Combined modified atmosphere package with red-blue LED treatments to delay the leaf senescence of Chinese flowering cabbage after harvest

Chinese flowering cabbage is highly susceptible to leaf senescence during postharvest storage. The synergistic effects of combined red-blue light-emitting diode (LED) lighting and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the preservation of Chinese flowering cabbage were detailed investigate. The combined treatments effectively modulated carbon dioxide ( CO₂) and Oxygen (O₂) concentrations in package, inhibited the respiration rates, and minimized the decrease of leaf chlorophyll content. The expression of key chlorophyll catabolic genes BrSGR2 , BrNYC1 , BrPPH1 , BrPAO , and BrRCCR and the senescence-associated gene BrSAG12 was remarkably modified. The treatment alleviated oxidative stress by reducing the accumulation of O 2 •- and H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA), while enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes of POD, SOD, CAT, and modulating their associated genes. The treatment also augmented the increased levels of AsA, GSH, DHA, and GSSG, along with elevated activities of APX, GR, DHAR, and MDHAR enzymes, and regulated their corresponding gene expression. Additionally, it sustained cellular energy status by maintaining adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels and energy charge, while modulating the expression of energy metabolism-related genes. Collectively, it demonstrates that red-blue LED illumination combined with MAP might be the potential integrated approach as a promising postharvest strategy for enhancing the shelf life of Chinese flowering cabbage. • Combined MAP and RBL inhibited the respiration rate and leaf senescence of Chinese flowering cabbage. • Combined treatment regulated chlorophyll degradation and expression of chlorophyll catabolic genes‌. • Combined treatment enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes and AsA-GSH cycle to reduce oxidative damage. • The cellular energy homeostasis is maintained through the regulation of ATP levels.