Untargeted metabolomic profiling of pineapple storage quality: insights from combined preservative and modified atmosphere packaging treatments.

This study explored the effect of the combined treatment with Composite Preservative and Modified Atmosphere Packaging (EC + MAP) on the storage quality of fresh-cut pineapple stored at 4 °C with 85% humidity for 8 days. Non-targeted metabolomics was used to uncover the metabolic mechanisms behind shelf-life extension. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotation identified 110 metabolites across eight categories. After 8 days, the untreated control had 53 significantly changed metabolites (46 upregulated, 7 downregulated) compared to day 0, with key ones like 4-aminobutyric acid and D-ribose. The EC + MAP treatment led to 75 significant metabolite changes (18 upregulated, 57 downregulated) versus the control, with notable differences in lactulose and L-threonine. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed distinct metabolic profile shifts (R2X = 0.596 between day 0 and day 8 for controls; R2X = 0.717 between controls and EC + MAP at day 8). Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) confirmed groupings and identified differential metabolites with VIP > 1 and P < 0.05. Key pathways regulated by EC + MAP, including alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, C5-branched dibasic acid metabolism, and the TCA cycle, suggest it extends shelf life by inhibiting the accumulation of metabolites related to amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism.