Elevated carbon dioxide increases contents of antioxidant compounds in field-grown strawberries

The effects of elevated CO2 concentrations on the antioxidant capacity and flavonoid content in strawberry fruit (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) were studied under field conditions. Increased CO(2) (300 and 600 micromol mol(-1) above ambient) concentrations resulted in increases in ascorbic acid (AsA), glutathione (GSH), and ratios of AsA to dehydroascorbic acid (DHAsA) and GSH to oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and a decrease in DHAsA in strawberry fruit. High anthocyanin and phenolic content were also found in fruit of CO(2) treated plants. Growing strawberry plants under CO(2) enrichment conditions significantly enhanced fruit p-coumaroylglucose, dihydroflavonol, quercetin 3-glucoside, quercetin 3-glucuronide, and kaempferol 3-glucoside contents, as well as cyanidin 3-glucoside, pelargonidin 3-glucoside, and pelargonidin 3-glucoside-succinate content. Fruit of strawberry plants grown in the CO(2) enrichment conditions also had high oxygen radical absorbance activity against ROO(*), O(2)(*-), H(2)O(2), OH(*), and (1)O(2) radicals.     

Effect of plant growth temperature on antioxidant capacity in strawberry

The influence of four day/night growing temperature combinations (18/12, 25/12, 25/22, and 30/22 degrees C) on phenolic acid, flavonol, and anthocyanin content and their antioxidant activities against peroxyl radicals (ROO(*)), superoxide radicals (O(2)(*)(-)), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), hydroxyl radicals (OH(*)), and singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) in fruit juice of Earliglow and Kent strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cultivars was studied. Pelargonidin-based anthocyanins such as pelargonidin 3-glucoside (291.3-945.1 microg/g fresh wt.), pelargonidin 3-rutinoside (24.7-50.9 microg/g fresh wt.), and pelargonidin 3-glucoside-succinate (62.2-244.0 microg/g fresh wt.) were the predominant anthocyanins in strawberry fruit juice. The content of cyanidin-based anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-glucoside-succinate, was much lower than that of pelargonidin-based anthocyanins. Strawberry growth in high temperature conditions significantly enhanced the content of p-coumaroylglucose, dihydroflavonol, quercetin 3-glucoside, quercetin 3-glucuronide, kaempferol 3-glucoside, kaempferol 3-glucuronide, cyanidin 3-glucoside, pelargonidin 3-glucoside, pelargonidin 3-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside-succinate, and pelargonidin 3-glucoside-succinate in strawberry juice. Plants grown in the cool day and cool night temperature (18/12 degrees C) generally had the lowest phenolic acid, flavonols, and anthocyanins. An increase in night temperature from 12 to 22 degrees C, with the day temperature kept constant at 25 degrees C, resulted in a significant increase in phenolic acid, flavonols, and anthocyanins. These conditions also resulted in a significant increase in antioxidant capacity. The highest day/night temperature (30/22 degrees C) yielded fruit with the most phenolic content as well as ROO(*), O(2)(*)(-), H(2)O(2), OH(*), and (1)O(2) radical absorbance capacity. Fruit of Kent cv. strawberry had higher values of phenolic acid, flavonols, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacities than fruit of Earliglow cv. strawberry under all temperature regimes.     

Correlation of antioxidant capacities to oxygen radical scavenging enzyme activities in blackberry

