Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals fruit discoloration mechanisms in postharvest strawberries in response to high ambient temperature

The aim of this study was to examine both physiological and molecular evidences related to fruit discoloration in postharvest strawberries under high ambient temperature. The results showed the total anthocyanin and their main components in the strawberries under 35 °C were greatly increased due to the significant up-regulations of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes and transportation genes. High ambient temperature greatly improved the activities of peroxidase (POD) and enhanced gene expressions of POD3, POD6 and POD63. At the same time, high storage temperature activated laccase genes expression including laccase-9 and laccase-14, which was closely related to anthocyanin degradation. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism were also increased under high ambient temperature at transcript levels. Therefore, we concluded that high ambient temperature could enhance anthocyanin accumulation and degradation at the same time, which maybe the main reasons for the fruits discoloration of postharvest strawberries under high ambient temperature.