Cherry Fruit Research Articles

Wood age, rootstocks and cultivars drive the formation of productivity and fruit size in sweet cherry

To maintain the high yields and fruit quality necessary for profitability of sweet cherry production, it is important to consider precision crop load and canopy management techniques during limb renewal. The effects of branch section age, rootstock, and cultivar on spur and flower density and fruit quality have been discussed in previous studies, but most of them focus on a limited range of fruiting wood ages and scion-rootstock combinations. This study aims to analyse the processes of sweet cherry productivity and fruit size formation on a wide range of wood age to determine the limit after which branch preservation is not sustainable, and to evaluate the influence of rootstocks and cultivars on these parameters. The results indicate that wood age is one of the main drivers of productivity formation in cherry. The highest flower density was observed on 3-year-old branch sections – 324 flowers per linear m, due to high spur density, number of reproductive buds per spur and flowers per bud. Productivity on 2-year-old wood was also good (256 flowers per linear m), while a sharp decline in flower density was noted on 4- and 5-year-old wood. The largest fruits were formed on young branch sections, with a significant decline in fruit weight and diameter on 4- and 5-year-old sections. Rootstock vigour had a bigger effect on floral organ induction on 1-year-old shoots, than on spurs. Based on the results, it is advisable to regularly renew lateral branches older than 3 years to maintain high yield efficiency and fruit quality.

Metabolomics Reveals Specific Metabolic Changes in Sweet Cherries (Prunus avium L.) Subjected to Postharvest Treatment with Melatonin after Mechanical Stress

Sweet cherry may develop surface pitting during prolonged cold storage, and susceptibility among varieties is related to metabolites in response to cold and mechanical damage. This study aimed to evaluate the metabolic changes in sweet cherry fruits subjected to melatonin treatment and induced surface pitting. Melatonin (400 µM) was applied to sweet cherries before pitting induction and then stored at 1 °C for 20 d. Melatonin treatment attenuated the severity of pitting damage during cold storage, with an average severity value of 3.1 for cherries with melatonin and 2.6 without melatonin. In addition, melatonin application appeared to modulate metabolic responses due to the regulation of metabolic pathways related to abiotic stress. Upregulation of different secondary metabolites was observed after 16 h of melatonin treatment and cold storage. Moreover, some metabolites of the sphingolipid and sulfur metabolism were upregulated after 10 d. This research is the first to show that melatonin may influence the response of sweet cherries to cold and mechanical damage.

Alkane biosynthesis is promoted in methyl jasmonate-treated sweet cherry (Prunus avium) fruit cuticles.

The cuticle plays an important role in the survival of plants, and it is important to preserve the quality of fleshy fruits like sweet cherry. Plant hormones play a role in cuticle formation. In this sense, jasmonates have been shown to induce cuticle biosynthesis, but until today this has not been demonstrated in sweet cherry fruit. Therefore, the effect of exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) application at the fruit set stage on the expression levels of cuticle synthesis-related genes and the wax composition of the isolated cuticle was studied in developing and ripe fruits of sweet cherry (Prunus avium 'Bing'), respectively. MeJA treatment resulted in up-regulation of the cuticle biosynthesis-related gene expression, such as PaWINA, PaWINB, PaKCS1, PaKCS6, PaLACS1, PaLACS2, PaWS, and PaWBC11. These genes play a vital role in the elongation and transport of fatty acids, and wax biosynthesis. Analysis of cuticular components in ripe fruit showed an increase in long-chain linear aliphatic wax compounds, particularly C27, C28, C29, C30, and C31 alkanes. Exogenous MeJA application at the fruit set stage of sweet cherry has a significant effect on the wax composition of the ripe fruit cuticle, particularly in terms of alkane biosynthesis. The results of this study may provide insights into the regulation of cuticle biosynthesis by jasmonates and be useful for improving fruit quality and storage life. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Understanding the effects of chitosan, chia mucilage, levan based composite coatings on the shelf life of sweet cherry

