Role of epicuticular wax involved in quality maintenance of table grapes: Evidence from transcriptomic data

Abstract

Epicuticular wax is the natural protective coating of fruit which is vulnerable to insect, microbe, pollutant, or scrape incidence. Herein, the epicuticular wax of table grapes was removed to mimic the natural wax loss/damage, and the quality attributes of fruit were investigated. Results demonstrated wax removal triggered fruit weight loss, softening and browning during storage. Transcriptomic analysis showed 623 up-regulated and 573 down-regulated genes, focusing on polyphenols biosynthesis, cell wall metabolism, photosynthesis, and so forth. Up-regulated expression levels of genes involved in chlorophyll degradation contributed to visible browning; and the facilitated cell wall collapse observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and doubled pectinesterase expression were illustrated in fruit softening. Taken together, our findings provide novel insights into the role of epicuticular wax as the natural coating in quality maintenance of table grapes from the transcriptomic evidence.