Fructose Content Research Articles

Avocado cultivar and tree-to-tree leaf compositional differences affect infestation severity of Pseudocysta perseae (Hemiptera: Tingidae).

Avocado lace bug, Pseudocysta perseae (Heidemann) (Hemiptera: Tingidae), is a sap-feeding insect that feeds on the underside of avocado leaves. First observed in 2019, P. perseae has spread throughout the Hawaiian islands, causing premature leaf drop and decrease in avocado yield. Due to Hawai'i's approximately 200 cultivars comprised of all 3 avocado races with extensive racial hybrids, we were able to investigate whether certain cultivars were more prone to experiencing higher P. perseae abundances and infestations compared to others. We conducted longitudinal abundance surveys on Hawai'i Island across several common avocado varieties monitoring changes in P. perseae abundance. These surveys were supplemented with longitudinal infestation severity surveys across 4 avocado lineages (Mexican, Guatemalan, West Indian, and Guatemalan × West Indian hybrid). Additionally, we collected leaves of 'Sharwil', 'Hass', 'Kahalu'u', and 'Nishikawa' cultivars looking at associations between P. perseae abundance and cultivar, herbivory-related biomechanical traits, and soluble sugar content. We found that some cultivars, such as 'Malama', typically experience lower P. perseae abundances compared to cultivars such as 'Kahalu'u', 'Beshore', and 'Sharwil'. Guatemalan × West Indian hybrid trees were also shown to have a higher probability of experiencing more severe P. perseae infestations compared to other lineages. Lastly, soluble sugar content, specifically fructose content, had a positive effect on juvenile P. perseae abundance. These findings suggest that cultivar differences in P. perseae infestations may exist, but tree-to-tree leaf compositional differences, such as soluble sugar content, may be a large driver of variation in P. perseae abundance.

Compositional Characteristics of Currant Juices Prepared by Different Processes and Other Selected Currant Products

The quality of black/red currant products, which are valuable components of a healthy diet, depends on many aspects, e.g., natural variability, climatic conditions, degree of ripeness, processing technology, and recipe. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the harvest year (2020 and 2021) and different processes (with or without prepress enzymatic treatment) on the chemical composition of 38 laboratory-prepared black/red currant (BC/RC) juices and to compare them with 19 selected commercial products, using 20 compositional and quality markers. Significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed for BC in sucrose, Dp-3-glu, and Cy-3-glu content within the different processes, as well as fructose and ascorbic acid content within the harvest year (p < 0.05). The greatest differences between BC and RC juices were observed in ascorbic acid content (1567 mg/kg in BC and 261 mg/kg in RC), citric acid content (34.6 g/kg in BC and 23.2 g/kg in RC), and in the anthocyanin profile. The major anthocyanins of the currant products were identified as Dp-3-rut (39.1–50.4%), Cy-3-rut (30.1–39.1%), Cy-3-glu (3.6–18.2%), and Dp-3-glu (9.4–13.5%) in BC and Cy-3-glu (59.3–67.2%) and Cy-3-rut (14.2–19.8%) in RC. The chemical composition of commercial products was found to be highly variable and dependent on the recipe used.

Short-term high-light intensity and low temperature improve the quality and flavor of lettuce grown in plant factory.

Lettuce holds a prominent position in the year-round supply of vegetables, offering a rich array of health-beneficial substances, such as dietary fiber, phenolic compounds, lactucopicrin and lactucin. As such, its flavor has garnered increasing attention. Balancing the enhancement of beneficial compounds with the reduction of undesirable taste is a key focus of scientific research. To investigate short-term management to improve the nutritional quality and flavor of lettuce, combinations of different light intensities (200, 500 and 800 μm ol m-2 s-1) and temperatures (10 and 22 °C) were applied separately to 'Lollo Rosso' and 'Little Butter Lettuce' for 7 days before harvest. The results obtained showed that increasing light intensity at low temperatures decreased nitrate content and increased soluble sugar, soluble protein, anthocyanin and phenolic compound content. In the case of lettuce flavor, the bitterness-related metabolites such as lactucin and lactucopicrin were reduced with high light intensity at a low temperature of 10 °C. With this combination, the fructose and glucose contents increased, significantly improving lettuce flavor. Higher light intensity combined with low temperature for 7 days before harvest effectively improved the nutritional quality and flavor of lettuce, suggesting its great potential for use in horticultural practices. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Does hydration of ‘Deglet Nour’ date palm fruits improve their quality and help to reduce waste?

