Climacteric Rise In Respiration Research Articles

Effects of modified sweet potato starch edible coating incorporated with cumin essential oil on storage quality of ‘early crisp’

In this study, an edible formulation consisting of modified sweet potato starch (MSPS) and cumin essential oil (CEO) was developed. The effectiveness of the coating on the physiochemical and sensory traits of ‘early crisp’ stored at 25 °C for 28 d was evaluated. The results showed that incorporation of 0.2–0.4% (v/v) CEO in modified sweet potato starch edible coatings significantly (p<0.05) reduced rot lesion on infected pear caused by Alternaria alternata, in vivo and also delayed changes in fruit color, firmness, and chlorophyll degradation. Coating significantly suppressed the onset of climacteric rise in respiration and minimized the weight loss of the pears. The stomata densities in coated pear were well preserved. Overall, the antifungal edible coating improved the storage quality of the pears and maintained consumable and better sensory quality compared to uncoated samples. The results suggest that modified sweet potato starch enriched with 0.2–0.4% (v/v) cumin essential oil could be useful as a preservation method to address issues of postharvest losses, and agricultural sustainability in the future.

Gene Expression in 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) Treated Tomatoes during Pre-Climacteric Ripening Suggests Shared Regulation of Methionine Biosynthesis, Ethylene Production and Respiration

The physiology of fruit ripening is defined as either ‘climacteric’ or ‘non-climacteric’. In climacteric fruit respiration during ripening increases until it reaches a peak, which is accompanied by an increase in autocatalytic ethylene production, whereas the respiration of non-climacteric fruit does not increase and they have no requirement for ethylene to complete their ripening. In an attempt to gain further insight into the involvement of autocatalytic ethylene production with the climacteric rise in respiration, tomato fruit were harvested at three defined stages of maturity prior to the climacteric peak (mature green, breaker, and early orange) and immediately exposed to the gaseous molecule 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). The gene expression profile at each of these stages was monitored after 24 h, using an Affymetrix tomato microarray chip. This approach enabled us to identify ethylene responsive genes that are commonly regulated at early stages of ripening, as well as new candidate genes. In addition, 1-MCP treatment affected the levels of metabolites related to methionine biosynthesis. Methionine feeds climacteric ethylene production and we found that promotors of the genes of enzymes that catalyze the production of homoserine and homocysteine (aspartokinase/homoserine dehydrogenases and cystathionine beta lyase, respectively), precursors in the methionine pathway, contain the AtSR1 binding motif. This binding motif is recognized by ethylene activated transcription factors, hence indicating a role for ethylene in methionine synthesis during early ripening, explaining the autocatalytic ethylene production during subsequent ripening stages.

An alternative technique using ethylene micro-bubble technology to accelerate the ripening of banana fruit

Banana is commercially harvested at the mature green stage, and post-harvest ripening is necessary to increase its marketability and obtain it in its ideal ripened form with the desired color and texture. This study investigated the effectiveness of the ethylene microbubble (C2H4-MBs) technique as an alternative to accelerating the post-harvest ripening of banana (Musa spp.). Bananas commercially harvested at the mature green stage were separated into four groups: (1) dipped in aqueous C2H4-MBs for10 min; (2) dipped in aqueous C2H4-MBs for20 min; (3) fumigated with 1000 mg L−1 of C2H4 gas at 25 °C for 12 h, and (4) allowed to ripen naturally (untreated controls). Treated fruit were stored at 25 °C for 10 d. The C2H4-MBs were successfully generated with a mean diameter of 50 μm, and the size reduced with time. The application of both C2H4-MBs and fumigation hastened the ripening of bananas compared to the untreated controls. The treatment with C2H4-MBs for just 10 min satisfactorily ripened the bananas in a similar manner as the fumigated technique. The treated fruit exhibited earlier climacteric rise in respiration and outburst of C2H4 production, accompanied by a drastic acceleration in chlorophyll degradation and yellowing, fruit softening, and total soluble solids content. Present study demonstrated the efficiency and effectiveness of this alternative post-harvest application of C2H4-MBs to accelerate banana ripening. This innovative technology is convenient and easy to carry out without the complication of airtight and cooling facilities and, thus, has high commercial potential.

