Mediterranean Berries as Inhibitors of Lipid Oxidation in Porcine Burger Patties Subjected to Cooking and Chilled Storage

The efifciency of extracts from Arbutus unedo L. （AU）, Crataegus monogyna L. （CM）, Rosa canina L. （RC）, and Rubus ulmifolius Schott. （RU） to inhibit lipid oxidation in raw, cooked and cooked and chilled （2°C/12 d） porcine burger patties, was investigated. The modiifcation of the fatty acid proifle during processing treatments （cooking and chilling）, the quantitative measurements of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances （TBA-RS）, and lipid-derived volatiles, were used as indicators of lipid oxidation. Polyunsaturated fatty acids （PUFA） gradually decreased during cooking and the subsequent storage of cooked burger patties with this decrease being signiifcantly greater （P〈0.05） in control patties than in those with added berry extracts. In accordance, the control patties showed signiifcantly higher TBA-RS numbers and counts of lipid-derived volatiles in all treatments when compared to the berry-added counterparts （P〈0.05）. Results from the present work show, for the ifrst time, that extracts from A. unedo, C. monogyna, R. canina, and R. ulmifolius are promising antioxidants which could enhance the nutritional, safety and sensory properties of porcine burger patties.     

Study on the Mechanism of Browning of Pomegranate （Punica granatum L. cv. Ganesh） Peel in Different Storage Conditions

Peel browning of pomegranate fruit is the key problem during storage. The mechanism of it during storage in relation to the technology of the browning control was studied in this paper. The effects of storage temperature, gas component and pH value on peel browning of sweet pomegranate fruit in Lintong, Shaanxi Province, China, were investigated. Change in tannin content was measured and the relationship between the activities of ascorbic acid oxidase （AAO）, polypenoloxidase （PPO）, peroxidase （POD）, catalase （CAT） and peel browning was analysed. The results showed tannin was the basic substance of pomegranate peel browning. The activities of the browning index of peel were correlated positively with AAO, PPO and POD, correlated negatively with CAT activity. Application of intermittent warming for 24 h at （15 ± 0.5）℃ every 5 days for pomegranate fruit storage under the conditions of pH 4.0, （5.0± 0.5）℃ and 5.0% CO2 ＋ 8.0% O2 ＋ 87.0% N2 gas component could delay browning, with the browning index being 0.15 after 120 days of storage. Enzymatic tannin denaturation was the main cause that led to peel browning of pomegranate fruit during storage. The browning control of pomegranate fruit peel was effective using intermittent warming storage with suitable pH, temperature and gas component.     

Co-Treatment of EFF and 1-MCP for Enhancing the Shelf-Life and Aroma Volatile Compounds of Oriental Sweet Melons （Cucumis melo var. makuwa Makino）

Compared to other melon types, oriental sweet melon （Cucumis melo var. makuwa Makino） is quite a different species with a shorter shelf-life due to its typical climacteric behavior and thin pericarp. The purpose of this experiment is to explore the effects of co- treatment of enhanced freshness formulation （EFF） and 1-methylcyclopropene （1-MCP） on physiological changes and the content of aroma volatile compounds introduced by them of two oriental sweet melon cultivars （Yumeiren and Tianbao） during storage. The melons were stored in incubators with temperature of 15~C and a relative humidity of 85% for 24 d during which fruit quality and related physiological index were measured. Compared to the control, both treatments delayed fruit weight loss rate and kept the fruit firmness, water content and soluble solids content. Ascorbate peroxidase （APX） and phenylalanine ammonia lyase （PAL） activities showed fluctuations in treated melons, while lipoxygenase （LOX） activity （P〈0.01） and malondialdehyde （MDA） content （P〈0.05） decreased compared to control. During the early stage of storage, alcohols and aldehydes were the main volatile compounds, and esters gradually increased during storage. Of all the esters, acetic esters were the main components, followed by oxalic acid esters and other esters. The total content of aroma volatile compounds, esters, alcohols and aldehydes of co-treated melons were all higher than those of 1-MCP treated and control melons. In addition, the aroma volatile peak of co-treated melons occurred later than that of 1-MCP treated and control melons. In summary, co-treatment of EFF and 1-MCP was more beneficial than 1-MCP treatment to delay ripening and senescence, maintain fruit quality, enhance shelf-life and improve levels of aroma volatile compounds.     

