Carotene and novel apocarotenoid concentrations in orange-fleshed Cucumis melo melons: determinations of β-carotene bioaccessibility and bioavailability

Muskmelons, both cantaloupe (Cucumis melo Reticulatus Group) and orange-fleshed honeydew (C. melo Inodorus Group), a cross between orange-fleshed cantaloupe and green-fleshed honeydew, are excellent sources of β-carotene. Although β-carotene from melon is an important dietary antioxidant and precursor of vitamin A, its bioaccessibility/bioavailability is unknown. We compared β-carotene concentrations from previously frozen orange-fleshed honeydew and cantaloupe melons grown under the same glasshouse conditions, and from freshly harvested field-grown, orange-fleshed honeydew melon to determine β-carotene bioaccessibility/bioavailability, concentrations of novel β-apocarotenals, and chromoplast structure of orange-fleshed honeydew melon. β-Carotene and β-apocarotenal concentrations were determined by HPLC and/or HPLC-MS, β-carotene bioaccessibility/bioavailability was determined by in vitro digestion and Caco-2 cell uptake, and chromoplast structure was determined by electron microscopy. The average β-carotene concentrations (μg/g dry weight) for the orange-fleshed honeydew and cantaloupe were 242.8 and 176.3 respectively. The average dry weights per gram of wet weight of orange-fleshed honeydew and cantaloupe were 0.094 g and 0.071 g, respectively. The bioaccessibility of field-grown orange-fleshed honeydew melons was determined to be 3.2 ± 0.3%, bioavailability in Caco-2 cells was about 11%, and chromoplast structure from orange-fleshed honeydew melons was globular (as opposed to crystalline) in nature. We detected β-apo-8'-, β-apo-10', β-apo-12'-, and β-apo-14'-carotenals and β-apo-13-carotenone in orange-fleshed melons (at a level of 1-2% of total β-carotene). Orange-fleshed honeydew melon fruit had higher amounts of β-carotene than cantaloupe. The bioaccessibility/bioavailability of β-carotene from orange-fleshed melons was comparable to that from carrot (Daucus carota).     

Effects of Organic Materials on Growth,Yield, and Fruit Quality of Honeydew Melon

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and chicken manure compost (ChMC) on growth, yield, and fruit quality of honeydew melon and to determine the most suitable rate of SMS for honeydew melon production. Honeydew melon seedlings grown in four different rates of SMS were planted in the net house with two different organic material rates (M1, M2). The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design. The results showed that increasing of organic materials in the net house increased growth, yield, and quality of honeydew melon, due to enhancing of pH, organic matter (OM,) and the nutrient concentrations in the soil. However, growing media with 40 % SMS + 60 % ChMC in the nursery period and the rate of 10 tons SMS + 10 tons ChMC ha^?1 in the net house period gave the best yield and fruit quality of honeydew melon.     

