KIWIFRUIT PROTEIN CHANGES DURING POSTHARVEST COLD STORAGE

We report on the kiwifruit postharvest phase through an approach consisting of 2D-DIGE/nanoLC-ESI-LIT-MS/MS-based proteomic measurements. Kiwifruit samples stored under conventional, cold-based postharvest conditions were sampled at four stages (from fruit harvest to pre-commercialization) and analyzed in comparison protein content. Proteomics showed that proteins associated with disease/defense, energy, protein destination/storage, cell structure and metabolism functions were affected at precise fruit postharvest times. By lining up kiwifruit postharvest processing to a proteomic depiction, this study integrates previous observations on protein content in postharvest pomes treated with specific chemical additives, and provides a reference framework for further studies on the optimization of fruit storage before its commercialization.