This work investigates the quality change of date palm fruits after hydration treatment which is commonly applied to enhance the hard textured ‘Deglet Nour’ fruits that are unacceptable for consumption. Date palm fruits were treated at 60–62 °C with saturated steam for 4 h in three different processing units (DPU). Mid Infrared Spectroscopy (MIR) giving a global spectral evaluation discriminates samples from the three DPUs and highlights date palm fruits of the first DPU regarding hydration treatment. Treatment led to a decrease of fruit firmness, skin lightness, and of sucrose and malic acid contents whereas citric acid and procyanidins contents and procyanidins ‘degree of polymerization increased. Thermal treatment had no effect on glucose and fructose contents, on cell wall content and composition and on minor phenolic groups. Significant differences existed on dates from the three DPUs, discriminating dates presenting high firmness. Hydration treatment improve dates texture as expected while nutritional parameters were quite stable, confirming that is very promising and could be highly recommended to valorise fruit that are currently not commercialized. However, optimisation is needed for the very hard-type dates.

X-ray irradiation maintains soluble sugar content and regulates expression of genes related to sugar metabolism of figs (Ficus carica L. ‘Siluhongyu’)

Fig is susceptible to lose fruit sensory quality due to its delicate skin and the natural bottom fruit pore. X-ray irradiation is an effective strategy for fruit preservation. This study investigated appearance and basic quality attributes of ‘Siluhongyu’ fig and evaluated the effects of X-ray on fig sugar metabolism and relative expression of genes. Results indicated that ‘Siluhongyu’ fig could be accepted by consumers with suitable overall dimension, soluble sugar, titratable acidity (TA), soluble protein, and dietary fiber contents. Sugar metabolism assay revealed that 3.0 kGy X-ray effectively inhibited the decline of glucose, fructose and sucrose contents. The starch degradation and the increase of amylase activity of figs were alleviated. In addition, the neutral invertase (NI), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SS) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) activities in figs were activated by 3.0 kGy X-ray. About 22 % higher hexokinase (HK) activity was found in 3.0 kGy irradiated fruit than non-irradiated figs. Furthermore, 3.0 kGy X-ray upregulated gene expressions of NI, SS, HK, and PFK. The study proves that 3.0 kGy X-ray could be used as the feasible preservation means to regulate sugar metabolism and maintain quality of figs.

Transcriptome Profiles Reveal That Phytohormone Signal Transduction-related Genes Involved in Regulating Xenia in Rabbiteye Blueberry

Blueberries are small perennial evergreen or deciduous shrub berries of the genus Vaccinium in Ericaceae family. Pollination with different parental genotypes has significant effects on fruit size, fruit harvest time, fruit firmness, and chemical composition, such as soluble solids, titratable acids, anthocyanins, fructose, sucrose, glucose, flavonoids, and total phenols, showing an evident xenia effect. To understand the molecular mechanism and biosynthetic pathways involved in the xenia effect in rabbiteye blueberry, we employed transcriptome profiling by RNA sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) during fruit development of the variety ‘Premier’ produced by self and cross-pollination with ‘Brightwell’ and ‘Powderblue’. On the basis of the transcriptomic sequences, DEGs related to plant hormone signal transduction were identified through bioinformatics analysis, screening of DEGs, and functional enrichment analysis. The results showed that the single fruit weight and the contents of anthocyanins fructose, glucose, and sucrose showed significant differences between self- and cross-pollinated fruits, demonstrating a distinct xenia effect. High-throughput sequencing was conducted on the transcriptomes of young fruits harvested at six developmental stages (at 10-day intervals from 40 to 90 days after self- and cross-pollination). After screening and identification, 16.37 million to 25.52 million raw reads were generated and 4,937,201,302 to 7,709,896,920 clean bases were obtained. The comparison group of 80-day-old fruits generated through self-pollinated ‘Premier’ and those crossed with ‘Brightwell’ (PBR-80 vs. PPR-80) showed the largest number of DEGs (6377), of which 3052 were upregulated and 3325 were downregulated. Through further screening, 174 DEGs were found related to plant hormone signal transduction, comprising 147 known genes and 27 new genes and that 76 genes were downregulated and 98 genes were upregulated. Of the eight DEGs randomly selected for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction verification, their expression patterns were consistent with those revealed by high-throughput sequencing. The results elucidated the underlying mechanism of xenia, thereby providing a solid theoretical foundation for the targeted breeding, quality control, and improvement of economic benefits of blueberry, which are of important theoretical value and practical significance.

