Quality and volatile attributes of attached and detached ‘Pluk Mai Lie’ papaya during fruit ripening

The ‘Pluk Mai Lie’ papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a promising cultivated fruit for use in fresh and processed products due to its firm flesh, but the aroma it releases is flat. Changes in quality and volatile profiles were analyzed during on- and off-tree fruit ripening. Detached fruit ripened faster than attached fruit, accumulating high internal ethylene levels. Aside from peel color, which was redder in on-tree ripened fruit, most quality attributes changed similarly in the two ripening situations. A slight increase in total soluble solids (TSS) was measured from the onset of the preclimacteric stage, whereas titratable acidity (TA) remained stable throughout the development. Whereas 2-ethyl-1-hexanol was found specifically in green fruit, ethyl octanoate emerged only in fully-ripe fruit. Furthermore, benzyl isothiocyanate was the most abundant volatile and was present in fruit at every stage except full ripening. The production of total esters, highly correlated with a loss of firmness and an increase in cavity ethylene accumulation, was about 10-fold higher in off-tree ripened fruit. The levels of methanol and ethanol sources in fruit increased steadily throughout ripening, with esters formed from ethyl alcohol predominating from the half-ripe through the senescence phases. The alcohol dehydrogenase activity in the mesocarp increased dramatically during the early ripening stages, whereas alcohol acetyltransferase was active throughout ripening. No difference in volatile profiles was found in the papaya fruit during on-tree and postharvest ripening.     

MaCDPK7, a calcium-dependent protein kinase gene from banana is involved in fruit ripening and temperature stress responses

Calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) is an important Ca²⁺ sensor in plant development and responses to stress stimuli. Banana fruit is a typical climacteric- and chilling-sensitive fruit. The roles of CDPK genes in the ripening and chilling response of banana fruit are unclear. We isolated a cDNA fragment with full-length coding MaCDPK7 (HM061075) from fruit peel tissue. Induction of MaCDPK7 expression in fruit peel was observed 0.5 h after phytohormone ethylene treatment, earlier than the up-regulation of MaACO1 and MaACS1, coding a 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase, respectively. Penetration of calcium signaling blockers, EGTA, or LaCl₃ inhibited the ripening and gene expression of MaCDPK7, MaACO1, and MaACS1 in the in vitro cultured peel pieces, but Ca²⁺ application removed the inhibitory effect of EGTA and LaCl₃. This suggested that MaCDPK7 might be a positive regulator involved in the calcium signaling in banana fruit ripening. Under temperature stresses, we found that MaCDPK7 gene expression increased 3 h after hot water dipping (HWD). The HWD-treated fruits exhibited markedly less chilling injury (CI) than control fruits in cold storage. Stored at 7°C (CI temperature) dramatically increased MaCDPK7 gene expression, while pre-treatment of HWD repressed the induction in cold storage. These results show that the MaCDPK7 gene is involved in regulating banana fruit ripening and chilling resistance induced by heat treatment.     

Effect of Glomus mosseae and Entrophospora colombiana on plant growth,production, and fruit quality of ‘Maradol’ papaya (Carica papaya L.)

The effect of inoculating ‘Maradol’ papaya plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus mosseae (GM) and Entrophospora colombiana (EC) was assessed. The results showed that both mycorrhizae species increased the number of fruits and yield in papaya plants by 41.9 and 105.2% for GM and 22.1 and 44.1% for EC, respectively, with respect to control plants. GM significantly increased plant height. Sugar content, firmness, color (°Hue), and ripening process of mycorrhized plant fruits were similar to those of the control. Weight loss of mycorrhized plant fruits was considerably less than that of the control. Inoculation of papaya with AMF is recommended, particularly with GM since it increases yield, and fruit weight (45.1%), furthermore, it reduced fruit weight loss during ripening.     

