Re-Visiting Calcium Concentration and Distribution in Apple Fruit (Malus domestica Borkh.)

Distribution of calcium in the apple has been quantified using mineral analyses of fruit sections during the mid-1900s by various researchers. Most of the work was done either at harvest, or after storage. We used Proton-induced X-ray spectrometry (PIXE) and Scanning Electron Microscopy to correlate Ca distribution in apples to results obtained from mineral analyses (MA). For fruit at harvest transverse distribution of Ca in ‘Braeburn’ apples determined by PIXE confirmed similar analyses with MA. It was not possible to establish a significant relationship between the total Ca concentration determined by PIXE and soluble Ca concentration from MA in this paper, either at harvest, or 80 days after full bloom (dafb). A significant correlation was found between PIXE and SEM results 80 dafb.     

Postharvest variation in apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) Flavonoids following harvest, storage, and 1-MCP treatment

The impact of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the synthesis and retention of flavonoid compounds during storage and ripening of red Delicious (Malus x domestica Borkh.) apples was investigated. Numerous anthocyanins, flavonols, flavan-3-ols, and a hydroxycinnamic acid from three different fruit harvest maturities were monitored after a 120 day storage and 1 week shelf life period using high-performance liquid chromatography/diode array detector analysis. The total flavonoid concentration was 5% greater in fruit treated with 1-MCP, whereas chlorogenic acid levels were 24% lower. All compounds analyzed increased in concentration during fruit harvest; however, the anthocyanins generally declined after storage, while chlorogenic acid levels increased. 1-MCP treatment resulted in the retention of anthocyanins in the latter stages of storage but did not affect the flavonols and flavan-3-ols. Chlorogenic acid biosynthesis from early and optimal fruit harvest maturities was greatly inhibited by 1-MCP during storage and the 1 week shelf life period. However, 1-MCP did not affect chlorogenic acid concentrations in late-harvested fruit. Results suggest that 1-MCP may inhibit the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and subsequent biosynthesis of flavonoid compounds. However, because very little postharvest biosynthesis of flavonoids occurs in apples, 1-MCP treatment may be useful for maintaining some of the intrinsic flavonoid levels of red Delicious apples, if applied at the proper harvest maturity.     

Developmental and varietal differences in volatile ester formation and acetyl-CoA: alcohol acetyl transferase activities in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) fruit

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) cultivars differ in their aroma and composition of volatile acetates in their fruit flesh and peel. Cv. Fuji flesh contains substantial levels of 2-methyl butyl acetate (fruity banana-like odor), while the flesh of cv. Granny Smith apples lacks this compound. Granny Smith apples accumulate mainly hexyl acetate (apple-pear odor) in their peel. Feeding experiments indicated that Fuji apples were able to convert hexanol and 2-methyl butanol to their respective acetate derivatives in vivo, while Granny Smith apples could only convert exogenous hexanol to hexyl acetate. Differential substrate specificities of the in vitro acetyl-CoA:alcohol acetyl transferase (AAT) activities were also detected among cultivars. In Granny Smith apples, the AAT activity was detected only in the peel, and its specificity was almost exclusively restricted to hexanol and cis-3-hexenol. In Fuji apples, the AAT activity was detected in both peel and flesh and apparently accepted a broader range of alcohols as substrates than the Granny Smith enzyme activity. Our data strongly suggest that different AAT activities are operational in apple tissues and cultivars and that these differences contribute to the variation observed in the accumulation of volatile acetates.     

苹果离体叶片培养直接体细胞胚胎发生的形态学研究

研究了苹果离体叶片直接体细胞胚胎发生体系和外植体直接体细胞胚胎发生过程中的形态学特征。结果显示 ,苹果直接体细胞胚胎发生过程经历原胚、球形胚、心形胚、子叶形胚、成熟胚等阶段 ;子叶形胚以前的阶段没有观察到形态学多样性 ,发育至子叶形胚期的直接体细胞胚胎表现出形态学多样性 ,分别观察到一子叶胚、两子叶胚、三子叶胚、杯状胚、多子叶胚、畸形胚等 ,这些类型的胚最终都能发育成正常的成熟胚进而发育成小植株。     

Investigations of aroma volatile biosynthesis under anoxic conditions and in different tissues of "Redchief Delicious" apple fruit (Malus domestica Borkh.)

