Synergistic effects of ultraviolet light irradiation and high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging on physiological quality, microbial growth and lignification metabolism of fresh-cut carrots

• Published in: Postharvest biology and technology Vol. 173; p. 111365
• Main Authors: Li, Li, Li, Changbao, Sun, Jian, Xin, Ming, Yi, Ping, He, Xuemei, Sheng, Jinfeng, Zhou, Zhugui, Ling, Dongning, Zheng, Fengjin, Li, Jiemin, Liu, Guoming, Li, Zhichun, Tang, Yayuan, Yang, Ying, Tang, Jie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.03.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Ascorbic acid; Atmosphere; Carbon dioxide; Carrots; Cold storage; Fresh-cut carrots; Gene expressions; High-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging; Irradiation; Light irradiation; Lignin; Malondialdehyde; Metabolism; Microorganisms; Oxygen; Packaging; Peroxidase; Phenolic compounds; Phenols; Phenylalanine; Physiological effects; Physiology; Polyphenol oxidase; Senescence; Shelf life; Synergistic effect; Synergistic effects; Ultraviolet light C; Ultraviolet radiation; Weight loss; γ-Aminobutyric acid; Fresh-cut carrots; Ultraviolet light C; Synergistic effects; High-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging; Gene expressions
• ISSN: 0925-5214; 1873-2356
• DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2020.111365

•UV-C + MAP exhibited synergistic effects in retaining physiological quality.•UV-C + MAP reduced total microbial growth.•UV-C + MAP retarded lignin synthesis by suppressing related enzyme activities.•UV-C + MAP inhibited gene expressions of phenolic metabolism-related enzymes. The present study investigated influences of ultraviolet light C (UV-C; 2 kJ m−2) irradiation and high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (MAP; 80 % O2, 10 % CO2 and 10 % N2) on physiological quality, microbial growth and lignification metabolism of fresh-cut carrots. After 15-d cold storage, comparing with either treatment alone, the combination of UV-C irradiation and high-oxygen MAP (abbr. UV-C + MAP) more obviously inhibited firmness, weight loss, ascorbic acid, total carotenoid and γ-aminobutyric acid declines, reduced respiration and ethylene production rates as well as delayed bacterial growth. UV-C + MAP more strongly restrained whiteness index, total phenolic, lignin and malondialdehyde increases. Furthermore, UV-C + MAP treatment more efficiently retarded lignin synthesis by suppressing phenolic metabolism-related enzyme (phenylalanine ammonialyase, PAL; polyphenoloxidase, PPO; peroxidase, POD) activities and their gene (DcPAL; DcPPO; DcPOD) expressions. Above results indicated that UV-C + MAP exhibited synergistic effects in retaining physiological quality, delayed senescence process, reducing microbial growth, alleviating lignification degree, and lessened surface whitening. Therefore, UV-C + MAP could maintain overall quality and extend shelf-life during storage of fresh-cut carrots.