Biochemical Composition Of Fruits Research Articles

Influence of meteorological factors on variability of biochemical composition of fruits of introduced species of Ericaceae and Actinidiaceae families in conditions of Belarus

The article describes results of a comparative study conducted in seasons of contrasting hydrothermic regimes of averaged variation coefficients of 14 indexes of biochemical composition of fruits of 4 species of introduced plants from families Ericaceae and Actinidiaceae – O. macrocarpus, V. corymbosum, A. arguta and A. kolomikta. It has been shown that the highest integral resistance of biochemical composition of fruits to the complex impact of meteorological factors among O. macrocarpus varieties is characteristic of the released Stevens variety, the lowest one – of Holistar Red, among V. corymbosum varieties – of Bluejay and Sunrise respectively. In the taxonomic row of A. arguta the highest resistance to abiotic factors is found in the natural form, the lowest one – in Sentjabrskaja variety, in the taxonomic row of A. kolomikta – in Aromatnaja and Sentjabrskaja varieties respectively. The greatest variability in all or most introduced varieties is characteristic of parameters of accumulation in fruits of dry substances, hydroxycinnamic acids, soluble sugars and the total amount of bioflavonoids, as well as the content of pectin substances for both species of Actinidiaceae family. At the same time, O. macrocarpus is characterized by high stability of the content of titrated acids and anthocyanin pigments in fruits, V. corymbosum – of catechins, flavonols and tannins, A. kolomikta – of titrated acids, leucoanthocyanins and catechins. Accordingly, the most distinct dependence on the seasonal hydrothermal regime has been found in O. macrocarpus for its sugar-acid index and the content of catechins in fruits, in V. corymbosum – for that of pectin substances and true anthocyanins, in A. arguta – for catechins content, for A. kolomikta – for that of ascorbic acid and flavonols.

Genotypic variability of biochemical composition of fruits of introduced species of Ericaceae and Actinidiaceae families in conditions of Belarus

The article describes results of a comparative study of variability of 14 quantitative characteristics of biochemical composition of fruits in sort rows of 4 species of introduced varieties of Ericaceae (Oxycoccus macrocarpus, Vaccinium corymbosum) and Actinidiaceae (Actinidia arguta, Actinidia kolomikta) families, which has shown its lowest dependence on genotype in O. macrocarpus and the greatest dependence in A. arguta while the species studied have similarities in the level of genetic determinancy of a number of characteristics of fruits biochemical composition. It has been shown that the lowest stability in sort rows of both species of Ericaceae fam. is typical of parameters of accumulating anthocyanins proper and leucoanthocyanins while the greatest stability – that of ascorbic acid, which is characterized by high variability in both species of Actinidiaceae family. Most species of introduced plants studied have the lowest variability in sort rows in content of soluble sugars and total amount of bioflavonoids in fruits, while the greatest one – in sugar-acid index and tannins content. It has been found out that V. corymbosum and A. arguta have little dependence of flavonols content in fruits on genotype while V. corymbosum and A. kolomikta – that of pectin substances with a strong dependence of parameters of accumulating the latter in O. macrocarpus and A. arguta.

КОМПЛЕКСНАЯ ОЦЕНКА СОРТОВ СЛИВЫ ДОМАШНЕЙ ПО КАЧЕСТВУ ПЛОДОВ В УСЛОВИЯХ ЮЖНОГО САДОВОДСТВА

The results of a comprehensive assessment of the varieties and hybrids of plums of domestic domestic breeding (FGBSI “North Caucasus Federal Scientific Center for Horticulture, Viticulture, Winemaking”) obtained from the directed crosses in the south of Russia are presented in the article. According to the results of the research, it was established that the taste qualities of plum fruits and the content of biochemical substances are determined by the biological characteristics of varieties, hybrids, and the conditions of the year. On the basis of a comparative analysis of the biochemical composition of fruits of different varieties and promising hybrid forms, the best domestic varieties Krasotka, Podruga, Herzog and hybrid form 17-2-64 were identified.

