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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]

Jujube fruit may rapidly undergo maturity and senescence during storage, seriously affecting its commercialization. The study aimed to evaluate the role of acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) on energy and respiratory metabolism, and senescence in jujube fruit during cold storage. The results indicated that AEW improved ATP content and energy charge via increasing succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome C oxidase, H+-ATPase, and Ca2+-ATPase activities and delayed jujube fruit senescence. The treatment was found to improve the activities of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide kinase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and the content of NADPH, and reduce oxidative stress. Transcriptome analysis suggested that AEW regulated the expression of the genes associated with glycolysis, citrate cycle, pentose phosphate pathway, oxidative phosphorylation, ROS metabolism, transcription factors, phenylpropane biosynthesis, cell wall metabolism, and plant hormone signal transduction. Therefore, we concluded that AEW may delay the senescence of postharvest jujube fruit by regulating expression of the relevant genes and metabolic pathways. • AEW treatment promoted energy charge by activating energy metabolism-related enzymes. • AEW reduced cellular peroxidation by regulating pyridine nucleotide homeostasis. • AEW was involved in the regulation of differentially expressed genes associated with senescence. • AEW delayed senescence and maintained good quality of jujube fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]