Postharvest UV-C irradiation inhibits blackhead disease by inducing disease resistance and reducing mycotoxin production in ‘Korla’ fragrant pear (Pyrus sinkiangensis)

Blackhead disease is a major fungal disease causing the quality deterioration of postharvest ‘Korla’ fragrant pear. In this study, the relationships of resistance to blackhead disease with the enzyme activity, phenolic compounds, and mycotoxin metabolism of ‘Korla’ fragrant pear were investigated, through UV-C irradiation of 0.12, 0.24, 0.36, 0.48, 0.72 and 1.08 kJ/m2 on ‘Korla’ fragrant pear inoculated with Alternaria alternata (Fries) Keissler (A. alternata). The results showed that the low-dose UV-C irradiation (0.36 kJ/m2) effectively controlled blackhead disease. The activities of chitinase (CHI), β-1,3-glucanase (GLU), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and the content of phenolic compounds in fruit were enhanced, whereas the activities of lipoxygenase (LOX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and mycotoxins (including AOH, AME, and TeA) were decreased. Therefore, the low-dose UV-C irradiation could improve the resistance to blackhead disease and reduce the production of mycotoxins in ‘Korla’ fragrant pear. This study proves that UV-C irradiation may be a potentially effective strategy for the control of blackhead disease and the improvement of quality of postharvest ‘Korla’ fragrant pear. •UV-C irradiation effectively controlled blackhead disease in ‘Korla’ fragrant pear.•UV-C irradiation induced resistance against A. alternata in ‘Korla’ fragrant pear.•UV-C irradiation enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and phenolics content.•UV-C irradiation reduced the accumulation of mycotoxins released by A. alternata.•The optimum dose of UV-C radiation for suppressing blackhead disease was 0.36 kJ/m2.