BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY IN FRUITS DURING COLD STORAGE

Cold storage of fruits is exploited to prolong postharvest life and marketing period by minimising their metabolic activity. However, exposure of fruits to nonfreezing low temperatures for prolonged periods of time may also lead to the development of cold-inducible physiological disorders termed chilling injuries. Chilling injuries represent an economically relevant problem that may occur in an unpredictable way depending on the sensitivity of the fruits to low temperature. In this article, we consider the main aspects of cold stress signalling and responses taking place in fruits during storage and during the following period of warming at room temperature that often results in the further induction of chilling injury symptoms. A vast amount of research has contributed to the identification of several biochemical and molecular events underlying cold stress responses in fruits. Convincing evidence shows that ethylene plays a pivotal regulatory role, through a complex interplay with other hormones, but early inducing factors remain elusive. Recent studies based on system analyses of cold-dependent trancriptomic andmetabolomic changes have contributed to shed light on some early regulatory events which may contribute to determining the fruits' sensitivity to cold stress. A better understanding of these phenomena is essential to optimise cold storage conditions and for an efficient use of resources to deliver a more sustainable fruit supply chain.