Carotenoid Content Research Articles

Influence of Combined Supplemental Lighting and Nutrient Solution Concentration on Fruit Production and Quality of Cherry Tomato

We conducted an analysis on the combined effects of two light conditions (L1: greenhouse natural lighting; L2: greenhouse natural lighting plus supplemental lighting (SL)) and three nutrient solution concentrations (EC, NS1: 3.2 dS/m; NS2: 3.7 dS/m; NS3: 4.2 dS/m) on the growth, fruit production, and quality of two cherry tomato cultivars with different fruit coloring (‘Baiyu’ and ‘Qianxi’). The plants subjected to NS2 exhibited enhanced growth, photosynthetic parameters, and fruit production. The utilization of SL further enhanced stem diameter, leaf number, and single fruit weight, resulting in higher fruit weight per plant in ‘Baiyu’, which was not observed in ‘Qianxi’. The growth, fruit size, and fruit weight of both cultivars cultivated under NS3 conditions were suppressed, while these fruits exhibited elevated levels of total soluble solids (TSS), soluble sugars, vitamin C, polyphenols, fructose, glucose, sucrose, citric acid, and carotenoids. These levels were further enhanced by SL treatment. The improvement of fruit quality through the application of SL was found to be cultivar and EC dependent. In ‘Baiyu’, SL at NS1 significantly enhanced the accumulation of fruit water, minerals (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg), TSS, vitamin C, fructose, sucrose, and carotenoids. However, this effect was not observed in ‘Qianxi’. The combination of SL and EC 4.2 dS/m (NS3) generally contributes to the enhancement of fruit quality, while SL and EC 3.7 dS/m can ensure consistent fruit production. The yellowish-white fruit cultivar exhibited higher levels of soluble sugars, vitamin C, and polyphenols under L2NS3 conditions compared to the red fruit cultivar, whereas the carotenoid content showed an opposite trend. The findings are anticipated to establish a theoretical foundation for the consistent annual cultivation of cherry tomatoes in protected horticultural settings.

Effect of Drying Methods on the Antioxidant Capacity and Bioactive and Phenolic Constituents in the Aerial Parts of Marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) Grown Naturally in the Taurus Mountains in the Mediterranean Region

This research revealed the effect of drying processes on the bioactive properties of marjoram leaves. The total carotenoid content in marjoram leaves ranged between 60.96 µg/g (fresh) and 189.78 µg/g (oven-dried), whereas the total flavonoid content ranged between 949.33 mg CE/100 g (control) and 16,958.59 mg CE/100 g (oven-dried). The total phenolic amounts in marjoram leaves were between 259.17 mg GAE/100 g (fresh) and 1264.17 mg GAE/100 g (oven-dried), while the antioxidant activity values were between 45.23% (fresh) and 77.29% (oven-dried). The 1,2-dihydroxybenzene and (+)-catechin amounts in marjoram leaves were between 19.54 (microwave-dried) and 165.26 (oven-dried) to 20.97 (fresh) and 46.99 mg/100 g (oven-dried), respectively. The kaempferol content in the marjoram plant was specified between 11.45 mg/100 g (fresh) and 43.05 mg/100 g (oven-dried). In general, the quantities of phenolic constituents in the marjoram leaves dried in both drying systems increased compared with fresh samples (except 1,2-dihydroxybenzene, p-coumaric acid, and resveratrol in the microwave-dried samples).

Time of Application of Desiccant Herbicides Affects Photosynthetic Pigments, Physiological Indicators, and the Quality of Cowpea Seeds.

Chemical desiccation is widely used in agriculture to anticipate harvest and mitigate the effects of adverse environmental conditions. It is applied to both grains and seeds. Although this practice is widely used, there are still significant gaps in understanding the effects of different herbicide application times on seed quality and plant physiological responses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different herbicide application times on cowpea, focusing on seed quality, physiological responses, and biochemical composition, including chlorophylls, carotenoids, sugars, and proline, under nocturnal desiccation. In the first experiment, eight herbicides and two mixtures were applied at night: diquat, flumioxazin, diquat + flumioxazin, glufosinate ammonium, saflufenacil, carfentrazone, diquat + carfentrazone, atrazine, and glyphosate. All of the tested herbicides caused a reduction in normal seedling formation, with the diquat + carfentrazone combination resulting in 100% abnormal seedlings. A significant decrease in chlorophyll levels (chlorophyll a: 63.5%, chlorophyll b: 50.2%) was observed using diquat, which indicates damage to photosynthetic processes, while the carotenoid content increased. Total soluble sugars and proline were also negatively impacted, reflecting physiological stress and metabolic changes in seedlings. In the second experiment, three application times were tested with diquat, diquat + flumioxazin, and diquat + carfentrazone. Nocturnal application showed the most significant reduction in chlorophyll levels and increased carotenoid levels. Application at noon and late afternoon also significantly changed the soluble sugar and proline levels. These results indicate that the herbicide application time directly influences the seeds' physiological quality.