GENOTYPIC DISTINCTIONS OF VARIABILITY OF BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF FRUITS OF VACCINIACEAE SPECIES UNDER CONDITIONS OF BELARUS

Result of research of quantitative characteristics of biochemical composition of fruits of 30 taxons of 3 Vacciniaceae species (such as V. corymbosum L. (highbush blueberry), V. vitis-idaea L. (lingonberry) and Oxycoccus macrocarpus (Ait.) Pers. (cranberry)) inter-specific distinctions of a degree of stability of its separate components to complex influence of meteorological factors are revealed by 32 parameters (traits) describing the contents in fruits of some organic acids, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, terpenoids and major mineral elements are presented. The cultivars possessing by the greatest and accordingly by the least levels of dependence on abiotic factors are identified.

Innovational trends in apple breeding and fruit quality

The innovational trends in apple breeding include the development of triploid scab immune apple cultivars. The long-term phytopathological and biological studies made it possible to develop approximately 20 first home scab immune apple cultivars and include them in the State Register of Breeding Successes. For the first time in Russia and in the world, the biological and cytoembryological studies favored the development of a number of triploid cultivars that are characterized by high marketability and better biochemical composition of fruit in comparison with well-known old cultivars and diploid scab nonimmune cultivars of VNIISPK breeding.

A comprehensive assessment of source material for apple breeding for immunity and fruit quality

The results of years of studying new and promising varieties of Apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh) grown in Southern Russia. Evaluation of Apple cultivars was carried out for resistance to the major fungal pathogens scab (Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) G. Winter) and powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha Salm.), the quality and marketability of fruits, the content of biologically active substances underlying the antioxidant properties of fruits. An advanced method of polyploidy based on inclusion of parental forms with immunity to scab was applied in Apple selection. Integrated assessment of key biological traits of varieties and forms of Apple with diverse ploidy in unstable environments resulted in a selection of donors and sources of significant characteristics for Apple breeding such as resistance and immunity to major fungal pathogens, large fruit, bright red color of the fruit, improved chemical composition. High-quality varieties of Apple breeding in SKZNIISiV together with VNIISPK combining immunity to scab (the Vf gene) with high resistance to powdery mildew were selected: Fortune, Amulet, Carmen, Nika, Margo, Orfei, Souyz and others. Apple-tree grades, immune to scab, with a high viability of pollen (83–98%) were revealed: Azimuth, Vasilisa, Carmen, Lubava, Margo, Fortune, Liberty, Prima, Florina, Freedom. The promising parental forms passing to most of their hybrid progeny good tastes of fruits are Golden Delicious tetraploid, Wealthy tetraploid, Belle de Boskoop, Balsgard 0247 E, Papirovka tetraploid, and diploidy grades to Alkmene, Prima, Redfree and Kuban. Apple cultivars were revealed with high chemical indicators including the content of sugars: Orfei (10.8 %), Champion (10.5 %); vitamin C: Vasilisa and Souyz (more than 9.0 mg/100 g), hybrid form 44-24-49-uy (more than 11.4 mg/100 g); and P-active substances – Vasilisa, Lubava, Margo (more than 110.0 mg/100 g), whose use in breeding programs encourages the rapid creation of new genotypes with improved biochemical composition of fruits.

60 YEAR BRED CONVEYOR OF APPLE VARIETIES, THEIR RESISTANCE TO SCAB AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FRUITS

Abstract The results of apple breeding at the All Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK) for 60 years (1953-2013) are given. The basic sections of breeding are shown (the develop-ment of scab immune triploid apple varieties with higher contents of nutrient and biologically active substances in fruit). The biochemical characteristics of fruits in 47 apple varieties released from VNIISPK and included into the State Register are given. The development of the varieties with differ-ent dates of maturing and length of storage life allows providing the apple calendar of home apple con-sumption during the whole year round by the way of purposeful selection of varieties. First in Russia and in the world a series of triploid apple varieties have been produced from crossing between plants with different ploidy. These varieties ensure more regular fruiting and high fruit marketability. The VNIISPK varieties are widely introduced in the production and amateur orchards in a number of re-gions of Russia and Belarus; they are passing testing in the Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other countries. Keywords: apple, varieties, breeding, scab immunity, dates of fruit maturing, biochemical composition of fruit, triploidy.

