Aconitase activity and expression during the development of lemon fruit

Citrus fruits are characterized by the accumulation of high levels of citric acid in the juice sac cells and a decline in acid level toward maturation. It has been suggested that changes in mitochondrial aconitase (EC 4.2.1.3) activity affect fruit acidity. Recently, a cytosolic aconitase (cyt-Aco) homologous to mammalian iron-regulated proteins was identified in plants, leading us to re-evaluate the role of aconitase in acid accumulation. Aconitase activity was studied in 2 contrasting citrus varieties, sweet lime ( Citrus limettioides Tan., low acid) and sour lemon ( Citrus limon var. Eureka, high acid). Two aconitase isozymes were detected. One declined early in sour lemon fruit development, but was constant throughout sweet lime fruit development. Its reduction in sour lemon was associated with a decrease in aconitase activity in the mitochondrial fraction. Another isozyme was detected in sour lemon toward maturation, and was associated with an increase in aconitase activity in the soluble fraction, suggesting a cytosolic localization. The cyt-Aco was cloned from lemon juice sac cells, but in contrast to the changes in isozyme activity, its expression was constant during fruit development. We present a model, which suggests that reduction of the mitochondrial aconitase activity plays a role in acid accumulation, while an increase in the cyt-Aco activity reduces acid level toward fruit maturation.     

Contents of Sugars, Fruit Acids, Amino Acids and Phenolic Compounds of Apple Fruits i n Relation to their Susceptibility to Botryosphaeria ribis

Five apple cultivars showing different levels of susceptibility to Botryosphaeria ribis were used to study the relationship between susceptibility and contents of sugars, fruit acids, amino acids and phenolic compounds in the fruits at various stages of maturity. Immature fruits of all the cultivars tested were completely resistant until 10 July. The fungus grew better on the yellow-coloured cultivars than the red-coloured cultivars. The low amount of reducing sugars and also the high levels of fruit acids, amino acids and total phenols were found in immature apple fruits, irrespective of cultivar. No consistent differences between the cultivars were recognized with regard to the contents of soluble sugars, fruit acids and phenols in fruit flesh during the maturity of fruits. However, only the levels of total soluble amino acids in fruit flesh and of total phenols in fruit peel at late stage of maturity consistently varied between the cultivars. The dark red-coloured, resistant cultivars Miller spur and Starkrimson showed higher contents of amino acids and phenols in fruit tissues than did the yellow-coloured, susceptible cultivars.     

欧李果实发育期糖和酸组分及其含量的动态变化特性

以农大3号、农大4号、农大5号3个欧李品种为材料,测定果实发育过程中各组分糖、酸及总糖、总酸的含量,以明确欧李果实糖酸积累的动态变化特性.结果显示:(1)3个欧李品种果实成熟期糖含量、酸含量及糖酸比存在明显差异,其中农大3号品种的总糖含量最高,总酸含量最低,糖酸比值最高.(2)成熟期3品种各糖组分中均以果糖含量较高,葡萄糖和蔗糖含量较低,山梨醇含量微量;酸组分中均以苹果酸为主,柠檬酸少量.(3)3个品种果糖、蔗糖、葡萄糖、山梨醇含量在整个果实发育期均呈持续增加态势,并以果糖积累为主;农大3号果糖含量在8周后增幅明显高于另2个品种,且一直保持到果实成熟;3个品种蔗糖含量的变化趋势相近,在前期和中期增加缓慢,接近成熟的2～3周则迅速增加并占整个发育期积累量的70%以上.(4)3个品种酸含量的变化趋势较为相似,苹果酸和柠檬酸在果实发育的前期和中期含量均较低,在果实发育后期迅速增加,但接近果实成熟时又大幅下降.研究表明,果糖与苹果酸的含量及其动态变化是影响欧李果实糖酸比、决定果实风味的主要因素.     