Study of alternative oxidase in seeded and parthenocarpic cherry tomato fruits during their development and postharvest storage

Alternative oxidase holds an enigmatic role in cellular metabolism. The effect of auxin-induced parthenocarpy of tomato fruits on the transcript accumulation of three genes, belonging to two-gene families, and on the immunolocalization of the protein of alternative oxidase were studied. The genes of the alternative oxidase 1 family were transcribed more abundantly in seeded fruits than in parthenocarpic ones during the climacteric fruit period. Moreover, there was a clearly distinctive pattern of transcript accumulation between genes of alternative oxidase 1 and alternative oxidase 2 families. Maximum accumulation of alternative oxidase gene transcripts coincided with the climacteric rise of respiration in mature green and breaker stages, whereas alternative oxidase 2-gene transcript accumulation was highest in immature green fruits. After postharvest storage of fruits close to plantation for 120 h and at 5 °C, the relative transcript accumulation of all studied genes significantly increased in both fruit types; the effect, however, on seeded and on parthenocarpic fruits was not of the same level. The immunolocalization of alternative oxidase protein revealed a strong presence of alternative oxidase in the developing seeds. In conclusion, considerable differences were found in the regulation of alternative oxidase between seeded and parthenocarpic fruits during their development and postharvest storage.

The mitochondrial elongation factor LeEF-Ts mt is regulated during tomato fruit ripening and upon wounding and ethylene treatment

A gene encoding an elongation factor LeEF-Ts mt that participates in the protein synthesis process in mitochondria shows strong expression in ripening fruit as compared to other organs. It is strongly up-regulated during the first stages of the ripening process in parallel with the climacteric rise in respiration. LeEF-Ts mt expression is stimulated by ethylene, wounding and high temperature but ethylene-insensitive mutants exhibit normal expression. Transgenic fruit have been generated in which LeEF-Ts mt has been constitutively up- and down-regulated. Surprisingly, altering the expression of the gene by genetic transformation with antisense and sense LeEF-Ts mt constructs did not affect the pattern of respiration and ethylene production during ripening and upon wounding. In addition, expression of the alternative oxidase gene which is known to play an important role in respiratory climacteric was not affected. Possible reasons for the absence of effect on respiration of variations of LeEF-Ts mt gene expression are discussed.

Respiration rate, ethylene production and biochemical changes during fruit development and maturation of jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk)

AbstractJujube fruits (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk) of cv Zaytoni were harvested from fruit set until maturity to study some physiological and biochemical changes. Jujube fruit cv Zaytoni displayed a double‐sigmoid growth curve with a very short second stage (2 weeks). Changes in respiration rate and ethylene production during fruit development were typical of climacteric fruits, the peak of ethylene production coinciding with the climacteric rise in respiration. As for chemical constituents, reducing sugars were dominant and sucrose was absent in ripe fruit. Total soluble solid content was low during the early stages of growth, then increased to a peak in ripe fruit. Titratable acidity was low initially, but increased to a peak in physiologically mature fruit and declined rapidly in ripe fruit. The pattern of changes in protein content was typical of that characterising climacteric fruits.© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry

Methyl jasmonate reduces chilling injury and maintains postharvest quality of mango fruit.

Exposure of mango (Mangifera indica cv. Tommy Atkins) fruit to methyl jasmonate (MJ) vapors (10(-)(4) M) for 24 h at 25 degrees C reduced chilling injury during subsequent storage for 21 days at 7 degrees C and after 5 days of shelf life at 20 degrees C. The chilling tolerance induced by MJ was positively correlated with the reduction in the percent ion leakage of mango tissue. The overall quality of MJ-treated fruit was also better than that of control fruit. MJ treatment increased the total soluble solids but did not affect titratable acidity or pH. MJ also did not change the normal climacteric rise in respiration, water loss, and softening rates. The efficacy of MJ to reduce chilling injury and decay of mango could be related to the tolerance induced at low temperature. It was concluded that MJ treatment may prevent chilling injury symptoms of mango without altering the ripening process.