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruits are prone to quality and quantity loss in shelf-life conditions and cold storage due to their short post-harvest life. Until now efforts have been made to extend the shelf life of the sweet cherry. However, an efficient and commercially scalable process remains elusive. To contribute to this challenge, here in this study, biobased composite coatings consisting of chitosan, mucilage, and levan, were applied on sweet cherry fruits and tested for postharvest parameters in both market and cold storage conditions. Results demonstrated that the shelf life of sweet cherries can be extended until the 30th day while retaining important post-harvest properties like decreased weight loss, fungal deterioration, increased stem removal force, total flavonoid, l-ascorbic acid, and oxalic acid. Given the cost-effectiveness of the polymers used, the findings of this study indicate the feasibility of extending the shelf-life of sweet cherries on a larger scale.

Impactul ambalajelor cu atmosferă modificată asupra concentrației de CO2 și O2 în perioada post-recoltare la două soiuri de cireșe

Sweet cherry fruits are considered to be highly perishable, with a short shelf life and very often cannot reach the final consumer at optimum quality after a longer period of transportation. In this research, four types of modified atmosphere packages were studied related to gas concentration dynamics during the post-harvest period to maintain fruit quality in Kordia and Regina varieties grafted on Gisela 5 rootstock. To determine the effectiveness of modified atmosphere packaging in contrast to normal atmosphere the following experiment was carried out: V1 - normal atmosphere (control); V2 - Trendlife; V3 - Decco; V4 - ESL; V5 - Xtend. Sweet cherries were stored for 42 days at the temperature of -0.5°C. At intervals of 0; 2; 4; 5 and 6 weeks after storage, the CO2 and O2 concentrations were determined using the gas analyzer for CO2 and O2 (Gas Analyzer Avi-Gas, TEXA, Poland). The results were compared to the control variant. Modified atmosphere packages had a positive effect on CO2 and O2 concentrations during storage. The concentration of carbon dioxide increased significantly and the concentration of oxygen decreased, which created favourable conditions for extending the storage life of sweet cherries. The most rational CO2 and O2 concentrations were in the variants where sweet cherries were stored in Decco and Xtend packages.

Analysis of modern technologies for growing cherry varieties in temperate climates

The research relevance is predefined by the need to optimise fruit crop cultivation systems considering weather conditions. The research aims to test the grafting technology of intensive sweet cherry plantations on small and medium-sized rootstocks. The leading method in achieving the research goal was a field experiment. The main results of this study are as follows: the leading technologies for increasing the yield of sweet cherry varieties depending on the impact of environmental stress factors are presented; the use of clone rootstock technology in sweet cherry plantations in temperate climates is substantiated. According to a set of indicators of productivity formation, the yield of plantations of different designs was predicted. Namely, the scheme of variety-rootstock combinations of intercalary placement, its length, and parameters of the growth complex for plants were revealed; indicators of physiological activity, growth, productivity, fruit quality, and economic efficiency in intensive sweet cherry plantations were determined. It has been established that the application of this technology will increase yields and improve the quality parameters of sweet cherry fruits by developing varieties with compact crowns, which will allow to compact the plantations. It has been analysed that climatic conditions are the main factor in the process of harvest formation. A list of stress factors of temperate climate that affect the yield of sweet cherries has been identified. It is proved that the introduction of clonal rootstock technology is the most effective for growing intensive plantations of sweet cherries in a temperate climate. Practically, the research aims to determine and test a set of elements of physiological indicators of the potential yield of sweet cherry plantations of different designs, to introduce them into production and use them in further breeding

Extraction and quantification of melatonin in cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) by ultra-fast liquid chromatography coupled to fluorescence detector (UFLC-FD)

AbstractWild edible plants (WEPs) can be widely found in the world and defined as native species that grow naturally in their natural habitat. They have become part of the traditional food as human diet and used in folk medicine to treat diseases. They are very rich in terms of nutraceuticals. Melatonin is a natural hormone providing several benefits for human health. It has functions such as regulating growth and development and increasing tolerance to environmental stress factors in plants. It is stated that the serum melatonin level in humans increases after intake of foods containing melatonin. This study examined the presence of melatonin in wild grown cornelian cherry fruits by UFLC-FD and determined suitable extraction and chromatographic conditions. The optimum mobile phase, excitation/emission wavelength, and extraction solvent were determined as methanol: water: acetic acid, 275/345 nm, and methanol: water: HCl, respectively. Melatonin content in fruits ranged from 130.82 to 201.84 ng g−1 in fresh fruit.