八个贵州地方桃品种果实甜酸风味品质分析

为了评价贵州地方桃品种果实的甜酸风味品质,以主栽桃品种‘燕红’作对照,采用高效液相色谱法测定了贵州8个地方桃品种的果肉糖酸组分及含量。结果表明:(1)8个地方桃品种果肉中糖主要由蔗糖、葡萄糖、果糖和山梨醇组成,其中蔗糖的平均含量最高(55.62 mg/g),约占总糖的71.30%,但变异系数仅为17.92%;8个地方桃品种中,‘米桃’的葡萄糖与果糖含量差异较大,其果糖/葡萄糖的比值为1.21,而其它7个品种的葡萄糖与果糖含量相近。(2)8个地方桃品种果肉中有机酸主要由苹果酸、柠檬酸、奎宁酸和莽草酸组成,其中苹果酸含量最高,约占总酸的60.61%,但在‘白花桃’果实中有机酸含量以奎宁酸为主。(3)对8个地方桃品种果实的糖酸组分进行主成分分析发现,苹果酸含量和山梨醇含量的载荷系数分别为0.910和0.897,说明它们是影响果实甜酸风味的主导因素,且对改善果实的甜酸风味品质具有重要作用。8个贵州地方桃果实的甜酸风味分别为:‘黄腊桃’为甜,‘血桃’、‘青桃’、‘镇远桃’、‘红枫桃’为酸甜,‘白花桃’、‘西桃’和‘米桃’为酸。     

脐橙果实贮藏过程中主要有机物质含量的变化

对朋那脐橙、纽荷尔脐橙和红肉脐橙果实采后室温贮藏过程中主要有机物质含量进行分析,结果表明,贮藏期间,果实可溶性固形物含量10d前略有上升,10d后的变化各品种间有差异;可滴定酸含量显著下降;固酸比显著上升;维生素C含量变化趋势因品种而异;可溶性蛋白质含量在贮藏过程中呈上升趋势。上述各指标在贮藏各时期不同品种间有明显差异。     

Mapping QTLs controlling fruit quality in peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch)

 The organoleptic quality of fleshy fruits is in a large part defined by their composition of soluble sugars and organic acids. An F₂ population issuing from a cross between two peach varieties, ‘Ferjalou Jalousia’, a non-acid peach, and ‘Fantasia’, an acid nectarine, was analysed over 2 successive years for agronomic characters and for molecular-marker (isoenzymes, RFLPs, RAPDs, IMAs and AFLPs) segregations. Blooming and maturity dates, as well as productivity, were noted for each tree. Four fruits per tree were analysed at maturity for fresh weight, colour, pH, titratable acidity, soluble-solids content (SSC), acid (malic, citric and quinic acids) and sugar (sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol) contents. QTLs were detected for all fruit components analysed, except for fruit colour. The QTLs for nearly all components were present on two linkage groups. For productivity, fresh weight, pH, quinic acid, sucrose and sorbitol content, all the detected QTLs displayed the same effect as the parental phenotypes. By contrast, for maturity date, titratable acidity, malic and citric acids and fructose, some QTLs displayed the same effect as the parental phenotypes while others displayed the opposite effect. The fraction of the total variation in each trait throughout the population explained by the QTLs was very high and reached more than 90% for some characters. For most of the characters analysed, epistasis was observed between QTLs. Received: 10 October 1997 / Accepted: 18 August 1998     

中华猕猴桃品种'Hort16A'的果实发育特征

To explore the fruit development characteristics of Actinidia chinensis'Hort16A' , fruit shape indexes during 2-154 d after anthesis, contents of soluble sugar and titratable acid in fruit during 30-154 d after anthesis, and contents of organic acid components in fruit during 44-147 d after anthesis were analyzed. The results show that fruit of 'Hort16A' grows rapidly during 30-44 and 58-72 d after anthesis. Content of soluble solid in fruit during 100-140 d after anthesis is slightly higher than that during 2-93 d after anthesis, and increases rapidly during 147-154 d after anthesis. Fruit firmness decreases rapidly during 147-154 d after anthesis. In general, during 30-154 d after anthesis, content of soluble sugar in fruit increases gradually, while content of titratable acid decreases firstly, then increases, and decreases again. In the fruit, tartaric acid is not detected, content of quininic acid is the highest, contents of malic acid and citric acid are higher, and contents of succinic acid and fumaric acid are very low. Total content of organic acids increases firstly and then decreases, and reaches the highest value at 140 d after anthesis. It is suggested that in order to improve fruit quality of'Hort16A' , its cultivation and management plans will be set up based on fruit development characteristics.     