The activities of the oxygen radical scavenging enzymes [glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and guaiacol peroxidase (G-POD)], hydrogen peroxide scavenging enzymes in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle [ascorbate peroxidase (AsA-POD), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), and glutathione reductase (GR)], the nonenzyme components [ascorbate (AsA), dehydroascorbate (DHAsA), glutathione (GSH), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG)], and their antioxidant capacity [oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)] were measured in the juice of six different thornless blackberry (Rubus sp.) cultivars. The 'Hull Thornless' cultivar contained the highest levels, whereas 'Black Satin' consistently had the lowest activities for all the enzymes tested in this study. ORAC values were also the highest in 'Hull Thornless' and lowest in 'Black Satin'. The highest levels of AsA and DHAsA were in the juice of 'Hull Thornless' blackberries with 1. 09 and 0.15 micromol/g fresh wt, respectively. 'Hull Thornless' also had the highest ratio of AsA/DHAsA among the six blackberry cultivars studied. The 'Smoothstem' cultivar contained the lowest amounts of AsA and DHAsA. 'Hull Thornless' had the highest GSH content with 78.7 nmol/g fresh wt, while 'Chester Thornless' contained the largest amount of GSSG. The highest GSH/GSSG ratio was 4.90 which was seen in the 'Hull Thornless' cultivar. The correlation coefficient between ORAC values and AsA/DHAsA ratios was as high as 0.972. A correlation (r = 0.901) was also detected between ORAC values and GSH content. The antioxidant activity in blackberry juice was positively correlated to the activities of most antioxidant enzymes (r = 0.902 with SOD; r = 0.858 with GSH-POD; r = 0.896 with ASA-POD; and r = 0.862 with GR).     

Changes in oxygen-scavenging systems and membrane lipid peroxidation during maturation and ripening in blackberry

Maturation and ripening of blackberry (Rubus sp.) fruit was accompanied by decreased activities of oxygen-scavenging enzymes [superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), glutathione-peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6)] and enzymes in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle [ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11), monodehydroascorbate reductase (EC 1.6.5.4), dehydroascorbate reductase (EC 1.8.5.1), and glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2)]. Nonenzyme components in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle such as ascorbate (AsA), dehydroascorbate (DHAsA), glutathione (GSH), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and the ratios of AsA/DHAsA, GSH/GSSG were also decreased. These decreases in antioxidant capacity were correlated with increases in the ratios of saturated to unsaturated fatty acid of polar lipids and free sterols to phospholipids, thus contributing to decreased fluidity, enhanced lipid peroxidation, and membrane deterioration, which may be associated with ripening and senescence in blackberry fruit.     

Scavenging capacity of berry crops on superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals, and singlet oxygen

The antioxidant activities against superoxide radicals (O(2)(*)(-)), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), hydroxyl radicals (OH(*)), and singlet oxygen ('O(2)) was evaluated in fruit juice from different cultivars of thornless blackberries (Rubus sp.), blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton), raspberries (Rubus idaeus L. and Rubus occidentalis L.), and strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.). Among the different cultivars, juice of 'Hull Thornless' blackberry, 'Earliglow' strawberry, 'Early Black' cranberry, 'Jewel' raspberry, and 'Elliot' blueberry had the highest antioxidant capacity against superoxide radicals (O(2)(*)(-)), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), hydroxyl radicals (OH(*)), and singlet oxygen ('O(2)). In general, blackberries had the highest antioxidant capacity inhibition of O(2)(*)(-), H(2)O(2), and OH(*). Strawberry was second best in the antioxidant capacity assay for these same free radicals. With regard to 'O(2) scavenging activity, strawberry had the highest value, while blackberry was second. Cranberries had the lowest inhibition of H(2)O(2) activity. Meanwhile, blueberries had the lowest antioxidant capacity against OH(*) and 'O(2). There were interesting and marked differences among the different antioxidants in their abilities to scavenge different reactive oxygen species. beta-Carotene had by far the highest scavenging activity against 'O(2) but had absolutely no effect on H(2)O(2). Ascorbic acid was the best at inhibiting H(2)O(2) free radical activity. For OH(*), there was a wide range of scavenging capacities from a high of 15.3% with alpha-tocopherol to a low of 0.88% with ascorbic acid. Glutathione had higher O(2)(*)(-) scavenging capacity compared to the other antioxidants.     

