Transcriptome profiling for pericarp browning during long-term storage of intact lotus root (Nelumbo nucifera)

Lotus root (Nelumbo nucifera) is an edible rhizome that the consumption/production has continuously increased as more consumers demand convenient and ready-to-eat foods. However, processing, storage, transportation of fresh-cut fruits vegetables promotes physiological deterioration, such browning, which leads to a reduction in value product. This study aimed reduce browning lotus pericarps during long-term storage long-distance transport, clarify functions unigenes browning-associated metabolic pathways using RNA-sequencing techniques. Intact cv. ‘Kanasumi No.34’ decreased after roots were packed along with anti-browning solution. Over 200 million short single-end reads mapped onto N. nucifera consensus coding sequence set. The significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified. Based on Uniprot, GO, KEGG databases, secondary metabolism, lipid redox state upregulated un-packed water treatments compared harvest sample. Additionally, 16 expected DEGs (e.g., PPO, PAL, POD, CHS, PDCR, SOD), are affected by development, regulated pericarp. gene expression data presented this will help elucidate molecular mechanism underlying development intact storage. results may also inform future research improving post-harvest shelf life roots’.