Quality attributes and cell wall properties of strawberries (Fragaria annanassa Duch.) under calcium chloride treatment

► Strawberry firmness was not significantly affected by CaCl2 treatment. ► Strawberry softening due to modifications of pectin chains. ► CaCl2 treatment slowed the breakdown of pectin chains from nanoscale analysis. ► A schematic model of strawberry pectin degradation during storage was proposed.