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Transcriptome Analysis Reveals How Gamma Irradiation Delays Quality Deterioration of Postharvest Lentinula edodes During Cold Storage

Summary

This research investigated how gamma irradiation helps preserve shiitake mushrooms during storage by studying gene expression changes. The study revealed that irradiation treatment helps maintain mushroom quality by affecting various cellular processes, particularly energy metabolism and stress responses. This has important implications for food preservation and reducing food waste. Impacts on everyday life: • Longer shelf life for mushrooms means less food waste and better value for consumers • Safer preservation method without chemical residues • Better quality maintenance of mushrooms in stores and homes • Potential application to other perishable foods • More sustainable food preservation options for the food industry

Background

Lentinula edodes (shiitake mushroom) is highly perishable after harvest due to high transpiration and respiration rates, leading to deterioration through softening, browning, and microbial attack. While gamma irradiation has shown promise in preserving mushroom quality, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood.

Objective

To investigate how gamma irradiation (GI) improves abiotic stress resistance and delays quality deterioration in postharvest L. edodes through transcriptome analysis. The study specifically examined gene expression changes in response to 1.0 kGy gamma irradiation during 20 days of cold storage.

Results

The study identified 430 differentially expressed genes between irradiated and control groups, including 151 upregulated and 279 downregulated genes. Key findings included upregulation of pentose phosphate pathway genes, with deoxy-D-gluconate 3-dehydrogenase showing 9.151-fold higher expression. Genes related to cell wall degradation, ribosome metabolism, and heat shock proteins were downregulated. DNA repair genes were notably upregulated, while fatty acid metabolism genes showed mixed expression patterns.

Conclusion

Gamma irradiation at 1.0 kGy effectively delays quality deterioration in L. edodes through multiple mechanisms, including enhanced pentose phosphate pathway activity, suppressed ribosome metabolism, promoted DNA repair, and regulated stress response pathways. The treatment particularly affects energy metabolism, cell wall integrity, and oxidative stress responses, providing new insights into irradiation-based mushroom preservation.
  • Published in:Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.1016/j.fochms.2023.100172
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