《生命科学》 2026, 38(8): 1365-1378

果蔬采后品质安全的分子基础及生物防控技术

陈 勇^1,2,3 , 邢孟阳^1,2 , 王豫颖^1,2 , 李博强^1,2 , 陈 彤^1,2 , 田世平^1,2,3,*

¹中国科学院植物研究所植物多样性与特色经济作物全国重点实验室，北京 100093 ²国家植物园，北京 100093 ³中国科学院大学，北京 100049

摘　要：

果蔬是膳食结构的重要组分，与国民健康密切相关。然而，果蔬采后品质劣变和病害不仅导致巨大损失，而且病原真菌引起的腐烂和产生的毒素是诱发果蔬采后品质安全问题的重要原因。本文将基于团队多年的系统研究工作，重点阐述果蔬采后品质安全分子基础研究进展，展望果蔬采后品质维持与安全防控生物技术的应用前景，为食品安全提供保障。

通讯作者：田世平 , Email:tsp@ibcas.ac.cn

Molecular basis of quality and safety and biological control technology of postharvest fruits and vegetables

CHEN Yong^1,2,3 , XING Meng-Yang^1,2 , WANG Yu-Ying^1,2 , LI Bo-Qiang^1,2 , CHEN Tong^1,2 , TIAN Shi-Ping^1,2,3,*

¹State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China ²China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China ³University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

Abstract:

Fruits and vegetables are vital for human nutrition and agricultural economies. However, significant postharvest losses occur annually due to physiological deterioration and pathogen infection. Fungal rot and the associated mycotoxin contamination further pose serious food safety risks. Addressing these issues requires a deep understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. This review synthesizes recent advances, with emphasis on our systematic research, in elucidating the molecular basis of postharvest quality and safety in produce. It also prospects the development of targeted, eco-friendly biocontrol technologies. The review is structured around three interconnected themes. First, we detail the molecular echanisms  driving postharvest quality deterioration in the host produce. A key focus is the disruption of reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, which accelerates senescence through oxidative damage to mitochondrial proteins, membrane lipid peroxidation, and the oxidation-mediated modification of key transcription factors. We also highlight the role of membrane proteins, such as those from the REM1 family, in stress sensing and in regulating ROS bursts and programmed cell death, processes pivotal for  quality preservation. Second, we dissect the molecular basis of pathogenicity and toxigenicity in major postharvest fungal  pathogens. This includes the function of virulence factors like cell death-inducing effector proteins and cell wall-degrading enzymes. We summarize how environmental cues are integrated via global regulators to modulate virulence. A highlighted  breakthrough is the comprehensive deciphering of the patulin mycotoxin biosynthetic pathway in Penicillium expansum. Our  work identified the complete Pat gene cluster, resolved its intracellular trafficking route, and elucidated its multi-layered regulation by specific transcription factors, global signaling pathways, and epigenetic mechanisms such as histone H3K4 methylation. Third, building on these molecular insights, we discuss the development of novel biocontrol strategies.  For quality maintenance, we explore the use of plant-derived elicitors to prime the inherent defense responses of produce. For  disease control, promising approaches such as spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) are examined. For mycotoxin mitigation, we  highlight a significant achievement: the identification and characterization of specific microbial short-chain dehydrogenases that efficiently degrade patulin into non-toxic compounds, offering a potent enzymatic econtamination strategy. In conclusion, this review underscores that integrating fundamental research on host physiology and pathogen biology is crucial for innovating postharvest management. Future perspectives include employing multi-omics and artificial intelligence to discover novel targets,  advancing gene silencing technologies, and leveraging synthetic biology to engineer enhanced microbial biocontrol agents and horticultural crops, ultimately ensuring a more sustainable and safe food supply chain.

Communication Author：TIAN Shi-Ping , Email:tsp@ibcas.ac.cn