Hydrogen Sulfide Prolongs Postharvest Storage of Fresh-Cut Pears (Pyrus pyrifolia) by Alleviation of Oxidative Damage and Inhibition of Fungal Growth

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has proved to be a multifunctional signaling molecule in plants and animals. Here, we investigated the role of H₂S in the decay of fresh-cut pears (Pyrus pyrifolia). H₂S gas released by sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) prolonged the shelf life of fresh-cut pear slices in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, H₂S maintained higher levels of reducing sugar and soluble protein in pear slices. H₂S significantly reduced the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), superoxide radicals (•O₂ ⁻) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Further investigation showed that H₂S fumigation up-regulated the activities of antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), and guaiacol peroxidase (POD), while it down-regulated those of lipoxygenase (LOX), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Furthermore, H₂S fumigation effectively inhibited the growth of two fungal pathogens of pear, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium expansum, suggesting that H₂S can be developed as an effective fungicide for postharvest storage. The present study implies that H₂S is involved in prolonging postharvest storage of pears by acting as an antioxidant and fungicide.     

24-表油菜素内酯对茄子果实贮藏品质及抗氧化活性的影响

为了明确24-表油菜素内酯(EBR)对茄子果实贮藏品质及抗氧化活性的影响,以‘布利塔’茄子为试材,研究了茄子果实冷藏过程贮藏品质和抗氧化活性相关指标的变化。结果显示:(1)与对照相比,EBR处理显著降低了茄子的冷害指数,延缓了果实贮藏过程中呼吸强度的上升和果面硬度的下降,明显抑制了茄子花萼变色,促进了可溶性总糖的累积,但对可滴定酸含量无明显影响。(2)EBR处理还诱导了茄子果实3种抗氧化酶(SOD、CAT和APX)活性的增加,并降低了H2O2含量。研究表明,EBR处理提高了茄子的耐贮性和贮藏品质,这可能与其维持了茄子果实较高的抗氧化活性有关。     

Effects of salicylic acid on paraquat tolerance in<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis> plants

Foliar spraying ofArabidopsis thaliana (Columbia ecotype) plants with a 1.0-mM salicylic acid (SA) solution significantly improved their tolerance to subsequent paraquat (PQ)-induced oxidative damage. Leaf injuries, including losses of chlorophyll, protein, and fresh weight, were reduced. Our analysis of antioxidant enzymes in the leaves showed that SA pre-treatment effectively retarded rapid decreases in the activities of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase that are normally associated with PQ exposure. In addition, guaiacol peroxidase activity was remarkably increased. In a native gel assay of peroxidase (POD) isozymes, staining activity of the POD1 isozyme, which disappeared in plants exposed only to 10 μM PQ, was significantly recovered by the 1.0-mM SA pre-treatment POD2 isozyme activity was also pronounced in all SA-treated plants compared with the control. A 12-h SA pre-treatment, without subsequent PQ stress, also caused a small increase in the endogenous H₂O₂ content that accompanies the symptoms of mild leaf injuries. This enhanced level occurred in parallel with a slight SOD increase and a catalase decrease. From our results, it can be assumed that, due to the small increase in SOD as well as catalase inactivation via SA pre-treatment, a moderate increase in H₂O₂ levels may occur. In turn, a large induction of guaiacol peroxidase leads to enhanced PQ tolerance inA. thaliana plants.     

Hydrogen Sulfide Improves the Vase Life and Quality of Cut Roses and Chrysanthemums

