Trehalose Improves Postharvest Kyoho Grapes Quality Based on Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis

ABSTRACT Trehalose exhibits broad‐spectrum antibacterial and antioxidant activities and plays a vital role in delaying postharvest decay in fruits. In this study, we utilized transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches to investigate the metabolic regulation of phenols and amino acids in Kyoho grapes ( Vitis vinifera × labrusca var. Kyoho) following treatment with trehalose. Physiological assessments showed that trehalose significantly reduced the decay rate, weight loss, and decay severity compared to the controls over 19 days of storage. Integrative analysis revealed that many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and metabolites (DEMs) were enriched in the phenolic and amino acid biosynthesis pathways, and trehalose treatment upregulated genes and enhanced metabolite flux within these pathways. Trehalose‐treated grapes displayed improved disease resistance and delayed senescence, likely due to the coordinated modulation of metabolite expression. Overall, exogenous trehalose treatment effectively prolonged the preservation of Kyoho grapes by orchestrating complex molecular and metabolic responses. This study advances the theoretical understanding of grape preservation and offers promising strategies for improving postharvest storage.