The delaying effect of Clausena lansium extract on pear ring rot is related to its antifungal activity and induced disease resistance

The commodity value of many fruits is rapidly depreciating due to post-harvest fungal decay. Our current research has found that seed extract (SE) of Clausena lansium showed significant antifungal activity, and had a strong suppressive effect on pear ring rot caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea in pear fruits. After being treated with SE, the extracellular electrolyte, soluble sugar, and soluble protein contents of B. dothidea mycelium increased, and the morphology of the mycelium deformed. Harvested pear fruit treated with SE delayed firmness loss, reduced electrolyte leakage, retarded hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, and increased the activity of chitinase (CHI) and beta-1,3-glucanase (GLU) in pear fruit. Metabolomics analysis revealed that flavonoids were the most significant differential metabolites in different parts of C. lansium. Overall, SE achieved preservation of pear fruit by affecting the cell membrane of B. dothidea to inhibit its growth and inducing disease resistance to B. dothidia infection.