Recent studies indicate that hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) plays various physiological roles in plants. However, whether H₂S participates in the postharvest senescence in cut flowers remains unknown. In this study, the regulatory roles of H₂S during the senescence of cut roses (Rosa hybrida L.) and chrysanthemums (Dendranthema morifolium Ramat.) were investigated. The results showed that compared with the control (distilled water), the 50 μM sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) treatment, a H₂S donor, extended the vase life of cut roses to 9.3 days and their flower diameter also showed an increment of 22.7% after 4 days treatment. Treatments with 30 μM NaHS significantly prolonged the vase life of cut chrysanthemums to 8.87 days and the flower diameter was 13.21% longer than the control on day 6. Additionally, results also indicated that a 30 or 50 μM NaHS treatment effectively decreased the rate of fresh weight changes and O²⁻ production and H₂O₂ content, increased the levels of soluble sugar, soluble protein, anthocyanin and carotenoid, and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase) of cut roses and chrysanthemums in comparison with the control, implying that H₂S might be involved in regulating the osmotic balance, antioxidant system and the degradation of nutrient and pigments. Altogether, H₂S at proper doses might play an important role in improving the longevity and quality of cut roses and chrysanthemums by maintaining water balance, reducing the degradation of pigments and nutrient and enhancing antioxidant capacity.

     

PRO-LONG涂膜对采后贮藏荔枝果实色泽和酶活性变化的影响

本文以荔枝品种“槐枝”为材料,以1．5％和2．5％Pro-long涂膜处理果实,研究Pro-long涂膜对果后贮于4℃的荔枝果皮色泽变化和有关酶活性的变化。对照和处理的HunterL值和b值均随贮藏时间的延长而降低,处理的比对照的下降慢。采后贮藏开始21d内,对照和处理的HuntCra值变化很小,保持相对稳定,之后的贮藏时间内有较显著的下降,说明贮藏初期果实的红色特性变化较少,之后变化很明显,这与果皮花色素苷、类黄酮、总酚的变化是相对应的。在贮藏后期,处理的HuntCra值下降明显较对照慢。Hunter值的变化与在贮藏过程中果实外观逐渐变成暗红和揭变以及在果实的来后根变中起着重要作用的多酚氧化酶和部分地涉及褐变过程的过氧化物酶的变化相对应。处理的过氧化物酶活性增加较对照慢,而且,与对照比较,多酚氧化酶的峰值稍稍延迟了。未发现l‘5％和2．5％处理间有明显差别。因此,Pro-long涂胶对荔枝的应用可以部分地降低多酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶,影响果皮花色素苷的降解、类黄酮和总酚的变化,延迟了褐变过程的发生。     

Enhanced chilling tolerance in Zoysia matrella by pre-treatment with salicylic acid, calcium chloride, hydrogen peroxide or 6-benzylaminopurine

Following leaf application of salicylic acid (SA), calcium chloride, hydrogen peroxide and 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), Manila grass (Zoysia matrella) plants were exposed to day/night temperature of 7/2 °C for 120 h in a growth chamber. The lower content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and H₂O₂ and higher activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) during exposure to low temperature in pre-treated plants in comparison with control plants demonstrated that these compounds improved the chilling tolerance of Manila grass.     

An Antifungal Role of Hydrogen Sulfide on the Postharvest Pathogens Aspergillus niger and Penicillium italicum

In this research, the antifungal role of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) on the postharvest pathogens Aspergillus niger and Penicillium italicum growing on fruits and under culture conditions on defined media was investigated. Our results show that H₂S, released by sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) effectively reduced the postharvest decay of fruits induced by A. niger and P. italicum. Furthermore, H₂S inhibited spore germination, germ tube elongation, mycelial growth, and produced abnormal mycelial contractions when the fungi were grown on defined media in Petri plates. Further studies showed that H₂S could cause an increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A. niger. In accordance with this observation we show that enzyme activities and the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) genes in A. niger treated with H₂S were lower than those in control. Moreover, H₂S also significantly inhibited the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Rhizopus oryzae, the human pathogen Candida albicans, and several food-borne bacteria. We also found that short time exposure of H₂S showed a microbicidal role rather than just inhibiting the growth of microbes. Taken together, this study suggests the potential value of H₂S in reducing postharvest loss and food spoilage caused by microbe propagation.     

