Metabolomic profiling and energy metabolism modulation unveil the mechanisms involved in enhanced disease resistance of postharvest broccoli by Meyerozyma guilliermondii

Abstract

Postharvest diseases of broccoli resulted in quality deterioration and huge economic loss. This study investigated the biocontrol efficacy of Meyerozyma guilliermondii against natural decay of postharvest broccoli. Meanwhile, the mechanisms involved in the enhanced disease resistance of broccoli by M. guilliermondii were explored based on energy metabolism modulation and metabolomic analysis of broccoli. The results showed that M. guilliermondii could alleviate the disease index of postharvest broccoli. This yeast could potentially increase energy production and supply through inducing the activities of related enzymes and maintaining a higher ATP level. Metabolomic analysis illustrated that the treatment with M. guilliermondii significantly increased secondary metabolites synthesis, sugar alcohols accumulation, the level of unsaturated fatty acids and their metabolic intermediates, and glutathione level. In conclusion, M. guilliermondii improved the disease resistance of postharvest broccoli through enhancing energy production and supply, synthesis of resistant compounds, and thus reducing the natural decay disease index of broccoli.