Coronatine Induces an Accumulation of Anthocyanin and Starch in Purple-fleshed Sweetpotato （ Ipomoea batatas Lam.）

[Objective] The objective of this research was to examine the effects of COR on anthocyanin and starch content in storage roots of two PFS genotypes, and to explore the relationships between anthocyanin synthesis and starch accumula- tion. [Method] A field experiment was carried out to determine the changes in yielc components, yield, contents of anthocyanin and starch, activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase （PAL） and adenosine 5-diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase （AG- Pase） in two genotypes of PFS （Ipomoea batatas L., var. ＇Ayamurasaki＇ and ＇Jishu18＇）. [Result] The application of COR significantly increased starch and antho- cyanin content in storage roots of Jishu18 across developmental stages by inducing the activities of PAL and AGPase, and finally enhanced yield by promoting fresh weight of storage roots. Ayamurasaki was insensitive to treatment with COR al- though its PAL activity temporally increased. The starch and anthocyanin content of Aya, and the anthocyanin content of Jishu18 increased progressively across devel- opmental stages with or without COR application, but the starch content of Jishu18 increased initially, then decreased before increasing again without application of COR. Treatment with COR reduced downward trend of starch accumulation in Jishu18. Thus, the effect of COR on accumulation of anthocyanin and starch in storage roots of PFS differs according to genotypes. [Conclusion] The application of 0.05 μmol/L COR may increase starch and anthocyanin content in PFS genotypes with lower starch and anthocyanin content in storage roots.     

Interaction Between Cryptococcus laurentii, Monilinia fructicola, and Sweet Cherry Fruit at Different Temperatures

The present study was performed mainly to investigate the antagonist-pathogen-host interaction in wounds of the sweet cherry fruits. The antagonistic yeast Cryptococcus laurentii could significantly reduce the brown rot of the sweet cherry fruit caused by Monilinia fructicola at 25 and 1 ℃. The populations of yeast increased faster in the presence of the pathogen initially, but then decreased rapidly. In the fruits inoculated with M. fructicola alone or combined with C. laurentii, an induction of lipid peroxidation as well as activities of the antioxidant enzymes, such as, superoxide dismutases （SOD）, catalase （CAT）, and peroxidase （POD）, was observed. The isoenzyme pattern of polypheno/oxidase （PPO） changed greatly after the symptoms appeared, with new PPO isoforms being induced. By contrast, the induction of lipid peroxidation and activities of SOD, CAT, and POD were low, although no significant changes were found in the PPO isoenzyms in the fruits inoculated with antagonist C. laurentii alone. The inhibition of brown rot during the antagonist- pathogen-host interaction in wounds of the sweet cherry fruits was mainly on account of the stimulated growth of C. laurentii as well as the induction of antioxidant enzymes of the fruits by M. fructicola.     

Organic Substance Metabolism in Seeds of Sophora japonica during Germination

The metabolism of fats,proteins and carbohydrates and the change of enzyme activity in seeds of Sophora japonica during germination were studied by methods of Soxhlet‘s extraction,flow injection and colorimetric analysis of spectrophotometer for provding theoretical basis for germination and storage of seeds of forest trees.The results are as follows:(1) The activity of enzymes in the seeds does not always coincide with the increase or decrease of their corresponding substances during germination of the seeds of Sophora japonica.(2) Proteins were first utilized during germination of the seeds;(3)The fatty acids reducing sugar and amino acids in the radiele plumular axis were used psecedently over all others when the embryos grew.(4) excessive small-molecular substances produced by hydrolysis would accumulate in tissres and sometimes they were stored temporarily in the form of storage substances and finally uscd for embryo growth.     