The combined effect of 1‐methylcyclopropene and citral suppressed postharvest grey mould of tomato fruit by inhibiting the growth of Botrytis cinerea

1‐Methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP, 1 μl/L) and 1 × minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) citral alone and in combination were used to treat on postharvest tomato fruits to investigate their influence on disease incidence and postharvest quality during fruit storage, which were stored at 90%–95% relative humidity and 25 ± 2°C. Weight loss, pH, hue angle (Hue^°), total soluble solid (TSS), ascorbic acid content, firmness and antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated after each storage period. 1 μl/L 1‐MCP or 1 × MFC citral reduced weight loss, retarded peel colour changes and retained postharvest fruit quality. 1 μl/L 1‐MCP + 1 × MFC citral could better maintain firmness and ascorbic acid content and increase antioxidant enzyme activities, compared to other treatments. Disease incidence of tomato fruit was significantly decreased, and spore germination and mycelia growth of Botrytis cinerea were suppressed by the combined treatment with 1 μl/L 1‐MCP and 1 × MFC citral. These results indicate that the combined treatment could effectively delay postharvest tomato fruits senescence and inhibit postharvest pathogens in vitro.     

Examination of Antioxidative System’s Responses in the Different Phases of Drought Stress and During Recovery in Desert Plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Reaumuria soongorica</Emphasis> (Pall.) Maxim

The aim of this study was to test the protective roles of superoxide dismutases (SODs), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR) against oxidative damage and their activities in different phases of the dry down process in Reaumuria soongorica (Pall.) Maxim. leaves. Drought stress was imposed during 100 consecutive days and rewatering after 16, 72, and 100 days. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde, and SODs activities were elevated significantly with progressing drought stress. POD and CAT activities increased markedly in the early phase of drought and decreased significantly with further drought stress continuation, and POD activity was unable to recover after rewatering. Ascorbate, reduced glutathione, APX, and GR activities declined in the initial stages of drought process, elevated significantly with further increasing water deficit progression and recovered after rewatering. These results indicate that: (1) iron SODs-removing superoxide anion is very effective during the whole drought stress; (2) CAT scavenges H₂O₂ in the early phase of drought and enzymes of ascorbate–glutathione cycle scavenge H₂O₂ in further increasing drought stress; and (3) POD does not contribute to protect against oxidative damage caused by H₂O₂ under drought stress.     

Effects of exogenous spermidine on antioxidant system of tomato seedlings exposed to high temperature stress

The effects of foliar spraying with spermidine (Spd) on antioxidant system in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seedlings were investigated under high temperature stress. The high temperature stress significantly inhibited plant growth and reduced chlorophyll (Chl) content. Application of exogenous 1 mM Spd alleviated the inhibition of growth induced by the high temperature stress. Malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content and superoxide anion (O₂) generation rate were significantly increased by the high temperature stress, but Spd significantly reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MDA content under the stress. The high temperature stress significantly decreased glutathione (GSH) content and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), but increased contents of dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), ascorbic acid (AsA), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in tomato leaves. However, Spd significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, levels of antioxidants and endogenous polyamines in tomato leaves under the high temperature stress. In addition, to varying degrees, Spd regulated expression of MnSOD, POD, APX2, APX6, GR, MDHAR, DHAR1, and DHAR2 genes in tomato leaves exposed to the high temperature stress. These results suggest that Spd could change endogenous polyamine levels and alleviate the damage by oxidative stress enhancing the non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant system and the related gene expression.     

外源H_2S对NO_3~-胁迫下番茄幼苗生理生化特性的影响

采用营养液水培方法,通过外源施加H2S供体NaHS(100μmol/L),研究了信号分子H2S对100mmol/L NO3-胁迫下番茄幼苗生理生化特性的影响。结果表明:(1)NO3-胁迫下,随着处理时间的延长,番茄幼苗的株高、根长、鲜重和干重显著降低,叶绿素(a、b)含量、净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率均显著降低,而胞间CO2浓度以及丙二醛(MDA)、H2O2含量增加,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性显著降低,抗坏血酸(AsA)和还原性谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量显著降低。(2)与NO3-胁迫处理相比,外源NaHS处理1、3、5d后,番茄幼苗的株高、根长、鲜重和干重显著增加,叶绿素(a、b)含量、净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率均显著升高,而胞间CO2浓度显著降低;MDA和H2O2含量降低,SOD、POD、CAT和APX活性显著增强,AsA和GSH含量显著增加,而且幼苗的硝酸还原酶、谷氨酰胺合成酶、谷氨酸合酶的活性显著增强;L-半胱氨酸脱巯基酶活性和内源H2S含量增加。研究认为,外源H2S可能通过提高抗氧化物酶的活性和增加抗氧化物质含量来缓解NO3-对番茄幼苗造成的伤害,从而增强其对NO3-胁迫耐性。     