Determination of Carbohydrate Composition in Lentils Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.

Carbohydrates are the main components of lentils, accounting for more than 60% of their composition. Their content is influenced by genetic factors, with different contents depending on the variety. These compounds have not only been linked to interesting health benefits, but they also have a significant influence on the techno-functional properties of lentil-derived products. In this study, the use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict the concentration of total carbohydrate, fibre, starch, total sugars, fructose, sucrose and raffinose was investigated. For this purpose, six different cultivars of macrosperm (n = 37) and microsperm (n = 43) lentils have been analysed, the samples were recorded whole and ground and the suitability of both recording methods were compared. Different spectral and mathematical pre-treatments were evaluated before developing the calibration models using the Modified Partial Least Squares regression method, with a cross-validation and an external validation. The predictive models developed show excellent coefficients of determination (RSQ > 0.9) for the total sugars and fructose, sucrose, and raffinose. The recording of ground samples allowed for obtaining better models for the calibration of starch content (R > 0.8), total sugars and sucrose (R > 0.93), and raffinose (R > 0.91). The results obtained confirm that there is sufficient information in the NIRS spectral region for the development of predictive models for the quantification of the carbohydrate content in lentils.

Preliminary Study: Antimicrobial Permeation and Release Rates of Biocellulose Wound Dressing Produced Using Acetobacter Xylinum 0416 in Pineapple Peel Waste Culture

Modern wound dressings are employed to hasten the healing of damaged skin. Alginate, foam, hydrogel, hydrocolloid and film are contemporary wound dressings. These contemporary wound dressings are effective for treating wounds because they keep moisture in the wound to help the skin of the damaged tissue heal. Another application for biocellulose (BC) is as a material for treating wounds. This is because biocellulose can absorb exudates from skin wounds and has a considerable water-holding capacity. Because pineapple peel waste has a high concentration of glucose and fructose, it can be used as a fermentation medium to make biocellulose. The manufacture of biocellulose also makes use of the bacterium Acetobacter xylinum 0416. The biocellulose fermentation process lasts five days at 30 °C in an incubator with static conditions. Utilising antimicrobial agents such as silver nanoparticle compounds, Moringa oleifera, or Melastoma malabathricum leaf extract will improve the antibacterial capabilities of biocellulose. The growth of A. xylinum 0416 indicates an exponential phase at 48 hours, where the number of bacterial cells increases, and the process of transferring 20% of the inoculum to the fermentation medium is carried out. BC fermentation in 6-well plates with 3 ml of pineapple peel extract volume at 30°C and pH 5.15 recorded the highest BC wet weight reading at 1.740g and an average of 1.393g. Low concentrations of silver nanoparticles and Moringa leaf extract at 0.02mg/ml, 5mg/l and 0.0125mg/l showed a good effect against the pathogen. The water absorption capacity of the raw BC shows a good absorption value of 144.84.

