Unravelling effects of red/far-red light on nutritional quality and the role and mechanism in regulating lycopene synthesis in postharvest cherry tomatoes

The main goal of this study was to explore the role of red/far-red light in the preservation of postharvest quality in cherry tomato fruits and the mechanism of red/far-red light in regulation of lycopene synthesis. Results showed that red/far-red light irradiation inhibited weight loss and promoted colour change during storage, and it also increased the content of lycopene and beta-carotene compared to control. Gene PSY, ZDS and LCY-b were overexpressed in fruits treated with red/far-red light during 33 days' storage compared to control. The analysis of genes involved in red/far-red light absorbance (PHYA and PHYB) and mediation (HY5 and PIF3), and fruit ripening (ACS2 and RIN) suggests that red/far-red light promote lycopene accumulation through phytochrome-mediated signalling pathway to induce HY5. Elevated HY5 could either directly bind to PSY or promote the expression of ACS2 to induce RIN through MADS-loop to enhanced lycopene content.

Automated summary

The study aimed to investigate the effects of red/far-red light on postharvest quality in cherry tomato fruits and the mechanism of red/far-red light in regulating lycopene synthesis. Red/far-red light irradiation was found to inhibit weight loss and enhance color change during storage, and it also increased the levels of lycopene and beta-carotene compared to the control group. Overexpression of genes PSY, ZDS, and LCY-b was observed in fruits treated with red/far-red light during 33 days of storage. Analysis of genes involved in red/far-red light absorbance (PHYA and PHYB) and mediation (HY5 and PIF3), as well as fruit ripening (ACS2 and RIN), suggests that red/far-red light promotes lycopene accumulation through the phytochrome-mediated signaling pathway by inducing HY5.