Biocontrol of Postharvest Grey Mould on Tomato by Yeasts

The fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea causes severe rots on tomato fruit during storage and shelf life. Biological control of postharvest diseases of fruit may be an effective alternative to chemical control. Yeasts are particularly suitable for postharvest use, proving to be highly effective in reducing the incidence of fungal pathogens. Yeast fungi isolated from the surface of solanaceous plants were evaluated for their activity in reducing the postharvest decay of tomato caused by B. cinerea. Of 300 isolates, 14 strains of Rhodotorula rubra and Candida pelliculosa were found to be strongly antagonistic to the pathogen in vitro and were selected for further storage experiment. The antagonists were evaluated for their effect on the biological control of postharvest grey mould. Artificially wounded fruits were treated by means of a novel technique: small sterile discs of filter paper imbibed separately in suspensions of each yeast and the pathogen were superposed onto each wound. After 1‐week, 11 isolates were significantly effective in reducing the diameter of lesions by more than 60% compared to the control treated with B. cinerea alone. Total protection was obtained with the strain 231 of R. rubra on fruits challenged with pathogen spores. To our knowledge, R. rubra and C. pelliculosa have not been described as biocontrol agents against grey mould caused by B. cinerea. Our data demonstrate that the application of antagonistic yeasts represents a promising and environmentally friendly alternative to fungicide treatments to control postharvest grey mould of tomato.     

Exogenous proline alleviates the effects of H2O2-induced oxidative stress in wild almond species

The effect of proline on the antioxidant system in the leaves of eight species of wild almond (Prunus spp.) exposed to H₂O₂-mediated oxidative stress was studied. The levels of endogenous proline (Pro) and hydrogen peroxide, and the activities of total superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) were measured. The degradation of chlorophyll but not carotenoids occurred in leaves in the solution of 5 mM H₂O₂. An increase in membrane lipid peroxidation was observed in H₂O₂ treatment, as assessed by MDA level and percentage of membrane electrolyte leakage (EL). Significant increases in total SOD and CAT activities, as well as decreases in APX and POD activities, were detected in H₂O₂-treated leaves. The three SOD isoforms showed different behavior, as Mn-SOD activity was enhanced by H₂O₂, whereas Fe-SOD and Cu/Zn-SOD activities were inhibited. In addition, Pro accumulation up to 0.1 ??mol/g fr wt, accompanied by significant decreases in ascorbate and glutathione levels, was observed in H₂O₂-treated leaves. After two different treatments with 10 mM Pro + 5 mM H₂O₂, total SOD and CAT activities were similar to the levels in control plants, while POD and APX activities were higher if compared to the leaves exposed only to H₂O₂. Pro + H₂O₂ treatments also caused a strong reduction in the cellular H₂O₂ and MDA contents and EL. The results showed that Pro could have a key role in protecting against oxidative stress injury of wild almond species by decreasing membrane oxidative damage.     

Antioxidant responses of pea genotypes to zinc deficiency

The effects of Zn deficiency on antioxidant responses of two pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes, a Zn-efficient IPFD-99-13 and Zn-inefficient KPMR-500, grown in sand culture were studied. In the pea genotype KPMR-500, Zn deficiency decreased dry matter yield, tissue Zn concentration, and antioxidant enzyme activities istronger than in the genotype IPFD-99-13. Genotype IPFD-99-13 developed more efficient antioxidant system to scavenge ROS than genotype KPMR-500. Zinc deficiency produced oxidative damage to pea genotypes due to enhanced accumulation of TBARS and H₂O₂ and decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes (Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)). In the leaves of IPFD-99-13 genotype, the higher activity of ROS-scavenging enzyme, e.g., SOD, CAT, POD, and glutathione reductase, and antioxidants, such as ascorbate and non-protein thiols, led to the lower accumulation of H₂O₂ and lipid peroxides. These results suggest that, by maintaining an efficient antioxidant defense system, the IPFD-99-13 genotype shows a lower sensivity to Zn deficiency than the KPMR-500 genotype.     

