Transcriptomic insights into postharvest senescence in artichoke for enhanced shelf life

Authors: KAUR, AVNINDER - University Of Florida; OLMEDO, GABRIELA - Orise Fellow; GHIMIRE, UTSAB - University Of Florida; WANG, WEINING - University Of Florida; TSEUNG, CHIWAH - University Of Florida; YU, FAHONG - University Of Florida; Bai, Jinhe; AGAHARA, SHINSUKE - University Of Florida; LIU, TIE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Postharvest Biology and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/2/2026
Publication Date: 5/13/2026
Citation: Kaur, A., Olmedo, G., Ghimire, U., Wang, W., Tseung, C., Yu, F., Bai, J., Agahara, S., Liu, T. Transcriptomic insights into postharvest senescence in artichoke for enhanced shelf life. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 240:114421. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2026.114421.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2026.114421

Interpretive Summary: The artichoke, a vegetable with a fascinating history and a distinctive culinary profile, is much more than meets the eye. What we typically enjoy as an artichoke is, in fact, the immature flower bud of a thistle plant, according to the Alimentarium food museum. Its unique appeal lies in several factors: Taste and texture: Artichokes offer a mild, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor, often described as a cross between asparagus and celery. The prized edible portions include the fleshy base of the leaves (bracts), the meaty core known as the heart, and the tender part of the stem; Nutritional value: Artichokes are packed with antioxidants, fiber, vitamins (like C and K), and minerals (like magnesium and potassium), making them a healthy and flavorful addition to any meal. In fact, studies have shown that artichokes possess some of the highest antioxidant properties among vegetables; Culinary versatility: Artichokes can be enjoyed in various ways: steamed, boiled, grilled, roasted, braised, or sautéed. They are delicious on their own with a simple dip, or they can be incorporated into dips, salads, pizzas, pasta dishes, and even soups. However, their high respiration rate and sensitivity to mechanical injuries make them highly perishable after harvest. Understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms of artichoke bud senescence is critical for developing strategies to delay quality loss, improve storage and postharvest handling practices. Using the high-throughput RNA sequencing and metabolomics analysis, we uncovered significant differences in gene expression and metabolite profiles among four artichoke cultivars, ‘Green Globe Improved’ (GGI), ‘Green Queen’ (GQ), ‘Opal’ (OP), and ‘Imperial Star’ (IS), shedding light on the molecular basis of their contrasting shelf lives. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were linked to pathways involved in hormone signaling, cell wall metabolism, stress response, organ development, and bioactive compounds synthesis, which expression patterns vary by cultivar and storage time. GQ exhibited higher expression of genes tied to the production of health-promoting metabolites with anti-aging and cardioprotective properties, highlighting its extended shelf life. Metabolomics analysis not only supported the transcriptomics findings but also revealed novel compounds with genotype-specific accumulation pattern. This study provides genetic resources for plant breeding and offers valuable insights into the molecular basis of postharvest quality of artichoke.

Technical Abstract: Artichokes heart provides a wide range of health-promoting nutrients, dietary fiber, and bioactive compounds like polyphenols and cynarin, which are associated with improved liver function, cholesterol regulation, and cardiovascular health. However, their high respiration rate and sensitivity to mechanical injuries make them highly perishable after harvest. Understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms of artichoke bud senescence is critical for developing strategies to delay quality loss, improve storage and postharvest handling practices. Using the high-throughput RNA sequencing and metabolomics analysis, we uncovered significant differences in gene expression and metabolite profiles among four artichoke cultivars, ‘Green Globe Improved’ (GGI), ‘Green Queen’ (GQ), ‘Opal’ (OP), and ‘Imperial Star’ (IS), shedding light on the molecular basis of their contrasting shelf lives. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were linked to pathways involved in hormone signaling, cell wall metabolism, stress response, organ development, and bioactive compounds synthesis, which expression patterns varying by cultivar and storage time. GQ exhibited higher expression of genes tied to the production of health-promoting metabolites with anti-aging and cardioprotective properties, highlighting its extended shelf life. Metabolomics analysis not only supported the transcriptomics findings but also revealed novel compounds with genotype-specific accumulation pattern. This study provides genetic resources for plant breeding and offers valuable insights into the molecular basis of postharvest quality of artichoke.