COMPOSTS AS SOIL SUPPLEMENT ENHANCED PLANT GROWTH AND FRUIT QUALITY OF STRAWBERRY

ABSTRACT

Compost significantly enhanced strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) plant growth and fruit quality when used as a soil supplement. Adding half strength of Peter nutrient solution (50% fertilizer) to a mixture of 50% soil plus 50% compost was very effective in significantly increasing plant dry weight to approximately double that of controls (without compost), fruit yield by more than 70%, and fruit size by 15% compared to controls in the two strawberry cultivars (“Allstar” and “Honeoye”). Compost and fertilizer also significantly enhanced leaf chlorophyll content. Nitrate reductase activity significantly increased in leaves and roots with the greatest increases when using 50% soil plus 50% compost. Strawberry plants grown with compost had significantly higher levels of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), but lower levels of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), and nickel (Ni) in fruit of both “Allstar” and “Honeoye”. Adding compost to the soil mix did not change zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) levels. Use of compost also significantly increased levels of organic acids (malic and citric acid), sugars (fructose, glucose, and total sugars), soluble solids content, and titratable acidity content in both cultivars. The results indicate that the use of compost can reduce the amount of fertilizer required for optimum strawberry plant growth.     

Alkylperoxyl radical-scavenging activity of various flavonoids and other phenolic compounds: implications for the anti-tumor-promoter effect of vegetables

We recently reported that alkylperoxyl radical (ROO(*)) enhanced carcinogenesis in rats treated with carcinogen (Sawa et al. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 1998, 7, 1007-1012), and the tumor promoting action of ROO(*) could be reduced by addition of hot-water extracts of vegetables (Maeda et al. Jpn. J. Cancer Res. 1992, 83, 923-928). Here we described the ROO(*)-scavenging activity of flavonoids and nonflavonoid phenolics and their role in anti-tumor-promoter effects. A model molecular species, ROO(*), was generated from tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) and heme iron, and the scavenging of t-BuOO(*) was determined by (a) bioassay based on the bactericidal action of ROO(*), (b) luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence, and (c) electron spin resonance. Of 17 authentic plant phenolics tested, 9 compounds (including rutin, chlorogenic acid, vanillin, vanillic acid, neohesperidin, gallic acid, shikimic acid, rhamnetin, and kaempferol) showed remarkably high ROO(*)-scavenging activity. Some of them were detected and quantified in hot-water extracts of mung bean sprouts, used as the model vegetable, and their contents increased after germination, which paralleled very well to the ROO(*)-scavenging capacity of the vegetable extracts. Thus, a diet rich in these radical scavengers would reduce the cancer-promoting action of ROO(*). Consequently, the carcinogenic potentials of oxygen-related radicals may be suppressed.     

胁迫对菜用大豆种子抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用蛭石栽培,在100 mmol/L NaCl 胁迫下,对耐盐性不同的两个菜用大豆［Glycine max (L.)Merr.］品种种子的过氧化氢（H2O2）含量及抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽（AsA-GSH）循环进行了研究。结果显示,NaCl胁迫显著增加了菜用大豆种子的H2O2含量,但耐盐品种 绿领特早的增幅低于盐敏感品种理想高产95-1。NaCl胁迫期间,绿领特早种子中抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶（DHAR）、谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）活性,AsA、GSH含量以及AsA/DHA值和GSH/GSSG值的增幅高于同期的理想高产95-1,或降幅低于同期的理想高产95-1; 脱氢抗坏血酸（DHA）、氧化型谷胱甘肽（GSSG）含量的增幅低于同期的理想高产95-1。表明 绿领特早种子在胁迫期间能够保持较高的AsA-GSH循环效率,可有效地抑制H2O2的积累,这可能是其耐盐性较强的重要原因之一。     