Dehanding in Improving Fruit Quality of Banana

The experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Research Station, Mondouri, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India during the years 2007–2010 to assess the effect of dehanding on physico-chemical properties and quality of banana (Musa AAA Cv. Grande Naine). Accordingly terminal/distal hand(s) were removed in 3 (three) different intensity viz. i) removal of 1 (one) hand, ii) removal of 2 (two) hands and iii) removal of 3 (three) hands at various time after bunch emergence i.e, i) immediately after opening of last hand, ii) one week after opening of last hand, iii) two weeks after opening of last hand and iv) three weeks after opening of last hand. In general, dehanding decreased bunch weight over control and the intensity of reduction increased with delayed dehanding after opening of last hand. But removal of three hands immediately after opening of last hand increased fruit weight, fruit length, fruit circumference and pulp weight to the maximum tune of 53.9, 34.5, 13.9 and 58.6% respectively over the control. Unlike fruit morphological characters, the biochemical composition of fruits was not influenced significantly by dehanding except with reducing sugar. Dehanding also shortened the crop cycle by 18 days. The results signified the relevance of dehanding in improving market appeal and customer attraction of banana.

Phenolic Composition of Malus baccata Fruit

Natural populations of Malus baccata (L.) Borkh. occur in eastern Siberia and Primorsky Krai in addition to the Mongolian People’s Republic and northern China. The plant grows in river valleys, on islands, and on steppes and shrubsteppes. It is an exceptionally frost-resistant representative of the genus. The trees can withstand temperatures as low as –50°C. Polyphenolic compounds, primarily flavonoids contained in apples, are known to be involved in the regulation of human physiological functions. The qualitative and quantitative compositions of phenolic compounds (PC) in various species and varieties of apples and even a single variety growing under different ecological conditions vary regularly [1–4]. The spectrum of polyphenols is typically species-specific for apples and consists of 16 compounds, i.e., quercetin and its glycosides, phloridzin, phloretin, procyanidins, catechin, epicatechin, and several cyanidin glycosides and chlorogenic, cinnamic, and caffeic acids [4–7]. The literature contains much information on the PC contents in cultivated varieties grown in Europe, America, and China [2–7]. The biochemical composition of fruit from M. baccata, which is unique for its ability to fruit under extreme conditions, is practically unstudied. Therefore, the goal of the present work was to analyze the qualitative and quantitative compositions of PC in fruit from two forms of M. baccata. The dry weight (~30% of the raw mass) of M. baccata fruit was slightly greater than that of cultivated varieties (~24%). This seemed logical if the comparatively small (0.75 cm in diameter) size of M. baccata fruit was considered [8, 9]. The ratio of sugar content to acid number was reported for dessert varieties (25–30), for Antonovka (~10) [10], and for the studied fruit (~1.5). The vitamin C content in M. baccata fruit was comparable (6.5–7.5 mg%) to that in cultivated varieties grown in European Russia (from 5 to 50 mg%). We obtained samples of two ecological forms of M. baccata, tall and dwarf, grown under identical conditions in order to estimate intraspecies variations in the fruit chemical composition [9, 11]. The principal studied parameters were the dry fruit mass, sugar content, acidity, and vitamin C content and did not differ significantly for both forms (Table 1). The PC contents (calculated as quercetin) in both ecological forms differed considerably and were 1.01 0.5 mg/g of the fruit raw mass for tall and 1.56 0.12 mg/g for dwarf. The PC content for cultivated dessert varieties varied from 0.3 to 5.0 mg/g of raw mass [2, 3]. This was comparable with their contents in both forms of the studied fruit. Table 2 shows that the fruit PC included 10 principal compounds, i.e., procyanidin B1, anthocyans, phloretin, phloridzin, (+)-catechin, (–)-epicatechin, and quercetin glycosides and chlorogenic, cinnamic, and caffeic acids. The major constituents were procyanidin B1 (from 324.5 28.3 to 636.4 52.8 g/g of raw mass), quercetin glycosides (from 256.5 23.1 to 465.7 34.5 mg/g of raw mass), and phloridzin (331.3 25.3 g/g of raw mass). Cultivated varieties also had high contents of these flavonoids [2, 3, 5, 7]. A unique feature of the chemical composition of M. baccata fruit was the ratio of flavan-3-ols. The contents of (+)-catechin and (–)-epicatechin in fruit of both cultivated and wild representatives were high and comparable with the contents of their dimeric derivatives, i.e., procyanidins [2, 3, 5, 7, 12]. They totaled about 80–90% of the total polyphenol contents. This flavonoid class was represented in M. baccata fruit mainly by procyanidin B1 and reached only 30–40%. It is still unclear why procyanidin B2 was absent. First, it could be caused by the formation of larger unhydrolyzed oligomers, e.g., procyanidin B5 and tannins. Second, the biosynthesis could follow an anthocyan formation pathway from the same precursors as for the flavan-3-ols, i.e., leucoanthocyanidins [6]. This strategy could be more favorable for plant survival because anthocyan glycosides have greater cryoprotective potential. Many researchers relate their content to the frost-resistance of the trees [13–15].

