Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Potential Mechanism of Polyethylene Packing Delaying Lignification of Pleurotus eryngii

Author: mycolabadmin
2022-07-06
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Summary

This research investigated how plastic packaging helps keep mushrooms fresh longer by preventing them from becoming tough and woody. Scientists found that polyethylene packaging helps preserve mushroom quality by controlling specific genes and enzymes that affect tissue hardening. This has several practical implications: • Extends shelf life of mushrooms in stores and homes • Maintains better texture and eating quality of stored mushrooms • Reduces food waste by preventing premature spoilage • Helps keep mushroom prices lower by reducing storage losses • Provides insight for developing better food packaging materials

Background

Pleurotus eryngii contains various bioactive substances like terpenoids, sterols, polysaccharides and polyphenols that can be developed into functional foods and drugs. However, post-harvest quality is affected by environmental factors including temperature, humidity, and microbial infections. Lignification occurs during cold storage as a stress response, involving lignin monomer synthesis and polymerization. While polyethylene (PE) packaging can inhibit mushroom lignification, the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood.

Objective

To elucidate the mechanism by which polyethylene packaging delays lignification in P. eryngii during storage by analyzing enzyme activities, gene expression, and visualizing lignin changes at the cellular level using transcriptomics and confocal Raman microscopy.

Results

PE packaging effectively delayed deterioration of appearance and tissue quality, with 0.05mm PE being most effective. PE treatment inhibited increases in lignin content and H2O2 levels while maintaining firmness and cellulose content. Transcriptome analysis revealed PE regulated genes involved in lignin synthesis and decomposition, including upregulation of laccase and versatile peroxidase genes and downregulation of lignin synthesis genes. Confocal Raman microscopy showed PE reduced lignin deposition and signal intensity in cell walls.

Conclusion

Polyethylene packaging delays lignification in P. eryngii by upregulating genes related to lignin decomposition while downregulating lignin synthesis genes. The packaging maintains quality by regulating enzyme activities and reducing lignin accumulation in cell walls. The 0.05mm PE film showed superior performance compared to 0.02mm PE in preserving mushroom quality during storage.

Published in:Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences,
Study Type:Laboratory Research,
Source: 10.1016/j.fochms.2022.100117