棉花幼苗AsA-GSH循环对低温胁迫的响应机制研究

为探究棉花幼苗营养器官抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽(AsA-GSH)循环系统对低温胁迫的响应机制,以新陆早57号为试验材料,研究4℃低温胁迫不同时间(0、1和2 d)对根、茎和叶中抗氧化物质含量和酶活性的影响。结果表明,与对照(0 d)相比,随着低温胁迫时间延长,棉花幼苗根中还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)含量及单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性呈上升趋势,氧化型抗坏血酸(DHA)含量先减少后增加,氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)活性先升高后降低,谷胱甘肽氧化还原状态(GSH/GSSG比率)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性总体呈下降趋势,抗坏血酸氧化还原状态(AsA/DHA比率)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)活性无显著性差异;茎和叶中AsA和GSH含量、AsA/DHA比率及APX、MDHAR和GR活性总体呈上升趋势,且茎中DHAR活性升高,DHA和GSSG含量先减少后增加,GSH/GSSG比率和GPX活性无显著性差异,而叶中DHA含量和GSH/GSSG比率先不变后增加,DHAR活性先升高后降低,GSSG含量和GPX活性无显著性差异。综合分析显示,棉花幼苗通过调节根、茎和叶中抗氧化物质含量和酶活性来清除活性氧,从而适应低温胁迫,减轻低温伤害。此外,低温对根中AsA-GSH循环影响最大。本研究结果为揭示低温胁迫对棉花幼苗AsA-GSH循环代谢机制提供了理论依据。     

耐盐和非耐盐大麦幼苗叶片抗氧化及抗坏血酸–谷胱甘肽循环系统对 NaCl 胁迫的反应差异

【目的】研究NaCl胁迫下,耐盐和非耐盐品系大麦幼苗叶片抗氧化系统及抗坏血酸–谷胱甘肽循环的反应差异。【方法】以耐盐品系12pj-118和非耐盐品系12pj-045为材料进行了水培试验。营养液中设定了6个NaCl浓度:0、100、200、300、400、500 mmol/L。在大麦苗生长至3叶1心时,取样分析测定叶片中活性氧代谢、抗氧化酶活性以及抗坏血酸–谷胱甘肽循环变化。【结果】随着NaCl胁迫的增加,2个品系的O_2~-产生速率、H_2O_2含量和MDA含量均逐渐增加,耐盐品系12pj-118的增幅均小于非耐盐品系12pj-045;SOD、POD、CAT、APX、GR活性、As A含量、GSH含量和As A/DHA比值均呈先上升后下降的趋势。12pj-118的SOD、POD、CAT活性在各NaCl浓度胁迫下的增幅大于12pj-045,降幅小于12pj-045;12pj-118的APX、GR活性在同一盐浓度胁迫下的增幅均大于非耐盐品系12pj-045,降幅小于12pj-045;在各NaCl浓度下,12pj-118的As A含量和As A/DHA比值较对照增幅均大于12pj-045;GSH/GSSG比值呈波状变化,12pj-118在较高NaCl浓度下,仍能够维持较高的GSH含量和GSH/GSSG比值。显示12pj-118较12pj-045有较强的耐盐性。【结论】耐盐和非耐盐品系大麦叶片抗氧化及抗坏血酸–谷胱甘肽循环系统在NaCl胁迫下的反应不同。在一定范围内,随着盐胁迫增强,耐盐品系12pj-118叶片SOD、POD、CAT、APX和GR活性、As A和GSH含量增幅均大于非耐盐品系12pj-045,降幅小于12pj-045,表明叶片抗氧化及抗坏血酸–谷胱甘肽循环系统与大麦幼苗抗盐性密切相关。     

海藻生物肥对草莓产量和品质的影响

为探究新型海藻生物肥对草莓产量和品质的影响,以红颜草莓为试验材料,对其叶面喷施不同浓度的新型海藻生物肥,以喷施清水为对照。喷施处理后,计算草莓产量,测定盛果期草莓可溶性固形物含量、可滴定酸、糖酸比、还原糖含量、硬度、抗坏血酸、总酚、花青素和类黄酮含量。结果表明,不同浓度海藻生物肥处理的草莓产量均有提升,其中在1 500倍海藻生物肥处理下,草莓果重、结果数和产量均极显著提高(P<0.01),分别较对照增加了42.96%、14.67%和63.93%。品质结果表明,1 500倍液海藻生物肥处理下,草莓的可溶性固形物含量、糖酸比、还原糖含量和硬度均达到最大值,且较对照均显著增加(P<0.05),高于市售2种海藻肥处理;低浓度(2 500~1 500倍)海藻生物肥对草莓抗氧化物质积累有促进作用,其中1 500倍海藻生物肥处理下,草莓Vc含量达到最大值,且较对照提高50.20%;在 2 500倍海藻生物肥处理下,花青素与类黄酮含量均极显著增加(P<0.01),较对照分别增加42.00%与30.56%,而高浓度(1 000~500倍)则抑制花青素与类黄酮的积累。综上,合理喷施新型海藻生物肥能提高草莓产量,提高抗氧化活性物质含量,改善草莓品质。本研究结果为新型海藻生物肥的规模化生产应用提供了理论依据。     