Photosynthesis,Growth and Antioxidant Metabolism in Mustard （Brassica juncea L.） Cultivars Differing in Cadmium Tolerance

Two mustard （Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss.） cultivars, Pusa Jai Kisan and SS2 differing in cadmium （Cd） tolerance were treated with 0, 25 and 50 umol L-1 Cd to study the physiological basis of difference in Cd tolerance. Cultivar SS2 （Cd sensitive） accumulated greater Cd in leaves than Pusa Jai Kisan （Cd tolerant）. Further, SS2 also exhibited higher contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances （TBARS） and H2O2 and electrolyte leakage. However, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, catalase （CAT）, ascorbate peroxidase （APX）, dehydroascorbate reduetase （DHAR）, and glutathione reductase （GR） were higher in Pusa Jai Kisan than those in SS2. Contrarily, the activity of superoxide dismutase （SOD） was higher in SS2 than that in Pusa Jai Kisan and was the greatest at 25 umol L-1 Cd. Treatment of 25 umol L-1 Cd induced the maximum activity of enzymes. However, the activity of GR increased up to 50 umol L-1 Cd in both the cultivars. The non-enzymatic antioxidants ascorbate （AsA） and glutathione （GSH） were higher in Pusa Jai Kisan than that in SS2, whereas dehydroascorbate （DHA） and oxidized glutathione （GSSG） were higher in SS2. Photosynthesis and growth were adversely and maximally decreased by 50 umol L-1 Cd treatment in both the cultivars, but SS2 exhibited greater reductions. The protection of photosynthesis and growth and lesser reduction in Pusa Jai Kisan were associated with its capacity to restrict accumulation of Cd in leaves resulting in lower level of TBARS and H2O2 and electrolyte leakage. Moreover, Pusa Jai Kisan exhibited efficient antioxidant metabolism for removal of Cd-induced reactive oxygen species.     

Hot air treatment activates defense responses and induces resistance against Botrytis cinerea in strawberry fruit

The effect of hot air(HA, 45°C, 3.5 h) treatment on reducing gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea in strawberry fruit and the possible mechanisms were investigated. The results showed that HA treatment significantly reduced lesion diameter and enhanced activities of chitinase(CHI), β-1,3-glucanase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase(PAL) in strawberry fruit. Total phenolic contents were also increased by HA treatment. The activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase(APX) were higher in HA treated strawberry fruit than those in control. Expression of three defense related genes such as CAT, CCR-1 allele and PLA6 was greatly induced in HA treated strawberry fruit with or without inoculation by B. cinerea. In addition, the in vitro experiment showed that HA treatment inhibited spore germination and tube growth of B. cinerea. These results suggested that HA treatment directly activated disease resistance against B. cinerea in strawberry fruit without priming response and directly inhibiting growth of B. cinerea.     

Optimal storage temperature and 1-MCP treatment combinations for different marketing times of Korla Xiang pears

Maintenance of green color is the primary indicator of quality in the market evaluation of Korla Xiang pears at present and can generally be achieved through early harvesting and decreasing the storage temperature, but the fruit quality was reduced by early harvesting, and the decreasing storage temperature increased the risk of chilling injury. The objectives of this study were to determine the optimal storage parameters for different storage times and to find ways to preserve the green skin color of pears. Specifically, we analyzed the effects of the ethylene inhibitor, 1-methylcyclopropene(1-MCP), combined with low temperature on quality and maintenance of the green color of Korla Xiang pears during storage. We found that 1-MCP and/or low temperature reduced the loss of green color at 20°C after being removed from cold storage. In addition, 1-MCP significantly inhibited the decline of titratable acid and ascorbic acid but had no significant effect on fruit firmness and total soluble solids. Low temperature with or without 1-MCP inhibited the release of ethylene, inhibited the decline in the stalk preservation index, inhibited the increase in decay rate and weight loss rate during storage, and inhibited the increase in the core browning index after 225 days of storage. Different storage temperatures had different effects on the quality of Korla Xiang pears. Despite inhibiting ethylene release, a storage temperature of –1.5°C increased the respiration rate. Storage at –1.5°C caused core browning early during storage due to chilling injury, whereas at 2°C core browning occurred late during storage due to senescence. In late storage, 1-MCP had no significant effect on the maintenance of Korla Xiang pear quality at 2°C. Based on these results, we determined the optimal combinations of low temperature and 1-MCP treatment to maintain pear quality while avoiding chilling injury. For different marketing times, the optimal conditions for storage until New Year's Day(a storage duration of 90 days) are 2°C or 1-MCP combined with 2°C. For storage until the Spring Festival(a storage duration of 150 days), the optimal conditions are 0°C or 1-MCP combined with 0°C, and for storage until May(a storage duration of 225 days), the best conditions are 1-MCP combined with –1.5°C.     