Exploring quorum sensing for inducing bioactives overproduction in the dinoflagellate microalga Amphidinium carterae

The dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae is a promising source of unique bioactive compounds with potential applications in diverse industries. Abiotic strategies for increasing bioactive cell quota have been preferred for cost-effectiveness, controllability, and existing knowledge. The supernatants of Heterosigma akashiwo and Pavlova sp. enhanced haemolytic activity of A. carterae by 2.3 times and improved its final biomass by 10 % when added to the growth medium. Prymnesium parvum supernatant increased the total lipid content of A. carterae by 50 %, while Pleurochrysis roscoffensis supernatant boosted its total carotenoid content by 40 %. This study demonstrated a rapid screening strategy for evaluating growth responses and highlights the potential of using allelopathic strategies to enhance bioactive metabolite production. Utilizing supernatants for the formulation of growth media fosters a circular economy by repurposing resources, minimizing waste, and promoting sustainability in the microalgal biotechnological industry.

Synergistic potential of co-millinged edible argan oil (Argania spinosa L.) and oregano leaves (Origanum vulgare L.) in food applications

By including oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) leaves (OL) during the extraction process, the nutraceutical benefits of argan oil (AO) can be significantly increased. Thanks to the employed technique (enrichment through extraction), without resorting to organic solvents. The current work aimed at developing of a green enrichment of argan oil with 2 and 5 % of OL. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of adding OL and its impact on AO oxidative stability under accelerated oxidation for four months. AO physicochemical characterization consisted in measuring quality indices, total phenolic contents, antioxidant activity, pigments, and sensory analysis throughout the storage period. In general, AO samples containing OL exhibited increased phenolic, chlorophylls, and carotenoid contents and lower peroxide and p-anisidine values. AO shelf-life was extended thanks to OL, which slowed down the process of lipid complete oxidation. From a sensory standpoint, a rancid taste was found in the unenriched AO, while the taste and color of oregano were more intense in the AOs supplemented with OL at 5 %. This innovative approach boost AO value in various industries and exemplifies the endless possibilities that emerge when we explore the synergy between different natural elements.

Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase from Ligusticum chuanxiong alleviates drought stress, and improves lignin and melatonin biosynthesis.

Drought stress is a major constraint on plant growth and agricultural productivity. Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme involved in the methylation of various substrates, plays a pivotal role in plant responses to abiotic stress. The involvement of COMTs in drought response, particularly through the enhancement of lignin and melatonin biosynthesis, remains poorly understood. In this study, LcCOMT was firstly proposed to be associated with the biosynthesis of both lignin and melatonin, as demonstrated through sequence comparison, phylogenetic analysis, and conserved motif identification. In vitro enzymatic assays revealed that LcCOMT effectively methylates N-acetylserotonin to melatonin, albeit with a higher Km value compared to caffeic acid. Site-directed mutagenesis of residues Phe171 and Asp269 resulted in a significant reduction in catalytic activity for caffeic acid, with minimal impact on N-acetylserotonin, underscoring the specificity of these residues in substrate binding and catalysis. Under drought conditions, LcCOMT expression was significantly upregulated. Overexpression of LcCOMT gene in Arabidopsis plants conferred enhanced drought tolerance, characterized by elevated lignin and melatonin levels, increased chlorophyll and carotenoid content, heightened activities of antioxidant enzymes peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation. This study is among the few to demonstrate that COMT-mediated drought tolerance is achieved through the simultaneous promotion of lignin and melatonin biosynthesis. LcCOMT represents the first functionally characterized COMT in Apiaceae family, and it holds potential as a target for genetic enhancement of drought tolerance in future crop improvement strategies.

Establishment of near-infrared rapid prediction model and comprehensive evaluation model for foxtail millet quality

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is one of the earliest cereal crops in the world and is still an important food crop in Asia, Europe and Africa. However, there are few reports on rapid and comprehensive evaluations of foxtail millet quality. In this study, color, nutrient content, cooking quality and sensory quality of 45 varieties of foxtail millet from the main production areas of the country were determined. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) combined with partial least squares regression (PLSR) was developed for rapid and nondestructive detection of foxtail millet quality, where NIRS models for ash, amylopectin, protein, and VB1 and VB2 were desirable. In addition, correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used for comprehensive evaluation of millet quality. The results showed that foxtail millet with low ash, protein, fat and fiber content and high amylopectin and carotenoid content has good cooking quality and was more preferred. This research will contribute to the quality evaluation and further processing of foxtail millet.

Enhancing growth, yield and physiological quality of sweet pepper fruit through application of fertiliser and moringa leaf powder (MLP)

ABSTRACT Most farmers rely heavily on inorganic fertilisers to enhance the production of horticultural crops. This can lead to environmental pollution, soil degradation and even human health problems. Reducing the usage of inorganic fertilisers by incorporating organic fertilisers (e.g. moringa leaf powder (MLP) and chicken litter (CL)) into inorganic fertiliser blends is likely to impact the environment less negatively than the sole application of inorganic fertiliser. The aim of this study was to produce sweet peppers using a combination of organic and inorganic fertilisers. In a controlled environment, MLP (20 g) was blended with CL (30 g) and inorganic fertiliser (Nitrogen Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK 3:1:3)) at different concentrations (10 g (33,33%), 20 g (66,66%), and 30 g (100%)), and applied to the root zone of transplanted sweet pepper seedlings. Treating sweet pepper plants with NPK (20 g) + CL (30 g) + MLP (20 g) resulted in the highest yield, with fruit containing higher total carotenoid concentrations than other treatments. Neither leaf number nor plant height was positively correlated with fruit weight per plant. Leaf chlorophyll and fruit carotenoids were present in the highest concentration in the chemical fertiliser (20 g) + CL (30 g) + MLP (20 g) (T11). Based on the yield, the best-performing combination (3:1:3 fertiliser with CL and MLP), optimal carotenoid concentration on pepper fruits was obtained on chemical fertiliser (20 g) + CL (30 g) + MLP (20 g), suggesting that peppers perform well, despite chemical fertiliser reduction from 30 to 20 g per plant, if CL and MLP are added to the medium.

Comprehensive physicochemical indicators analysis and quality evaluation model construction for the post-harvest ripening rapeseeds

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is the second largest globally cultivated oil crop, but the effects of post-harvested ripening on rapeseed quality is unclear and unpredictable. This study reveals the relationship between post-harvest ripening periods (PHR) and physicochemical quality of different rapeseed cultivars using comprehensive physicochemical indicators analysis. The results indicate that PHR led to a gradual decrease in chlorophyll, carotenoid and moisture content but continually increased oil and total phenol content (TPC). Besides, 295 lipid molecules from 13 lipid subclasses were identified, revealing that the relative content of triacylglycerol (TG) was progressively increased while diacylglycerol (DG) demonstrated a consistent decline throughout the PHR. Correlation analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed to construct and verify the comprehensive quality evaluation model for rapeseeds in PHR. This paper develops a comprehensive quality evaluation model for post-harvest ripening rapeseeds and advances the development of agricultural products.

Physicochemical and sensory evaluation of the quality of crude palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) produced artisanally and industrially in Brazil

