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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wenatchee, Washington » Physiology and Pathology of Tree Fruits Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #241375

Title: Apple storage management using postharvest metabolomics

Author
item Rudell, David
item Mattheis, James
item HERTOG, MAARTEN - Katholieke University

Submitted to: Australasian Postharvest Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2009
Publication Date: 11/15/2009
Citation: Rudell Jr, D.R., Mattheis, J.P., Hertog, M. 2009. Apple storage management using postharvest metabolomics. Australasian Postharvest Conference. N/A.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Using broad metabolic profiling of over 600 metabolites, we have previously demonstrated that diphenylamine treatment, 1-methylcyclopropene treatment, and storage duration all alter the apple peel metabolome during cold storage. Because these changes precede and/or are potentially indicative of post-storage quality, appearance, and treatment effectiveness, it is hypothesized that treatments contrasting metabolomes can be used to select biomarkers that may be employed as bases for storage management decisions. Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) was used to contrast diphenylamine (DPA) or 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treated and control ‘Granny Smith’ peel metabolomes during 6 months air storage. Segregation of 1-MCP or DPA and control peel metabolomes began within 7 days of storage initiation. Ranking of individual metabolites by importance (VIP) revealed 1-MCP- or DPA-provoked metabolomic shifts were primarily associated with over 150 or 200 (respectively) individual metabolites by 6 months of storage. Differences in more than 100 metabolites related to DPA treatment preceded scald symptom development by 1 or more months. We suggest that these prospective metabolic biomarkers, with further experimental and real-world validation, could be used, alone or together, to validate DPA or 1-MCP treatment efficacy or even for scald risk management.