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Comparative metabolomics reveals contrasting primary metabolic shifts during ripening-related and cold-induced chilling injury process in ‘Autumn Sense’ kiwiberry (Actinidia arguta)

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The quality of kiwiberry is limited by its rapid ripening and chilling sensitivity. This study applied targeted gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolomics to elucidate the divergence of primary metabolic pathways in the fruit of ‘Autumn Sense’ kiwiberry ( Actinidia arguta ) stored at moderate (10 °C) and near-freezing (0.5 °C) temperatures. At 10 °C, the fruit underwent rapid starch degradation into soluble carbohydrates and malic acid accumulation, which indicated enhanced ripening-related metabolism. Conversely, 0.5 °C storage suppressed these processes, but triggered chilling injury and the accumulation of stress-responsive amino acids, including proline, alanine, tyrosine, and branched-chain amino acids. These results elucidated how storage temperature mediated metabolic shifts between ripening-related and chilling injury process. Overall, these results highlighted the importance of controlling storage temperatures to balance ripening control with the avoidance of chilling injury symptoms in kiwiberry.

Source: Scientia Horticulturae

DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2026.115010