Palm oil is primarily used in the crude form in northeastern Brazil's cuisine. Most of its production is carried out by small manufacturers, who use the profits from sales as a subsidy to supplement their family income. Evaluating the physicochemical and sensory quality of palm oil is essential to help producers develop higher-quality artisanal products. This study aimed to analyze samples of crude palm oil produced and sold in the city of Taperoá (BA) and other industrialized brands sold in Salvador (BA). Seven palm oil samples underwent physicochemical analysis (acidity, carotenoid content, instrumental color, iodine value, peroxide value, Kreis reaction, saponification value) and sensory analysis (acceptance and ranking tests). Our findings revealed significant variation in the evaluated parameters, with most samples showing inadequate results for the regulatory parameters of acidity and iodine values, as well as unsatisfactory results for carotenoids and the Kreis reaction across all samples. Variations in color analysis were likely associated with differences in carotenoid content among the samples. The acceptance tests showed that most samples scored above average for all evaluated characteristics, except for the industrial sample from Taperoá (sample 06), which showed the lowest averages for color (4.5), odor (5.2), viscosity (3.2), and overall impression (4.3). In the ranking test, sample 02 from artisanal production (Taperoá-BA) was the most preferred in all categories, while sample 06 from industrial production (Nazaré-BA) was the least preferred in all categories. These results indicate opportunities for improving both traditional and industrial crude palm oil production methods, which could lead to an increase in income for the population that depends on this product.

Management of Rhizoctonia blight of groundnut using antagonistic effects of bioagents and organic amendments

Rhizoctonia blight disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani in groundnut crop is one of the most devastating diseases occurring worldwide. The disease affects the morphological and physiological parameters of the crop leading to reduction in pod yield as well as oil yield. The pathogen was isolated locally and identified as Rhizoctonia solani based on molecular characterization. The efficacy of different bioagents in reducing the radial growth of pathogen was tested in vitro and highest mycelia growth inhibition was recorded by Trichoderma asperellum (89.07 %). Among the fungicides tested, 100 % mycelial growth inhibition was observed by use of Carbendazim 50 WP, Tebuconazole 25.9 % EC, Hexaconazole 5 % suspension concentrate (SC) and Tebuconazole 50 % + Trifloxystrobin 25 % water-dispersible granule (WG). Among different organic substances tested in vitro, neem seed cake achieved maximum mycelial growth inhibition of 50.74 % and 54.08 % at 10 % and 20 % concentrations respectively. In the field experiment, treatment with application of neem seed cake to the soil at 500 kg/ha + application of mustard seed cake to the soil at 500 kg/ha + treatment of seeds with Tebuconazole at 1.5 g/kg of seed + treatment of seeds with T. asperellum at 10 g/kg of seed was found to be the best in enhancing plant health, growth promotion and oil yield. The combined treatment of bioagent, fungicide and organic amendment recorded maximum number of branches (14.00), number of leaves (668.33), plant dry weight (64.17 g), 100 pod weight (65.00 g) and oil yield (47.33 %) compared to the control and other treatments along with reduction of the disease (59.61 %). In the physiological parameters study, the same treatment also recorded maximum pigment contents viz. Chlorophyll a (1.843 mg/g), Chlorophyll b (0.555 mg/g), total chlorophyll (2.397 mg/g) and carotenoid content (0.084 mg/g) but with minimum phenol content (1.693 mg/g). Thus, it can be concluded that integration of selective inputs in the combined treatment of Neem seed cake, Mustard seed cake, Tebuconazole and T. asperellum could enhance the plant health, morphological growth and physiological parameters and increased the oil yield in groundnut along with reduction of the disease.

EMS-induced missense mutation in TaCHLI-7D affects leaf color and yield-related traits in wheat.

Mutations in TaCHLI impact chlorophyll levels and yield-related traits in wheat. Natural variations in TaCHLI-7A/B influence plant productivity, offering potential for molecular breeding. Chlorophyll is essential for plant growth and productivity. The CHLI subunit of the magnesium chelatase protein plays a key role inserting magnesium into protoporphyrin IX during chlorophyll biosynthesis. Here, we identify a novel wheat mutant chlorophyll (chl) that exhibits yellow-green leaves, reduced chlorophyll levels, and increased carotenoid content, leading to an overall decline in yield-related traits. Map-based cloning reveals that the chl phenotype is caused by a point mutation (Asp186Asn) in the TaCHLI-7D gene, which encodes subunit I of magnesium chelatase. Furthermore, the three TaCHLI mutants: chl-7b-1 (Pro82Ser), chl-7b-2 (Ala291Thr), and chl-7d-1 (Gly357Glu), also showed significant reductions in chlorophyll content and yield-related traits. However, TaCHLI-7D overexpression in rice significantly decreased thousand kernel weight, yield per plant, and germination. Additionally, natural variations in TaCHLI-7A/B are significantly associated with flag leaf, spike exsertion length, and yield per plant. Notably, the favorable haplotype, TaCHLI-7B-HapII, which displayed higher thousand kernel weight and yield per plant, is positively selected in wheat breeding. Our study provides insights on the regulatory molecular mechanisms underpinning leaf color and chlorophyll biosynthesis, and highlights TaCHLI functions, which provide useful molecular markers and genetic resources for wheat breeding.

