Transcriptome Analysis of the Preservation Effect of Three Essential Oil Microcapsules on Okra

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum sp.) essential oil microcapsules, oregano (Origanum sp.) essential oil microcapsules, and oregano–thyme (Thymus sp.) essential oil microcapsules are rarely used in the postharvest preservation treatment of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). The mechanism of these three essential oil microcapsules on the postharvest preservation of okra is also not yet well understood. In this study, fresh okra was preserved by three kinds of essential oil microcapsules (cinnamon essential oil microcapsules, oregano essential oil microcapsules, and oregano–thyme essential oil microcapsules). The effect of essential oil microcapsules on the postharvest storage quality of okra was discussed. We also used RNA-Seq to preliminarily explore the mechanism of oregano–thyme essential oil microcapsules on the pre-harvest storage quality of okra. The results showed that the three kinds of essential oil microcapsules could maintain the high sensory evaluation quality and firmness of okra, slow down the increase in respiratory intensity, slow down the total number of colonies on the fruit surface, and slow down weight loss. Through analysis, it was found that the effect of oregano–thyme essential oil microcapsules was remarkably better than that of cinnamon essential oil microcapsules and oregano essential oil microcapsules. The preservation mechanism of oregano–thyme essential oil microcapsules on postharvest okra was preliminarily elucidated by RNA-Seq. This study provides a certain basis for a follow-up study of essential oil microcapsules in the preservation of okra.