Effects of cytokinin on callus proliferation associated with physiological and biochemical changes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> L.

The essential role of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) in plant tissue culture has been widely known; however, physiological and biochemical mechanisms behind BA requirement have not been fully understood yet. BA may have an important role on callus growth by regulating antioxidant enzyme activities and acting as an effective free radical scavenger. To test this hypothesis, the impact of exogenous BA concentrations on antioxidative system in Vitis vinifera L. cv. ‘Bogazkere’ callus was investigated under in vitro conditions. Relative fresh weight growth (RFWG) of calli, total phenolics (TP) content, endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline concentrations, percentage of electrolyte leakage (EL), and some of the antioxidant enzyme activities; such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), and guaiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were measured. Inhibitory effect of high concentrations of BA on antioxidant enzyme activities and RFWG was found. In the presence of BA at 0.1 mg L⁻¹, SOD, POD, and APX activities decreased, while CAT activity increased in comparison with the controls. Exogenous BA treatments higher than 0.1 mg L⁻¹ resulted in an increase in cellular TP, H₂O₂, MDA, proline contents, and percentage of EL, while RFWG of calli decreased. Based on the findings, it may be concluded that only 0.1 mg L⁻¹ BA concentration combined with NAA could play a direct role in reducing the level of free radicals and phenolic production associated with proliferation capacity of grape cells under in vitro conditions. Furthermore, cytokinin was effective in the antioxidative enzyme system, lipid peroxidation, and electrolyte leakage.     

Influence of abiotic stresses on the antioxidant enzyme activity of cereals

The unfavourable effects of climate change were studied in terms of changes in the stress tolerance of cereals. Changes in the antioxidant enzyme activities were analysed as a function of the weather in a 2-year field experiment in order to determine the effect of extreme temperatures and rainfall conditions on the enzyme activity. The enzyme responses of two winter wheat genotypes to drought stress, simulated by withholding water completely for 7 days, were analysed under phytotronic conditions in three phenophases. The plants were raised either at ambient CO₂ concentration or at a doubled level. The quantities of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were determined from leaf samples. The peroxidases had the most intense activity during the winter and early spring periods, with guaiacol peroxidase being dominant until the end of the winter. CAT generally became more active in late spring and summer, the activity being correlated with the development of water deficiency. The activity of GR, GST, POD and CAT was found to increase during the dry period, while the role of GR and POD was extremely important for resistance to low temperature.     

Effect of pretreatment with hydrogen sulfide donor sodium hydrosulfide on heat tolerance in relation to antioxidant system in maize (Zea mays) seedlings

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a signal molecule that is involved in plant growth, development and the acquisition of stress tolerance including heat tolerance, but the mechanism of H₂S-induced heat tolerance is not completely clear. In present study, the effect of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a H₂S donor, treatment on heat tolerance of maize seedlings in relation to antioxidant system was investigated. The results showed that NaHS treatment improved survival percentage of maize seedlings under heat stress in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that H₂S treatment could improve heat tolerance of maize seedlings. To further study mechanism of NaHS-induced heat tolerance, catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities, and glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA) contents in maize seedlings were determined. The results showed that NaHS treatment increased the activities of CAT, GPX, SOD and GR, and GSH and AsA contents as well as the ratio of reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants [AsA/(AsA+DHA) and GSH/(GSH +GSSG)] in maize seedlings under normal culture conditions compared with the control. Under heat stress, antioxidant enzymes activities, antioxidants contents and the ratio of the reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants in control and treated seedlings all decreased, but NaHS-treated seedlings maintained higher antioxidant enzymes activities and antioxidants levels as well as the ratio of reduced antioxidants to total antioxidants. All of above-mentioned results suggested that NaHS treatment could improve heat tolerance of maize seedlings, and the acquisition of this heat tolerance may be relation to enhanced antioxidant system activity.