Effect of certain physical and chemical factors on the development of biofilms in Lactobacillus plantarum

Lactobacillus plantarum is known to produce biofilms and planktonic cells. It has the ability to grow in MRS broth on inert surfaces. This study aimed to examine the ability of L. plantarum to generate biofilms and planktonic cells under diverse environmental conditions. The study also included the effect of temperature and pH changes on the growth of biofilms. In addition, the study investigated the effect of different sugars added to the MRS medium on biofilm formation. The results confirmed that the optimal temperature for biofilm growth is 37°C, and that the best pH 8. It was noted that the use of MacConkey's medium hinders bacterial growth.. Conversely, the addition of sugars to media environments significantly enhances biofilm formation, with biofilm production increasing alongside concentrations of glucose, sucrose, fructose, maltose and starch. The production of biofilms by L. plantarum holds importance for food processing and preservation, and presents diverse potential medical applications.

Exploring correlations: Human seminal plasma and blood serum biochemistry in relation to semen quality.

Male infertility is a pressing global issue, prompting the need for biomarkers correlating with seminal parameters for diagnosis. Our study investigated 10 biochemical and energetic parameters in the seminal plasma and blood sera of fertile (25 subjects) and infertile (88 subjects) Polish men, correlations between their levels in seminal plasma and semen quality, and correlations between blood sera and seminal plasma levels of examined parameters. Infertile men displayed elevated seminal plasma glucose and fructose but reduced HDL levels compared to fertile men. We observed also weak negative correlations between seminal plasma triglycerides and sperm concentration in both groups. Moreover, infertile men exhibited positive correlations between seminal plasma HDL/LDL concentrations and sperm concentration. Fertile men showed moderate negative correlations between glucose/triglycerides concentrations and sperm count and between seminal plasma triglycerides levels and sperm vitality. Semen volume correlated with triglycerides (negative) and fructose (positive) concentrations in infertile men. Sperm motility correlated negatively with total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides concentrations in fertile men, and weakly with AMP-activated protein kinase in infertile men. Weak negative correlations between seminal plasma fructose/AMP-activated protein kinase concentrations and sperm progressive motility were observed in infertile men, whereas in fertile men seminal plasma AMP-activated protein kinase levels were positively correlated with progressive motility. Correlation analysis between blood serum and seminal plasma parameters revealed intriguing connections, notably regarding LDL, AMP-activated protein kinase, and carnitine, suggesting systemic influences on seminal plasma composition. These findings emphasize the complex interplay between metabolic factors and sperm parameters, offering promising directions for future research in male infertility diagnostics and therapeutics.

Physiological and transcriptome analysis of changes in endogenous hormone and sugar content during the formation of tender asparagus stems

Asparagus is a nutritionally dense stem vegetable whose growth and development are correlated with its quality and yield. To investigate the dynamic changes and underlying mechanisms during the elongation and growth process of asparagus stems, we documented the growth pattern of asparagus and selected stem segments from four consecutive elongation stages using physiological and transcriptome analyses. Notably, the growth rate of asparagus accelerated at a length of 25 cm. A significant decrease in the concentration of sucrose, fructose, glucose, and additional sugars was observed in the elongation region of tender stems. Conversely, the levels of auxin and gibberellins(GAs) were elevated along with increased activity of enzymes involved in sucrose degradation. A significant positive correlation existed between auxin, GAs, and enzymes involved in sucrose degradation. The ABA content gradually increased with stem elongation. The tissue section showed that cell elongation is an inherent manifestation of stem elongation. The differential genes screened by transcriptome analysis were enriched in pathways such as starch and sucrose metabolism, phytohormone synthesis metabolism, and signal transduction. The expression levels of genes such as ARF, GA20ox, NCED, PIF4, and otherswere upregulated during stem elongation, while DAO, GA2ox, and other genes were downregulated. The gene expression level was consistent with changes in hormone content and influenced the cell length elongation. Additionally, the expression results of RT-qPCR were consistent with RNA-seq. The observed variations in gene expression levels, endogenous hormones and sugar changes during the elongation and growth of asparagus tender stems offer valuable insights for future investigations into the molecular mechanisms of asparagus stem growth and development and provide a theoretical foundation for cultivation and production practices.

Composite "Crosslinked Polyvinyl Alcohol-Magnetite" as a Stimuli-Responsive Matrix for Optical Methods.

