Proteomic and metabolomic insights into the cellular pathway changes in Choysum (Brassica rapa) during postharvest storage

After being harvested, green leafy vegetables such as Choysum (Brassica rapa) begin to lose their freshness and nutritional properties, leading to significant postharvest losses. These losses are a major challenge in agriculture, with rates estimated at 25% in developed countries and up to 50% in developing nations, imposing substantial economic, social, and ecological burdens. Employing suitable postharvest storage methods, such as cold storage, is a common approach to slow down deterioration. However, the intricate cellular pathways involved in vegetable deterioration are not fully understood. To address this, we aimed to elucidate the impact of postharvest storage on the cellular pathways involved in degradation and senescence in Choysum using proteomics and metabolomics approaches. Protein and metabolite extractions were performed on Choysum samples stored at 4°C for various time points, followed by SWATH quantitative proteomics and key metabolite quantification to analyze changes in cellular pathways. Preliminary data from duplicate protein extracts identified and quantified 2372 proteins using SWATH MS, with 20 proteins found to be differentially abundant based on a 1.5-fold change and a Q-value of less than 0.05. Gene annotation of these proteins revealed several cellular pathways involved in the degradation of Choysum during postharvest storage, with proteins involved in organic metabolic processes, amino acid biosynthesis, and translation decreasing in abundance, while proteins involved in carbohydrate and ROS metabolic processes increased in abundance. Latest results of this ongoing project will be presented during the conference. This study will enhance our understanding of the plant's response to storage by elucidating the cellular pathways involved in postharvest quality loss of vegetables.