Comparative evaluation of package types in alleviating textural softening and package-swelling of Paocai during storage: Insight into microbial invasion, cell wall pectinolysis and alteration in sugar and organic acid profiles

[Display omitted] •Vacuum package and NaCl solution package suppressed microbial invasion into cell.•Vacuum package mitigated the texture softening of packaged paocai during storage.•Vacuum package inhibited the pectinase activity and impeded pectin degradation.•Sugar and organic acid consumption was slowed down in vacuum package.•Sugar and acid metabolism was shifted in vacuum package with less gas production. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of initial vacuum package (VP), air package (AP) and salt-solution package (NP) on texture softening and package-swelling of Paocai by comparing the changes in physicochemical properties, pectinolysis, microstructure, microbial profile, as well as sugar and organic acid profiles during storage. Results showed that, when compared with AP and NP, with suppressive microbial invasion and less total pectinase activity, VP could retain more soluble pectin and induce more compact microstructure of Paocai, leading to higher hardness of Paocai during storage. As for package-swelling, VP mitigated gas-production in package by changing the microbial composition and metabolic patterns of sugar and organic acid in Paocai, especially targeted regulating the abundance of genus Kazachstania. This study provided a perspective for appropriate packaging technology to control the pectinase activity as well as cell-invading and gas-producing microorganisms for manufacturing fermented vegetable with better texture and non-package-swelling.