Disks from different tissues were obtained from "Redchief Delicious" apple fruit (Malus domestica Borkh.) and analyzed for the ability to metabolize 1-pentanol as well as synthesize constitutive esters and alcohols under anoxic and aerobic conditions. The skin tissue displayed a greater capacity to synthesize pentanal, pentyl acetate, pentyl propionate, pentyl butyrate, and pentyl hexanoate than the hypanthial and carpellary tissues during incubation with 1-pentanol. With the exception of pentyl acetate and pentyl propionate biosynthesis, the hypanthial tissue synthesized these compounds at a higher rate than the carpellary tissue. Anoxia inhibited both constituent and 1-pentanol-derived ester biosynthesis. While anoxia inhibited ester biosynthesis, ethanol biosynthesis increased at a greater rate in tissue disks held under these conditions. Biosynthesis of 1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, and 1-hexanol was greater in tissue disks held in air during the first part of the measurement period and dropped off more rapidly than those transpiring in tissue disks held under anoxic conditions. The biosynthetic rates of all esters, both constituent and 1-pentanol-derived, increased as a result of air exposure. While hypoxic or anoxic conditions may promote ethanol synthesis, these conditions also appear to inhibit the formation of the ethanol-derived esters partially responsible for the off-flavor in apples attributed to ultralow O(2) controlled atmosphere storage.     

Evaluation of the discriminance capacity of RAPD, isoenzymes and morphologic markers in apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) and the congruence among classifications

Twenty-one apple accessions were characterised and classified taxonomically with randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The results were compared with morphological and isoenzymatic classifications of the same material by calculating the congruence between similarity matrices. The results confirmed the greater discrimination capacity of RAPD compared with isoenzymes, although the taxonomic clusters obtained with both types of markers were congruent. The genetic relationships calculated using RAPD and isoenzymes showed little congruence with the morphological relationships among accessions. Isoenzymatic markers are useful in germplasm banks to evaluate the diversity of newly introduced accessions. The use of RAPD markers are especially beneficial to discriminate between material that is genetically similar, to evaluate genetic variability within a collection and to choose the components of the core collection.     

On-line HPLC-DPPH screening method for evaluation of radical scavenging phenols extracted from apples (Malus domestica L.)

An on-line HPLC-DPPH screening method for phenolic antioxidants in apple methanol/water (80:20, v/v) extracts was applied. The determination of antioxidants was based on a decrease in absorbance at 515 nm after postcolumn reaction of HPLC-separated antioxidants with the 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH*). Each of the antioxidants separated by the HPLC column was observed as a negative peak corresponding to its antioxidative activity. The on-line method was applied for quantitative analysis of the antioxidants. A linear dependence of negative peak area on concentration of the reference antioxidants was observed. For validation of the on-line method the limit of detection, LOD (microg/mL), and the limit of quantification, LOQ (microg/mL), of the phenolic compounds were determined. Comparison of the UV and DPPH radical quenching chromatograms with authentic compounds identified catechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, epicatechin, and phloridzin in the apple cultivars (Lobo, Golden Delicious, and Boskoop), and the distribution of total antioxidant activity was calculated.     

Fast apple (Malus x domestica) and tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum) leaf polyphenol oxidase activity assay for screening transgenic plants

A spectrophotometric assay method for the analysis of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), in apple and tobacco leaves, has been optimized to increase efficiency in the screening of large numbers of transgenic plants. Crude protein extracts from leaf punches were prepared in a FastPrep homogenizer. The addition of Triton X-100 during extraction resulted in 44 and 74% increases in the PPO activity recovered, from apple and tobacco, respectively. The enzyme kinetics differed markedly between apple and tobacco. Apple leaf PPO was isolated in a latent state and was activated by the addition of SDS. In contrast, tobacco PPO activity was inhibited by SDS, particularly at acidic pH. Apple PPO showed a pronounced pH optimum around pH 6, whereas the pH profile for tobacco PPO was much flatter, with a broad optimum around pH 4. The calculated Km' value for apple PPO, using 4-methylcatechol as substrate, was 8.1, and for tobacco the Km was 4.3. The PPO reaction was strongly inhibited by tropolone, a Cu competitor, and restored by the addition of Cu2+. Several factors affecting variability in leaf PPO activity levels in plants are discussed.     

