Abstract
Passion fruit (Passiflora edulia Sims), an important tropical and subtropical species, is classified as a respiration climacteric fruit, and its quality deteriorates rapidly after harvest. To elucidate the mechanisms involved in ripening and rapid fruit senescence, phytochemical characteristic analysis and RNA sequencing were performed in purple passion fruit with different treatments, that is, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and preservative film (PF). Comprehensive functional annotation and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that starch and sucrose metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, and carotenoid biosynthesis were involved in fruit ripening. Treatment with PF and 1-MCP significantly affected the transcription levels of passion fruit during postharvest storage. A large number of differentially expressed unigenes (DEGs) were identified as significantly enriched in starch and sucrose metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis at the postharvest stage. The PF and 1-MCP treatments increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) gene expression levels and enzyme activities, accelerated lignin accumulation, and decreased β-galactosidase (β-Gal), polygalacturonase (PG) and cellulose activities and gene expression levels to delay cell wall degradation during fruit senescence. The RNA sequencing data for cell wall metabolism and hormone signal transduction pathway-related unigenes were verified by RT-qPCR. The results of this study indicate that the cell wall metabolism and hormone signaling pathways are closely related to passion fruit ripening. PF and 1-MCP treatment might inhibit ethylene signaling and regulate cell wall metabolism pathways to inhibit cell wall degradation. Our results demonstrate the involvement of ripening- and senescence-related networks in passion fruit ripening and may establish a foundation for future research investigating the effects of PF and 1-MCP treatment on fruit ripening.
Highlights
Passion fruit (Passiflora edulia Sims) is an important tropical and subtropical species with high commercial value due to its attractive flavor and aroma and nutrients with beneficial properties for human health, such as vitamins C, B1 and B2 and essential amino acids, as well as various minerals and fibers [1, 2]
The weight loss of the control and 1-MCP-treated passion fruit exhibited a rapid increase from 0D to 10D, while it was notably suppressed by preservative film (PF) treatment (Fig 1c)
To investigate the mechanism of ripening and epidermal senescence of Passiflora edulia Sims, transcriptome analysis and phytochemical characteristic analysis were conducted in purple passion fruit at different stage and treatment (PF and 1-MCP)
Summary
Passion fruit (Passiflora edulia Sims) is an important tropical and subtropical species with high commercial value due to its attractive flavor and aroma and nutrients with beneficial properties for human health, such as vitamins C, B1 and B2 and essential amino acids, as well as various minerals and fibers [1, 2]. This species can be planted and grown in many regions and is in high demand in the market for fresh fruit and processed foods and juices [3]. Mature fruit with high antioxidant enzyme activity may present a prolonged fruit storage life and maintain quality attributes for longer periods [8, 9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