Influence of 1-methylcyclopropene on pectic enzyme activities,gene expression,and cell wall modification in papaya (Carica papaya cv. ‘Sunrise’) fruit

SUMMARY

‘Sunrise’ papaya fruit harvested at two stages of maturity [colour break (< 10% yellow peel colour) and 25% yellow peel colour] were treated with 100 nl l^–1 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) to determine its effects on ripening, on the activities and levels of gene expression of polygalacturonase (PG), pectin methyl esterase (PME), and βgalactosidase ( βGal), and on the degradation of cell wall components. 1-MCP delayed ripening and the onset of the climacteric, although the peak in the respiration rate was almost the same as that in untreated control fruit. Colour-break fruit treated with 1-MCP exhibited a continuous increase in ethylene production, but at a lower rate than in control fruit. Consequently, 1-MCP-treated fruit ripened with a concomitant reduction in firmness, which was accompanied by an increase in PG and βGal enzyme activities and gene expression. On the other hand, fruit treated with 1-MCP at the 25% yellow stage exhibited lower levels of ethylene production and developed pulp with a rubbery texture at the ripe stage which was attributed to reduced PG, βGal, and PME enzyme activities and gene expression. This was consistent with the higher level of cell wall polysaccharides measured in 1-MCP-treated fruit. The above results indicated that ‘Sunrise’ papaya fruit can be treated with 1-MCP at the colour break stage since they have a greater capacity to recover from the effects of 1-MCP than fruit treated at the 25% yellow stage.     

Nutritional and cultural factors affecting rooting of papaya (Carica papaya L.) in vitro

Summary

Experiments were conducted to optimize nutritional and cultural requirements for initiation and growth of roots on papaya in vitro. Axillary shoots were obtained from plants which had been sub-cultured monthly for two years. Root initiation was enhanced when 1 to 2 mm of stem base was removed and shoots were growing actively before transfer to the rooting medium. Decreasing daylength during incubation from 24 h to 12 h promoted root initiation. Within the day temperature range of 22 to 29°C, optimum rooting occurred at 27°C and higher temperatures produced higher mean root weights per shoot. High concentrations of growth factors and the absence of sucrose in the medium both reduced root initiation, however, varying the concentration of sucrose and removing growth factors affected mean root weight per shoot. All media contained a modified de Fossard et al. (1974) basal medium plus 10 μM IBA.     

Field response of papaya (Carica papaya L. cv. Coorg Honey Dew) to inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi at different levels of phosphorus

Summary

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) cv. Coorg Honey Dew is one of the most popular cultivars grown in Southern India, but it requires high doses of inorganic phosphorus (P) fertilisation for growth. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to improve plant growth and nutrient uptake, especially the uptake of P and micronutrients. As papaya plants respond well to high levels of P, inoculation with AMF was studied to see if AMF could fulfill the requirement for P in plants grown under field conditions. Papaya seedlings (n = 36 per AMF) were colonised separately, in polybags, for 45 d by two species of AMF, Glomus mosseae and G. fasciculatum. Seedlings were then transplanted to the field, with uninoculated seedlings as controls, in a replicated randomised block design. Three levels of P were applied [50, 75, or 100% of the recommended dose (240 g plant^–1 year^–1) of P fertiliser, as super-phosphate]. Plants were studied for root colonisation by AMF, for growth parameters, and for leaf nutrient contents (especially, P, Zn, and Cu). Acidic and alkaline phosphatase activities in the roots of AMF-colonised plants were recorded as these enzymes are involved in the mobilisation of P. The yields of plants up to 18 months-old, and fruit quality, measured by total soluble solids contents (TSSC) and β-carotene contents, were recorded. AMF-inoculated plants performed better than uninoculated control plants at all levels of P applied. G. mosseae was more effective at improving plant growth, fruit yield, and P and Zn contents than G. fasciculatum at the 75% and 50% P-levels. Cu contents increased at all P-levels in G. fasciculatum-colonised plants. Total soluble solids contents showed marginal improvements at the 75% P level with both fungi. β-carotene contents increased significantly in G. mosseae-colonised plants at the 50% and 75% P-levels, and in G. fasciculatum-colonised plants at the 75% P-level. The feasibility of applying on-farm produced AMF inoculum to improve papaya cultivation and to save 25% of the P applied during papaya cultivation is discussed.     

Three new vectors of papaya viruses

Seven aphids were tested for their ability to transmit 3 viruses of papaya. Mild mosaic virus (MMV) was transmitted by Aphis craccivora, A. gossypii and Myzus persicae. Distortion ringspot virus (DRV) was transmitted by A. nerii, Lipaphis pseudobrassicae and M. persicae. Ringspot virus (RSV) was transmitted only by M. persicae. Specificity of transmission by the aphid vectors of MMV and DRV was demonstrated. A. craccivora, A. nerii and L. pseudobrassicae are reported as new vectors of these viruses.     

