Argon treatment helps maintain kiwiberry firmness after harvest

Postharvest softening is one of the main factors limiting the shelf life and marketability of Actinidia arguta (kiwiberry). To improve storage performance, researchers evaluated the effects of a short-term argon anaerobic treatment (AT) and its combination with microperforated modified atmosphere packaging (AT-MT), comparing both approaches with conventional air storage and modified atmosphere packaging alone.

The findings showed that both treatments significantly reduced ethylene production, delayed firmness loss, and minimized cellular membrane damage. They also helped maintain a more stable sugar-acid balance, preserving fruit quality throughout storage.

The treatments lowered the activity of enzymes responsible for degrading starch, pectin, and cellulose. As a result, fruits retained higher levels of starch, protopectin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, which are essential structural components that contribute to tissue integrity and firmness. The combined AT-MT treatment delivered the strongest preservation effects.

Transcriptomic analysis revealed that argon treatment suppressed the expression of genes involved in hormone regulation, cell wall modification, and hydrolytic enzyme activity. These changes indicate that argon slows biological processes associated with tissue breakdown and postharvest deterioration.

Furthermore, the combination of argon treatment and modified atmosphere packaging enhanced carbohydrate metabolism, redox regulation, and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Molecular validation confirmed the inhibition of key genes associated with pectin degradation, hemicellulose remodeling, and starch hydrolysis.

The researchers concluded that short-term argon anaerobic treatment is an effective strategy for delaying kiwiberry softening through the coordinated regulation of multiple metabolic pathways, providing valuable scientific support for future postharvest preservation technologies.

Source

Zhu, S., Zhang, Q., Lu, F., Guo, G., Zhang, Y., Jiang, F., & Sun, B. (2026). Short-term Ar anaerobic treatment inhibits postharvest softening in Actinidia arguta by delaying cell wall and starch degradation. Postharvest Biology and Technology. Elsevier.