Genetic characterization and prevalence of Pseudomonas syringae strains from sweet cherry orchards in New Zealand

AbstractBacterial canker of cherry, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pathovars, is a major constraint to cherry growing in New Zealand. The prevalence of strains from cherry orchards in Central Otago, the main growing area for cherries in New Zealand, was studied, to better understand the epidemiology of the disease. Pseudomonas spp. isolates were collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic cherry tissue from 23 commercial cherry orchards in 2015. Isolates were classified into strains belonging to three different taxonomic groups by determining their phylogeny using the gltA gene sequence for all the strains and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of four housekeeping genes for 35 strains. Pathogenicity of all Central Otago strains was tested on immature cherry fruit to support the phylogenetic classification. The two main taxonomic groups were P. syringae pv. syringae (Pss) and P. syringae pv. morsprunorum race 1 (Psm1), in Phylogroup 2 (PG2) and Phylogroup 3 (PG3), respectively. The third group comprised nonpathogenic strains classified as Pseudomonas spp. Strains of Psm1 formed a monophyletic group, representing an almost clonal population. There was more variation detected within strains of Pss, although they were restricted to group PG2d. Nonpathogenic Pseudomonas spp. and pathogenic Pss and Psm1 strains coexisted in the same orchard. It was concluded that Pss is the predominant pathovar in Central Otago. This is the first detailed study of the P. syringae species complex in cherry orchards in New Zealand and provides the basis for future epidemiology studies.

Comparative analysis of the difference in flavonoid metabolic pathway during coloring between red-yellow and red sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.)

The color of a fruit is an important contributor to the perception of its nutritional value. It is widely acknowledged that the color of sweet cherry changes obviously during ripening. Variations in anthocyanins and flavonoids account for the heterogeneous color of sweet cherries. In this study, we showed that anthocyanins but not carotenoids determine the color of sweet cherry fruits. The difference between red-yellow and red sweet cherry may be attributed to seven anthocyanins, including Cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside, Cyanidin-3,5-O-diglucoside, Cyanidin 3-xyloside, Peonidin-3-O-glucoside, Peonidin-3-O-rutinoside, Cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (Kuromanin), Peonidin-3-O-rutinoside-5-O-glucoside, Pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside and Pelargonidin-3-O-rutinoside. The content of 85 flavonols differed between red and red-yellow sweet cherries. The transcriptional analysis identified 15 key structural genes involved in the flavonoid metabolic pathway and four R2R3-MYB transcription factors. The expression level of Pac4CL, PacPAL, PacCHS1, PacCHS2, PacCHI, PacF3H1, PacF3H2, PacF3′H, PacDFR, PacANS1, PacANS2, PacBZ1 and four R2R3-MYB were positively correlated with anthocyanin content (ps < 0.05). PacFLS1, PacFLS2 and PacFLS3 expression was negatively correlated with anthocyanin content but positively correlated with flavonols content (ps < 0.05). Overall, our findings suggests that the heterogeneous expression of structural genes in the flavonoid metabolic pathway accounts for the variation in levels of final metabolites, leading to differences between red ‘Red-Light’ and red-yellow ‘Bright Pearl’.