Combining Ability Analyses of Net Photosynthesis annuum Rate in Pepper （Capsicum annuum L.）

In perspective of breeding high-yield hybrid pepper varieties, combining ability analysis of net photosynthesis rate at different phases of flowering and fruit setting in pepper was made with 15 cross combinations from 6 parents by （1/2） n （n- 1） diallel crosses. There are relatively large differences not only in general combining ability （GCA） effect among different parents and at different phases of flowering and fruit setting, but also in specific combining ability （SCA） effect among different hybrids. There are relatively large GCA effects in late parents but relatively less GCA effects in early parents. No obvious laws have been found in the relationship between SCA effects and maturity of hybrids. Variances of SCA are larger than those of GCA. Heritability is less but influence of environment is larger. Correlation analysis of combining ability between net photosynthesis rate and agronomic character or resistances to main diseases has showed that correlation coefficients of GCA are relatively large at the medium phase and the late phase of flowering and fruit setting. Net photosynthesis rate is more relative to leaf characters and fruit characters. Correlation coefficients of SCA are relatively large at the early phase and the late phase of flowering and fruit setting. Net photosynthesis rate is more relative to leaf characters and plant characters at the early phase but to plant characters and fruit characters at the late phase. Correlation coefficients of SCA between net photosynthesis rate and resistances to main diseases are larger than those of GCA. The combining abilities of net photosynthesis rate at different phases of flowering and fruit setting are positively correlated with those of yield per plant. The combining ability is an important parameter of breeding of high photosynthesis hybrid pepper varieties.     

Changes of Aroma Components in Hongdeng Sweet Cherry During Fruit Development

To study the changes of aroma components in sweet cherry during fruit development, the aroma components in sweet cherry fruit from the green stage, the color stage, the commercial stage, and the ripe stage were collected using head-space solid phase microextraction （HS-SPME）, and were analyzed using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrophotometer （GC- MS）. A total of 37 compounds were identified from the sample extracts. Aldehydes, alcohols, and esters were the major constituents. The aroma components behaved differently during the fruit developmental period. C6 aldehydes and aromatic aldehydes were the main aldehydes in the sweet cherry fruit. The contents of C6 aldehydes increased quickly to 84.16% in the color stage, then decreased as ripening proceeded, and then, the contents decreased to 59.20 and 55.58% at the commercial stage and the ripe stage, respectively. The aromatic aldehydes （benzaldehyde） increased as ripening proceeded, and the maximum was found at the ripe stage. Alcohols of sweet cherry fruit included C6 alcohols and aromatic alcohols. The content of （E）-2-hexen-l-ol increased as ripening proceeded. The maximum was found at the commercial stage; alcohol was only found at the ripe stage. Ester components included ethyl acetate, butanoic acid ethyl ester, hexanoic acid ethyl ester, which increased as the fruit ripened. Hexanal, （E）-2-hexenal, benzaldehyde, （E）-2-hexen-l-ol, ethyl acetate, and hexanoic acid ethyl ester were the characteristic aroma components of sweet cherry fruit. These aroma components started to form drastically at the color stage, and the main aroma was formed at the commercial stage, which then turned bad at the ripe stage because of the presence of alcohol. So the optimal harvest time of sweet cherry was at the commercial stage.     