Morphology of papaya plants derived via anther culture

This study was set up to investigate the morphological and fruiting characteristics of anther derived triploid papaya and evaluate their usefulness in commercial fruit production and breeding. A commercial diploid dwarf cultivar, ‘Wonder blight’ and 26 anther derived papaya strains were raised in the same green house. Data were collected on their morphological and fruiting characteristics like trunk height, fruiting height and the sizes of leaves, flowers and fruits. The anther derived papaya strains were variable in height and could be classified into dwarf, semi dwarf and tall. All the anther derived papaya strains bore only female flowers and produced fruits parthenocarpically. Parthenocarpic ability was variable among the strains. The dwarf and semi dwarf strains were fewer than the tall strains and they had good bearing and high yield of fruits. Two dwarf strains particularly produced parthenocarpic fruits that weighed an average of 670.0 and 871.3 g, compared to the diploid cultivar, ‘Wonder blight’, whose fruits weighed 696.4 g. The combination of short stature with a high yield of large fruits means that these strains have a lot of potential for exploitation in both breeding and commercial fruit production.     

Selection and testing of epiphytic yeasts to control anthacnose in post-harvest of papaya fruit

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is a major post-harvest disease in papaya fruit. The major objectives of the present work were to isolate, select and test the in vitro and in vivo ability of epiphytic microorganisms, isolated from papaya fruit and leaf surfaces, in controlling anthracnose onset after harvest. A total of 75 bacteria, 67 yeasts and 22 mycelial fungi were isolated. Thirty yeast isolates were able to inhibit the mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioide in vitro and seven of those were used in in vivo assays, resulting in the identification of two very effective isolates. Isolate CEN63, identified molecularly as Cryptococcus magnus, was the most effective in controlling the disease and therefore was studied in more detail. The results of the assays with C. magnus provided evidence that when fruit were treated with the antagonists at concentrations of 10⁷ to 10⁸ cells/ml, as early as 24 h, preferentially 48 h, before inoculation with the pathogen, the development of disease was significantly reduced. C. magnus is a potential antagonist for the development of a commercial product. Additional studies on the modes of action of this yeast isolate, as on its ability to interact with fungicides are being conducted to generate solid basis for the development of an environmentally friendly control agent.     

草莓9–顺式–环氧类胡萝卜素双加氧酶基因FaNCED的克隆及表达分析

 采用RT-PCR和RACE技术从草莓果实中克隆ABA合成途径中关键基因FaNCED,该cDNA全长2 228 bp,具有完整的开放阅读框（ORF）,共1 827个碱基,编码609个氨基酸。序列分析表明,FaNCED编码的氨基酸序列与其他植物的NCED蛋白有很高的同源性。系统进化树分析显示,草莓NCED与同为蔷薇科的湖北海棠聚为一类,与橙、柠檬、温州蜜柚、葡萄等非跃变型果实NCED蛋白亲缘关系较近。实时荧光定量PCR分析发现,FaNCED基因在草莓根、茎、叶、花萼和果实中都有表达;在果实成熟过程中FaNCED的表达出现两次高峰,分别在大白果期和红果期,且在红果期表达量最高,并与ABA积累相吻合;FaNCED在果实采后1 d表达略有下降,之后急剧上升,ABA含量变化与FaNCED基因的表达基本一致。FaNCED可能参与调控ABA的合成并在草莓成熟中起一定作用。     

Cloning,characterisation, and expression analysis of an oleosin gene in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) pulp

Summary

Oleosins are structural proteins found in oil bodies, organelles found in the cells of plant tissues with a high oil content that undergo extreme desiccation as part of their maturation process. Oleosins stabilise oil bodies. In this paper, a full-length cDNA sequence homologous to oleosin, a seed-storage oil-body protein, from coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) was identified from cDNA libraries during fruit development and characterised. The gene, termed Coco-Ole, contained an open reading frame of 375 bp encoding a polypeptide of 125 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence of coconut oleosin had a molecular mass of 13.0 kDa, and showed 92% (AAF76238.1) and 67% (AAC02239.1) sequence similarity to oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) and rice (Oryza sativa) oleosin proteins, respectively. The amino acid sequence clustered in the same branch as oil palm in the cladogram, but was distant from other species. The results of semi-quantitative RT-PCR indicated that the Coco-Ole gene was expressed only in the pulp, and its expression increased significantly during pulp development. Compared with fluctuations in oil content, expression of the Coco-Ole gene was consistent with the anabolism of oil during pulp development. The cloning and sequencing of the Coco-ole gene provides a new marker for studies on oil body biogenesis and fruit development in coconut.     

