Abstract
This research investigates whether pollination and pollen sources separately and simultaneously influence fig seed set and quality, as being thus far the less studied part of the fig trees. This is the first research that tries to answer and verify the above hypothesis through a combined approach of vibrational spectroscopy along with lipo-biochemical and ionomic fingerprinting. Results showed that pollination and pollen source significantly impacted seed set as it was higher in fertilized seeds than that in the control. A similar pattern was obtained with oil yield, which generally ranged between 25.93 and 32.59%. Caprification also displayed a substantial effect on seeds' phenolic components, which was more driven by pollen carbohydrates, involved in the phenolic biosynthesis in the endosperm and embryo tissues. This biosynthesis is also activated by minerals, which are cofactors for large varieties of enzymes that are involved in the phenolic synthesis pathways. Ca and Zn did not follow this pattern and have recorded high levels in figs fertilized by the pollen of OZ and FD4 caprifigs pollen, respectively. Vibrational spectroscopy using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy coupled with total attenuated reflectance (ATR) also showed a similar pattern to the seed sets and their lipo-biochemical attributes. Thus, the fertilized seeds displayed high vibrational intensity compared to the control in all fingerprint regions. Peaks at 2928 and 1747 cm−1 had a higher intensity and were attributed to lipids CH2 and CH3 stretching vibration and C=O of the carbonyl groups belonging to the triacylglycerols, respectively. Principal component analysis showed high throughput classification with quite similar patterns for both FTIR-ATR fingerprinting and ionomic and biochemical analysis. As many areas of how caprification impacts other seed aspects still need to be investigated further, this research suggests the importance of caprification in seed valorization for oil extraction and as a functional ingredient.
Highlights
Introduction e pollination system inFicus carica L. is based on a unique mutualism between the species and a symbiotic fig wasp called Blastophaga psenes, which has always been coexisted with the fig. is symbiosis symbolizes an outstanding example of very particular coevolution between the tree and its pollinator wasp in the kingdom Plantae [1, 2]. is pollination, known as caprification, is generally required for fruit loading and has an important impact on fruit quality [3–5]
Oil Yield and Seeds Set. e weight of seeds per fruit displayed a significant impact of pollination and pollen, as it was higher in pollinated fig seeds than the control, with a substantial difference noticed based on the following profichi sources (Figure 1). us, fruits pollinated with “Frond d’Oued N° 4” (FD4) profichis exhibited the highest seeds yield per fruit (2.441 g), while it
Ese results are due to the production of small empty seeds, as pollen is required for seeds sporophyte development and subsequently its impact on the seeds loading and weight [25]. us, fig seeds are generally hollow unless they are successfully pollinated [14, 26]. is trait of hollowness seems to be common between the fig receptacle and unpollinated seeds. ese seeds, especially pollinated ones, are well-known for their contribution to the fruit taste and flavor and antioxidant properties and dried ones to which pollinated seeds deliver the characteristic nutty taste [15, 26]
Summary
Introduction e pollination system inFicus carica L. is based on a unique mutualism between the species and a symbiotic fig wasp called Blastophaga psenes, which has always been coexisted with the fig. is symbiosis symbolizes an outstanding example of very particular coevolution between the tree and its pollinator wasp in the kingdom Plantae [1, 2]. is pollination, known as caprification, is generally required for fruit loading and has an important impact on fruit quality [3–5]. E pollination (caprification) process, which occurs from the end of May into June, is assured by the adult female wasp, which emerges from the caprifig (“profichi”) and enters receptive common fig through the ostiole, seeking egg-laying sites using its ovipositor During this process, pollen carried on the female body is spread to female flowers, resulting in pollination, which is necessary to seeds yielding [4]. Is unique mutualism cycle between this wasp and the edible and inedible figs is behind the transfer of pollen from caprifigs to edible figs, which helps produce high nutritive figs and yields seeds Today it is well-known that caprification has a substantial impact on fruit load and quality. Lipochemical vibrational fingerprinting through attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transformed infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and biochemical and ionomic assessment were performed on “Nabout” variety, which is one of the main components of the Moroccan fig trees landscape, with two caprifig cultivars, all cultivated in the same orchard and under the same conditions
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