Seasonal dynamics of mineral nutrients by walnut tree fruits

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) tree fruit showed after the endocarp lignification a fast growing stage during which fresh and dry weights increased abruptly. From the beginning of fruit ripening and during the fast sperm growing stage, fresh weight started to decrease while dry weight continued to increase with a reduced growth rate. Dry weights increased in sperm and decreased in exocarp‐mesocarp tissues during the fast sperm growing stage. The material exit from pericarp tissues was completed in the ripe fruit. By contrast, fresh weight continued to decrease in the tissue. Patterns of nutrient accumulation per fruit increased continuously during the fruit growth period. The observed reductions of nutrient accumulations for total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in the fruit individuals during the very late fruit stage after fruit ripening, and in conjunction with the pericarp tissues senescence, are supposed to represent mineral nutrient returns from the ripe fruit. Patterns of total N, P, Mg, Fe, and Zn accumulations increased in the exocarp‐mesocarp tissue during the slow sperm growing stage and decreased during the fast sperm growing stage. Potassium accumulation in the tissue increased continuously up to the fruit ripening time. Calcium, Mn, and Cu increased continuously. Patterns of all nutrients in endocarp tissue increased during the slow sperm growing stage and decreased at the fast sperm growing stage. In the sperm tissues, total N, P, Mg, and Ca accumulations increased during the sperm development and slightly decreased in a late stage. The increasing trend of Ca accumulation was temporarily interrupted during the fast sperm growing stage. Iron, Mn, Cu, and Zn accumulations showed no reductions at all. Potassium accumulation was drastically restricted in the tissue with the approach of fruit ripening. Sperm tissues are extraordinary rich in mineral nutrients. Sperm total N, P, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe accumulations represented the 98.1%, 88.2%, 59.2%, 81.5%, 72.3%, 65.6%, and 52.5% of the total nutrients accumulation in the fruit, respectively. Sperm K and Ca accumulations represented only the 13% and 11.6%, respectively. Exocarp‐mesocarp K, Ca, and Mg accumulations represented the 76%, 72% and 37.1% of the total nutrients accumulation in the fruit individual, respectively. Total N and P accumulation in the tissue were detected in very low levels 1.3% and 7%, respectively. Iron, Cu, Zn, and Mn accumulations were detected in the same tissue in ratio values of 27.5%, 22%, 5.4%, and 11%, respectively. Macro‐ and micro‐nutrient accumulations of the endocarp tissues were detected in the lower levels as compared to the other fruit tissues. The estimated values of mineral nutrient returns from the mature fruit individuals were 2.8% for total N, 13% for P, 16.5% for K, 23% for Ca, 12% for Mg, 28.5% for Fe, and 21% for Zn. Manganese and Cu showed no returns at all. The estimated nutrient returns from the sperm tissues were 60% for total N, 67% for P, 22% for K, and 50% for Mg of the total returned nutrient from the fruit individual. The estimated nutrient returns from exocarp‐mesocarp were 100% for Zn, Fe, and Ca, 50% for Mg, 78% for K, 33% for P, and 40% for total N. Calcium, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn in the sperm and Mn and Cu accumulations in pericarp tissues showed no returns at all. A restricted nutrient diffusion from exocarp‐mesocarp and sperm tissues to the endocarp tissues is supposed to be possible. These results suggested a pericarp tissue behaviour similar to the old senescing leaves.     

Disposition of selected flavonoids in fruit tissues of various tomato (lycopersicon esculentum mill.) Genotypes

Flavonoids have been studied extensively because they offer great potential health benefits. In this study, enzymatic hydrolysis of glycosylated quercetin, kaempferol, and naringin was used to obtain their sugar-free aglycones. The investigation also employed a validated HPLC method to obtain the chiral disposition of the aglycone naringenin enantiomers. These analyses were conducted on exocarp, mesocarp, and seed cavity tissues of field-grown tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) mutants (anthocyanin absent, atroviolacea, and high pigment-1) and their nearly isogenic parent (cv. Ailsa Craig) at immature green, "breaker", and red ripe maturity stages. Concentrations of all flavonoids using enzymatic hydrolysis were significantly higher than previously reported concentrations using acid hydrolysis. Presumably, this occurred due to a more specific and rapid hydrolysis of the glycoside moiety by the beta-glucosidase enzyme. The glycoside S-naringin was the predominant enantiomer in all fruit tissues, although the aglycones free R- and S-naringenin were detected in both exocarp and mesocarp. Whereas there was significantly more quercetin than kaempferol in exocarp tissue, they were present in about equal concentrations in the mesocarp. Quercetin concentrations were higher in the exocarp and mesocarp of immature green and breaker fruit of the high pigment-1 mutant than in the other genotypes, supporting the observed photoprotection and potential health benefits of the high pigment-1 tomato genotype.     