Myristic Acid （MA） Promotes Adipogenic Gene Expression and the Differentiation of Porcine Intramuscular Adipocyte Precursor Cells

Intramuscular fat （IMF） content is considered to be a key factor that affects the marbling, tenderness, juiciness and lfavor of pork. To investigate the effects of myristic acid （MA） on the differentiation of porcine intramuscular adipocytes, cells were isolated from longissimus dorsi muscle （LDM） and treated with 0, 10, 50 or 100μmol L-1 MA. The results showed that MA signiifcantly promotes the differentiation of intramuscular adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. MA also led to a parallel increase in the expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ（PPARγ） and adipose-related genes, such as glucose transporter 1 （GLUT1）, lipoprotein lipase （LPL）, adipocyte fatty acid binding protein 4 （FABP4/aP2）, fatty acid translocase （FAT）, acetyl-CoA carboxylaseα（ACCα）, adipose triglyceride lipase （ATGL） and fatty acid synthase （FASN）. However, no signiifcant effects of MA were observed on the expression of CAAT enhancer binding protein-α（C/EBPα） or hormone sensitive lipase （HSL）. The expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 （PDK4） was increased by MA during the early stages of differentiation （day 1-3）. In addition, MA also increased the absolute content of C14 （P〈0.001） and saturated fatty acids （SFA） （P〈0.05） to varying degrees, but no effects were observed on other fatty acids. These results suggest that MA might be able to enhance the IMF content of pork and increase the accumulation of myristic and myristoleic acid in muscle, which might have beneifcial implications for human health.     

Allelopathic Potential of Orange Jessamine （Murraya paniculata L.） against Weeds

The use of allelopathic plants is an alternative technique for controlling weeds in sustainable crop production. This experiment evaluated the allelopathic potential of Murraya paniculata （L.） against four weeds viz., Bidens pilosa L., Amarathus spinosus L., Echinochloa crusgalli （L.） Beauv. and Chloris barbata Sw.. In laboratory test, aqueous extracts from M. paniculata leaves at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 g/L were tested on germination and seedling growth of the weeds. The extracts showed inhibitory effect, varying with weed species and extract concentration. Increase in concentrations increased the degree of inhibition. Concentration at 50 g/L and 100 g/L, completely inhibited seed germination of C. barbara and A. spinosus. Pot experiments were done in a glasshouse, with dry leaf powder as mulch on the soil surface at levels of 2, 4 and 8 t/ha. Dry leaf powder reduced the emergence and growth of all tested weeds, varying with dose and species. Chloris barbara is the most sensitive to M paniculata leaf mulch while E. crus-galli is the most resistant. These results suggest that M. paniculata had the potential lbr weed control and might be the source of a natural herbicide.     

Effects of Chlorine Dioxide Gas on Postharvest Physiology and Storage Quality of Green Bell Pepper （Capsicum frutescens L. var. Longrum）

The effects of treatment of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas on postharvest physiology and preservation quality of green bell peppers were studied. Green bell peppers were collected in bags and treated with 0, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg L-1 ClO2 gas at 10 ± 0.5℃ for over 40 d, and the changes in postharvest physiology and preservation quality of the peppers were evaluated during the storage. The inhibition of rot of the peppers was observed for all the tested ClO2 gas treatments. The rot rates of the treated samples were 50% lesser than those of the control after day 40 of storage. The highest inhibitory effect was obtained after 50 mg L-1 ClO2 gas treatment, where the peppers did not decay until day 30 and showed only one-fourth of the rot rate of the control at day 40 of storage. The respiratory activity of the peppers was significantly (P ＜ 0.05) inhibited by 20 and 50 mg L-1 ClO2 treatments, whereas no significant effects on respiratory activity were observed with 5 and 10 mg L-1ClO2 treatments (P＞ 0.05). Except for 50 mg L-1 ClO2, malondialdenyde (MDA) contents in the peppers treated with 5,10, or 20 mg L-1 ClO2 were not significantly (P＞0.05) different from those in the control. Degradation of chlorophyll in the peppers was delayed by 5 mg L-1 ClO2, but promoted by 10, 20, or 50 mg L-1 ClO2. The vitamin C content, titratable acidity,and total soluble solids of the peppers treated by all the tested ClO2 gas did not significantly change during the storage.The results suggested that ClO2 gas treatment effectively delayed the postharvest physiological transformation of green peppers, inhibited decay and respiration, maintained some nutritional and sensory quality, and retarded MDA accumulation.     

