comprehensively considering the changes among enzymes and genes, the preservative effects of high level of CO2 CA package on fresh-cut pear fruit could be divided into three aspects: inhibition of senescence, decrease of energy status and promotion of stress resistance. This work revealed the undergoing biochemical mechanism of how fresh-cut pear act in response to high CO2 CA package, from the perspective of respiration pathway and energy metabolism.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of 10% CO2 on the respiration pathway and energy metabolism of fresh-cut pears, finding that under 10% CO2, the total respiratory rate was moderated and the energy charge was 1.6 times higher than in the control group. Enzymes involved in energy metabolism were affected, leading to preservation effects on fresh-cut pear fruit such as inhibition of senescence, decrease of energy status, and promotion of stress resistance.