Impact of food disinfection on beneficial biothiol contents in strawberry

In this study, the impact of four food disinfectants including hydrogen peroxide, free chlorine, and gaseous- and aqueous-phase ozone with industrial doses on the concentration of biothiol compounds gamma-glutamylcysteinylglycine (GSH) and cystein (CYS) in strawberry was investigated for 1, 5, 15, 30, and 60 or 120 min. Additionally, the amount of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) was analyzed for calculation of the GSH/GSSG ratio as an indicator of oxidative stress. After this treatment, thiol contents of strawberry samples were examined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. According to the results of measurements, free chlorine treatment for only 60 min significantly decreased CYS content in strawberry (p < 0.05). A significant decline in the GSH/GSSG ratio was also observed when H2O2 was applied for all time intervals except for 1 min (p < 0.05). However, aqueous-phase ozone treatment did not significantly affect the thiol levels (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study may provide optimum disinfection methods for strawberry to minimize loss of beneficial biothiols.     

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of strawberries

Strawberries contain high levels of antioxidants, which have been correlated with a decreased risk of chronic disease. To more fully characterize the antioxidant profiles and possible associated health benefits of this fruit, the total free and bound phenolic, total flavonoid, and total anthocyanin contents of eight strawberry cultivars (Earliglow, Annapolis, Evangeline, Allstar, Sable, Sparkle, Jewel, and Mesabi) were measured. Cultivar effects on phenolic contents were compared with antioxidant capacities, as measured by the total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC) assay, and to antiproliferative activities, as measured by inhibition of HepG(2) human liver cancer cell proliferation in vitro. Free phenolic contents differed by 65% between the highest (Earliglow) and the lowest (Allstar) ranked cultivars. The water soluble bound and ethyl acetate soluble bound phenolic contents averaged 5% of the total phenolic content of the cultivars. The total flavonoid content of Annapolis was 2-fold higher than that of Allstar, which had the lowest content. The anthocyanin content of the highest ranked cultivar, Evangeline, was more than double that of the lowest ranked cultivar, Allstar. Overall, free phenolic content was weakly correlated with total antioxidant activity, and flavonoid and anthocyanin content did not correlate with total antioxidant activity. The proliferation of HepG(2) human liver cancer cells was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner after exposure to all strawberry cultivar extracts, with Earliglow exhibiting the highest antiproliferative activity and Annapolis exhibiting the lowest. No relationship was found between antiproliferative activity and antioxidant content.     

Enhancing antioxidant, antiproliferation, and free radical scavenging activities in strawberries with essential oils

Several natural antimicrobial compounds derived from essential oils of plants were investigated for their efficacies in inhibiting decay and extending the shelf life of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassas Duch.). The severity of decay in strawberries stored at 10 degrees C was significantly reduced by treatment with thymol. Treatments with menthol or eugenol also suppressed the fungal growth, but to a lesser extent. All of these three natural antimicrobial compounds extended shelf life of strawberries as compared to the control. Strawberries treated with thymol, menthol, or eugenol also maintained better fruit quality with higher levels of sugars, organic acids, phenolics, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity than the untreated fruits. The free radical scavenging properties of strawberry fruit were evaluated against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH(.)), hydroxyl (HO(.)), and superoxide radicals (O2(.-)) using electron spin resonance measurements. Higher radical scavenging capacities were found against DPPH(.) and HO(.) in all treated fruit, particularly in berries treated with thymol, compared to those in the control groups. In addition, strawberry extracts were evaluated for their antiproliferative activities using HT-29 colon cancer cells. Extracts from all treated fruit exhibited significantly stronger inhibition on HT-29 cell proliferation than those from the control fruit. These data provide evidence that, in addition to possessing antimicrobial activity, the essential oils also increase free radical scavenging capacity and antiproliferative activity in fruit and, in turn, enhance the resistance of fruit tissues to deterioration and spoilage.     

