Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analysis to Unravel the Influence of High Temperature on Banana Fruit During Postharvest Storage

Banana, an important food, incurs significant economic losses due to high storage temperature. Integrative analysis of proteome and transcriptome profiles of the banana peel stored at 20 °C (control) and 30 °C (HT) was used to investigate the molecular mechanism in response to high temperature stress. Critical proteins and genes relating to the response of banana fruit to HT stress were evaluated using partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal signal correction partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). HT stress influenced proteins/genes related to chlorophyll metabolism, fruit firmness, signal transduction, energy metabolism, and stress response and defense. Together with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) results, it can be concluded that HT stress resulted in stay-green ripening of banana fruit. Additionally, HT stress accelerated firmness loss and senescence of banana peel, might mainly through regulating hormone signaling pathway, stress protective ability, and energy metabolism in the banana peel. Our study provided a clearer understanding of regulatory mechanisms of HT treatment on banana fruit and potential genetic resources for the improvement of high temperature-tolerant characteristics in banana fruit.