Elucidating the wound signal mechanism in fresh-cut produce: scientific implications and opportunities for practical applications and novel technologies

Understanding signals and mechanisms together with practical applications allows creating, changing and designing technologies in the field of postharvest.
Here we describe the studies on the elucidation of the wound signal mechanism in fresh-cut produce and the opportunities for improving technologies and creating novel applications in the fresh-cut industry.
Once wounding is applied in fresh-cut produce, ATPs are released functioning as primary signals and a redox imbalance takes place with reactive oxygen species (ROS) playing a major role as secondary signals.
These events will eventually affect quality attributes and trigger the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites.
Knowledge of the mode of action opens the possibility of avoiding detrimental quality changes, enhance the quality of fresh-cut produce and/or enhance their nutritional content.
The elucidation of the wound signaling mechanisms was possible by an integrative approach combining basic and applied research through chemical biology and chemical genetics pharmacological studies.
Here an update of the status on fresh-cut produce research, the signaling mechanism studies involved and potential applications is presented.

VIII International Postharvest Symposium: Enhancing Supply Chain and Consumer Benefits – Ethical and Technological Issues

L. Cisneros-Zevallos

postharvest abiotic stresses, wounding, nutraceuticals, signaling mechanisms, fresh-cut, fruits and vegetables, secondary metabolites, integrative approach

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1194.191