Abstract: Energy is the basis for maintaining the normal physiological metabolism of postharvest fruits and vegetables. Recent studies have shown that energy deficiency is a vital factor inducing the senescence of harvested fruits and vegetables. This paper discusses the role of energy status in the senescence of harvested fruits and vegetables from the perspectives of its relationship with respiratory metabolism, reactive oxygen species and cell membrane integrity. Moreover, recent advances in the regulatory measures and mechanisms of energy status in harvested fruits and vegetables are reviewed. The expression characteristics and regulation of genes related to energy synthesis, transport, dissipation and perception, the initiating factors of the senescence process in harvested fruits and vegetables, and stress response to energy deficiency are also covered. This review aims to provide a basis for exploring the mechanism of senescence of postharvest fruits and vegetables from the perspective of energy and for the development of new preservation technologies.

Key words: fruits and vegetables, senescence, energy status, energy deficiency, energy regulation