Abstract

Vibration stress during transportation represents a mechanical factor that accelerates texture deterioration. This study revealed the molecular basis underlying vibration-induced texture deterioration in kiwifruit and further evaluated 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) as an intervention. The results showed vibration accelerated pectin solubilization and nanostructural disassembly, whereas 1-MCP treatment better preserved pectin integrity with higher chelate-soluble pectin and sodium-carbonate-soluble pectin levels under vibration stress. Transcript analysis indicated that vibration induced elevated expression of pectin-degrading and -modifying genes, including polygalacturonase (PG) (Actinidia28962), β-galactosidase (Actinidia15368), and pectin methylesterase (PME) (Actinidia13568), whereas 1-MCP treatment downregulated these genes. Molecular docking indicated favorable binding poses of demethylesterified GalA oligomers with PME and higher-degree of polymerization GalA oligomers with PG, providing auxiliary insight into vibration-related pectin de-esterification and depolymerization. Therefore, this study provides a multilevel molecular explanation for vibration-induced texture deterioration from the perspective of pectin composition and structure and proposes a feasible strategy to delay texture loss under vibration stress.