Postharvest Biology and Technology最新文献

{"title":"Exploring the mechanisms involved in Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliense infecting postharvest tomato fruits","authors":"Hongcan Fei ,&nbsp;Xiaoyun Zhang ,&nbsp;Opoku Genevieve Fremah ,&nbsp;Esa Abiso Godana ,&nbsp;Jun Li ,&nbsp;Yuanyuan Xie ,&nbsp;Lina Zhao ,&nbsp;Hongyin Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114136","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114136","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliense (Pcb) is a prevalent pathogen responsible for tomato soft rot disease, which reduces the edible quality of tomatoes, resulting in significant economic losses. However, the mechanisms of Pcb infecting tomatoes remain incompletely elucidated. This study comprehensively explored the mechanisms involved by integrating phenotypic analysis with transcriptomic analysis. Experimental results demonstrated progressive development of tomato soft rot over time following Pcb inoculation, with active bacterial division in fruit tissues at 36 h post-inoculation (hpi). Pcb demonstrated strong ability in proliferation, biofilm formation and motility, which facilitated its infection of the fruits. In vitro assays confirmed the secretion of three principal plant cell wall-degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) by Pcb: protease, pectinase, and cellulase. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the pathways including the phosphotransferase system (PTS) pathway, two-component system (TCS) pathway, bacterial secretion pathway, and bacterial chemotaxis pathway of Pcb were significantly enriched, suggesting these pathways played crucial roles in the infection of Pcb. The key virulence-related genes such as FliC, Egl, and EpsA were notably upregulated, contributing to the progression of soft rot. This study elucidates the key mechanisms of Pcb infecting tomatoes, laying a solid foundation for developing targeted control strategies against tomato soft rot, and demonstrates promising application prospects in disease management of postharvest tomatoes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114136"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786584","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}

{"title":"PpMYC2 positively regulates chilling tolerance of peach fruit by suppressing sucrose degradation","authors":"Qian Li ,&nbsp;Yingying Wei ,&nbsp;Yi Chen ,&nbsp;Shu Jiang ,&nbsp;Jianfen Ye ,&nbsp;Fangming Wu ,&nbsp;Feng Xu ,&nbsp;Xingfeng Shao","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2026.114179","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2026.114179","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>MYC2 transcription factor has been extensively investigated in plant stress responses. However, its role in regulating fruit cold tolerance remains largely unexplored. In this study, exposure to cold stress rapidly activated the transcription of <em>PpMYC2</em> in peach fruit. DNA affinity purification sequencing (DAP-seq) data revealed that PpMYC2 showed high affinity for the promoter region of <em>PpVIN2</em> - a key gene encoding acidic vacuolar invertase (VIN) critical for sucrose catabolism in peach fruit. Yeast one-hybridization (Y1H), electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assay collectively revealed that PpMYC2 directly bound to the G-box cis-element in the <em>PpVIN2</em> promoter and significantly suppressed its promoter activity. Transient overexpression of <em>PpMYC2</em> in peach fruit resulted in downregulated transcription of <em>PpVIN2</em>, reduced VIN activity, and increased sucrose content, whereas opposite changes were detected in peach fruit with transient silencing of <em>PpMYC2</em>. Additionally, we generated tomato plants stably overexpressing <em>PpMYC2</em> using <em>Agrobacterium</em>-mediated transformation, and observed that <em>PpMYC2</em>-overexpressing tomato fruit exhibited significantly enhanced cold tolerance, accompanied by the inhibition of sucrose degradation. Collectively, these discoveries indicate that PpMYC2 acts as a transcriptional repressor of <em>PpVIN2</em> under cold stress, thereby reducing sucrose breakdown and enhancing peach fruit chilling tolerance. This study identifies <em>PpMYC2</em> as a potential molecular target for alleviating chilling injury in peach fruit.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114179"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037406","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}

{"title":"Mechanism of curcumin mediated carbon cycle network and energy metabolism to improve the storage quality and flavor of pepper","authors":"Wenjuan Xu ,&nbsp;Yansheng Wang ,&nbsp;Chengli Jia ,&nbsp;Zhiqing Gong ,&nbsp;Jian Zhang ,&nbsp;Fengjuan Jia ,&nbsp;Wenjia Cui ,&nbsp;Shasha Song ,&nbsp;Xiaochun Qin ,&nbsp;Wenliang Wang ,&nbsp;Junyan Shi","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2026.114164","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2026.114164","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Curcumin (CUR) is a natural food preservative known for its various biological activities. This study systematically examined its effects on the physiological quality and flavor characteristics of postharvest chili peppers. The results showed that treating the peppers with 2 g L⁻¹ CUR effectively delayed fruit reddening, preserved nutritional quality, and inhibited postharvest deterioration. A significant enhancement in richness was observed in the CUR group via the electronic tongue compared to the CK group. Additionally, non-targeted volatile compound analysis conducted through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed that CUR significantly increased the abundance of 35 volatile flavor compounds relative to the CK group. Relative Odor Activity Value (ROAV) analysis highlighted 2-methoxy-3-(2-methylpropyl) pyrazine as the key characteristic flavor compound found in the CUR group, which was absent in the CK group. This observation confirms the role of CUR in shaping the key flavor profiles of chili peppers. Furthermore, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that most of the differential volatile substances were enriched in the core metabolic pathways associated with carbon cycling, including glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and pyruvate metabolism. These findings illuminate the potential metabolic mechanisms by which CUR enhances flavor quality in chili peppers from a pathway perspective. Overall, this study provides a theoretical basis for using CUR as a natural agent that offers both preservative and flavor-enhancing properties in the postharvest preservation of fruits and vegetables.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114164"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037383","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}

{"title":"Mechanism of antifungal protein extracts from Bacillus mojavensis against Penicillium expansum and its application in controlling blue mold of apple","authors":"Yuan Wang ,&nbsp;Jingxuan Zhang ,&nbsp;Wei Wang ,&nbsp;Fan Chen ,&nbsp;Yunle Guo ,&nbsp;Ming Yang ,&nbsp;Jiaoyang Li ,&nbsp;Xing Guo ,&nbsp;Yahong Yuan ,&nbsp;Kewei Feng ,&nbsp;Tianli Yue","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2026.114152","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2026.114152","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Penicillium expansum</em> is a major cause of postharvest fruit diseases and patulin contamination, leading to substantial economic losses and health risks. In this study, an antifungal protein extracts (APE) with potent inhibitory activity against <em>P. expansum</em> was prepared from <em>B. mojavensis</em> fermentation broth. We further characterized APE’s composition, stability, and safety, clarified its antifungal mechanism, and evaluated its application in apple preservation. APE exhibited robust stability, retaining over 90 % of its antifungal activity after heat treatment (100 °C, 30 min) or proteolytic digestion (trypsin/pepsin). Meanwhile, it was stable accross a broad pH range (2−8), and displayed low hemolytic activity (&lt;5 %). Furthermore, APE destroyed the cell wall and membrane of <em>P. expansum</em>, leading to leakage of nucleic acids and proteins, and increased alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity. Additionally, it elevated intracellular Ca²⁺ and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, while reducing Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity. Transcriptomic and metabolomic data revealved that APE significantly altered the levels of key metabolites and the expression of related gene in glycerolipid and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway of <em>P. expansum</em>. It also impaired downstream energy metabolism associated with glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway, demonstrating a multi-targeted inhibitory characteristic. Finally, APE reduced lesion diameter in apples by 32.8 %, and decreased the colony formation and patulin content of <em>P. expansum</em> by 23.07 % and 94.6 %, respectively, showing remarkable potential for mycotoxin control. These results confirm that APE is an effective antifungal agent against <em>P. expansum</em>. The present work laid a foundation for apple preservation and provided guidance for the subsequent development of high-efficiency postharvest antimicrobial molecules.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114152"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925219","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}