基于气象条件的巴彦淖尔市河套蜜瓜的品质区划

河套蜜瓜属农业部确定的优质产品,近年来被盲目扩种,既扰乱了市场又影响了该品牌的声誉。为确定该品牌的适宜种植范围,利用磴口河套蜜瓜含糖率资料与相应年代气象资料进行相关分析,筛选出影响含糖率的农业气象指标,采用逐步回归方法建立含糖率综合评估模式,利用细网格推算模型,在CtityStar4.0平台上进行了河套蜜瓜品质的区划,为当地蜜瓜发展提供参考。     

“风味2号”甜瓜果实成熟过程中的品质变化

以60Coγ射线育出甜瓜新品种"风味2号"为材料,研究其果实发育和品质形成的动态变化。结果表明,从授粉后第5天开始果实快速膨大,第30天时鲜重达最大。从授粉后第29天开始,果肉可溶性糖含量迅速增加,其后保持稳定,至第34天显著降低。可滴定酸含量随果实的发育逐渐增加,糖酸比的高峰出现在授粉后第30-34天。气相色谱表明,"风味2号"果实中主要可溶性糖为果糖、葡萄糖和蔗糖,有机酸为苹果酸和柠檬酸,其中柠檬酸是主要有机酸。气相色谱-质谱联用分析显示:果实有35种挥发性物质,其中酯类占35.24%,酸类占19.21%,醇类为14.28%,醛类为11.71%。     

Embryo Abortion in Relation to Fruit Size,Quality, and Concentrations of Nutrients in Skin and Pulp of Mango

To investigate the effects of embryo abortion on fruit size and weight, stone weight, and fruit quality, including total soluble solids (TSS), acidity, TSS/acid ratio, sugars, and concentrations of macro and micronutrients in skin and pulp, nubbins (seedless fruit) and seeded fruit of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars ‘Glenn,’ ‘Irwin,’ ‘Haden,’ ‘Kent,’ and ‘Kensington Pride’ were compared at the ripe stage. Nubbins had significantly smaller fruit size and lower fruit weight than in seeded fruit in all the cultivars. Mean stone weight was also significantly lower in nubbins (9.04 g) than in seeded fruit (30.27 g) and the trend was similar in all the cultivars. Percent dry pulp weight was significantly higher in nubbins than in seeded fruit in all five cultivars. Nubbins exhibited significantly lower acidity and higher TSS and TSS/acid ratio than did seeded fruit in all of the cultivars. The concentrations of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) in the skin and N, phosphorus (P), K, calcium (Ca), Mg, sulfur (S), Fe, zinc (Zn), and Cu in the pulp of nubbins did not differ significantly from those in the skin and pulp of seeded fruit in all of the cultivars. However, mean concentrations of P, Ca, and S were significantly higher in the skin of nubbins than in the skin of seeded fruit. Mean concentrations of manganese (Mn) and boron (B) in both skin and pulp of nubbins were significantly higher than in the skin and pulp of seeded fruit. The experimental results suggest that embryo abortion at early stages of fruit development, although it reduces fruit size and weight, does not affect the concentrations of these elements in the pulp and skin of mature fruit. In conclusion, embryo abortion in mango fruit substantially reduced fruit size, weight, and stone weight and improved TSS, TSS/acid ratio, total sugars, and non-reducing sugars compared with seeded fruit in all the cultivars and led to minor changes in the concentrations of most of macro and micronutrients in skin and pulp of the fruit.     

蜜瓜和西瓜果汁的射频介电特性及其与糖度的关系(简报)

为了解果汁的介电特性与其主要内部品质——糖度之间的关系,该文利用末端开路的同轴探头和阻抗分析仪测量了10 MHz～1.8 GHz的频率范围内不同成熟度的3个品种密瓜汁和4个品种西瓜汁的介电特性,同时测量了反映果汁糖度的可溶性固形物含量和果肉的含水率,分析了介电特性和糖度间的关系。结果显示：密瓜和西瓜果汁的相对介电常数和介质损耗因数皆随频率的增大单调减小,品种间的差异对介电特性有影响;1.8 GHz下密瓜汁的损耗角正切与糖度有较好的线性关系,其决定系数为0.784,但西瓜汁的介电特性与糖度的相关性较差;密瓜和西瓜果汁的糖度与果肉的含水率有很好的线性相关性,其决定系数分别为0.973和0.906。该研究将为基于介电特性的果汁糖度检测仪的开发提供了研究基础。     

