Abstract
Melons are good models used for explaining the physiological and biochemical changes in postharvest ripening. In this study, transgenic melons expressing apple ACC oxidase gene when treated with ethylene (AS3) were evaluated. Cell wall expression (MPG1; MPG2), ethylene synthesis ACC oxidase (ACCO1), flavour synthesis AAT (alcohol acyltransferase) and physiochemical parameters such as pulp firmness, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solid content (SSC), volatile esters, ethylene productions, antioxidant assay capacity and ascorbic acid content were evaluated. In cell wall expression analysis, MPG1 increased when fruits of transgenic melons were exposed to ethylene; showing they are ethylene- dependent. MPG2 decreased gradually when fruits were subjected to ethylene application. Fruit firmness was modified in transgenic fruits when ethylene was applied. There was a great reduction similar to that of non- transgenic fruits. However, TA in transgenic fruits remained lower than in non- transgenic fruit. The ethylene applied in transgenic fruit made the titratable acid to increase during 48 h and after it, a reduction was observed. In relation to soluble solid contents, transgenic fruits treated with or without ethylene did not reduce gradually compared to the wild type melons in all the periods. Ethylene productions in transgenic fruits were reestablished when ethylene was applied, exhibiting the same behavior as transgenic fruits. Antioxidant assay levels were more active in transgenic fruits when ethylene was applied than in control fruits, and it was only in transgenic fruits without ethylene. Ascorbic acid was kept in transgenic fruits with or without the application of ethylene. Results obtained show that the application of ethylene in transgenic ACC oxidase melons is able to change the metabolism of the cell wall, flavors and antioxidant capacity levels in fruit during the ripening process. Keywords: Esters, antioxidant, solid soluble content, ascorbic acid African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(31) 3252-3261
Highlights
Th he effe ect of ethylen e ne on transg t genic m melon rripenin ng and d fruit qualiity
Non- transgenic fruit plants were monitored during the period just to get to the actual 32 days after day pollination (DAP)
These results show that the t stro ong correlatio on between pulp firmness and ethyle ene trea atment was characterized c d by an ethy ylene-depende ent eve ent
Summary
Th he effe ect of ethylen e ne on transg t genic m melon rripenin ng and d fruit qualiity. M, Dept Ciênc cia e Tecnolog gia Agroindus strial, Campuss Universitário o, Caixa Posttal 354, CEP:: 90010-900, Pelo otas,RS, Brazzil. Received 27 Augus st, 2013; Accepte ed 14 July, 2014 e th he physiolog gical and bioc chemical changes in pos stharvest. Melons are good models used for explaining n this study y, transgenic c melons ex xpressing a pple ACC o oxidase gene when trea ated with ripening. C oxidase (ACCO1), flavour synthesis AAT (allcohol acyltrransferase) a and physioch hemical para ameters such h as pulp firmness, titratable t aciidity (TA), soluble s solid d content
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