Flowering phenology and the interrelations between phenological stages in apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.) as influenced by the Nordic climate

In order to assess to what degree the ongoing global warming has affected flowering time of apple trees in the Nordic climate, we studied flowering phenology of trees in an orchard in Southern Norway. Correlation analysis of a 70-year (1946–2016) data series for flowering time of the cultivar ‘Gravenstein’ revealed a close relationship of the flowering phenophase with April–May heat accumulation (r?=??0.98). Over the last 50-year period, flowering was advanced by 16 days in response to the temperature rises. Similarly, on average for 12 cultivars of varying earliness, flowering was advanced by 9 days over the latest 30-year period (1986–2016). Furthermore, the interrelationship between various phenological stages and floral morphogenesis of the same cultivars in the years 2013 and 2014 was studied, and related to flower-bud formation. The different stages of floral morphogenesis were identified, presented and used as a basis for assessment of flower-bud development in serial dissections. Floral initiation in spurs of actively growing trees took place in late July, approx. 8 weeks after full bloom, whereas in extension shoots, initiation took place after growth cessation in August, approximately 2 weeks later. Decreasing temperatures in mid-August coincided with the cessation of growth and floral initiation in extension shoots, suggesting that the processes may be causally related. The results show that, in the Nordic climate, the period between blooming and initiation of new floral primordia is considerably shorter than in warmer climates, suggesting that the period is only marginally long for completion of shoot growth, and hence, timely floral initiation. This may be an important reason for the irregular flowering and frequent incidences of alternate bearing in apple trees in the cool Nordic climate. The presented information can be useful for determination of the correct timing of flower and fruit thinning to counterbalance biennial bearing.     

Heavy metals mobility,sources, and risk assessment in soils and uptake by apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) leaves in urban apple orchards

The aim of the study was determine potential mobility, sources, and environmental impacts of heavy metals in soil of urban apple orchards using a sequential extraction procedure and multivariate analysis. The soil and apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) leaf samples were collected from apple orchards of urban areas in Çanakkale, Turkey. A sequential extraction procedure was employed to determine the binding forms of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in soil samples. Sequential extraction procedure revealed that mobile fractions (acid soluble, reducible, and oxidizable) of Cd (60.2%) and Pb (56.8%) were higher than their immobile fractions. Such higher mobile fractions indicate the anthropogenic sources, and multivariate analysis results also supported the existence of such sources. The relationship between pH and mobile fractions of the metals (sum of acid soluble, reducible, and oxidizable) indicates that Cd and Pb become more mobile under decreasing pH conditions. Considering all metals, except for Cd, a strong relationship was observed between metal concentrations of apple leaves and mobile fractions, and plants were primarily able to uptake the metals in these fractions. Contamination factor and risk assessment code results together also revealed that Cd was highly mobile; retained less and had high risk for the environment.     

苹果两个新S-RNase基因克隆与46个品种S基因型的PCR分析

蔷薇科苹果是一个典型的配子体型自交不亲和性果树树种,确定苹果品种的S基因型对于合理配置授粉树和杂交育种亲和性亲本选择具有重要意义.研究从苹果(Malus domestica)品种达尔文和金沙依拉姆中克隆得到了两个新S-RNase基因,分别命名为S53-RNase和S54-RNase,它们在GenBank上的登录号分别为FJ602074和FJ602075,并对46个苹果品种基因组DNA进行S等位基因特异性PCR扩增,鉴定了其S基因型.     

Purification and characterization of an alpha-mannosidase from the tropical fruit babaco ( Vasconcellea x heilbornii Cv. babaco)

An alpha-mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.24) present in the lyophilized latex of babaco ( Vasconcellea heilbornii ) has been purified to apparent homogeneity by native PAGE. The purification involves a three-step procedure with successive anion exchange with Q Sepharose HP, lectin affinity chromatography using ConA Sepharose 4B, and gel filtration using Superdex 200 prep grade. The molecular mass was determined to be in the range of 260-280 kDa by Superdex 200 prep grade gel filtration, and isoelectric focusing showed a pI range between 5.85 and 6.55, suggesting different glycosylated isoforms. The optimal temperature for the alpha-mannosidase was determined to lie between 50 and 60 degrees C, and the optimal pH was 4.5 at 50 degrees C. The K(m) value for p-nitrophenyl alpha-mannopyranoside (pNPM) was found to be 1.25 mM and the V(max), 2.4 microkat mg(-1) at 50 degrees C and 1.94 microkat mg(-1) at 40 degrees C. The pure alpha-mannosidase was specific for mannose and did not display activity for any other tested synthetic substrates.     