Elevation, rootstock, and soil depth affect the nutritional quality of mandarin oranges

The effects of elevation, rootstock, and soil depth on the nutritional quality of mandarin oranges from 11 groves in California were investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy by quantifying 29 compounds and applying multivariate statistical data analysis. A comparison of the juice from oranges in groves with deeper soil and trifoliate rootstock versus those with shallow soil and C-35 rootstock revealed differences in the concentrations of 4-aminobutyrate, ethanol, phenylalanine, succinate, and isoleucine. A comparison of fruit from trees grown at higher versus lower elevation revealed that those at higher elevation had higher concentrations of amino acids, succinate, and 4-aminobutyrate and lower concentrations of sugars and limonin glucoside. Such differences indicate that rootstock, soil depth, and differences in elevation influence the fruit nutrient composition. This study highlights how metabolomics coupled with multivariate statistical analysis can illuminate the metabolic characteristics of citrus, thereby aiding in the determination of the grove identity and fruit quality during orange production.     

Acylglycerol and fatty acid components of pulp,seed, and whole olive fruit oils. Their use to characterize fruit variety by chemometrics

The contents of triacylglycerols and diacylglycerols in three kinds of olive fruit oils (pulp, seed, and whole fruit) were determined. The fatty acid composition and the quality ratios 1,2-diacylglycerols/1,3-diacylglycerols and 1,2-diacylglycerols/total diacylglycerols were also assessed. Seven major Italian olive varieties were considered. Results of univariate statistical analyses indicated that the above analytical parameters (glyceridic ratios excepted) were effective in discriminating between pulp and seed oils. The seed oil fraction did not determine any change in the glyceridic indices and the acylglycerol or fatty acid composition concerning the whole fruit oil (mixture of pulp and seed oil fractions), the weight (%) of seed ( approximately 2%) being by far lower than the weight (%) of pulp ( approximately 85%) (fruit weight basis). Based on the data of triacylglycerol or fatty acid composition, and using appropriate parametric or nonparametric multivariate statistics, the genetic origins (olive variety) of the three fruit oil kinds were characterized.     

Sampling strategies and variability in fruit pulp micronutrient contents of west and central african bananas and plantains (Musa species)

The variability in fruit micronutrient contents in a selection of Central and West African Musa varieties cultivated under standardized field conditions was studied. Analysis of the within-fruit, within-hand, and within-plant as well as the between-plant variations demonstrated that both provitamin A carotenoids (pVACs) and mineral micronutrient (Fe, Zn) contents vary significantly across all sample groups. The variations in pVACs contents appear to be at least partly related to differences in the developmental status of the fruit, but the observed trends were genotype-specific. The mean pVACs concentrations per genotype indicated that there is substantial genetic variation in the fruit pVACs contents between Musa cultivars, with orange-fleshed plantain varieties (AAB) having generally higher fruit pVACs contents than dessert bananas (AAA). It was not possible to identify consistent trends between the sampling position and fruit Fe/Zn contents. Once the within-bunch micronutrient variability has been accounted for, the mean variations in fruit micronutrient contents between individual plants of a variety generally fell to within acceptable limits. Results are discussed within the framework of standardizing sampling and developing strategies to screen for the nutritional values of new and existing Musa varieties.     

