ASHS 2024 Conference

Fruits constitute a critical part of a healthy diet. However, they often perish prior to consumption due to unpredictable ripening. Especially in climacteric fruit, blockage in the perception or synthesis of ethylene has been used to prolong shelf life. European pear (Pyrus communis) are classified as climacteric fruit. However, System 2 ethylene production requires a genetically pre-determined period of cold conditioning, which triggers ripening—in addition, applying 1-MCP, an ethylene perception inhibitor, indefinitely blocks ripening. Using a physiological and developmental transcriptomics approach, we have shown that in 1-MCP fruit stored in a controlled atmosphere, activating alternative respiration via glyoxylic acid stimulation of AOX expression can reverse the effect of 1-MCP. Interestingly, 1-MCP fruit without CA storage responds differently to glyoxylic acid. It shows classic signs of senescence. The underlying processes of ripening and senescence can be discerned by utilizing the fruit that has been treated differently post-1-MCP application. This knowledge is expected to aid in identifying strategies to prolong fruit shelf life.