The effects of pressure trunk injections of potassium on the mineral content,growth, yield and fruit quality of sweet cherry (Prunus avlum L.) and mineral content of prune (Prunus domestica L.)

Abstract

Fall trunk injections of 200 g K in K₂SO₄ solution or up to 300 g K in K₂HPO₄ solution had no effect on sweet cherry mid‐shoot leaf K in August. Phosphorus content was significantly increased in buds in March and midshoot leaves in August one year by fall injection of K₂HPO₄ (79.2 g P).

Spring trunk injections of 12.5 g K (K₂S04 or K₂HPO₄) in prune increased leaf K within four days and K levels remained higher than controls for at least 22 days with K₂SO₄ Leaf P was increased within four days by K₂HPO₄ and was higher than controls in August.

Fruit set in sweet cherry was significantly lower on trees injected with 200 g K (K₂S0₄) and 300 g K (K₂HPO₄). Yield was significantly lower for all injection treatments and was probably caused at least in part by reduced fruit set. Fruit quality was not affected by K injections.     

The effect of potassium soil amendments,trenching and foliar sprays on the mineral content,growth, yield and fruit quality of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) and prune (Prunus domestica L.)

Abstract

Potassium sulfate was applied to established, non‐irrigated, K deficient trees on fine textured soil by banding, placing in augered holes and injecting into the soil. Additional trees received a heavy compost mulch in early fall. Trenches were dug in the fall beside trees to break roots and then were backfilled with K₂SO₄, dolomite lime or a combination of the two. One percent K solutions of KNO₃ or K₂SO₄ were sprayed on trees four times during the growth season.

Sweet cherry trees only responded to compost mulch applications within two years. August midshoot leaf K, leaf N and fruit size were increased within one year however tree growth and yield were not affected. Fruit size and shoot growth were partially dependent on August leaf K level.

August midshoot leaf K of prune trees was increased within one growing season by all treatments except trench plus lime. Trees receiving compost also had increased levels of leaf N, P, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu and B. Yield and shoot growth were increased only by compost mulch applications. Fruit size was partially dependent on August leaf K levels.     

Evaluation of Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) cultivars for their polyphenol content, antioxidant properties, and storage stability

The polyphenol contents and antioxidant activities were assessed for 17 Saskatoon berry cultivars grown in Canada in fresh and stored fruits at -20 degrees C for 9 months. The Nelson cultivar was the richest in total polyphenol, anthocyanin, and procyanidin contents (801, 382, and 278 mg/100 g fresh weight, respectively). This cultivar was characterized also by the highest antioxidant potential measured with DPPH and ABTS radicals (2.8 and 5.0 mM/100 g FW, respectively). Cultivar-dependent changes in polyphenol content after freezer storage were observed. In the Lee 2 cultivar, significant increases in anthocyanin and flavonol contents occurred, while in the Lee 3 and Martin cultivars considerable decreases were observed. During the freezer storage, the antioxidant activity remained unchanged except for the Smokey which showed to be the most sensitive cultivar during storage. The Nelson and Lee 2 were the most stable cultivars during storage. The high polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of the Nelson cultivar and its good storage stability would make this cultivar the optimal material for fruit growers and food producers.     

砧木对京玉葡萄结实性及果实品质的影响

试验以京玉嫁接在7种砧木上的结实性、果实可溶性固形物含量、可滴定酸含量、穗粒质量与自根砧的差异比较结果表明砧木可显著提高京玉葡萄的结实力,不同砧木对京玉葡萄结实性的影响程度不同;砧木对果穗、果粒质量及果实品质的影响与自根砧差异不显著,但在果穗质量、果实可滴定酸含量上砧木间存在显著甚至极显著的差异.该文认为在试验条件下188-08、5C与101-14为京玉的适合砧木,同时对砧木影响的复杂性及砧木化栽培的意义进行了讨论.     