Improving the physiological properties and yield of safflower by combining organic and chemical nitrogen in different irrigation cut-off conditions

The purpose of this work was to investigate how different nutrition systems (N0: 0:0, N1: 100:0, N2: 75:25, N3: 50:50, N4: 25:75, and N5: 0:100 kg ha−1 nitrogen from urea and organic fertilizer sources respectively) affect the physiological characteristics and yield of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under different irrigation regimes. These irrigation regimes include complete irrigation (S0), irrigation cut-off at stem elongation (S1), flowering and pollination (S2), and grain filling (S3) stages. The S1 irrigation level led to a decrease in Fv/Fm (5 %), relative water content (RWC) of the leaf (17 %), leaf total chlorophyll (22 %), and soluble proteins of the leaf (21 %) an increase in electrolyte leakage (33 %), carotenoids (43 %), proline content (42 %) and soluble sugars of the leaf (39 %) compared with S0 irrigation level. The safflower leaf showed increased Fv/Fm, RWC, total chlorophyll, and soluble proteins when organic fertilizer was used alone or in combination with chemical fertilizers under irrigation cut-off conditions. Additionally, the use of organic fertilizer resulted in a decrease in carotenoid content, proline content, and soluble sugars of the safflower leaf. The highest biological yield was obtained with S0 irrigation level (21.62 t ha−1) and N3 integrated nutrition system (21.93 t ha−1), respectively. The N3 and N2 nutrition systems increased the grain yield by 3.34 t ha−1 and 3.56 t ha−1 in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The greatest negative effect on biological yield was observed when irrigation was cut-off during the vegetative stage, while the most detrimental impact on grain yield occurred when irrigation was ceased during the flowering and pollination stages. Overall, the results indicated that N2 and N3 nutrition systems while implementing irrigation cut-off at various growth stages reduced the negative impact of water deficiency on plants. This leads to decreased production costs for stress-resistant osmolytes and, consequently, improved grain yield and biological yield.

A two-in-one molybdenum disulfide-chitosan nanoparticles system for activating plant defense mechanisms and reactive oxygen species to treat Citrus Huanglongbing

Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) poses an enormous challenge to Citrus cultivation worldwide, necessitating groundbreaking interventions beyond conventional pharmaceutical methods. In this study, we propose molybdenum disulfide-chitosan nanoparticles (MoS2-CS NPs) through electrostatic adsorption, preserving the plant-beneficial properties of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), while enhancing its antibacterial effectiveness through chitosan modification. MoS2-CS NPs exhibited significant antibacterial efficacy against RM1021, and the closest relatives to Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), Erwinia carotovora, and Xanthomonas citri achieved survival rates of 7.40 % ± 1.74 %, 8.94 % ± 1.40 %, and 6.41 % ± 0.56 %, respectively. In vivo results showed, CLas survival rate of 10.42 % ± 3.51 %. Furthermore, treatment with MoS2-CS NPs resulted in an increase in chlorophyll and carotenoid content. Concomitantly, a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble sugar, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and starch contents was also observed. Mechanistically, MoS2-CS NPs enhanced the activity of antioxidant-related enzymes by upregulating the expression of antioxidant genes, thereby galvanizing the antioxidant system to alleviate oxidative stress. Collectively, this dual functionality—combining direct antibacterial action with the activation of plant defense mechanisms—marks a promising strategy for managing Citrus Huanglongbing and suggests potential agricultural applications for MoS2-based antibacterial treatments.

