Accumulation of phenolic in fresh-cut lotus roots induced by thermosonication: Regulation of phenylpropanoid pathway and reactive oxygen species metabolism.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of thermosonication (TS) on the phenolic accumulation of fresh-cut lotus roots (FCLs) in the context of the phenylpropanoid pathway and reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism. The potential regulatory effects of phenolic synthesis triggered by ROS signaling molecules during TS treatment were determined. Results showed that TS treatment significantly activated the activities of key enzymes associated with phenylpropanoid metabolism in FCLs, resulting in an increase in the total phenolic content (TPC), including gallic acid, epicatechin and rutin, consequently enhancing the antioxidant capacity. The rate of Ogeneration and HO content were both increased by the TS treatment, which also stimulated the activities of antioxidant enzymes related to ROS scavenging. Pearson correlation coefficient demonstrated that the synthesis and accumulation of phenolic were intimately related to their key metabolic enzymes and ROS content.