Storage Profiling: Evaluating the Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Metabolomic Changes of Strawberries (<i>Fragaria × ananassa</i>)

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Strawberries (<i>Fragaria × ananassa</i>) are among the most commonly consumed fruits due to their taste and nutritional benefits. However, their high rate of spoilage poses a major problem during the period from harvest and transport to further...

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Main Authors: Johannes Brockelt, Robin Dammann, Jennifer Griese, Agnes Weiss, Markus Fischer, Marina Creydt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Metabolites
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/5/330
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author Johannes Brockelt
Robin Dammann
Jennifer Griese
Agnes Weiss
Markus Fischer
Marina Creydt
author_facet Johannes Brockelt
Robin Dammann
Jennifer Griese
Agnes Weiss
Markus Fischer
Marina Creydt
author_sort Johannes Brockelt
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Strawberries (<i>Fragaria × ananassa</i>) are among the most commonly consumed fruits due to their taste and nutritional benefits. However, their high rate of spoilage poses a major problem during the period from harvest and transport to further processing or marketing. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the effects of passive modified atmosphere packaging on the metabolome and shelf life of strawberries as a more sustainable alternative compared to standard market storage conditions. <b>Methods:</b> A total of 99 strawberry samples were analyzed for microbial viable counts, water content, and metabolomic changes using non-targeted low-resolution near-infrared spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and microbial culture-based methods. <b>Results:</b> Using near-infrared spectroscopy as a rapid screening method, the linear regression model indicated that strawberries stored under modified atmosphere packaging conditions had a longer shelf life. Furthermore, lipidomic analysis using mass spectrometry showed that the levels of spoilage biomarkers, such as oxidized phosphatidylcholines and lysophosphatidylcholines, were increased under common market storage conditions without a controlled atmosphere. In contrast, the levels of these metabolites were reduced when strawberries were stored in modified atmosphere packaging. Moreover, the strawberries stored under modified atmosphere packaging had a lower number of bacteria, yeasts, and molds as well as a lower water loss throughout the entire storage period. <b>Conclusions:</b> Overall, the study highlights the potential of passive modified atmosphere packaging films to extend the shelf life and thus maintain the edibility of strawberries over a longer period.
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spelling doaj-art-c15f12dab266443abc1c7f6c90aebd2c2025-08-20T02:33:55ZengMDPI AGMetabolites2218-19892025-05-0115533010.3390/metabo15050330Storage Profiling: Evaluating the Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Metabolomic Changes of Strawberries (<i>Fragaria × ananassa</i>)Johannes Brockelt0Robin Dammann1Jennifer Griese2Agnes Weiss3Markus Fischer4Marina Creydt5Hamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146 Hamburg, GermanyHamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146 Hamburg, GermanyHamburg School of Food Science, Food Microbiology, University of Hamburg, Ohnhorststrasse 18, 22609 Hamburg, GermanyHamburg School of Food Science, Food Microbiology, University of Hamburg, Ohnhorststrasse 18, 22609 Hamburg, GermanyHamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146 Hamburg, GermanyHamburg School of Food Science, Institute of Food Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, 20146 Hamburg, Germany<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Strawberries (<i>Fragaria × ananassa</i>) are among the most commonly consumed fruits due to their taste and nutritional benefits. However, their high rate of spoilage poses a major problem during the period from harvest and transport to further processing or marketing. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the effects of passive modified atmosphere packaging on the metabolome and shelf life of strawberries as a more sustainable alternative compared to standard market storage conditions. <b>Methods:</b> A total of 99 strawberry samples were analyzed for microbial viable counts, water content, and metabolomic changes using non-targeted low-resolution near-infrared spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and microbial culture-based methods. <b>Results:</b> Using near-infrared spectroscopy as a rapid screening method, the linear regression model indicated that strawberries stored under modified atmosphere packaging conditions had a longer shelf life. Furthermore, lipidomic analysis using mass spectrometry showed that the levels of spoilage biomarkers, such as oxidized phosphatidylcholines and lysophosphatidylcholines, were increased under common market storage conditions without a controlled atmosphere. In contrast, the levels of these metabolites were reduced when strawberries were stored in modified atmosphere packaging. Moreover, the strawberries stored under modified atmosphere packaging had a lower number of bacteria, yeasts, and molds as well as a lower water loss throughout the entire storage period. <b>Conclusions:</b> Overall, the study highlights the potential of passive modified atmosphere packaging films to extend the shelf life and thus maintain the edibility of strawberries over a longer period.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/5/330food spoilageFT-NIRlipidomicsstorage analysisstrawberry
spellingShingle Johannes Brockelt
Robin Dammann
Jennifer Griese
Agnes Weiss
Markus Fischer
Marina Creydt
Storage Profiling: Evaluating the Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Metabolomic Changes of Strawberries (<i>Fragaria × ananassa</i>)
Metabolites
food spoilage
FT-NIR
lipidomics
storage analysis
strawberry
title Storage Profiling: Evaluating the Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Metabolomic Changes of Strawberries (<i>Fragaria × ananassa</i>)
title_full Storage Profiling: Evaluating the Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Metabolomic Changes of Strawberries (<i>Fragaria × ananassa</i>)
title_fullStr Storage Profiling: Evaluating the Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Metabolomic Changes of Strawberries (<i>Fragaria × ananassa</i>)
title_full_unstemmed Storage Profiling: Evaluating the Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Metabolomic Changes of Strawberries (<i>Fragaria × ananassa</i>)
title_short Storage Profiling: Evaluating the Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Metabolomic Changes of Strawberries (<i>Fragaria × ananassa</i>)
title_sort storage profiling evaluating the effect of modified atmosphere packaging on metabolomic changes of strawberries i fragaria ananassa i
topic food spoilage
FT-NIR
lipidomics
storage analysis
strawberry
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/5/330
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