Optimizing carotenoids NaHDES extraction for enhancing spreadable chocolate's nutritional value

The potential to directly fortify food products using extracts obtained through green solvents is both innovative and promising. In pursuit of this goal, this study evaluated the possibility of directly fortifying spreadable chocolate with an optimized carotenoid-rich Natural Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvent (NaHDES) extract formulated with monoterpenes. The optimized extract (3.545 ± 0.126, 3.341 ± 0.023, and 0.049 ± 0.001 mg/mL for total carotenoids, β-carotene and lutein, respectively) was obtained using a thymol/DL-menthol molar ratio of 1:4, a solvent:sample ratio of 10 (v/w), and an extraction time of 30 min. Subsequently, commercial no-sugar-added spreadable chocolate was fortified with the selected extract at 14 and 28 % (v/w). The fortified products were analyzed for carotenoid content, antioxidant activity, physicochemical and textural properties. The findings revealed that the lower extract addition minimally impacts the investigated characteristics of spreadable chocolate. Considering the preserving effect of the selected NaHDES on carotenoids and antioxidant activity, this innovative approach holds great promise for enhancing fortified food products' nutritional value and stability.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Fruit Color and Carotenoid Content in Capsicum Core Collection.

This study investigated carotenoid content and fruit color variation in 306 pepper accessions from diverse Capsicum species. Red-fruited accessions were predominant (245 accessions), followed by orange (35) and yellow (20). Carotenoid profiles varied significantly across accessions, with capsanthin showing the highest mean concentration (239.12 μg/g), followed by β-cryptoxanthin (63.70 μg/g) and zeaxanthin (63.25 μg/g). Total carotenoid content ranged from 7.09 to 2566.67 μg/g, emphasizing the diversity within the dataset. Correlation analysis revealed complex relationships between carotenoids, with strong positive correlations observed between total carotenoids and capsanthin (r = 0.94 ***), β-cryptoxanthin (r = 0.87 ***), and zeaxanthin (r = 0.84 ***). Principal component analysis (PCA) identified two distinct carotenoid groups, accounting for 67.6% of the total variance. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified 91 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with fruit color (15 SNPs) and carotenoid content (76 SNPs). These SNPs were distributed across all chromosomes, with varying numbers on each. Among individual carotenoids, α-carotene was associated with 28 SNPs, while other carotenoids showed different numbers of associated SNPs. Candidate genes encoding diverse proteins were identified near significant SNPs, potentially contributing to fruit color variation and carotenoid accumulation. These included pentatricopeptide repeat-containing proteins, mitochondrial proton/calcium exchangers, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase SINAT2, histone-lysine N-methyltransferase, sucrose synthase, and various enzymes involved in metabolic processes. Seven SNPs exhibited pleiotropic effects on multiple carotenoids, particularly β-cryptoxanthin and capsanthin. The findings of this study provide insights into the genetic architecture of carotenoid biosynthesis and fruit color in peppers, offering valuable resources for targeted breeding programs aimed at enhancing the nutritional and sensory attributes of pepper varieties.

PENGARUH SUBSTITUSI TEPUNG JAGUNG KUNING (Zea mays L.) DAN PUREE WORTEL (Daucus carota L.) TERHADAP KARAKTERISTIK FISIKOKIMIA DAN ORGANOLEPTIK MIE BASAH

Wet noodles are food products made from wheat flour that are not dried. Every year, the production and consumption of noodles in Indonesia is increasing. So, there is a need for food diversification in the raw material by utilizing local food ingredients such as corn flour. The use of carrot puree aims to increase the carotenoid content which acts as a good antioxidant for the body. This research was conducted using a simple Randomized Block Design (RBD) method. There were 6 treatments and 4 replication, P0 (100% wheat flour), P1 (50% wheat flour: 50% corn flour), P2 (50% wheat flour : 45% corn flour: 5% carrot puree), P3 (50% wheat flour: 40% corn flour: 10% carrot puree), P4 (50% wheat flour: 35% corn flour: 15% carrot puree), P5 (50% wheat flour: 30% corn flour: 20% carrot puree). The best wet noodles were obtained from treatment P5 (50% wheat flour: 30% corn flour: 20% carrot puree) with moisture content of 70.05%, ash content of 0.26%, fat content of 6.94%, protein content of 4.65%, carbohydrates content of 18.08% and carotenoids content of 3.02 mg/100g, brightness 63.5, yield 172.44%, organoleptic color 4.13 (attractive), aroma 3.63 (quite like), taste 3.80 (good), and texture 2.65 (not chewy).

Be prepared: how does discontinuous hydration in Tabebuia heterophylla seeds induce stress tolerance in seedlings?

