Experimental study demonstrates enhanced antioxidant defenses and delayed senescence in sweet corn following pulsed light treatment, suggesting a viable non-thermal preservation strategy.
Pulsed light (PL) is a novel non thermal physical sterilization technology that utilizes intense pulsed light radiation with instantaneous peak energy to sanitize products. We have investigated the effect of PL on gene expression and metabolites of sweet corn maintained at 20 °C for 6 d after treatment. PL treatment resulted in the downregulation of PG , PAL , CCR and C4H , genes associated with kernel firmness, and the upregulation of POD , SOD , HSP , PR-1 , PR-5 , genes associated antioxidant capacity and disease resistance. PL treatment also suppressed the expression of genes related to ethylene biosynthesis and signaling. Metabolomic analysis showed that PL treatments increased the contents of lipids, flavonoids, amino acids and their derivatives, lignans, coumarins, organic acids and other metabolites, especially specific compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids. This study elucidated the physiological and molecular level regulation mechanism of PL treatment on the postharvest quality. • PL treatment maintained quality of sweet corn stored at 20 °C. • PL treatment enhanced disease resistance and antioxidant gene expression. • PL treatment affected expression of cell wall & lignin synthesis genes. • PL treatment increased phenolic acid and flavonoid contents.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Ren et al. (2025) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: