Biotechnological approaches for controlling postharvest fruit softening

Abstract

Fruit softening is the major factor determining the postharvest life of fruit, affecting bruise and damage susceptibility, pathogen colonisation, and consumer satisfaction, all of which contribute to product losses in the supply chain and consumers' homes. Ripening-related changes to the cell wall, cuticle and soluble sugars largely determine softening, and some are amenable to biotechnological intervention, for example, by manipulation of the expression of genes encoding cell wall-modifying proteins or wax and cutin synthases. In this review, we discuss work exploring the role of genes involved in cell wall and cuticle properties, and recent developments in the silencing of multiple genes by targeting single transcription factors. Identification of transcription factors that control the expression of suites of genes encoding cell wall-modifying proteins provides exciting targets for biotechnology.