Discontinuous hydration and dehydration (HD) cycles refer to controlled imbibition followed by dehydration before seed germination. Here, we investigated whether the level of imbibition before HD cycles affects the physiology of Tabebuia heterophylla seeds and seedlings. Seeds were imbibed for 10 h (T1; phase I of imbibition) or 35 h (T2; phase II), dehydrated, and progressively rehydrated one to four times (HD cycles). Germination and biochemical parameters (membrane integrity; total soluble, reducing, and nonreducing (NRS) sugars; proteins, amino acids, proline, H2O2, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activity) were quantified at the last rehydration step of each cycle. Biometric and biochemical parameters (including pigments) were analysed in seedlings 60 days after germination. HD cycles at T1 led to reduced seed germination and greater plasma membrane damage, higher enzyme activity (catalase and glutathione reductase) and accumulation of NRS, total amino acids, and proline compared to the controls and T2 treatment. Cellular damage became more severe with more HD cycles. HD cycles at T2 synchronized germination regardless of the number of cycles and also had a priming effect. T2 seeds had less NRS, total amino acids, and proline content than T1. HD cycles at T1 produced seedlings with higher carotenoid and total chlorophyll content than controls and T2, while seedlings from HD cycles at T2 had higher amounts of osmoprotectants. HD cycles at T2 benefited seeds and seedlings more than at T1. This suggests that the physiological and biochemical effects of HD cycles in seeds modulate seedling plasticity, depending on water availability, potentially promoting increased tolerance to recurrent droughts that will be intensified with ongoing climate changes.

Effect of postharvest cold storage and subsequent shelf-life on fruit quality and endogenous phytohormones in nectarine fruit

Cold storage is the main approach to extend the postharvest storage period of nectarines. The objective of this study was to investigate fruit quality (flavor and nutrition) and endogenous phytohormone changes and their related transcriptional changes in nectarine fruit after cold storage and subsequent shelf-life, which was performed metabolome, transcriptome and physiological analysis. Cold storage led to irreversible flavor loss due to the inhibition of aroma biosynthesis genes at low temperature. Sugar and organic acid content was affected, with an increase in glucose, fructose and malic acid, and a decrease in sorbitol and citric acid after cold storage or shelf-life. For fruit nutritional quality, total flavonoids or total carotenoids was not significantly affected by cold storage, whereas shelf-life process enhanced their accumulation. The activities of key enzymes for flavonoid biosynthesis, PAL and C4H, were enhanced during the shelf-life process, resulting in a significant increase in flavonoids and enhanced free radicals scavenging capacity. Meanwhile, shelf-life process increased carotenoids content by improving the expression of carotenoid biosynthesis genes PSY, ZDS and ZISO. Additionally, cold storage significantly increased the IAA content and ethylene production, thereby inducing the up-regulation of related signaling transduction genes. The shelf-life process further increased ethylene production, as well as salicylic acid and jasmonic acid content. This study unravels these crucial physiological and associated transcriptional changes of nectarines after cold storage, and may provide a theoretical foundation for improving fruit quality of peaches after cold storage.

Quality of fermented pumpkin beverages under different fermentation conditions by Lactobacillus plantarumFNCC 020

SummaryDevelopment of health‐promoting natural products has received importance, and fermented pumpkin can be a viable option, mainly regarding its carotenoid contents. This study aimed to investigate the quality of fermented pumpkin beverages (FPB) under various fermentation conditions (control, T1 = 30 °C, 12 h; T2 = 30 °C, 18 h; T3 = 30 °C, 24 h; T4 = 40 °C, 12 h; T5 = 40 °C, 18 h; T6 = 40 °C, 24 h) by Lactobacillus plantarum. Cell count of lactic acid bacteria, pH, chemical quality (soluble solid, acidity, total sugar, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity), carotenoid contents, and colour attributes (h*, chroma, L*, and yellowing index) of FPB samples were studied. As a result, LAB fermentation significantly affected acidity and total sugar of FPB samples, while it did not change pH and soluble solids significantly. Besides, carotenoid contents and colour attributes of FPB were not different during fermentation, indicating that L. plantarum fermentation retained carotenoids and maintained physical appearances. Regarding sugars and organic acids, their quantity changed due to fermentation and lactic acids increased greatly up to three times higher than control after 24 h of fermentation at 30 °C. Moreover, fermentation by L. plantarum improved total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity, and these may recommend FPB as a potential functional product.