Effects of 1-methylcyclopropene and high-voltage electrostatic field treatment on postharvest storage quality of Korla fragrant pears

This study investigated the effects of combined 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and high-voltage electrostatic field (HVEF) treatment on the postharvest quality of Korla fragrant pears using physicochemical and metabolomic analyses. The combined treatment significantly suppressed respiration and ethylene production, better maintained firmness, and reduced weight loss compared to controls. Volatile metabolomics identified 1301 compounds, with esters and terpenoids being most abundant. Enrichment analysis highlighted phenylpropanoid and sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis as key pathways. Sensory evaluation confirmed the treatment enhanced balsamic and citrus notes while preserving the typical flavor profile. These findings demonstrate that 1-MCP + HVEF treatment effectively maintains pear quality during long-term storage by modulating physiological and aroma-related metabolic pathways.