Multi-Omics Insights into Postharvest Deterioration in Artichoke for Enhanced Shelf Life and Health Benefits

However, their high photosynthetic activity, respiration rate, and sensitivity to mechanical injuries makes them highly perishable. Using the high-throughput RNA-seq and metabolomics analysis, we identified significant variations in the expression levels of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and metabolites between ‘Green Queen’ (GQ) and ‘Imperial Star’ (IS) cultivars, relating to their shelf-life.

The DEGs were categorized into pathways involved in hormone signaling, cell wall metabolism, stress response, organ development, and health beneficial compounds with expression varying across storage intervals. Notably, genes and transcription factors (TFs) involved in plant hormone signaling pathways and senescence were primarily upregulated in IS, explicating its shorter shelf life. Genes such as b -carotene 3-hydroxylase (BHY) and 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-like 4A (HSD4), upregulated in both cultivars during storage, facilitate the production of metabolites with reported anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, diabetic resistance, and cardiovascular benefits.