Abstract: This study intended to investigate the effect of low‑voltage electrostatic field (LVEF) combined with modified atmosphere packaging with film micro‑perforation on the postharvest quality of cherry tomatoes and to analyze its potential mechanism. The impacts of different packaging methods and LVEF treatment frequencies were examined on fruit quality, antioxidant capacity, and the activities and gene expression levels of related metabolic enzymes during storage. The results showed that the combination of micro-perforated packaging (MR) with continuous LVEF treatment (MR-LVEF) effectively delayed the decline in fruit firmness, total soluble solids (TSS) content, and titratable acidity, inhibited the increase in relative electrical conductivity, and maintained better visual quality. Meanwhile, the contents of reduced glutathione (GSH) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) as well as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity in the MR‑LVEF group peaked at 149.81 μg/g, 6.38 nmol/mL, and 78.95%, respectively, on day 12, which were significantly higher than those in the MR group. Furthermore, MR‑LVEF upregulated the expression of SlG6PDH and Sl6PGDH, two key genes in the pentose phosphate pathway, thereby enhancing the activities of glucose‑6‑phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6‑phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH). In conclusion, the combination of LVEF and micro‑perforated packaging enhances the antioxidant capacity of cherry tomatoes by activating the pentose phosphate pathway, thereby delaying senescence and maintaining storage quality. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the application of this technology in the preservation of fruits and vegetables.

Key words: low-voltage electrostatic field; micro?perforated film; cherry tomato; pentose phosphate pathway; antioxidant capacity