Extending Shelf Life of Chilled Pork by Combination of Chitosan Coating With Spice Extracts

The effects of spices（cinnamon,rosemary,clove）extracts and chitosan on microbiological growth,drip loss,color,and lipid oxidation of fresh chilled meat stored for 28 days at 4℃were investigated.There were four treatments：control,coated with spices（cinnamon 1.5 g·L^-1＋rosemary 1.5 g·L^-1＋clove 1.0 g·L^-1）,coated with 0.5%chitosan,coated with spices and chitosan.Chitosan coating resulted in significant inhibition of microbial growth（P〈0.05）,while the lowest microbial counts were obtained in the samples containing both chitosan and spices,indicating a possible synergistic effect.Chitosan and its combinations with spices also showed the most intense antioxidative effect when compared to the controls（P〈0.05）.Meanwhile,chitosan coating could decrease water loss and keep better color of chilled meat.The combined spice extracts and chitosan coating could effectively extend the shelf life of chilled meat.     

Nucleic Acid Metabolism,Proline Concentration and Antioxidants Enzyme Activity in Canola （Brassica nupus L.） Under Salinity Stress

Seedling of five canola genotypes, Hyola 308, Hyola 401, Hyola 60, Option 50 and RGS003, were grown in Hoagland nutrient solution containing S1 = 0, S2 = 100, S3 = 200 and S4 = 300 mmol L-1 NaCl in controlled environment. Proline, antioxidant activities like catalase （CAT）, ascobrate peroxidase （APX） and guaiacol peroxidase （GPX） and some enzyme activities of nucleic acid metabolism were determined in shoot and root 20 days after induction of salinity stress. Results showed application of stress significantly affected plant growth components such as fresh （FW） and dry weight （DW） of canola genotypes. Among the genotypes, RGS003 had the highest reduction of FW and DW in S3 treatment. By increasing NaCl levels from 0 to 300 mmol L-1, the activity of two antioxidant enzymes （APX and CAT） in shoot and root increased but GPX in all of genotypes decreased. The increase in salinity stress, increased proline concentration in both root and shoot tissues of canola genotypes. Hyola 401 genotype had the maximum concentration of proline in root and shoot in S3 treatment. Along with increased salinity stress in all of the studied plants, salinity significantly increased the level of the total nucleic acid and the activity of DNase I in all of salinity treatments and at the S3 level, RGS003 had the maximum concentration of nucleolytic enzyme.     

Effect of Using Magnetic Brackish Water on Irrigated Bell Pepper Crop （Capsicum annuum L.） Characteristics in Lower Jordan Valley/West Bank