{"title":"Mechanistic insights into vanillin's inhibitory effects on Fusarium oxysporum induced postharvest disease","authors":"Xinlin Liu ,&nbsp;Jiakai He ,&nbsp;Yahui Cui ,&nbsp;Muhammad Muzammal Aslam ,&nbsp;Jian Xu ,&nbsp;Rui Li ,&nbsp;Wen Li","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114145","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114145","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Fusarium oxysporum</em>, a major postharvest phytopathogen, causes huge economic losses to the fruit industry. This study evaluated the antifungal efficacy and mechanisms of vanillin, a potential green preservative, against <em>F. oxysporum</em>. Results demonstrated that vanillin effectively reduced disease index and lesion area in pitaya, cherry tomato, and banana in a dose-dependent manner. <em>In vitro</em>, vanillin significantly inhibited <em>F. oxysporum</em> spore germination and mycelial growth, accompanied by increased relative electrical conductivity, and leakage of nucleic acids, and soluble proteins and sugars. Furthermore, vanillin treatment impaired the integrity of cell wall and cell membrane, and observations via SEM and TEM confirmed the disruption of these cell structures. Vanillin treatment also triggered oxidative stress in <em>F. oxysporum</em>, characterized by elevated levels of MDA, H₂O₂, and O₂•⁻, and suppressed the antioxidant system. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant downregulation of genes involved in spore development (<em>FoCDC5</em>, <em>FoBRLA</em>, <em>FoVEA</em>, <em>FoMEP1</em>, and <em>FoGPI7</em>), cell wall biosynthesis (<em>FoFKS1</em>, <em>FoGEL1</em>, <em>FoCHS2,</em> and <em>FoCHS6</em>), and cell membrane integrity (<em>FoEGR5</em>, <em>FoEGR3</em>, <em>FoUPC2</em>, and <em>FoTPS2</em>). These changes were consistent with the impaired spore viability, disrupted cell structures, and reduced virulence of <em>F. oxysporum</em>. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that vanillin exerts its antifungal activity via a multi-target mode of action, which thereby highlights its considerable potential as a promising agent for the control of postharvest fruit diseases caused by <em>F. oxysporum</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114145"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925224","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}

{"title":"Mitochondrial dysfunction and programmed cell death mediate berry abscission","authors":"Yizhou Xiang ,&nbsp;Ming Qi ,&nbsp;Qiannan Hu ,&nbsp;Zhenchang Liang ,&nbsp;Li Li","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2026.114160","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2026.114160","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Berry abscission in postharvest table grapes significantly impacts yield and commercial value. This study investigated the microstructural and molecular characteristics of the abscission zone (AZ) in four grapes cultivars ('Chunguang', 'Kyoho', 'Muscat Hamburg', and 'Zuijinxiang') to elucidate the physiological drivers and underlying molecular mechanisms of berry abscission. Morphological and phenotypic screening revealed that berry brush regulates detachment, while mitochondrial dysfunction and programmed cell death (PCD) were consistent physiological features associated with abscission-prone cultivars. Specifically, abscission-prone cultivars exhibited a 7.7-fold increase in mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening and a 51 % depolarization of membrane potential prior to extensive berry abscission. Using 'Kyoho' as a model system, transcriptomic and mitochondrial proteomic analyses revealed that exogenous ethylene potentiated mitochondrial impairment by activating key components of carbon metabolism pathways, thereby accelerating PCD execution. Conversely, 1-methylcyclopropene attenuated oxidative injury by modulating mitochondrial metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis, reducing the cytochrome <em>c</em>/<em>a</em> ratio by 13 %. Additionally, 438 differentially expressed proteins were identified, implicating key pathways in mitochondrial metabolism and redox regulation. Collectively, these findings suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction serves as a pivotal mediator of ROS accumulation and PCD, providing new insights for improving fruit quality maintenance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114160"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976230","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}