Cowpea Root Rot Severity and Metabolic Changes in Relation to Manganese Application

Severity of root rot (Rhizoctonia solani and Rhizoctonia bataticola) of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) was reduced by 42.7 and 42.0%, respectively over control following the application of 10 μg/g Mn as manganese sulphate. Reduction in disease incidence was associated with increased levels of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (PO) and total phenols. PO activity was several times more as compared with PPO‐specific activity and increased markedly after infection either with R. solani or R. bataticola. Contrary to PPO and PO, the specific activity of catalase declined sharply. Infection also caused an increase in the content of reducing sugars, Cu, Zn and Mn but a decrease in o‐dihydric phenols, flavanols, total soluble sugars, non‐reducing sugars and Fe contents. It is suggested that Mn at the rate of 10 μg/g soil can be used to manage the root rot of cowpea.     

杨梅果实发育进程中的碳水化合物代谢

以‘乌紫’和‘荸荠’两个杨梅品种为试材,测定了干鲜重、糖含量、可滴定酸含量、蔗糖和己糖代谢相关酶活性的动态变化。结果表明,杨梅果实的干鲜重、含糖量的快速增长和可滴定酸含量的快速下降均发生在果实发育后期。成熟‘乌紫’杨梅果实的蔗糖含量约占总糖的2／3以上,而‘荸荠’杨梅仅为总糖的49％。‘荸荠’杨梅的转化酶和蔗糖合酶分解活性随着果实发育呈上升趋势,‘乌紫’杨梅的则变化不大。两个品种的蔗糖磷酸合酶活性随着果实发育呈上升趋势,但蔗糖合酶合成活性到果实发育中期后下降。两个品种的己糖激酶活性变化相似,但果糖激酶活性的变化趋势不同。     

Differential Expression of Organic Acid Degradation-Related Genes During Fruit Development of Navel Oranges (Citrus sinensis) in Two Habitats

Organic acids as well as soluble sugars contribute highly to flavor and overall quality of citrus fruit. Citric acid level in fruit is influenced by several factors including environmental conditions. In this study, it was observed that different environments in two habitats (Ganzhou, Jiangxi; Songyang, Zhejiang) had minor effects on total soluble solids and citrus color index but had significant effects on organic acids levels, particularly on citric acid level, in fruit of “Newhall” and “SkaggsBonanza” navel oranges (Citrus sinensis). Expression of genes involved in citric acid biosynthesis and degradation (CitCS1, CitCS2, CitAco1, CitAco2, CitAco3, CitIDH1, CitIDH2, CitIDH3, CitGAD4, CitGAD5, and CitGS2) was analyzed in fruit grown in each of the two habitats. Citric acid biosynthesis-related citrate synthase genes were steadily expressed during navel orange fruit development, while degradation-related genes were differentially expressed. These findings suggested that the influence of different environments on fruit quality traits was predominant on the regulation of organic acids level, particularly on the degradation of citric acid. A cascade of CitAco3–CitIDH1–CitGS2 might be involved in citric acid degradation in response to different environments during fruit growth and development.     

