Effect of Micro-Perforated Film Packing on Fatty Acid-Derived Volatile Metabolism of “Red Globe” Table Grapes

Abstract

The present study was aimed at understanding the effect of micro-perforated polyethylene film packing (MPFP) on the metabolism of fatty acid-derived volatiles and physicochemical attributes in “Red Globe” table grapes under storage at 0 °C for 50 days. Physicochemical properties evaluated in grapes were total soluble solids (TSS), texture profile, decay incidence, fatty acid content, and aroma-related enzyme activities including lipoxygenase (LOX), hydroperoxide lyase (HPL), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), and volatiles in grape peel and flesh. Aroma-related genes (VvLOX, VvHPL, and VvADH) were also evaluated. Grapes treated with MPFP was found to retain the texture profile and decay incidence was reduced (17.4% of reduction compared with control) significantly (P ≤ 0.05). Linoleic acid (LA), the main substrate of LOX/HPL pathway, was the highest in table grapes packed in MPFP, indicating the use of MPFP was able to preserve LA compound. Micro-perforated film packing upregulated VvLOX and VvHPL, downregulated VvADH, increased LOX and HPL activities, and inhibited ADH activity, enhancing C6/C9 compounds. The results indicated that MPFP system was the best choice to improve aroma quality of “Red Globe” table grapes in comparison to polyethylene film packing (PFP) and control (no packing).