The metabolic processes shaping fruit

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the future-work section and future work and stated research gap and abstract of the source papers, classified as general, spanning 3 journals.

Supporting evidence — 4 representative gaps

• Increased Temperatures Promote Fruit Enlargement Through Cellular and Transcriptomic Changes in Raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) cv. Heritage (2026) · Plants · doi

  investigate the effects of increased temperature on other raspberry cultivars, - study the long-term effects of moderate warming on fruit development, - explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the responses to heat treatment

  generalfuture-work section
  Keywords: investigate effects increased temperature other raspberry cultivars study
• Optimal storage temperature for fresh fruits: physiological responses, quality retention, and shelf-life extension (2026) · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · doi

  Future research on optimal storage temperature for fresh fruits should move beyond generalized recommendations toward cultivar-specific and physiology-driven temperature optimization. Although substantial progress has been made in understanding temperature effects on respiration, ethylene production, and quality retention, considerable variability remains among fruit cultivars and production environments. Advanced omics approaches, including transcriptomics and metabolomics, offer promising tools to elucidate molecular responses of fruits to low-temperature stress and chilling injury, enabling more precise determination of tolerance thresholds (Lika et al., 2026). Integration of intelligent cold-chain systems represents another critical research direction. The application of real-time temperature monitoring, artificial intelligence–based predictive models, and digital twins of storage environments could improve dynamic temperature management throughout transportation and storage. Such systems may allow adaptive temperature adjustments based on fruit physiological status rather than fixed storage regimes (Sokra et al., 2026a). Future studies should also explore synergistic effects 81 between temperature control and complementary postharvest treatments, including natural coatings, biocontrol agents, and modified atmospheres, to enhance quality preservation while reducing chemical inputs (Sokra et al., 2024b; Sokra et al., 2025b). In the context of climate change, increasing ambient temperatures and supply-chain disruptions highlight the need for energy-efficient and climate-resilient storage technologies. Addressing these challenges will be essential for achieving sustainable fruit storage systems and minimizing postharvest losses in both developed and developing regions.

  generalfuture workevidence 5/5
  Keywords: temperature storage fruit systems sokra future fruits effects production quality environments including chain based postharvest
• Optimal storage temperature for fresh fruits: physiological responses, quality retention, and shelf-life extension (2026) · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · doi

  There is a need for cultivar-specific temperature thresholds and adaptive storage strategies. Current temperature management practices often result in significant postharvest losses.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: there need cultivar-specific temperature thresholds adaptive storage strategies
• Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals the Dynamic and Time-Dependent ‘Hass’ Avocado Response to Stem-End Rot Infection at Harvest and Post-Storage (2026) · Phytopathology® · doi

  However, the metabolic processes shaping fruit–pathogen interactions during postharvest ripening remain poorly understood, particularly following cold storage.

  generalabstractevidence 2/5
  Keywords: metabolic processes shaping fruit pathogen interactions postharvest ripening remain poorly understood particularly following cold storage

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