谷氨酸和TDZ对荔枝果皮着色及果实品质的影响

为提前或延迟果实的成熟,改善果实品质,以荔枝(Litchi chinensis Sonn.)早熟品种‘三月红’和‘水东’为试验材料,在盛花后50 d用谷氨酸(Glu)和TDZ(Thidiazuron)进行处理,研究Glu和TDZ对果皮着色和果实品质的影响。结果表明,Glu能促进果皮转红,500~1500 mg L-1范围内随浓度增加果皮红色面积加大,果皮的花青苷含量增加。1500 mg L-1Glu处理的‘三月红’‘、水东’果皮花青苷含量分别达到8.62 U g-1、11.53 U g-1,分别比对照高出1.33、1.25倍。同时,Glu处理能促进‘三月红’总糖的积累,但对两品种果实大小和质量的影响不大。TDZ显著迟滞果实着色,果实转红延后,果皮花青苷含量降低。5.0 mg L-1TDZ处理的‘三月红’‘、水东’果皮花青苷仅为1.23和3.4 U g-1,显著低于对照。TDZ处理两品种果实的可溶性固形物、总糖含量均下降,但果实大小和质量均增加。因此,Glu能促进荔枝果实转色成熟,TDZ则抑制果实转色。     

采后处理对菠萝营养成分的影响

贮藏期间,杀菌剂处理可以推迟采后菠萝可溶性糖含量的减少,而对可滴定酸含量没有明显的影响。采后贮前加热４０℃２４ｈ处理的菠萝,其可溶性糖、可滴定酸等营养成分的变化与对照果实没有明显差异。与对照果实相比较,ＧＡ３处理果实除可溶性糖含量下降明显减少之外,可滴定酸和抗坏血酸含量显著增加。     

Distribution ofGeotrichum candidum citrus race in citrus groves and non-citrus fields in Japan

The presence ofGeotrichum candidum citrus race, the citrus sour rot pathogen, was examined in soils of citrus groves and non-citrus fields of Japan. Soil samples were collected from 223 sites (118 sites in citrus groves, and 105 sites in fields cultivated with 33 species of non-citrus plants and in evergreen broad-leaved forest) in 11 main citrus-growing prefectures, and Hokkaido, a non-citrus-growing area. Of 236 soil samples from citrus groves, 95.76% containedG. candidum citrus race and 0.42% contained the non-citrus race; while of 210 samples from non-citrus fields, 62.85% and 4.76% contained the citrus race and the non-citrus race respectively. All of the citrus race isolates obtained either from citrus groves or non-citrus fields were pathogenic on lemon (Citrus limon) and satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu), but some of these isolates failed to infect orange (Citrus sinensis). The non-citrus races were pathogenic on ripe tomato fruit (Lycopersicon esculentum) and ripe muskmelon fruit (Cucumis melo var.reticulatus). Results indicated that citrus sour rot pathogen is widely distributed in citrus groves and non-citrus fields of diverse plant species in Japan.     

Frost De-acclimation of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and Meadow Fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.). Relationship between Soluble Carbohydrate Content and Resistance to Frost and the Fungal PathogenBipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoem.

Plants of barley (Hordeum vulgare) and meadow fescue (Festucapratensis), two species differing in their susceptibility tothe fungal pathogen Bipolaris sorokiniana, were cold-acclimated.Changes in frost resistance, susceptibility to B. sorokiniana,osmotic potential, water content, and composition of low molecularweight sugars were studied in leaves over a period of 14 d duringsubsequent de-acclimation. Cold acclimation promoted resistanceto frost and the fungal pathogen in both species. Plants subjectedto de-acclimation lost their ability to withstand frost afterabout 24 h, but retained enhanced levels of resistance to thepathogen. This effect lasted longer in the less pathogen-resistantbarley than in meadow fescue. Changes in osmotic potential observedafter cold-acclimation and during dehardening were correlatedwith changes in frost resistance, but not with changes in susceptibilityto the pathogen. The same applied to changes in the low molecularweight sugar content in leaves of meadow fescue. In barley,cold-acclimation induced alterations in osmotic potential andthe subsequent increase in frost resistance was not correlatedwith variation in soluble carbohydrate contents. The resultsindicate that cold-acclimation induced changes in leaf waterpotential and that soluble sugar content is not involved directlyin the increased resistance to the pathogen which was observedafter cold acclimation. Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company Cold acclimation, de-acclimation, frost resistance, fungal pathogens, osmotic potential, prehardening, sugars     