Temperature, length of cold storage and maturity influence the ripening rate of ethylene-preconditioned kiwifruit

Abstract The effect of temperature, length of cold storage and maturity on the ripening of ethylene-preconditioned (100 μl l −1 for 12 or 24 h) kiwifruit was investigated. Low (0 o C) temperatures at any point prior to, during or after ethylene preconditioning significantly delayed softening and soluble solids concentration (SSC) accumulation compared to higher temperatures (i.e. 20 o C). Freshly-harvested kiwifruit responded to ethylene-preconditioning (100 μl l −1 at 0°C for 24 h) by softening faster than control fruit even if harvested 5 weeks after commercial maturity. In contrast, kiwifruit harvested at commercial maturity and stored at 0°C softened faster than the control only if preconditioned with ethylene during the first 2 weeks of storage. Kiwifruit had high respiration rates 1 day after being transferred from 0 to 20°C, but respiration dropped to near base-line levels by day 2. Fruit stored at 0°C always respired faster upon transfer to 20°C than did freshly-harvested fruit and preconditioning with ethylene increased the initial rate of respiration of freshly-harvested fruit but had less of an effect on stored fruit. Ethylene preconditioning did not significantly hasten the climacteric rise in respiration or ethylene production of either freshly-harvested or stored kiwifruit. The climacteric rise of individual kiwifruit began only after fruit softened to ≤7 N.

Climacteric Fruit Produce a Diminished Respiratory Climacteric When Ripened on the Plant

Respiration (i.e., carbon dioxide production and oxygen consumption) increases as ripening is initiated in a group of harvested fruit called climacteric. This group includes many horticulturally important fruit crops, such as apples, avocados, bananas, melons, peaches, pears, and tomatoes. Other fruit, which includes cherries, citrus, and strawberries, do not exhibit an increase in respiration as they ripen and are called nonclimacteric. Measurements of carbon dioxide production by ripening apples, melons, and tomatoes revealed a well-defined climacteric, but only in harvested fruit. The respiratory climacteric was greatly diminished or absent from these fruit when they ripened while attached to the plant. Fixation of respired carbon dioxide through photosynthesis or into organic acids was insufficient to account for the diminished amount of carbon dioxide evolved from ripening attached climacteric fruit. Unlike the respiratory climacteric, an increase in ethylene production occurred in both attached and harvested climacteric fruit. Ethylene stimulates respiration in most plant tissues. The rapid rise in respiration as soon as attached ripening climacteric fruit were harvested or abscised suggests that an inhibitor of ethylene-stimulated respiration may be translocated from the plant and prevent the climacteric rise in respiration in attached ripening fruit.

Physiological Changes during Maturation, Ripening, and Storage of Asian Pears Grown in Southeastern United States

Morphological and physiological changes during maturation and ripening of eight Asian pear cultivars grown in the southeastern United States were evaluated. Fruit size increased throughout maturation. Flesh firmness decreased as fruit matured and averaged ≈30 to 35 N at harvest maturity. The average TSS in mature fruit ranged from 10% to 13%, with `Shinko' having the lowest and `Shinsui' having the highest. TSS increased during 4 weeks of storage at 1C, but the increase was greater in immature fruit than in mature fruit. Respiration rate declined as fruit matured. Ethylene production was low in `Hosui', `Kosui', `Nijisseiki', `Shinseiki', `Chojuro', and `Shinko' fruit. Mature `Ichiban' and `Shinsui' fruit produced high amounts of ethylene. `Kosui', `Shinsui', `Chojuro', and `Ichiban' fruit showed a climacteric rise in respiration and ethylene production at 20C, while `Hosui', `Nijisseiki', `Shinseiki', and `Shinko' behaved as nonclimacteric fruit. Ethylene production by 1C-stored `Kosui', `Shinsui', `Chojuro', and `Ichiban' fruit was increased on removal to 20C. Glucose and fructose were low during early maturation but sharply increased ≈80 to 85 days after full bloom (DAFB). Sucrose was low in immature fruit but accumulated rapidly late in maturation ≈100 to 107 DAFB. In mature `Hosui', `Kosui', `Nijisseiki', `Shinsui', `Shinko', and `Ichiban' fruit, fructose was the predominant sugar, while in `Shinseiki' and `Chojuro' fruit, sucrose was the predominant sugar.