Mason bees and honey bees synergistically enhance fruit set in sweet cherry orchards

AbstractMason bees (Osmia spp.) are efficient fruit tree pollinators that can be encouraged to occupy and breed in artificial nesting material. In sweet cherry orchards, they are occasionally used as an alternative managed pollinator as a replacement for or in addition to honey bees (Apis mellifera). Yet, the lack of practical guidelines on management practices, for example optimal stocking rates, for both mason bee nesting material and honey bees might compromise pollination service provision. In this study, we assessed the relationship between stocking rates (honey bee hives and mason bee nesting material) and the abundance of honey bees and mason bees in 17 sweet cherry (Prunus avium) orchards in Central Germany. We furthermore performed a pollination experiment to explore the interactive effect of mason bees and honey bees on sweet cherry fruit set. In the orchards, both honey bee and mason bee abundance increased with increasing stocking rates of hives or nesting material, respectively. Honey bee abundance increased linearly with stocking rates. In contrast, mason bee abundance asymptoted at 2–3 nesting boxes per ha, beyond which more boxes resulted in little increase in visitation rate. Our pollination experiment demonstrated that orchards were pollen limited, with only 28% of insect‐pollinated flowers setting fruit versus 39% of optimally hand‐pollinated flowers. Honey bees and mason bees enhanced sweet cherry fruit set, but only when both were present and not when either was present alone in an orchard. Our findings demonstrate that offering nesting material for mason bees and employing honey bee hives can enhance bee abundance in sweet cherry orchards. By increasing honey bee abundance in combination with enhanced mason bee abundance, farmers can substantially boost fruit set and potentially sweet cherry yield. To enhance pollination services, farmers should consider the benefits of increasing pollinator biodiversity as an immediate benefit to improve crop yields.

Bioassay guided fractionation of anthelmintic bioactive compounds from surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.) fruits

Bio-fractionation process is the most reliable protocol, which enables the screening and purification of phytoconstituents from the crude extracts efficiently. Soil transmitted helminths induce the most challenging health concerns, which need to be addressed in a holistic way for natural product utilization. Surinam cherry fruits, rich in phytonutrients and secondary metabolites with several health benefits are also reported to have anthelmintic potential. Bioassay guided fractionation of Surinam cherry mature green pulp ethanol (MPE) extract afforded five active fractions with higher anthelmintic activity against all the stages of Caenorhabditis elegans and Heterorhabditis indica than their crude extract. The active fractions were further characterized using UPLC-HRMS/MS analysis and FTIR. Fraction C3 obtained using 100% chloroform resulted in 97.67% inhibition of egg hatching, 95% larval death with APT of 8.08 min, and 95.33% adult worm death with APT of 4 min at the concentration of 2 mg/ml in C. elegans. The anthelmintic activity of C3 was correlated to 14 phenolic compounds such as kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide, kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside, isorhamnetin, rhamnetin, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, catechin, eriodictyol-7-O-glucoside, luteolin-6-C-glucoside, 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, estragole, biochanin A, syringaresinol, juglone, and pterostilbene present in it. This study indicates that relatively more active fractions could be separated from Surinam cherry MPE crude extract for anthelmintic potential against C. elegans and H. indica, which can be used for pharmaceutical applications.

ABA Biosynthesis- and Signaling-Related Gene Expression Differences between Sweet Cherry Fruits Suggest Attenuation of ABA Pathway in Bicolored Cultivars.

Fruit development involves exocarp color evolution. However, signals that control this process are still elusive. Differences between dark-red and bicolored sweet cherry cultivars rely on MYB factor gene mutations. Color evolution in bicolored fruits only occurs on the face receiving sunlight, suggesting the perception or response to color-inducing signals is affected. These color differences may be related to synthesis, perception or response to abscisic acid (ABA), a phytohormone responsible for non-climacteric fruit coloring. This work aimed to determine the involvement of ABA in the coloring process of color-contrasting varieties. Several phenolic accumulation patterns differed between bicolored 'Royal Rainier' and dark-red 'Lapins'. Transcript abundance of ABA biosynthetic genes (PavPSY, PavZEP and PavNCED1) decreased dramatically from the Pink to Red stage in 'Royal Rainier' but increased in 'Lapins', which correlated with a higher ABA content in this dark-red cultivar. Transcripts coding for ABA signaling (PavPP2Cs, PavSnRKs and PavMYB44.1) were almost undetectable at the Red stage in 'Royal Rainier'. Field trials revealed that 'Royal Rainier' color development was insensitive to exogenous ABA, whereas it increased in 'Lapins'. Furthermore, ABA treatment only increased transcript levels of signaling genes in 'Lapins'. Further studies may address if the ABA pathway is attenuated in bicolor cultivars.

QUALITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF FRUITS OF VARIETIES AND NEW HYBRIDS OF WILD CHERRY

Bird cherry is a valuable fruit plant, used mainly by amateur gardeners in the northern regions of Russia. Bird cherry fruits have valuable biological and medicinal properties and deserve to be included in the diet. The aim of the work is to study the taste and biochemical composition of the fruits of bird cherry varieties, forms and hybrids. The paper presents the results of studies of the taste and biochemical composition of the fruits of bird cherry and bird cherry. Bird cherry fruits are characterized by a high content of solids and varied from 27.03% (No. 14-16-36) to 44.96% (No. 13-2-32), sugars from 28.73 to 54.2%. Bird cherry fruits contain very little ascorbic acid, but a lot of p-active compounds up to 1.41%. According to the content of catechins, the best are selected forms 14-16-36 and 14-1-36 0.86%; 0.53%), and in terms of the number of anthocyanins, hybrids 13-4-57 and 13-8-53 (1.18%). According to the chemical composition of fruits, hybrids and varieties of bird cherry and bird cherry are promising for introduction into cultivation in the south of Western Siberia. Bird cherry is used in the food, cosmetic industry and for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. Fruit traits were studied in several hundred plants of parental species and more than a thousand hybrids. The data obtained made it possible to determine the average characteristics for each group and establish objective criteria for evaluating the selection of the best samples for subsequent selection work.

Bacterial strains promote the growth of peach, sweet cherry and plum saplings in the regions with the short growing season

The research was done to consider the regulating potential of 3 plants growth-promoting bacterial (PGPB) strains, including Burkholderia gladia BA7, Bacillus subtilus OSU142, and Bacillus megatorium M3 alone and their combinations on the growth of grafted peach, sweet cherry, and plum nursery plants in 2014, which had not sufficient growth after grafting in the first year (2013) at the Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Türkiye. The results found that the two combinations of isolates are more efficient than their three combinations or using them alone. The most efficient treatment was observed OSU142 + M3 in the case of peach, OSU142 + BA7 in the sweet cherry, and M3+BA7 in the plum. In conclusion, changes in climate situations and increasing in the world population need extraordinary attempts to increase plant materials in an organic and sustainable way. Bacterial strains are among the bioregulators that have emerged as promising, new, and environmentally friendly microorganisms to support the overall sustainability of production systems. Briefly, bacterial applications significantly affected many growth characteristics of peach, sweet cherry, plum, and other fruit crops. So, they would be advised for the organic production of saplings.

The new earliest cultivar of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.)

The fruits of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) have long been eaten and used for medicinal purposes. During the long history of their use, many cultivars have been created with a wide range of shapes, sizes, colors, biochemical composition, and fruit ripening dates, allowing the planting of the cornelian cherry in different geographical locations and a wide range of environmental conditions. The M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine) has an extensive collection of C. mas cultivars, which differ in many respects, including the time of fruit ripening. Recently a new cultivar, ‘Vytivka Svitlany’, marked by a very early ripening time, has been bred. The fruits of cultivar ‘Vytivka Svitlany’ are red or dark red, oval and more or less elongated, cut off at the top and slightly concave, shiny, juicy, sweet-sour, and slightly tart, with a delicate aroma. After full ripening, the fruits crumble quickly. They are deliciously fresh and suitable for processing in the food industry. In the present paper, the morphological features and biometric characteristics of the fruits of the new cultivar in comparison with other early-ripening cultivars (red-fruited ‘Olena’ and yellow-fruited ‘Alyosha’), as well as the principal biochemical composition of the fruits and its phenological phases for the seasonal development in 2021 according to BBCH scale are represented.