Characterization of Sugar and Polyphenolic Diversity in Floral Nectar of Different ‘Oblačinska’ Sour Cherry Clones

‘Obla?inska’ sour cherry, an autochthonous cultivar, is the most planted cultivar in Serbian orchards. Since fruit trees in temperate zone reward insects by producing nectar which ‘quality’ affects the efficiency of insect pollination, the aim of this study was analyzing of sugars and polyphenolics in floral nectar of 16 ‘Obla?inska’ sour cherry clones with different yielding potential. The contents of sugars and sugar alcohols were analyzed by ion chromatography, while polyphenolic profile was established using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry technique. Fourteen sugars and six sugar alcohols were detected in nectar samples and the most abundant were fructose, glucose, and sucrose. Eleven polyphenols were quantified using available standards, while another 17 were identified according to their exact masses and characteristic fragmentations. Among quantified polyphenols, rutin, naringenin, and chrysin were the most abundant in nectar. Principal component analysis showed that some polyphenol components (naringin, naringenin, and rutin) together with sugars had high impact of spatial distribution of nectar samples on score plot.     

The Changes of Pigments,Phenolics Contents and Activities of Polyphenol Oxidase and Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase in Pericarp of Postharvest Litchi Fruit

A common litchi cultivar “Huaizhi” was used for the experiment to understand the changes of pigment, phenolics content and activities of two enzymes involing in phenolics metabolism in pericarp during storage at room temperature and relative humidity of 73–79%. The maturation of "Huaizhi" fruit was 80% when harvested. The contents of carotenoid, anthocynin and activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenol oxidase were increased, and the content of total phenolics was kept at its initial level in the first 2 days of storage. It indicated that the active synthesis of pigments and phenolics still continued with the progressive ripening. A decline of above parameters and content of flavonoid ware observed during the senescence of fruit. The relative contents of anthocynin, flavonoid, phenolics and activity of phenylalanine ammonialyase were 90%, 59%,71% and 46% in the day of 7 compared with that when harvested, respectively. Less change of anthocynin content was found in browning pericarp. The relation between phenolics, anthocynin and activities of two enzymes during repining and senescence of litchi fruit was discussed.     

Influence of Scion/Rootstock reciprocal effects on post-harvest and metabolomics regulation in stored peaches

Peach is an important stone fruit crop cultivated at commercial scale in Pakistan. While, appropriate selection of rootstock has significant impact on the quality of peach fruit. Therefore, in the current study the influence of three rootstocks viz. ‘GF-677′, ‘Peshawar Local’ and ‘Swat Local’ were evaluated on the quality of ‘Flordaking’ peaches following cold storage during two consecutive years. The fruit from these rootstocks were kept at 0 °C for five weeks were studied for various fruit physical (weight loss, colour, firmness) and biochemical (pH, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), SSC:TA ratio, fruit juice pH, sugars (total, reducing and non-reducing sugars), ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and free radicals scavenging activities) were evaluated. During both years, fruit harvested form trees grafted on ‘GF-677′ exhibited reduced fruit weight loss, changes in Chroma (C*) and highest fruit firmness, Lightness (L*), ascorbic acid contents and radical scavenging activities as compared to fruit harvested from tree grafted on other rootstocks. In conclusion, the post-harvest quality of scion ‘Flordaking’ peach fruit was significantly influenced and best quality can be obtained when it is grafted on ‘GF-677′ rootstock.     

