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This study aimed to investigate the effects of a combination of acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the quality of jujube stored at 1 ± 0.5°C for 40 days. Jujube was treated with AEW + MAP, AEW, and MAP, respectively, to identify an appropriate preservation method based on the changes of quality indicators, activities of antioxidant enzymes and nonenzymatic antioxidant systems, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and cell membrane permeability. Results showed that the combined treatment maintained higher storage quality of jujube than the other three treatments. The combined treatment significantly suppressed softening, weight, and color loss and maintained total soluble solid and titratable acidity. Moreover, the combined treatment improved antioxidant capacity showing high levels of nonenzymatic antioxidant systems (ascorbic acid and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity), and the activities of antioxidant enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase). These effects remarkably suppressed the increase of MDA level and cell membrane permeability, thereby inhibiting oxidative damage and alleviating quality deterioration. Furthermore, kinetic model indicated that AEW + MAP decreased rate constant of quality deterioration. Principal component analysis also showed that AEW + MAP treatment alleviated quality deterioration, with higher comprehensive score than other treatments. In summary, AEW + MAP was an effective preservation method to maintain storage quality and delay postharvest senescence of jujube. Practical Application: In this study, a combination of acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) has been found to have effective preservation effects on jujube. AEW + MAP treatment improved quality of jujube during cold storage mainly by enhancing antioxidant capacity. The combined treatment may provide a new preservation technology for jujube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) treatment improved the reactive oxygen species scavenging ability in jujube fruit. • The AsA-GSH cycle was promoted for jujube fruit treated with AEW. • AEW treatment enhanced the activities of enzymes related to the phenylpropane metabolic pathway. • AEW treatment delayed fruit softening by regulating cell wall metabolism. • AEW treatment delayed disease occurrence in jujube fruit. Disease development of 'Lingwu Long' jujube fruit treated with acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) at 4 ± 1℃ for storing 30 d was evaluated by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and cell wall metabolism. Compared to the control, jujube fruit treated with AEW had a lower disease index. At the end of storage, AEW treatment maintained lower malondialdehyde (2.1 μmol kg−1) and superoxide anion generation rate (41.5 nmol g−1 min−1) compared to the control, while enhancing catalase (127.2 U g−1) and superoxide dismutase activities (244.2 U g−1). AEW treatment increased 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging ability and hydrogen peroxide. The higher contents of ascorbic acid and glutathione were related to higher activities of ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, and dehydroascorbate reductase in AEW-treated jujube fruit. Moreover, the highest activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (21.1 U g−1), cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (304.2 U g−1), and 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (6.4 U g−1) and contents of total phenolics (5.3 g GAE kg−1) and total flavonoids (0.3 mg RE g−1) were observed in AEW-treated fruit compared to the control. Higher firmness, Na 2 CO 3 -soluble pectin, cellulose, and hemicellulose and lower water-soluble pectin in AEW-treated fruit were due to lower activities of polygalacturonase, pectinate lyases, β-galactosidase, and cellulase. As a result, AEW could be used for decreasing decay occurrence and maintaining storage quality of jujube fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]