Increasing salinity of the groundwater is one of major challenges faced by agricultural sector in West Bank/Palestine. This study was carried out in the Lower Jordan Valley （LJV） under greenhouse field condition, where an area of 0.12 ha was irrigated with 3.5 dS/m magnetic treated water during the growing season 2012/2013. The results of this pilot project show that there are significant increases in the yield of red and yellow bell pepper of about 20% and 18% on fresh weight basis, respectively. Water use efficiency increased by 15% and an increase in shelf time of 7 d were also recorded. The chlorophyll content raised significantly in the leaves of treated plants compared to the controlled one by 2.5 mg/g. Bell pepper irrigated with magnetic water produces 37% more four champers than that of the controlled one. On the other hand, there were no clear significant effects on the height of the plant, number of fruits, distance between nods, size of fruits, number and thickness of walls and sugar contents. Applying visible/near infrared （VIS/N｜R） spectroscopy test shows that it is possible to distinguish between treated and controlled bell pepper fruits. Multivariate data analysis （MVDA） method was used to test the classification of chemical elements in the fruit and it was found that treated and controlled fruit samples are divided into two groups according to their water treatment. An increase in all nutrient concentrations was found in fruits irrigated with magnetic treated water compared with the controlled one. Further testing is needed especially by involving other variables such as decreasing the volume of irrigated water and fertilizers.     

Changes of Reactive Oxygen Species and Related Enzymes in Mitochondria Respiratory Metabolism During the Ripening of Peach Fruit

The fruits of peach cultivar Yuhua 3 were used as materials to investigate the changes of active oxygen and related enzymes in mitochondria respiratory metabolism during ripening of peach fruit, involving their influence on the proceeding of peach fruit senescence. The results showed that the large decrease in firmness occurred between maturity II and IV. The decrease in firmness coincided with an increase in respiratory intensity. Obvious peaks of respiratory intensity lagging to the rapid change of fruit firmness could be shown during peach ripening. Reactive oxygen species （ROS） had a cumulative process and positively correlated with respiratory intensity. During peach ripening, the content of Ca^2＋ increased, the activities of succinic dehydrogenase （SDH）, cytochrome C oxidase （CCO）, H＋-ATPase, and Ca^2＋-ATPase decreased varying in different degree at the later step of ripening. These suggested a close relationship existed between ROS metabolism and mitochondrial respiration, namely, both ROS metabolism and mitochondrial respiration probably played important roles in ripening and senescing of peach fruit.     

Exogenous Nitric Oxide Alleviated the Inhibition of Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Iron-Deficient Chinese Cabbage （Brassica chinensis L.）

The effects of exogenous nitric oxide （NO） on plant growth, chlorophyll contents, photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters as well as lipid peroxidation and activities of antioxidant enzymes were investigated in Chinese cabbage plants exposed to iron （Fe） deficiency. Iron deficiency led to serious chlorosis in Chinese cabbage leaves, and resulted in significant decrease in plant growth, photosynthetic pigments, net photosynthetic rate, Fv/Fm, Ф ps Ⅱ and activities of antioxidant enzymes, and increase in lipid peroxidation. While treatment with SNP, a NO donor, it could revert the iron deficiency symptoms, increased photosynthetic rate as well as activities of antioxidant enzymes, and protected membrane from lipid peroxidation, as a result, the growth inhibition of Chinese cabbage by Fe deficiency was alleviated.     

Diversity of Antioxidant Content and Its Relationship to Grain Color and Morphological Characteristics in Winter Wheat Grains

The current interest in the health beneifts of whole wheat grain has prompted breeders to further increase the concentration of antioxidants in wheat. The objective of this study was to investigate the variation in antioxidant content among Chinese wheat grains and the relationship between antioxidants and grain color and morphological characteristics. A wide variation was observed in the total phenolic, carotenoid and lfavonoid contents, as well as the antioxidant activity （AOA）, of Chinese wheat varieties. Black wheat had the highest mean total phenolic, carotenoid and lfavonoid contents and the highest AOA, followed by red and white wheats. The grain color parameters were signiifcantly negatively correlated with total phenolic, carotenoid and lfavonoid contents and AOA among all of the wheat varieties examined, and grain weight was also signiifcantly negatively correlated with these traits. The same correlation between grain weight and antioxidant traits was also observed within individual groups of wheat, which indicates that grain weight may be used as an index for selecting wheat varieties with high AOA. Landraces had signiifcantly higher lfavonoid content than commercial wheat varieties. The results of this study may be useful for breeding nutrient-rich wheat varieties.