Comprehensive transcriptome and metabolome analyses reveal dynamic changes in quality and anti-stress strategy of Volvariella volvacea during storage.

Volvariella volvacea is perishable and loses marketability within two days after harvest. Here, we compared V. volvacea stored for 0, 1, 2 days (T0, T1, T2) using transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. In the three comparisons (T1 vs T0, T2 vs T1, T2 vs T0), 1846, 1361, 3599 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 763, 797, 1297 different abundant metabolites (DAMs) were identified, respectively. These DEGs and DAMs dynamically regulated postharvest quality of V. volvacea via activating the pentose phosphate pathway, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, and pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis. The anti-stress strategies of V. volvacea shift from synthesizing ubiquinone, vitamin E and amino acids during 0-1 day to activating the vitamin K synthesis pathway and the glutamate-glutathione cycle during 1-2 days. 5-oxoproline, ThiJ/PfpI protein, and IAA acetyltransferase were identified as potential spoilage markers. These findings offer insights for developing strategies to improve the postharvest sustainability of V. volvacea.