Study of soil respiration and fruit quality of table grape (Vitis vinifera L.) in response to different soil water content in a greenhouse

ABSTRACT

To understand the response of grape (Hutai No.8) quality and soil respiration (R_s) to different soil relative water contents (SRWCs), this study was designed with three soil moisture levels (A: 80–95%, B: 60–75%, and C: 40–55% of SRWC) for grape cultivation. Meanwhile, environmental factors, including air temperature (T_a), air relative humidity, and light intensity, were also recorded. The results showed the following: (1) Through the comprehensive analysis of fruit quality by the method of subordinate function, we concluded that the optimum soil moisture treatment was 60–75% SRWC, and the soluble sugars, proanthocyanidin, and resveratrol were most abundant. In addition, vitamin C (Vc) content was the largest under C treatment. (2) Photosynthetic characteristic under high soil moisture was better than those under low soil moisture condition during grape coloring periods, and it was largest under A treatment in 2015. R_s rate was in accordance with the trend of grape photosynthesis. High soil moisture could accelerate the photosynthetic rate of grape leaves and increase R_s. (3) Correlation analysis showed that higher soil moisture and air humidity and lower soil temperature (T_s) and T_a could promote the accumulation of more nutrients in grape berries; it also could increase photosynthetic rate and R_s during grape coloring periods. In conclusion, 60–75% SRWC was the optimum soil moisture condition, which could improve the nutrient contents and accumulate more bioactive substances. Of course, keeping a lower T_s and T_a, as well as higher air humidity, was also necessary.

Abbreviations: SRWC: soil relative water content; A, 90-95% SRWC; B, 70-75% SRWC; C, 40-55% SRWC; Rs: soil respiration; Ta: air temperature; Ts: soil temperature; OPC: proanthocyanidin; TSS: total soluble solids.     

Phenolic profile, antioxidant property, and anti-influenza viral activity of Chinese quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis Schneid.), quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.), and apple (Malus domestica Mill.) fruits

To evaluate the phenolic extracts of Chinese quince, quince, and apple fruits, their phenolic profiles, antioxidant properties, and anti-influenza viral activities were investigated. Chinese quince had the largest amount of phenolics consisting mainly of high polymeric procyanidins. Quince had considerable amounts of hydroxycinnamic derivatives mainly composed of 3-caffeoylquinic acid and 5-caffeoylquinic acid and polymeric procyanidins. Apple (cv. Fuji) had the lowest amount of phenolics, mainly 5-caffeoylquinic acid and monomeric and oligomeric procyanidins. The antioxidant functions of Chinese quince and quince phenolic extracts were superior to that of chlorogenic acid standard or ascorbic acid evaluated in both the linoleic acid peroxidation system and the DPPH radical scavenging system. However, those extracts were less effective than apple phenolics or (-)-epicatechin in linoleic acid peroxidation system. On the other hand, Chinese quince phenolics showed the strongest anti-influenza viral activity on the hemagglutination inhibition test.     

Thiabendazole uptake and storage performance of cactus pear [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Cv Gialla] fruit following postharvest treatments with reduced doses of fungicide at 52 degrees C

The storage response of cactus pears [Opuntia ficus-indica Miller (L.) cv. Gialla] was investigated over 6 weeks at 6 degrees C, plus an additional week of simulated marketing period (SMP) at 20 degrees C, after a 3-min dip treatment with thiabendazole (TBZ) at 1000 mg/L at 20 degrees C or 150 mg/L TBZ at 52 degrees C. Untreated fruits were used as control. Following TBZ treatments at 20 and 52 degrees C, total residues were recovered from the peel of cactus pear, as the concentration of residues in the pulp was negligible. Treatments with 1000 mg/L TBZ at 20 degrees C resulted in a 2.82 mg/kg residue uptake (active ingredient, whole-fruit basis), whereas treatment at 150 mg/L TBZ left 1.09 mg/kg. TBZ showed great persistence over both storage and SMP: on average, in the fruits treated at 20 and 52 degrees C, over 72 and 68%, respectively, of TBZ was still present after SMP. Postharvest treatments with 1000 mg/L TBZ at room temperature did not affect the expression of slight-to-moderate chilling injury (CI), but reduced severe CI by approximately 50% and decay development by 63.4% in comparison to those of untreated fruit after SMP. The effectiveness of TBZ was much higher with the treatment at 150 mg/L TBZ at 52 degrees C, providing 91% control of severe CI and approximately 89% suppression of decay; no treatment damage occurred during storage and SMP. External appearance was better in fruit treated with 150 mg/L TBZ at 52 degrees C. Respiration rate, titratable acidity, soluble solids concentration, and acetaldehyde in the flesh were not significantly influenced by treatments. Ethylene production rate and ethanol levels in the flesh were significantly higher in the TBZ-treated fruit as opposed to those in the untreated control fruit.