金针菇转运蛋白基因fv-mfs1的序列与表达分析

通过分析金针菇(Flammulina velutipes)子实体原基期、伸长期、成熟期的转录组数据,得到一个差异表达基因fv-msf1。对其结构、序列特征及表达情况进行分析,结果显示该基因全长2709 bp,包含13个外显子,12个内含子,开放阅读框长1770 bp,编码589个氨基酸。结构域分析表明该基因编码的蛋白含主要协助转运蛋白超家族(major facilitator superfamily,MFS)保守结构域。通过实时荧光定量PCR(real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR,q-PCR)对子实体不同发育阶段以及菌盖不同发育时期的表达量进行分析,结果显示该基因在金针菇伸长期的菌盖(尤其是0.3~0.9cm)中高表达,由此推断该基因在金针菇菌盖发育中发挥一定作用。     

The modification of sex expression in papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Field trials with six times normal nitrogen supply produced a significant increase in the proportion of female papaya plants. The addition of nitrogen to the soil increased the leaf nitrogen content but had no effect on the amino acid content. Leaves of male plants contained more nitrogen than female plants but no difference could be detected in the contents of amino acids in the leaves and flower buds. Foliar application of 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 2-chloroethyl-trimethyl ammonium chloride (CCC) resulted in a higher female : male ratio, but maleic hydrazide (MH) and gibberellic acid (GA₃) enhanced maleness. The animal sex hormone stilboesterol dipropionate had no apparent effect on sex expression but the application of testosterone propionate increased the proportion of male plants.     

Synergistic effects of modified atmosphere and minimal processing on the keeping quality of pre-cut papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Summary

Pre-cut papaya is a highly perishable product and requires suitable pre-treatment and storage protocols for commercial utilisation. Papaya was peeled, cut into slices (5 cm 0.6 cm 0.7 cm) and surface sanitised with chlorinated water (0.1 g l^–1). The slices were then subjected to minimal processing pre-treatments with a tissue firming agent (1 g l^–1 CaCl₂) for 10 min, anti-microbials (0.4 g l^–1 potassium sorbate and 0.4 g l^–1 sodium benzoate) and anti-browning agents (0.2 g l^–1 ascorbic acid) for 30 min, followed by acidification (7.0 g l^–1 citric acid) for 2 min. The pre-treated slices were kept under UV light (2.5 kJ m^–2 for 10 min) and subsequently packed in a modified atmosphere (3% O₂ + 6% CO₂ + 91% N₂) under partial vacuum (30 kPa), or in air, in polyethylene (PE) pouches (12 cm 10 cm; 25 µm thick; 100 g fill-weight) or in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles (2 l; 500 g fill-weight) with a 2.25 cm² silicone membrane diffusion window. Samples were stored at 6° ± 1°C and analysed for changes in their physico-chemical, microbiological and sensory attributes, along with their head-space gaseous composition. The pre-treatments acted synergistically with the modified atmospheres to stabilise the papaya slices, physiologically, as well as restricting the proliferation of microbes (e.g., total plate counts of coliforms, yeasts and moulds). Physiological stability was characterised by a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in respiration rate, reduced losses of texture and ascorbic acid, delayed increases in electrical conductivity and in colour co-ordinates, without impeding the sensory quality of the product. Pre-treated papaya slices, kept under different modified atmospheres, had storage lives of 44 – 60 d at 6° ± 1°C, which may facilitate bulk storage and long-distance transportation.     

几种处理方法对番木瓜果实贮藏的保鲜效果

以日升番木瓜果实为材料,研究了热水处理、乙烯吸收剂及1-甲基环丙烯(1-MCP)处理对果实采后病害、相关果实品质及保护酶活性变化规律的影响。结果表明,乙烯吸收剂和1-MCP能显著的抑制果实病情指数的上升,延缓果实硬度的下降和含糖量的积累,维持较高的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和较低含量的丙二醛(MDA),有利于保持果实品质,延长贮藏时间。试验表明乙烯吸收剂和1-MCP处理均为番木瓜果实贮藏保鲜的可选方法。     