Physiological Changes during Maturation, Ripening, and Storage of Asian Pears Grown in Southeastern United States

Morphological and physiological changes during maturation and ripening of eight Asian pear cultivars grown in the southeastern United States were evaluated. Fruit size increased throughout maturation. Flesh firmness decreased as fruit matured and averaged ≈30 to 35 N at harvest maturity. The average TSS in mature fruit ranged from 10% to 13%, with `Shinko' having the lowest and `Shinsui' having the highest. TSS increased during 4 weeks of storage at 1C, but the increase was greater in immature fruit than in mature fruit. Respiration rate declined as fruit matured. Ethylene production was low in `Hosui', `Kosui', `Nijisseiki', `Shinseiki', `Chojuro', and `Shinko' fruit. Mature `Ichiban' and `Shinsui' fruit produced high amounts of ethylene. `Kosui', `Shinsui', `Chojuro', and `Ichiban' fruit showed a climacteric rise in respiration and ethylene production at 20C, while `Hosui', `Nijisseiki', `Shinseiki', and `Shinko' behaved as nonclimacteric fruit. Ethylene production by 1C-stored `Kosui', `Shinsui', `Chojuro', and `Ichiban' fruit was increased on removal to 20C. Glucose and fructose were low during early maturation but sharply increased ≈80 to 85 days after full bloom (DAFB). Sucrose was low in immature fruit but accumulated rapidly late in maturation ≈100 to 107 DAFB. In mature `Hosui', `Kosui', `Nijisseiki', `Shinsui', `Shinko', and `Ichiban' fruit, fructose was the predominant sugar, while in `Shinseiki' and `Chojuro' fruit, sucrose was the predominant sugar.

Do tomatoes on the plant behave as climacteric fruits?

I considered the possibility that changes in fruit photosynthesis obscure the occurrence of the climacteric rise in respiration in tomato fruits attached to the plant. Internal CO2 and ethylene concentrations in tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. OH 7814) were analyzed after direct sampling through polyethylene tubes implanted in the external pericarp. Fruits which were shaded with aluminium foil contained up to 60 ml 1−1 CO2, until the internal ethylene concentration exceeded 1 μl l−1, when CO2 concentration declined to below 40 ml l−1; the CO2 concentration in fruits exposed to light only occasionally exceeded 40 ml 1−1. The internal CO2 concentration of detached fruits first declined and then increased along with ethylene concentration, as expected for the climacteric. Detached green fruits under continuous low photosynthetic photon flux density (100 μmol m−2 s−1) contained almost no internal CO2 and produced no CO2. Changes in photosynthesis and an associated CO2‐generating system in green fruits are thought to obscure the climacteric rise in tomato fruits developing on the plant.

Regulation of the ripening of tomato pericarp discs by GA3 and divalent cations

We have used a tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) pericarp disc system to study the inhibition of ripening caused by diazocyclopentadiene (DACP), gibberellic acid (GA3) and calcium (CaCl2), and to compare their modes of action. Treatment of discs with 1‐aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC) accelerated their ripening while DACP treatment eliminated ripening in the absence or presence of a treatment with the ethylene precursor. Both GA3 and calcium retarded color development and tissue softening. Calcium delayed the onset of the climacteric rise in respiration and ethylene evolution, but GA3 had no consistent effect in this respect. The different modes of action of the two inhibitors were emphasized by the synergistic effect on inhibition of ripening obtained when both were simultaneously applied. Inhibition of color development and softening was also achieved by applying other divalent cations such as strontium and barium. However, no such effect was observed with manganese or with the monovalent cations potassium and sodium. We concluded that calcium inhibition of ripening is not specific and is not necessarily mediated by the calcium calmodulin complex.