{"title":"Overall quality maintenance and metabolite changes of fresh Cistanche deserticola Y.C.Ma stems treated by 1-methylcyclopropene during cold storage","authors":"Longxia Wen ,&nbsp;Shuangxi Qian ,&nbsp;Yanping Wang ,&nbsp;Mingxing Xu ,&nbsp;Yazhou Shao ,&nbsp;Xu Zhang ,&nbsp;Lijun Zhang ,&nbsp;Yongchen Hua ,&nbsp;Guolin Chai ,&nbsp;Fangdi Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2026.114158","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2026.114158","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Postharvest browning, softening, active components degradation and flavor deterioration in fresh <em>Cistanche deserticola</em> Y.C.Ma (FCD) critically limit its value-added utilization. This study examined how 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment affects FCD postharvest quality and metabolic processes. Results demonstrated that after 100 days of low-temperature storage, fumigation treatment with 1.4 µL L⁻¹ 1-MCP for 24 h suppressed weight loss in FCD, while increasing the total content of echinacoside, acteoside, tubuloside A, cistanoside A, isoacteoside, 2′-acetylacteoside and geniposidic acid, enhancing the total flavonoids content and antioxidant activity, along with exhibiting a richer profile of floral/fruity alcohols and esters. Compared to the untreated control group, 1-MCP suppressed superoxide anion production rate, H₂O₂ content, soluble quinone content, polyphenol oxidase activity, and peroxidase activity while maintaining higher superoxide dismutase activity. Widely targeted metabolomics identified multiple differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) during storage and with 1-MCP treatment. 1-MCP treatment notably reversed the abundance of 57 out of 78 common DAMs identified between Control vs Fresh and 1-MCP vs Control comparisons. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed significant downregulation of nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism in 1-MCP group. 1-MCP treatment attenuated nucleic acid and protein hydrolysate accumulation, indicating its efficacy in suppressing ROS overaccumulation and oxidative senescence. Additionally, 1-MCP inhibited the buildup of membrane degradation products, thereby reducing membrane damage and subsequent enzymatic browning. This study clarifies how 1-MCP improves FCD overall storage quality through sensory attributes, active components, metabolic profiles and antioxidant activity, as well as the related physiological change mechanisms, thereby advancing industrial application strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114158"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976235","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}

{"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 ,&nbsp;Xiaoyu Yan ,&nbsp;Yuge Hu ,&nbsp;Jiuhui Ye ,&nbsp;Pengpeng Liu ,&nbsp;Yi Zhang ,&nbsp;Zida Zhang ,&nbsp;Yanqing Gao ,&nbsp;Kai Li ,&nbsp;Wangxia Wang ,&nbsp;Feng Gu ,&nbsp;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 (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. <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":"2026-04-01","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}

{"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 ,&nbsp;Qingqing Liu ,&nbsp;Junzheng Sun ,&nbsp;Ruiling Zhuo ,&nbsp;Yifen Lin ,&nbsp;Mengshi Lin ,&nbsp;Boqiang Li ,&nbsp;Shiping Tian ,&nbsp;Hetong Lin ,&nbsp;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 O₂^-. 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":"2026-04-01","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}

{"title":"Vanillin, a fungal pathogen inhibitor: Exploring its antifungal potential for postharvest applications","authors":"Amit Faran ,&nbsp;Alon Shomron ,&nbsp;Satyendra Pratap Singh ,&nbsp;Vered Tzin ,&nbsp;Noam Alkan","doi":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114070","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.114070","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Postharvest decay is a major issue in fruit storage, resulting in significant losses. Therefore, effective and environmentally friendly treatments are essential. This study examines the antifungal properties of secondary metabolites from vanilla beans as a postharvest treatment to inhibit decay and prolong shelf life in both vanilla beans and pears. We hypothesized that vanillin could inhibit fungal pathogen growth and improve fruit quality by reducing decay. Lower amount of vanillin were found in the pedicel area, which is the first area to rot. We found that vanillin effectively inhibited the growth of fungal pathogens <em>Geotrichum candidum</em>-like and <em>Mucor fragilis</em>-like, isolated from decayed vanilla beans, as well as common postharvest pathogens <em>Botrytis cinerea</em> and <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em>, in vitro. Similarly, vanillin inhibited the <em>B. cinerea</em> spore germination. These results highlight vanillin’s potential as a natural antifungal treatment for postharvest applications. In <em>B. cinerea-</em>inoculated pears, vanillin treatment reduced <em>B. cinerea</em> growth by 18-fold, while altering its aroma profile, with significant shifts in volatile compounds that contributed to a more appealing scent. Sensory evaluations showed a preference for fruit treated with a 20 mmol L-1vanillin, with no significant differences in other specific sensory parameters. This study highlights vanillin’s potential as an effective postharvest treatment to reduce decay, extend shelf life, and possibly enhance consumer preference for treated fruits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20328,"journal":{"name":"Postharvest Biology and Technology","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 114070"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145616978","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}