平衡施肥对荒漠区黄冠梨生长与品质的影响

对荒漠地区丰产期黄冠梨树生长发育特性、果实和叶片矿质元素含量进行分析,探讨平衡施肥对梨果生长和品质的影响,可为梨园确定合理的施肥水平提供理论依据.选取同一园区12年生黄冠梨为试验材料,设置低氮磷高硫(T₁)、中氮磷中硫(T₂)、高氮磷低硫(T₃)3个处理,以常规施肥为对照(CK).结果表明:不同处理对当年生枝和叶片的生长发育影响不大,但在连续施肥第2年后,T₁促进了当年生枝条的生长,枝条长度和粗度比对照分别提高了16.2%和11.4%.连续施肥2年后可以不同程度提高叶片中矿质元素的含量,其中T₁处理叶片Cu、Fe和Zn含量最高,T₂处理Mg和B含量最高,T₃处理P和Mn含量最高.与对照相比,不同施肥处理对果实产量影响均不明显,但对果实品质有较大影响,处理2年后T₂的可溶性糖和维生素C(Vc)含量均显著增加,分别比对照高出4.2%和7.1%,T₃处理有机酸含量最高,而T₁处理的可溶性固形物、可溶性糖和Vc含量均低于对照.果实中Fe含量与可溶性糖含量、果形指数呈显著正相关,分别与单果质量、有机酸和Vc含量呈显著负相关;P含量与果形指数、果实硬度呈显著正相关,与可溶性糖、有机酸和Vc含量呈显著负相关.综上,T₂处理在保证稳产、丰产的前提下,又起到了改善果实品质的作用,可作为荒漠区黄冠梨生产中适宜的施肥措施.     

Effectiveness of preharvest application of submicron chitosan dispersions for controlling Alternaria rot in postharvest jujube fruit

The efficacy of submicron chitosan dispersions (SCD) on Alternaria alternata rot of the ‘Lingwu changzao’ jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill. cv. Lingwu changzao) fruit and possible mechanisms involved were investigated in this study. When jujube fruit at the preharvest stage were sprayed twice with SCD (10 mg/ml) water solution and then natural infections were allowed to develop, there was a significant reduction in disease incidence and lesion index compared to control fruit during storage period, and similar results were obtained from postharvest fruit inoculated with the Alternaria rot pathogen. Scanning electron microscopy of the pathogen revealed that hyphae and spores were damaged and deformed when growing on the surface of fruit pretreated with SCD or CHO. The slowed softening of jujube fruit resulted from the protopectin content increasing compared with the control. Furthermore, SCD sprays inhibited cell wall hydrolysing enzymes, pectinase activity was decreased, and the increase in cellulase activity was postponed (from 30 days to 45 days).It was concluded that preharvest application of SCD was a more effective alternative to conventional chitosan for preventing postharvest from Alternaria rot of ‘Lingwu changzao’ jujube fruit.     

Influence of arbuscular mycorrhiza on organic solutes in maize leaves under salt stress

A pot experiment was conducted to examine the effect of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Glomus mosseae, on plant biomass and organic solute accumulation in maize leaves. Maize plants were grown in sand and soil mixture with three NaCl levels (0, 0.5, and 1.0 g kg⁻¹ dry substrate) for 55 days, after 15 days of establishment under non-saline conditions. At all salinity levels, mycorrhizal plants had higher biomass and higher accumulation of organic solutes in leaves, which were dominated by soluble sugars, reducing sugars, soluble protein, and organic acids in both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. The relative abundance of free amino acids and proline in total organic solutes was lower in mycorrhizal than in non-mycorrhizal plants, while that of reducing sugars was higher. In addition, the AM symbiosis raised the concentrations of soluble sugars, reducing sugars, soluble protein, total organic acids, oxalic acid, fumaric acid, acetic acid, malic acid, and citric acid and decreased the concentrations of total free amino acids, proline, formic acid, and succinic acid in maize leaves. In mycorrhizal plants, the dominant organic acid was oxalic acid, while in non-mycorrhizal plants, the dominant organic acid was succinic acid. All the results presented here indicate that the accumulation of organic solutes in leaves is a specific physiological response of maize plants to the AM symbiosis, which could mitigate the negative impact of soil salinity on plant productivity.