High hydrostatic pressure as a novel strategy for the simultaneous preservation and enhancement of phenylethanol glycosides in fresh-cut Cistanche deserticola

This study introduces high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) as an innovative non-thermal technique to simultaneously enhance preservation and extract phenylethanol glycosides, the primary bioactive compounds in fresh-cut Cistanche deserticola. Treatments ranging from 100 to 300 MPa significantly prolonged microbial shelf-life, improved tissue integrity, and increased phenylethanol glycoside yields by up to 34.17%, with optimal accumulation occurring between 9 and 12 d of storage. Microstructural analysis indicated that HHP induced controlled permeability of cell walls, facilitating the release of bioactive compounds without compromising cellular viability. Additionally, HHP stimulated crucial physiological responses such as the activation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and enhanced energy metabolism, thereby promoting the biosynthesis and accumulation of the target glycosides. These results illustrate that moderate HHP treatment effectively balances microbial safety, structural quality, and bioactive enhancement, providing a sustainable bioprocessing approach to enhance the value of medicinal plant-based products.