Qualitative and Difference Analysis of Sweet Cherry Fruit Volatile Organic Compounds under Different Cultivation Patterns Based on Gas Chromatography Ion Mobility Spectrometry

Gas chromatography ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) was used to detect the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of Zheng5–5 sweet cherry fruits cultivar under three cultivation patterns [arched cover (PN), umbrella cover (SX), and open field (LD)]. VOCs were analyzed and compared using three-dimensional and two-dimensional top view visualization, fingerprint analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA). A total of 24 VOCs (including monomers and dimers) were detected in PN, SX, and LD, and 19 of them were finally identified, mainly alcohols, aldehydes, acids, esters, and ketones. The VOCs of PN, SX, and LD were similar but significantly different in content. The three compounds with the highest relative content were 2-hexen-1-olD, ethanol, and hexanalD, with ranges of 13.71% (LD) to 22.31% (PN), 13.02% (SX) to 21.27% (LD), and 8.22% (LD) to 16.66% (PN), respectively. Esters are the main components that form the sweet cherry fruit aroma, with a relative content of LD&gt;PN&gt;SX. According to the PCA, fruit samples of PN, SX, and LD can be clearly distinguished, indicating significant differences in VOCs under different cultivation modes. The GC-IMS visual plots of PN, SX, and LD agreed with the PCA results, and their combination was suitable for characterizing the VOCs of sweet cherry fruits under different cultivation patterns. This study can provide a reference for evaluating the flavor characteristics of sweet cherry fruits with different cultivation patterns.

Morphological, Molecular and Genomic Identification and Characterisation of Monilinia fructicola in Prunus persica from Portugal

In Portugal, the Cova da Beira region is well-known for the production of Prunus spp. and is considered the main peach production area in the country. In the spring of 2021 and 2022, field surveys in peach and nectarine orchards showed symptoms of decline such as cankers, gummosis, dry branches, abortion of flowers, mummified fruits and the partial or total death of some plants. Brown rot is caused by three species of the genus Monilinia, M. fructigena, M. laxa and M. fructicola, the last is an OEPP/EPPO A2 quarantine organism on peach trees. Brown rot disease had previously been described in the Cova da Beira region, however, the recent high mortality and severity of symptoms raised doubts as to the species involved. Symptomatic plant material was collected from thirteen orchards and used for fungal isolation and molecular detection according to the OEPP/EPPO standard. M. fructicola was confirmed morphologically and molecularly in two orchards, and molecularly (duplex real-time PCR) detected in two others. Whole genome sequencing using Oxford Nanopore MinION was also carried out to confirm the identification. Pathogenicity tests were performed on peach, nectarine and sweet cherry fruit according to Koch’s postulates. Based on all the results obtained, we report the first detection of M. fructicola in P. persica in Portugal.