Initial infection processes by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on avocado fruit

Infection of avocado fruit by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was studied using light and transmission electron microscopy. In unripe fruit C. gloeosporioides produced an appressorium and an infection peg which ceased growth in the cuticle. In field-inoculated avocado fruit sampled up to 4 d after inoculation, most infection pegs had penetrated the fruit cuticle to a depth of less than 1·5 m. In fruit inoculated after harvest, however, the majority of infection pegs had grown down to the subcuticular region of the fruit peel within 48 h of inoculation. There was no further development of these infection pegs until the climacteric rise in respiration when fruit produced amounts of CO 2 in excess of 50 ml CO 2 kg −1 h −1 . When the fungus resumed growth, infection pegs enlarged either within the walls or within the lumen of epidermal cells. Subsequent intracellular and intercellular development of the fungus resulted in the rapid degradation of cell wall and membrane structural integrity, although cells were not killed in advance of invasion during these early stages of colonization.

EFFECTS OF LOW O2 ON SENESCENCE OF CARNATION FLOWERS (DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS L. cv. ELLIOTT'S WHITE)

Additions of adjuvants which inhibit the biosynthesis or action of C2H4 show that the climacteric rise in respiration during senescence of cut carnations is a facet of ethylene action and not senescence as such. The rate of CO2 output of carnation flowers was diminished in a dose-dependent mode by low O2. The data indicate that the diminution of respiration by low O2 may not be attributed to the restriction of either of the mitochondrial terminal oxidases. The steady-state concentration of ATP was similar in both air and 2% O2-treated flowers. 2% O2 eliminated for 32 days any rise in C2H4 evolution. In addition the longevity of the flowers kept under 2% O2 was longer than those which were treated with STS. The results are taken to indicate that hypoxia affects developmental events leading to the induction of C2H4 and/or the synthesis of transducer of C2H4 action.

RESPIRATORY CLIMACTERIC IN ATTACHED AND HARVESTED MELON FRUIT

The CO2 and C2H4 conc in the internal cavity of three melon (Cucumis melo L., var. reticulatus and inodorus Naud.) cultivars was periodically measured in fruit attached to the vine and in fruit harvested 30 days after pollination (DAP). Gas samples were withdrawn through sterile serum stopper sampling ports aseptically installed near the equator of each fruit at ca. 20 DAP. Sampling continued until either 60 DAP or until fruit abscised. Internal CO2 and C2H4 conc increased in harvested fruit as they ripened (i.e., increased percent soluble solids, decreased flesh firmness, characteristic external color change). Fruit allowed to ripen on the vine also exhibited a rise in C2H4, but lacked a ripening associated climacteric rise in respiration, CO2 conc in attached fruit remained constant or declined as the C2H4, conc increased around 40-fold and the fruit ripened. The increase in CO2 conc, so commonly observed in ripening climacteric fruit, was observed in harvested melons, but not in fruit ripening on the vine. In melons, the respiratory climacteric may be an artifact of harvest. Implications of these observations will be discussed.

メロン果実の成熟特性の品種間差異

Four cultivars of melons (Cucumis melo L.) were harvested at different ages. Sugar content, the rate of CO2 and C2H4 evolution, and flesh firmness were measured.1. Fruits of var. reticulatus Naud. (‘Earl′s Favourite’ and ‘IW-57’) showed climacteric rise in respiration. ‘IW-57’ especially, showed extremely high rate of CO2 and C2H4 evolution. ‘Ginsen’ (var. acidulus Naud.) and ‘IW-57’ which can not be stored for a long time, showed higher respiration rates than ‘Hony Dew’ (var. inodorus Naud.) and ‘Earl′s Favourite’.2. Ethylene treatment (1, 000ppm, 20h) reduced flesh firmness. However, the effects were slight in ‘Ginsen’ and in the climacteric phase of ‘Earl′s Favourite’ and ‘IW-57’.3. Soluble solid contents (SSC) of ‘Honey Dew’ were high at the early stages of development and did not increase much at the period of 40 to 55 days after anthesis; sucrose content was relatively low at harvest even at the commercial harvesting stages. However, sucrose content increased after harvest, especially with ethylene treatment. In other cultivars, SSC and sucrose content increased rapidly just before the commercial harvesting stages. Fruit quality of ‘Earl′s Favourite’ decreased with the decrease of SSC and total sugar contents (TSC) after harvest.4. In ‘Honey Dew’ fruits, the relationship between SSC and TSC was low just after harvest but ethylene-treated fruits showed a high relationship. In other cultivars, the relationships between SSC and TSC were high. However, the values of SSC and TSC were not equal and SSC always showed relatively higher values than TSC.

