Analysis of the Antioxidant Mechanism of Ozone Treatment to Extend the Shelf Life and Storage Quality of ‘Korla’ Fragrant Pears Based on Label-Free Proteomics

Abstract

In this study, the physiological indicators, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and activities and expressions of key enzymes related to ROS metabolism were monitored to explore the mechanism of ozone treatment on the shelf life of postharvest Korla fragrant pears. The results show that postharvest fragrant pears treated with ozone had a higher firmness and lower weight loss rate and decay rate during their shelf life, especially in the late stage. Ozone treatment could also delay the occurrence of the respiratory peak and reduce the peak value. The generation rate of superoxide anion (O2−), the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, and the malondialdehyde (MDA) level were reduced in the ozone-treated group, while the activities of key enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), related to ROS metabolism in postharvest fragrant pears were stimulated by ozone treatment, especially in the middle and late stages of shelf life. Analysis of the proteomics results indicates that the POD family enzymes were the main target protein in postharvest fragrant pears treated by ozone during the middle and late stages of shelf life. The activity and expression of antioxidant-related enzymes in postharvest fragrant pears were stimulated by ozone to accelerate the metabolism of ROS and maintain high quality, especially in the middle and late shelf lives.