The effect of high CO2 treatment on targeted metabolites of 'Seolhyang' strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) fruits during cold storage

'Seolhyang' strawberries are popular in Asian markets owing to their bright-red color and desirable flavor. However, Seolhyang strawberries have a fragile outer layer and a short shelf-life. Therefore, 'Seolhyang' strawberries are often treated with CO2 to prolong their shelf-life. However, the effects of high CO2 treatment on the quality of Seolhyang strawberries are unclear. Herein, the effects of a short-term high CO2 treatment on the decay rate, firmness, color, targeted metabolite profile, and antioxidant activity of Seolhyang strawberries in two ripening stages (i.e., half-red and bright-red) were investigated during a 9-day cold storage period. Targeted metabolites (i.e., sugars, organic acids, and anthocyanins) were investigated using HPLC and/or UHPLC-qTOF. CO2-treated strawberries exhibited lower (although not significantly) decay rates than untreated strawberry samples. The bright-red samples contained higher levels of anthocyanins than the half-red samples, regardless of CO2 treatment, during storage. High CO2-treated half-red and bright-red strawberries exhibited firmness, color, and metabolite profiles similar to those of their controls at the final storage time. Interestingly, CO2-treated half-red strawberry samples showed higher antioxidant activity than the control. Thus, CO2 treatment may prolong the shelf-life of Seolhyang strawberries without loss of quality based on improving their targeted metabolite profiles and antioxidant activity.

Automated summary

High CO2 treatment can reduce the decay rate of 'Seolhyang' strawberries without affecting their texture, color, and metabolite profiles, and even enhance antioxidant activity. Therefore, CO2 treatment may prolong the shelf-life of strawberries while maintaining their quality.