The effect of harvest date on the responses of Discovery apples to modified atmosphere retail packaging

SummaryIn order to study effects of physiological maturity on responses of Discovery apples to modified atmosphere (MA) retail packaging, samples of fruit were picked at 3–4 day intervals over a 3‐week period spanning the development of the climacteric rise in respiration and the normal marketing season for the variety. The apples were packed in MA (301∼.ethylene vinyl acetate) or perforated control packs and held under simulated marketing conditions at 10 or 20°C. The degree of modification of the pack atmospheres and the effects of MA packaging on fruit ripening changes were influenced by harvest date and related to the respiration rate of fruit when packed. MA packs were effective in retarding softening and skin colour changes in immediately pre‐climacteric and early climacteric fruit. There was little risk of taint development, except during 14‐day simulated marketing periods at 20°C. Little beneficial effect of MA packaging was found in apples harvested 4 days before the onset of the climacteric; relatively little deterioration occurred in such fruit in perforated control packs. Beneficial effects of MA packaging on ripening changes and quality attributes were reduced, and taint risk enhanced, when the technique was used for late picked fruit with much higher rates of respiration. Possible causes for the observed relationship between the different stages of physiological maturity of Discovery apples and their responses to MA packaging are discussed.

Effect of ethylene treatment on the concentration of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate and on the activity of phosphofructokinase 2/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase in banana.

Preclimacteric bananas fruits were treated for 12 h with ethylene to induce the climacteric rise in respiration. One day after the end of the hormonal treatment, the two activities of the bifunctional enzyme, phosphofructokinase 2/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase started to increase to reach fourfold their initial value 6 days later. By contrast, the activities of the pyrophosphate-dependent and of the ATP-dependent 6-phosphofructo-1-kinases remained constant during the whole experimental period, the first one being fourfold greater than the second. The concentrations of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate increased in parallel during 4 days and then slowly decreased, the second one being always about 100-fold greater than the first. The change in fructose 2,6-bisphosphate concentration can be partly explained by the rise of the bifunctional enzyme, but also by an early increase in the concentration of fructose 6-phosphate, the substrate of all phosphofructokinases, and also by the decrease in the concentration of glycerate 3-phosphate, a potent inhibitor of phosphofructokinase 2. The burst in fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and the activity of the pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase, which is in banana the only enzyme known to be sensitive to fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, can explain the well-known increase in fructose 1,6-bisphosphate which occurs during ripening.

Incidence of bitter pit in relation to the calcium content of apples: Calcium distribution in the fruit

AbstractThe distribution of calcium at harvest, its subsequent redistribution within the fruit during storage in air at 2.8°C and bitter pit development in samples of Cox's Orange Pippin apples picked at intervals during September and October were investigated. The distribution of calcium in the fruit changed on the tree and during storage. The percentages of pitted apples, assessed in January, were poorly related to calcium concentrations in the whole fruit or in any fruit zone at harvest. Redistribution of calcium from the mid and outer cortical tissues to the core zone was followed, at longer intervals over successive picks, by the appearance of bitter pit lesions. The earliest‐picked sample was less affected by bitter pit than samples picked later in September. The least bitter pit occurred in samples picked in October, after the climacteric rise in respiration, and these fruits were apparently less subject to fluctuations in calcium concentrations during storage.