Non-Alcoholic Functional Drinks Containing Natural Raw Materials

The purpose of research was comprehensive research to clarify the feasibility and possibility of using non-traditional raw materials and metal complexes in functional food products.The realization of the possibilities of using collagen base in food products as a carrier of biologically active substances is of great interest. The joint use of collagen in the design of functional products with components of plant raw materials and biocomplexes seems rational for people suffering from a deficiency of minerals, dietary fiber, vitamins, etc. and contributes to an increase in shelf life.Methods. The objects of the study were: succinic, ascorbic and nicotinic acids; biologically active medicinal substances; salts of 3D-metals, coordination compounds of metals; extracts of St. John's wort herb (Hyperici herba), inflorescences of marigolds prostrate (Tagets patula L), Calendula officinalis and fruits of common cherry (Prúnus pádus). Compositions of functional soft drinks with collagen.Results. It has been established that biocomplexes have pronounced antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity, exhibit an antihypoxic effect comparable to comparison drugs in collagen-based polymer systems, which opens up broad prospects for their use as biologically active compounds in the food industry. One of the objectives of the study was to develop the composition and technology for producing a functional jelly-like drink using biocomplexes and herbal medicinal raw materials, which made it possible to obtain soft drinks with a high content of biologically active substances: esters, minerals, trace elements, alkaloids, biogenic amines and other biologically active substances.Conclusion. Drinks with high organoleptic characteristics that persist for a long time, high nutritional and biological value and reduced contamination, contributing to the improvement of metabolic processes, were obtained. The proposed soft drinks can be recommended for dietary and therapeutic and preventive nutrition to various groups of people suffering from a deficiency of minerals, dietary fiber, which manifests itself in diseases of the digestive and musculoskeletal systems, violation of human cardiovascular functions.

Antifungal activity of volatile and non-volatile metabolites of endophytes of Chloranthus elatior Sw.

Agriculture crops that have fungal infections suffer significant economic losses and reduced crop output. Chemical fungicides are used to tackle the problem, although this has additional detrimental side effects. There is an urgent need for safe and novel antifungals. Volatiles from plant-beneficial endophytic fungi are considered promising alternatives for the biological control of fungal pathogens as a sustainable approach in an agroecosystem. In the present investigation, a volatile-emitting sterile endophytic fungus, Diaporthe sp. CEL3 with bio-fumigation activity, was isolated from leaves of the ethnomedicinal plant Chloranthus elatior Sw., collected from the Passighat forest of North-East India. The camphor odor volatiles of CEL3 showed an inhibitory effect against eight fungal pathogens in vitro and minimized the infections of Monilinia fructicola, a causal agent of cherry fruit rot, in VOC-exposed cherry fruits. Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis cinerea, Pythium ultimum, and M. fructicola were maximally inhibited up to 51.5%, 55.8%, 61.9%, and 78.5%, respectively, in comparison to control by the volatiles. Another isolate, CEL7, identified as Curvularia sp., synthesized non-volatile, soluble antifungal metabolites in its cell-free extracts and exhibited antifungal action. Bioassay-guided fractionation revealed the presence of imidazole compounds- (2-aminoethyl)-1H-imidazole-2-carbaldehyde, Pyrazole 4, 5 imidazole, 1-formyl 3-ethyl, phenol compounds-Phenol, 4-[2-(methylamino) ethyl]-, 6-Nitro-3-chlorophenol, Phenol, 2,4,6-tri-tert-butyl-, etc., in the cell-free extracts, with a MIC value of 250-2,000 µg ml-1. Optimum VOC emission was achieved in a modified PDA medium with instantly smashed potato (150 g L-1), dextrose (20 g L-1), wheat husk (20 g L-1), and yeast extract (20 g L-1), with additional salts. Interestingly, endophytic CEL3 emitted different types of volatiles, and trans-verbenol (32.25%), geraniol (30.32%), trans-ocimenol (12.90%), and mentha-4,8-diene (5.16%) were the prime ones. These VOCs cause lethal leakage of protein and necessary intracellular molecules from the fungal pathogens. Thus, CEL3 could potentially be used as a bio-fumigating agent to control post-harvest infections caused by fungal pathogens. This study opens a new approach to the use of endophytic fungi in biocontrol.

Roasting optimization of peaberry coffee beans from cherry fruits

The aim of this study was to determine the best interaction between roasting time and temperature of peaberry beans from cherry fruits combined with three different degrees of roast in order to archive the best results for sensorial attributes as well as verify changes in physical parameters. The roasting curves showed similarity of temperature profiles, indicating proper conduction of the roasting process. According to the different ways of roasting, significant differences at 5% probability level were observed for the bulk density, moisture content, swelling while shade and weight loss was the same. The optimum roasting condition for peaberry beans was high temperature all the time (T1) in dark color, which obtained higher values for sensorial attributes.