Elevated CO 2 Enhanced the Antioxidant Activity and Downregulated Cell Wall Metabolism of Wolfberry ( Lycium barbarum L.).

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) has been widely known to delay the postharvest fruit senescence; nevertheless, its effect on antioxidant activity and cell wall metabolism of wolfberry fruit is largely unknown. The present study investigated the impact of elevated CO ₂ on the quality attributes and cell wall degradation of wolfberry fruit during storage. The results showed that 10% CO ₂ better maintained the physiological quality and conferred the reduction in weight loss, decay index, and color change. Higher 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, total phenol and flavonoid content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity of wolfberry were detected at elevated CO ₂ concentrations. Elevated CO ₂ atmosphere contributed to the maintenance of the cell integrity, the decrease of cell wall degradation (polygalacturonase, pectate lyase, cellulase, and β-glucosidase), and the increase of cellulose and proto pectin content. Overall, we revealed the potential mechanism of elevated CO ₂ on the antioxidant activity enhancement and cell wall homeostasis of fresh berry fruit.