Breaking the intergeneric crossing barrier in papaya using sucrose treatment

A breeding programme was undertaken using Carica papaya var. Surya and Vasconcellea cauliflora with a view to raise progenies resistant to ‘papaya ringspot virus’ (PRSV). Earlier studies have clearly demonstrated the cross incompatibility between these two genera. Hence, an attempt was made to break this barrier using sucrose. The pollen of V. cauliflora was collected and pollination was carried out by smearing sucrose solution in the concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% on to the stigmatic surface of the flower. At 5% sucrose concentration, maximum viable seed set (13.73) was obtained. Sucrose at 5% was observed to break the intergeneric barrier by enhancing the pollen germination. There was drastic reduction in the effect of sucrose with the decrease in the concentration levels. The pollen germination studies carried out with and without sucrose clearly demonstrated the efficacy of sucrose in enhancing pollen germination and pollen tube growth. The intervarietal hybridization carried out between the varieties Surya and Pusa Dwarf showed 91.7% set of the fruits with 300 viable seeds per fruit. The hybridity of the progenies was confirmed using ISSR primers by the amplification of DNA from progenies and parents. Four primers UBC 807, 810, 814 and 861 clearly amplified male specific bands, which were present in progenies, but absent in female parent.     

Post-harvest treatment with Ca-phosphite reduces anthracnose without altering papaya fruit quality

This study assessed the effect of phosphites (Mg, Zn, Ca, K) on papaya (‘Sunrise Solo’) anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides). Surface-sterilised wounded (2mm) fruits were inoculated (50µL; 10⁶ con/mL) with C. gloeosporioides and then the products were applied. The lesion diameters (LD) and the physico-chemical properties were analysed. Assays in vitro and in vivo were carried out with phosphites. The results in vitro indicated that the phosphites were effective in reducing the mycelial growth and conidia production for all doses [Phosphite Mg – 0.75, 1.5, 3 ml/l (40% P₂O₅ + 6% Mg) Fitofos Mg; Phosphite Zn - 1.25, 2.5, 5 ml/l (40% P₂O₅ + 10% Zn)]; Phosphite Ca - 1.5, 3, 6 ml/l (30% P₂O₅ + 7% Ca)]; Phosphite K - 1.25, 2.5, 5 ml/l (40% P₂O₅ + 20% K₂O)]. Concentration experiments on disease control showed that Phosphite-Ca at 6 ml/l (30% P₂O₅ + 7% Ca) significantly reduced the LD. Fruit treated with phosphite-Ca maintained physico-chemical properties of papaya fruits.     

冬枣两个ACC氧化酶基因的cDNA克隆及其表达模式

 根据植物ACC氧化酶（ACO）家族的氨基酸和核苷酸保守区序列设计简并引物,采用3′RACE技术从半红期冬枣果实中分离了两个ACO同源基因片段,随后通过PCR技术进一步获得了两个包含完整开放阅读框（ORF）及3′端非编码区（UTR）序列的ACO基因的cDNA,即ZjACO1和ZjACO2。两个基因序列在GenBank中的登录号为EU216549和EU216550,其大小分别为1 115 bp和1 105 bp,编码蛋白大小分别为319个和321个氨基酸。ZjACO1和ZjACO2在核苷酸和氨基酸水平上的同源性分别为79.4%和84.0%。Northern杂交结果表明,这两个基因在冬枣叶片中不表达,而在不同发育阶段果实中的表达具有明显差异。     

砂梨扩展蛋白基因cDNA克隆及全序列分析

设计植物EXP扩展蛋白简并引物,以砂梨果实cDNA为模板,克隆得到EXP基因cDNA片段,该片段长465 bp。根据该片段序列,分别设计2条5’和3’末端扩增的特异引物,利用RACE技术,获得了该片段的5’端和3’端序列。用DNAMAN5.22软件对3个序列进行拼接和分析,获得了该基因的cDNA全长,命名为Pyp-EXP。该cDNA全长为1 395 bp,5’端起始密码子ATG始于72 bp,3’端终止子TAG止于830 bp,Ploy+(A)从1 363～1 395 bp。该基因已在GenBank基因数据库注册,注册号为EF602031。Pyp-EXP核苷酸序列有一个759 bp完整的开放阅读框,编码区与西洋梨、苹果、湖北海棠、桃的同源性分别为96%,96%,94%和86%;该cDNA推导编码252个氨基酸,含有1个组氨酸(His_Phe_Asp,HFD)功能域,与西洋梨、苹果、湖北海棠、桃中相应序列同源性分别为98%,97%,95%和93%。该基因的克隆为研究扩展蛋白的时空表达及其在果实发育和成熟过程中的作用奠定了基础。