The preparation and application of the composite material "crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol-magnetite" as a sensitive matrix for use in digital colorimetry and optical micrometry methods are discussed. The material was synthesized in the form of spherical granules (for micrometry) and thin films (for digital colorimetry). The obtained composites were characterized by the registration of magnetization curves. It was shown that the amount of grown Fe3O4 particles in the polymer gel is in linear dependence with the iron salt concentrations in the impregnating solutions. The composite granules were applied to determining monosaccharides using optical micrometry. The optimal pH value for the total amount of monosaccharides' determination was 8.6. The study of the analytical response of composite granules and films performed with a low limit of detection (7.9 mmol/dm3) of both glucose and fructose and a possibility of the control of high alcohol contention in water media. The granules were used to determine the total carbohydrate content in samples of natural honey and syrups with high fructose contents, while the films were used to control the alcohol content in hand antiseptics. The results obtained are in good agreement with the data provided by the manufacturers.

ქართულ ნახევრად ტკბილ ღვინოებში გლუკოზისა და ფრუქტოზის რაოდენობრივი განსაზღვრა

One of the important parameters for wine certification is the quantitative determination of glucose and fructose, for which the highly efficient liquid chromatographic method is tested and is accurate. The quantitative determination of glucose and fructose in semi-sweet wines using high performance liquid chromatography is discussed in the article. A high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) with a refractive index detector (RID) and a reversed-phase alkali amine chromatography column was used during the analysis. The method showed a high correlation coefficient during calibration (R2 = 0.99). With the given method, the concentration of glucose and fructose in semi-sweet wines of some denominations of Georgian production was measured. Quantification of these sugars is of particular importance in assessing the sweetness profile of wine and ensuring compliance with quality standards. For analysis, semi-sweet wines of Georgian production were used, in which the total amount of glucose and fructose is within the norm according to the Georgian Government Resolution #524.

Au nanozyme-based colorimetric sensor array integrates machine learning to identify and discriminate monosaccharides

As different monosaccharides exhibit different redox characteristics, this paper presented a novel colorimetric sensor array based on the glucose oxidase-like (GOx-like) activity of Au nanoparticles (NPs) for monosaccharides identification. AuNPs can use O2, ABTS+•, or [Ag(NH3)2]+ as an electron acceptor to catalyze the oxidation of monosaccharides in different velocity, resulting in cross-responsive signals. The current sensor array can distinguish between different monosaccharides or their mixtures through linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA). Moreover, the glucose and fructose concentrations can be estimated simultaneously using a neural network regression model based on the sensor array. This method shows potential for monosaccharide detection in industrial, medical, and biological applications.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Invertase Genes: Genome-Wide Identification and Expression in Response to Abiotic Stresses and Phytohormones

Invertases are involved in plant growth, development, and stress adaptation; however, invertase-encoding genes have not yet been reported in Allium species. In this study, we identified 23 invertase izogenes in garlic (Allium sativum L.): 11 encoding putative neutral/alkaline (AsN/AINV1–11) and 12 acid (6 cell-wall—AsCWINV1–6 and 6 vacuolar—AsVINV1–6) enzymes. Among them, AsN/AINV1, 3, 8–10, AsCWINV2–5, and AsVINV2–6 showed significant transcription in garlic organs (roots, bulbs, pseudostems, leaves, sprouts, and reproductive parts) in a tissue-specific manner, whereas the AsN/AINV4–6, 11, AsCWINV1, 6, and AsVINV1 genes had weak or no detectable expression. Gene promoters contained nine, nine, and sixteen hormone-, stress-, and light-responsive cis-regulatory elements, respectively, and fifteen sites related to transcription factor binding and plant development. Expression analysis revealed that 12 invertase genes strongly transcribed in the roots of A. sativum cv. Ershuizao showed differential expression in the roots and leaves of A. sativum cv. Sarmat exposed to abiotic stresses (low temperature, high salinity, and drought) and phytohormones (abscisic acid and methyl jasmonate), which was significantly correlated with glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents. Our results should further functional analysis of invertases from Allium crops and contribute to the breeding of stress-tolerant varieties.