Changes in sugars,acids, and volatiles during ripening of koubo [Cereus peruvianus (L.) Miller] fruits

The columnar cactus Cereus peruvianus (L.) Miller, Cactaceae (koubo), is grown commercially in Israel. The unripe fruits are green, and the color changes to violet and then to red when the fruit is fully ripe. The content of soluble sugars was found to increase 5-fold during ripening. Glucose and fructose were the main sugars accumulated in the fruit pulp, and each increased from 0.5 to 5.5 g/100 g fresh weight during ripening. The polysaccharides content decreased during ripening from 1.4 to 0.4 g/100 g fresh weight. The titratable acidity decreased and the pH increased during ripening. The major organic acid found in the fruit was malic acid, which decreased from 0.75 g/100 g fresh weight at the mature green stage to 0.355 g/100 g fresh weight in ripe fruits. Citric, succinic, and oxalic acids were found in concentrations lower than 0.07 g/100 g fresh weight. Prominent accumulation of aroma volatiles occurred toward the end of the ripening process. The main volatile found in the ripe fruit was linalool, reaching concentrations of 1.5-3.5 microg/g fresh weight.     

陇南不同种植区油橄榄果实生长期的经济性状比较

为研究陇南市不同种植地对不同品种油橄榄果实生长的影响,对陇南市武都区种植的莱星、鄂植8号、奇迹、皮削利等4个油橄榄品种,分别在其果实生长的受精和坐果期、种子生长期、果核变硬期、中果皮形成期和果实成熟期比较判断果实表型性状,分析果实生长期间含水率和含油率的变化,以探明不同油橄榄品种的适宜栽培区,为优化陇南地区油橄榄种植资源配置提供支持。结果表明,在陇南市武都区锦屏村和稻畦村种植的不同品种油橄榄果实外观均呈长圆形,且锦屏村种植的莱星油橄榄果实百粒鲜质量和含油率均高于稻畦村,中果皮形成期百粒鲜质量和含油率分别高于稻畦村34.82%和72.53%。稻畦村种植的鄂植8号油橄榄果实百粒鲜质量在果实生长前期低于锦屏村,生长后期则高于锦屏村,中果皮形成期稻畦村油橄榄果实百粒鲜质量高于锦屏村26.00%。锦屏村种植的鄂植8号油橄榄果实含油率均高于稻畦村,果实成熟期含油率高于稻畦村84.48%。锦屏村种植的奇迹油橄榄果实百粒鲜质量和含油率均高于稻畦村,果核变硬期百粒鲜质量高于稻畦村36.00%,果实成熟期的含油率高于稻畦村53.71%。锦屏村种植的皮削利油橄榄果实含油率高于稻畦村,中果皮形成期的含油率高于稻畦村76.13%。由此可知,锦屏村种植的油橄榄莱星、奇迹均优于稻畦村,且果实用途偏向于油用,油橄榄鄂植8号和皮削利作为油果兼用型果实,在锦屏村和稻畦村均可种植。且生长良好。     

Influence of cultivar and fruit ripening on olive (Olea europaea) fruit protein content, composition, and antioxidant activity

Proteins of olive fruit mesocarp are not very well-known at present. However, they have been shown to pass, at least partially, to the olive oil during its elaboration and therefore might be contributing to some of the special characteristics of this vegetable oil. In this study, protein content and composition were determined in olive fruits, cv. Arbequina and Picual, at three stages of ripening: green, spotted, and purple. Mesocarp proteins constituted 1.3-1.8% of the dry weight of the olive fruit, and cultivar and fruit ripening did not produce important changes in mesocarp protein content or composition. In addition, this composition was also similar to the amino acid composition of a 4.6-kDa polypeptide, which is the major protein component of olive oils and of oil bodies of olive fruit mesocarp, suggesting that this polypeptide is likely to be a major component of mesocarp proteins. There was, also, a relationship between the oil content of the olive fruit and the protein content determined, suggesting a stabilizing function of these proteins in the oil bodies of the olive fruit, analogously to the role suggested for oleosins. This stabilizing function does not seem to be extended to olive oils because when the polypeptides isolated were added at 20 ppm to soybean oil, the stability of the oil increased only slightly, suggesting that if these compounds play some role in the stability of the oils, this should be mostly a consequence of the possible interactions among these protein components and other olive oil antioxidant constituents.     