Chemical composition of fruits of a feijoa (F. sellowiana) in the conditions of subtropics of Russia

The feijoa is culture quite widespread on the Black Sea coast of Russia. Difficulties are connected with absence in Russia of grades. All gardens have only the mix of grades, which is grown up from seeds. At institute are going of work on creation of productive varieties, with good quality parameters. Data on chemical and biochemical composition of fruits of high-yielding forms of a feijoa are provided in article. After carried-out selection work we selected a large number of perspective forms of a feijoa (more than 50). However not all of them was repeated by the results on productivity and were excluded from works on further studying. For today after rejection there were no more than two tens perspective forms. They differ from each other on productivity, terms of maturing and quality of fruits. On efficiency the D-1 forms (Dagomys), 0-01 (Country) and 10-22 are allocated - productivity of fruits (on the average in 7 years) made respectively 33.3, 20.1 and 12.4 kg from a bush. The plants are sorted out according to the productivity, ripening terms and fruit quality. It is defined that early ripe grades are characterized by higher activity of oxidizing enzymes (263.1 mL.O2.g-1). In a zone of damp subtropics the grades containing increased quantity of carotinoids are steadier (0.31 mg.g-1). The contents in fruits of a feijoa of such substances, as vitamin P, Р-active and pectin substances, ascorbic acid, macro and microelements are revealed. Fruits of a feijoa are differed the increased accumulation of sugars, at some forms the content of sucrose prevails over amount of monosaccharide. High accumulation of vitamin C (41.89 - 78.68 mg.dL-1) is noted. But we don't confirm the high content of iodine in fruits. Fruits of a feijoa can be considered as potential raw materials for production of canned products with a functional purpose.

Supplementary Potassium Sustains Fruit Yield in Bell Pepper under High Ammonium Nutrition

The uptake of nitrogen (N) in nitrate or ammonium (NH4+) form affects physiological and metabolic processes and toxicity may develop in plants receiving high concentrations of NH4+. The objective of the present study was to delineate the response of bell pepper plants to varying proportions of NH4+ combined with increasing concentrations of potassium (K) in the nutrient solution. Bell pepper plants were tolerant to moderate proportions of NH4+ (25% or less or 50% or less); however, higher proportions resulted in growth reduction. The application of higher K concentrations in the nutrient solution did not ameliorate the growth on vegetative plant parts; however, when K was increased to 9 mm, the yield was sustained even when 50% of total N was in the NH4+ form. Decreased shoot:root ratio and harvest index indicated that biomass accumulation was affected more in the shoot than in the root and in the fruit than in the shoot, respectively. There was a lower concentration of NH4+ in the roots compared with leaves, suggesting that the higher K concentration that resulted from the increased K in the nutrient solution was associated with NH4+ translocation through the xylem. A decrease in calcium and magnesium detected in leaves suggests an antagonistic relationship with NH4+ and K in the nutrient solution, which was correlated with the acidification of the growing medium. Higher yields when K was at 9 mm may be the result of the high photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance (gS) detected in plants fertigated with 25% of total N as NH4+ and the higher leaf water potential when the proportion of NH4+ was 50%. The biochemical composition of fruits was affected because both high NH4+ and increased K resulted in higher ethylene production, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase activity, and carotenoids.