Innovative antibacterial and antifungal coating films of chitosan/nano zinc oxide/essential oil on grape preservation

The effects of some innovative antibacterial and antifungal coating films of chitosan/nano zinc oxide/essential oil (C-ZNO-EO) on grape preservation for human health were studied during the storage periods on (0, 4, 7, 14, and 16) days. Several evaluation approaches were evaluated such as the bacterial evaluations against the presence of the mesophilic aerobic bacteria. The polyamines evaluation was studied by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) for putrescine and spermidine. Soluble sugars were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for fructose, glucose, and sucrose. Iron, zinc, and manganese were absorbed by the spectrum spectrophotometer. The antifungal properties have been examined against Botryis cineraa, Aspergillus niger, and Tubingensis. The results reported that the highest mesophilic aerobic bacteria (4.73 Log CFU g−1) was recorded in the control grapes on the 16th day, whereas the lowest level (2.05 Log CFU g−1) was recorded for C-ZNO-EO. The polyamines ranged from 12.18 nmol g−1 FW to 10.1 nmol g−1 FW, and from 21.35 nmol g−1 FW to 16 nmol g−1 FW for putrescine and spermidine during the storage periods, respectively. The grapes treated with C-ZNO-EO achieved the maximum increase in glucose and fructose contents (40.61 and 30.05 μmol/g FW), while grapes treated with chitosan/nano zinc oxide (C-ZNO) achieved the maximum increase in sucrose (0.982 μmol/g FW) compared with chitosan (C) and control treatments at the end of the storage periods, respectively. Using C-NZO-EO treatment had a positive effect on the mineral compositions and the antifungal against Botryis cineraa, Aspergillus niger, and Tubingensis. The innovative antibacterial and antifungal coating film by C-NZO-EO was the best treatment for grape preservation.

Overexpression of a transcription factor MdWRKY126 altered soluble sugar accumulation in apple and tomato fruit

The compositions and contents of soluble sugars highly determine the flavor and quality of flshy fruits. In the present study, we found that the overexpression of transcription factor MdWRKY126 localized on the nucleus enhanced sucrose concentration while decreased fructose and glucose concentration in transgenic apple calli and ripening tomato fruits. To comprehensively understand the effects of the MdWRKY126 on the content of various soluble sugars in apple and tomato fruits, enzyme activities and related essential genes associated with the sugar metabolism and transportation pathway in MdWRKY126-overrexpressed apple and tomato lines were analyzed. The results indicated that the overexpression of MdWRKY126 upregulated sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity and the gene expression levels of SPS and sucrose transporter SUT, which was conducive to a large accumulation of sucrose in fruit cells. Meanwhile, MdWRKY126 overexpression downregulated the activity of enzymes involved in sucrose decomposition including cell wall invertase (CWINV), sucrose synthase (SUSY) and the corresponding gene expressions, as well as inhibited the expression levels of hexose transporter (HTs) and tonoplast sugar transporter (TSTs) that transport hexose into vacuoles, resulting in a reduced hexose level in apple calli and tomato fruit. These findings enrich our understanding of the metabolism and regulation of soluble sugars in apple fruits.

SlZIP11 mediates zinc accumulation and sugar storage in tomato fruits.

