A review of the most important microRNAs involved in fruit postharvest properties

• miR156, miR164, miR172, miR319, miR396, miR397, miR399 and miR828 are investigated the most before. • Their target genes are SPL, MYB, NAC, BGA, LAC, and ACO, respectively. • Most microRNA research is on tomato, apple, grape, kiwifruit, strawberry, and pear. Although extensive studies have been conducted on fruit microRNAs, they have mostly focused on microRNA identification and target gene prediction and validation. This review aims to find connections between microRNAs and postharvest properties of fruits based on publications over the last two decades. The postharvest characteristics investigated in this work include fruit ripening and aging, fruit color and browning, fruit sugars and organic acids, and fruit texture. Although an in-depth analysis of downstream signaling pathways is not provided in this study, it is an effort to identify which fruits and which microRNA families have received the most research. This review reveals that miR156, miR164, miR172, miR319, miR396, miR397, miR399, and miR828, with target genes of SPL, MYB, NAC, BGA, LAC , and ACO , have been investigated the most in previous studies. Moreover, it suggests that although microRNAs have essential effects on fruit quality regulation, current research has focused on a limited number of fruit models. Ongoing research on microRNAs in various fruit types will expand our knowledge of their regulatory functions, providing valuable insights into their role in fruit growth and ripening processes.