Quantification of polyphenolics and their antioxidant capacity in fresh plums

Total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity of 11 cultivars of fresh plums were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Identification and quantification of individual polyphenolics were performed using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a diode array detector. The total phenolic contents of various cultivars widely varied from 125.0 to 372.6 mg/100 g expressed as gallic acid equivalents. The level of total flavonoids in fresh plums ranged between 64.8 and 257.5 mg/100 g expressed as catechin equivalents. Antioxidant capacity, expressed as vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity (VCEAC), ranged from 204.9 to 567.0 mg/100 g with an average of 290.9 mg/100 g of fresh weight. Cv. Beltsville Elite B70197 showed the highest amounts of total phenolics and total flavonoids and the highest VCEAC. A positive relationship (correlation coefficient r (2)() = 0.977) was presented between total phenolics and VCEAC, suggesting polyphenolics would play an important role in free radical scavenging. The level of IC(50) value of superoxide radical anion scavenging activity of the plum cultivars ranged from 13.4 to 45.7 mg of VCEAC/100 g. Neochlorogenic acid was the predominant polyphenolic among fresh plums tested. Flavonols found in plum were commonly quercetin derivatives. Rutin was the most predominant flavonol in plums. Various anthocyanins containing cyanidin aglycon and peonidin aglycon were commonly found in all plums except for cv. Mirabellier and NY 101.     

Effect of high-oxygen atmospheres on blueberry phenolics, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacity

The influence of high oxygen concentrations on total phenolic, total anthocyanin, individual phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity (measured as oxygen radical absorbance capacity, ORAC) in highbush blueberry fruit (Vaccinium corymbosum L. cv. Duke) was investigated. Freshly harvested blueberries were placed in jars ventilated continuously with air or with 40, 60, 80, or 100% O(2) at 5 degrees C for up to 35 days. Samples were taken initially and at 7-day intervals during storage. Whereas the quality parameters of titratable acidity, total soluble solids, and surface color were only slightly affected by the superatmospheric O(2) treatments, the antioxidant levels were markedly increased by 60-100% O(2) treatments as compared with 40% O(2) treatment or air control during 35 days of storage. Elevated O(2) between 60 and 100% also promoted increases of total phenolics and total anthocyanins as well as the individual phenolic compounds analyzed by HPLC. Fruit treated with O(2) concentrations of >/=60% also exhibited significantly less decay. Data obtained in this study suggest that high-oxygen treatments may improve the antioxidant capacity of blueberry fruit. Furthermore, antioxidant capacity may be correlated with total phenolic and anthocyanin contents in blueberries.     

Controlled-atmosphere effects on postharvest quality and antioxidant activity of cranberry fruits

The effects of controlled-atmosphere (CA) storage on the firmness, respiration rate, quality, weight loss, total phenolics and flavonoids contents, and total antioxidant activities of the Pilgrim and Stevens cultivars of cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) have been studied during storage in atmospheres of 2, 21, and 70% O(2) with 0, 15, and 30% CO(2) (balance N(2)); and 100% N(2) at 3 degrees C. Elevated CO(2) concentrations decreased bruising, physiological breakdown, and decay of berries, thereby reducing fruit losses. Respiration and weight loss of fruits decreased, but fruit softening increased, at higher CO(2) concentrations. Accumulations of acetaldehyde, ethanol, and ethyl acetate varied by cultivar and storage atmosphere but were generally highest in the 2 and 70% O(2) and 100% N(2) atmospheres and increased in response to elevated CO(2) concentrations. Overall, the 30% CO(2) plus 21% O(2) atmosphere appeared optimal for the storage of cranberries. Sensory analysis is required, however, to confirm that accumulations of fermentation products at this atmosphere are acceptable for consumers. Stevens fruits had a higher phenolics content and total antioxidant activity than Pilgrim fruits. The storage atmosphere did not affect the content of total phenolics or flavonoids. However, the total antioxidant activity of the fruits increased overall by about 45% in fruits stored in air. This increase was prevented by storage in 30% CO(2) plus 21% O(2).     