Zinc (Zn) is a vital micronutrient essential for plant growth and development. Transporter proteins of the ZRT/IRT-like protein (ZIP) family play crucial roles in maintaining Zn homeostasis. Although the acquisition, translocation, and intracellular transport of Zn are well understood in plant roots and leaves, the genes that regulate these pathways in fruits remain largely unexplored. In this study, we aimed to investigate the function of SlZIP11 in regulating tomato fruit development. We used Solanum lycopersicum L. 'Micro-Tom' SlZIP11 (Solanum lycopersicum) is highly expressed in tomato fruit, particularly in mature green (MG) stages. For obtaining results, we employed reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), yeast two-hybrid assay, bimolecular fluorescent complementation, subcellular localization assay, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), SlZIP11 overexpression, determination of Zn content, sugar extraction and content determination, and statistical analysis. RT-qPCR analysis showed elevated SlZIP11 expression in MG tomato fruits. SlZIP11 expression was inhibited and induced by Zn deficiency and toxicity treatments, respectively. Silencing SlZIP11 via the VIGS technology resulted in a significant increase in the Zn content of tomato fruits. In contrast, overexpression of SlZIP11 led to reduced Zn content in MG fruits. Moreover, both silencing and overexpression of SlZIP11 caused alterations in the fructose and glucose contents of tomato fruits. Additionally, SlSWEEET7a interacted with SlZIP11. The heterodimerization between SlSWEET7a and SlZIP11 affected subcellular targeting, thereby increasing the amount of intracellularly localized oligomeric complexes. Overall, this study elucidates the role of SlZIP11 in mediating Zn accumulation and sugar transport during tomato fruit ripening. These findings underscore the significance of SlZIP11 in regulating Zn levels and sugar content, providing insights into its potential implications for plant physiology and agricultural practices.

Differences in analytical methods affect the analytical values of soluble solids, free sugar, and organic acid content of strawberries

The present study compares different pre-treatments used to analyze free sugars and organic acids in strawberries. Soluble solid content, free sugars, and organic acid content in strawberries may vary depending on the pre-treatment methods used for analyze. A comparison of freshly squeezed juice and that obtained post freezing and thawing revealed a significant reduction in sucrose content in the once-frozen juice. However, no significant differences were observed in the soluble solids, glucose, and fructose contents. Furthermore, crushed flesh had significantly higher soluble solid, glucose, and fructose levels and lower sucrose content than those of the juice. Crushed flesh exhibited significantly higher citric acid and a lower malic acid content than those in the juice. There was a significant reduction in sucrose content in the freeze-dried samples compared to all other pre-treatments. Contrastingly, citric and malic acid levels were higher in the freeze-dried samples than that in the freshly crushed samples. The sucrose analytical values can be greatly decrease during the pre-treatment process. Therefore, differences in analytical methods should be considered when comparing sucrose content and composition.

Overexpression of VaBAM3 from Vitis amurensis enhances seedling cold tolerance by promoting soluble sugar accumulation and reactive oxygen scavenging.

The VaBAM3 cloned from Vitis amurensis can enhance the cold tolerance of overexpressed plants, but VaBAM3 knock out by CRISPR/Cas9 system weakened grape callus cold tolerance. In grape production, extreme cold conditions can seriously threaten plant survival and fruit quality. Regulation of starch content by β-amylase (BAM, EC: 3.2.1.2) contributes to cold tolerance in plants. In this study, we cloned the VaBAM3 gene from an extremely cold-tolerant grape, Vitis amurensis, and overexpressed it in tomato and Arabidopsis plants, as well as in grape callus for functional characterization. After exposure to cold stress, leaf wilting in the VaBAM3-overexpressing tomato plants was slightly less pronounced than that in wild-type tomato plants, and these plants were characterized by a significant accumulation of autophagosomes. Additionally, the VaBAM3-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants had a higher freezing tolerance than the wild-type counterparts. Under cold stress conditions, the activities of total amylase, BAM, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in VaBAM3-overexpressing plants were significantly higher than those in the corresponding wild-type plants. Furthermore, sucrose, glucose, and fructose contents in these lines were similarly significantly higher, whereas starch contents were reduced in comparison to the levels in the wild-type plants. Furthermore, we detected high CBF and COR gene expression levels in cold-stressed VaBAM3-overexpressing plants. Compared with those in VaBAM3-overexpressing grape callus, the aforementioned indicators tended to change in the opposite direction in grape callus with silenced VaBAM3. Collectively, our findings indicate that heterologous overexpression of VaBAM3 enhanced cold tolerance of plants by promoting the accumulation of soluble sugars and scavenging of excessive reactive oxygen species. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the cultivation of cold-resistant grape and support creation of germplasm resources for this purpose.