Combination of intense pulsed light and modified atmosphere packaging delays the texture softening of apricot fruit by inhibiting the degradation of pectin components

• The effects of IPL and MAP on apricot texture were investigated. • IPL and MAP can alter the structure and content of pectin components. • IPL and MAP can inhibit the pectin-degrading enzymes. • Both IPL and MAP can delay apricot fruit softening. • The effect of IPL combined with MAP is better than that of single treatment. The "Golden Sun" apricot ( Prunus armeniaca L.) is prone to post-harvest softening, making it more susceptible to physical damage, diseases, and physiological disorders. This study investigated the impact of intense pulsed light (IPL) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on texture softening in the "Golden Sun" apricot fruit by examining changes in cell wall pectin components. The results showed that the firmness of the IPL, MAP, and their synergistic treatment groups was 29 %, 46 %, and 70 % higher than that of the control group, which delayed the softening degree of the apricot fruit. The synergistic treatment primarily suppressed pectin-degrading enzyme activity, delayed pectin molecular weight degradation and side chain branching rate decline, inhibited the increase of water-soluble pectin (WSP) and ionic-soluble pectin (ISP) content, as well as the decrease of covalent-soluble pectin (CSP) content to maintain the integrity of the cell wall, thereby enhancing apricot fruit firmness. The results will provide valuable insights for inhibiting softening in apricot and other fruit through combining IPL with MAP.