Promising sour cherry hybrids (Prunus cerasus L.) developed at Fruit Research Institute Cacak

At Fruit Research Institute in Cacak, major objectives of the work on breeding new sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) cultivars are high cropping, large, high-quality fruits and resistance to causal agents of diseases and pests. As a result of the planned hybridization, more than 10,000 hybrid seedlings have been developed from about 40 cultivars within more than 110 parental combinations, among which are 'Cacanski rubin' ('Shasse Morello' x 'K?r?ser Weichsel') and 'Sumadinka' ('K?r?ser Weichsel' x 'Heimanns Konserven Weichsel') which have been named and released. Ten-year study of 11 hybrids, selected from the population of about 3,000 hybrid seedlings, gave four hybrids which have been singled out as elite (III/23, III/31, II/40 i XII/57). These hybrids are currently under procedure of being released as new cultivars. The paper presents two-year results of the study of ripening time, pomological properties, biochemical composition of fruits, and field resistance to causal agents of diseases and pests attacking the above named genotypes which were compared to standard cultivar 'Heimanns Konserven Weichsel'. In the studied hybrids, fruit weight, soluble solids content and sugars content were higher than in standard cultivar. In addition, they exhibit substantial field resistance to causal agents of brown rot (Monilinia laxa /Ader et Ruhl./ Honey ex Whetz.), cherry leaf spot (Blumeriella jaapii (Rehm.) v. Arx.), shot-hole (Clasterosporium carpophilum (L?v.) Aderh.) and cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi L.) attack.

Prolonged root hypoxia induces ammonium accumulation and decreases the nutritional quality of tomato fruits

Here we examined the effects of root hypoxia (1-2% oxygen) on the physiology of the plant and on the biochemical composition of fruits in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom) plants submitted to gradual root hypoxia at first flower anthesis. Root hypoxia enhanced nitrate absorption with a concomitant release of nitrite and ammonium into the medium, a reduction of leaf photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll content, and an acceleration of fruit maturation, but did not affect final fruit size. Quantitative metabolic profiling of mature pericarp extracts by (1)H NMR showed that levels of major metabolites including sugars, organic acids and amino acids were not modified. However, ammonium concentration increased dramatically in fruit flesh, and ascorbate and lycopene concentrations decreased. Our data indicate that the unfavorable effects of root hypoxia on fruit quality cannot be explained by two of the well-known effects of root hypoxia on the plant, namely a decrease in photosynthesis or an excess in ethylene production, but may instead result from disturbances in the supply of either growth regulators or ammonium, by the roots.

RESULTS OF APPLE-TREE BREEDING FOR FRUITS BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION IMPROVEMENT

Breeding for creating apple varieties not only adaptive, perishable, high-yielding, with high commodity and consumer qualities of fruits, but also with fruits rich in sugar, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and P-active substances has been conducted for about 50 years at the Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK). Apple varieties with the improved biochemical composition of fruit are briefly described in this article. The long-term study made it possible to identify 3 varieties among apple varieties of VNIISPK breeding that have high content of sugars in fruit including Blagodat – 13.3 %, Vavilovskoye – 13.0 and Ministr Kisilev -13.1 % , with an average sugar content in 58 varieties-10.6 %. The best varieties by the content of ascorbic acid in fruits were Ivanovskoye – 19.5 mg/100 g, Veteran – 19.4, Nizkorosloye – 18.0 and Pepin Orlovsky – 15.3 mg/100 g. With an average content of P-active substances 364 mg/100 g in 58 varieties the best varieties were Candil Orlovsky – 558, Orlovsky Pioner – 514, Pamyaty Khitrovo – 480 and Radost Nadezhdy – 474 mg/100 g. The long-term work has shown that by breeding it is possible to improve significantly the biochemical composition of the fruit in apple. The introduction of intensive orchards into production with apple varieties having high content of sugars, ascorbic acid and P-active substances gives an opportunity to increase the food and medicine value of fruits without additional costs.