POTASSIUM SULFATE IMPROVES WATER DEFICIT TOLERANCE IN MELON PLANTS GROWN UNDER GLASSHOUSE CONDITIONS

Interactive effects of water stress and potassium (K) on some physiological attributes and nutritional status of melon (Cucumis melo L. cv. ‘Tempo F1’) plants were assessed in a pot experiment. Treatments used were: (1) control or well-watered (WW) + K1, (2) WW + K2, (3) WW + K3, (4) water stress (WS) + K1, (5) WS + K2, and (6) WS + K3. Water stress (WS) was imposed by maintaining the moisture level equivalent to 50% pot capacity, whereas well-watered (WW) pots (control) were maintained at full pot capacity (100% PC). Hoagland's nutrient solution was modified to supply K as potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄) at 6, 9, and 12 mM for K1, K2, and K3 treatments, respectively. Water stress reduced fruit yield, total dry matter, chlorophyll content and relative water content (RWC), but increased proline accumulation in the melon plants. However, additional supply of K as 3 or 6 mM significantly enhanced all the earlier mentioned physiological parameters, but the values were still not the same as the levels of the control treatment. Water stress also reduced leaf calcium (Ca) and K of the melon plants, but additional supply of K to the root zone increased the levels of both nutrients much higher than those at the control (C) treatment. Our study revealed that additional supply of K improved water stress tolerance in melon plants by enhancing chlorophyll, relative water content and concentrations of some essential nutrients in leaves.     

钼对含甲基营养型芽孢杆菌基质栽培甜瓜产量及氮磷钾吸收的影响

  【目的】  甲基营养型芽孢杆菌常接种于基质中以解决甜瓜生产过程中土传病害严重的问题。然而，甲基营养型芽孢杆菌对基质中微量元素的含量十分敏感，为此，我们研究了钼酸铵的适宜添加浓度，以期为甜瓜优质高效生产提供合理有效的技术参考和理论依据。  【方法】  试验于2019年5—8月在陕西省杨凌农业示范区进行，以薄皮甜瓜品种‘千玉6号’为材料，营养液中 (NH₄)₂MoO₄·4H₂O含量设置0、0.02 和0.04 mg/L 3个水平。测定甜瓜结果各时期器官干物质和全氮、全磷、全钾含量，分析结果中期甜瓜各器官对果实的养分贡献率、果实品质和果实全钼含量，统计产量并计算氮磷钾元素养分利用效率。  【结果】  甜瓜果实全钼含量随施钼水平增加而增加，而游离氨基酸、硝态氮含量、单果重及产量均在钼酸铵 0.02 mg/L水平最高，可溶性蛋白质含量在不施钼处理最高。除结果初期和中期甜瓜茎干物质量在3个施钼处理之间没有显著差异外，甜瓜各器官干物质、植株总干物质、全氮、全磷、全钾的积累量和转运量均以钼酸铵0.02 mg/L处理显著高于0和0.04 mg/L处理。0.02 mg/L钼酸铵处理通过提高营养器官中积累的氮磷钾对果实养分的贡献率，进而提高果实产量和氮磷钾养分利用效率；与钼酸铵0.02 mg/L处理相比，0和0.04 mg/L处理的果实产量及氮、磷及钾素养分利用率分别降低48.63%和17.50%、16.58%和22.44%、2.39% 和13.84%及27.34%和25.28%。  【结论】  在含有甲基营养型芽孢杆菌的基质栽培中，施用含0.02 mg/L (NH₄)₂MoO₄·4H₂O的营养液可显著提高甜瓜结果期干物质量和养分积累、转运及产量和品质。     

民勤蜜瓜连体拱棚一年两熟栽培技术

蜜瓜连体拱棚一年两熟栽培是民勤县近年来试验示范推广的新技术、新模式，在民勤蜜瓜产业高质量发展上起着承前启后、接续市场供应的作用。为给蜜瓜连体拱棚栽培提供技术指导，基于多年试验研究和生产实践，从连体拱棚建设、品种选择、穴盘育苗、温室管理、病虫害防治等方面总结了民勤蜜瓜连体拱棚一年两熟栽培技术。     