H_2S对低温胁迫下甜樱桃柱头和子房AsA-GSH循环的响应

为了探究H_2S对甜樱桃花器官低温伤害的缓解机理,以甜樱桃品种早大果为试材,分析了不同浓度H_2S供体NaHS对低温胁迫下甜樱桃柱头和子房AsA-GSH循环系统的影响。结果表明,喷施0.02、0.05、0.1 mmol·L~(-1)的NaHS均可降低低温胁迫下甜樱桃柱头和子房超氧阴离子(O_2~-)、过氧化氢(H_2O_2)、丙二醛(MDA)含量,显著提高还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量(P0.05),降低氧化型抗坏血酸(DHA)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量,使AsA/DHA和GSH/GSSG比值显著升高(P0.05),以0.05 mmol·L~(-1)NaHS效果最显著;0.02、0.05、0.1 mmol·L~(-1)的NaHS均显著提高低温胁迫下柱头和子房AsA-GSH循环中抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDAR)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)的活性(P0.05),以0.05 mmol·L~(-1)NaHS提高上述酶活性的幅度最大。NaHS的浓度大于0.2 mmol·L~(-1)不再提高低温胁迫下AsA-GSH循环效率;低温胁迫下添加NaHS的同时添加H_2S清除剂HT可解除H_2S的效果。综上所述,喷施适量外源H_2S可有效降低低温胁迫下O_2~-、H_2O,和MDA积累,提高AsA-GSH循环效率,减轻低温对甜樱桃柱头和子房的氧化伤害。本研究结果为明确H_2S缓解甜樱桃花器官低温伤害作用机制以及生产上花期低温伤害预防提供了理论依据。     

美洲拟鲽抗冻蛋白基因遗传转化草莓的研究

以草莓品种星都2号和全明星的无菌苗叶盘和叶柄基部为外植体,采用携带美洲拟鲽编码pre、pro和mature 3种抗冻蛋白（AFP）基因的双元载体系统的根癌农杆菌进行转化,获得7个Km抗性株系。PCR扩增及PCR-Southern杂交检测6个株系呈阳性,结果表明,编码pre、pro和mature的AFP基因分别整合到了星都2号和全明星染色体DNA中,其中获得pre、pro和mature转星都2号株系各1个,转化率分别为1.56%、1.49%、1.67%;mature基因转全明星株系3个,转化率为4.05%.     

Functionality of bioactive compounds in Brazilian strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cultivars: evaluation of hyperglycemia and hypertension potential using in vitro models

Fruits of seven fully ripened strawberry cultivars grown in Brazil (Dover, Camp Dover, Camarosa, Sweet Charlie, Toyonoka, Oso Grande, and Piedade) were evaluated for total phenolics, antioxidant activity based on DPPH radical scavenging assay, and functionality such as inhibition of alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) relevant for potentially managing hyperglycemia and hypertension. The total phenolics content ranged from 966 to 1571 microg of gallic acid/g of fruit fresh weight for Toyonoka and Dover, respectively. No correlation was found between total phenolics and antioxidant activity. The major phenolic compounds in aqueous extracts of strawberries were ellagic acid, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid. Strawberries had high alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity. However, alpha-amylase inhibitory activity was very low in all cultivars. This suggested that strawberries could be considered as a potential dietary source with anti-hyperglycemic potential. The evaluated cultivars had no significant ACE inhibitory activity, reflecting low anti-hypertensive potential.