Proteomic analysis of up-accumulated proteins associated with fruit quality during autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) fruit ripening

Fruit ripening is a complex phenomenon that makes berries attractive and also determines their nutritional value. Autumn olive ( Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) fruit is a rich source of many human health-related nutrients. The changes in pericarp color are initiated at early developmental stages, coinciding with the fast increase in fruit size. Fruit quality traits with special emphasis on soluble sugars, organic acids, lycopene, and total protein contents were assayed during the fruit ripening. In the fully ripe fruit, glucose and fructose were the principal sugars, malic acid was the most abundant organic acid, and lycopene concentration was extremely high. A proteomic analysis was used to identify up-accumulated proteins induced by the ripening. Among 63 up-accumulated protein spots, 43 were successfully identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS. All 43 proteins were novel for autumn olive, and 8 were first reported in the fruit. Twenty-one proteins of known function were involved in sugar metabolism, citric acid cycle, isoprenoid metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, and protein hydrolysis. The possible roles of these 21 accumulated proteins in autumn olive fruit quality are discussed.     

Biochemical and catalytic properties of three recombinant alcohol acyltransferases of melon. sulfur-containing ester formation, regulatory role of CoA-SH in activity, and sequence elements conferring substrate preference

Alcohol acyltransferases (AAT) play a key role in the biosynthesis of ester aroma volatiles in fruit. Three ripening-specific recombinant AATs of cantaloupe Charentais melon fruit (Cm-AAT1, Cm-AAT3, and Cm-AAT4) are capable of synthesizing thioether esters with Cm-AAT1 being by far the most active. All proteins, as well as AAT(s) extracted from melon fruit, are active as tetramers of around 200 kDa. Kinetic analysis demonstrated that CoA-SH, a product of the reaction, is an activator at low concentrations and an inhibitor at higher concentrations. This was confirmed by the addition of phosphotransacetylase at various concentrations, capable of modulating the level of CoA-SH in the reaction medium. Site-directed mutagenesis of some amino acids that were specific to the Cm-AAT sequences into amino acids that were consensus to other characterized AATs greatly affected the selectivity of the original protein and the number of esters produced.     

Yellow melon yield in response to mineral or organic fertilization

Although current recommendations in Brazil suggest the application of mineral and organic fertilizers, there is little information regarding the interaction between them in melon plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mineral and organic fertilization in the plant development, nutritional status, and fruit yield of yellow melon. The following fertilizations were evaluated: mineral fertilization; bovine manure; bovine manure associated with mineral fertilization; poultry litter; and poultry litter associated with mineral fertilization. Bovine manure and poultry litter were applied at rates equivalent to 15 m³ ha^?1 and 5 m³ ha^?1, respectively. Phosphorus and potassium were applied based on the results of the soil analysis and nitrogen based on the expected yield of 20 to 30 t ha^?1 of fruits. Phosphate and organic fertilizers were applied at the time of preparation of the beds, while nitrogen and potassium were supplied daily through irrigation water. Goldex F1 melon hybrid seedlings were used in the experiment. Plants were collected to evaluate the dry matter production at beginning of flowering, beginning of fruiting, fruit growth, and fruit harvest. Leaves were collected at flowering stage to evaluate the nutritional status of plants. Harvest was made when the fruits reached the intense yellow coloration. Organic fertilizers alone and combined to mineral fertilizer did not affect the dry matter yield of leaves, stems, fruits and shoot, the concentrations of macro and micronutrients in melon leaves, the nitrogen accumulation in the plant, and the yield of the yellow melon. The application of bovine manure associated to mineral fertilization showed the lowest values of nitrogen recovery applied. Bovine manure application resulted in increase of nitrogen organic forms in soil.