Domestica Fruit Research Articles

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antiulcer Potentials of Prunus domestica Fruit Methanolic and Extract on Wistar Albino Rats

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antiulcer Potentials of Prunus domestica Fruit Methanolic and Extract on Wistar Albino Rats

Phytochemicals in fruits of two Prunus domestica L. plum cultivars during ripening

Plums are a rich source of nutritive and bioactive compounds. The objective was to evaluate the impact of fruit tissue (flesh and peel), ripening stage and cultivar on the composition of phytochemicals in plums (Prunus domestica L.) and to analyse the relation between total antioxidant activity (TAA) and the measured variables. The content of total sugars and total organic acids was higher in flesh but total phenolic content (TPC) and TAA was statistically higher in plum peel. The composition of sugars depended on fruit tissue, ripening stage and the cultivar. Ripening and fruit tissue affected the composition and concentrations of organic acids. TPC of 'Haganta' peel increased during ripening but there was no significant time trend for 'Jojo' peel and flesh of both cultivars. The composition of phenolics in peel depended on the cultivar, but in flesh on the cultivar and ripening. Ripening resulted in increased total anthocyanins and TAA in peel. TAA(peel) was positively correlated with TPC(peel) , total anthocyanins(peel), cyanidin 3-glucoside(peel) and peonidin 3-rutinoside(peel) in the cultivar 'Haganta'. The composition of phytochemicals in P. domestica fruit depends on fruit tissue, ripening stage and the cultivar. Peel contributes to the TAA on average 20 times more than flesh.

A genomics approach to understanding the role of auxin in apple (Malus x domestica)fruit size control

BackgroundAuxin is an important phytohormone for fleshy fruit development, having been shown to be involved in the initial signal for fertilisation, fruit size through the control of cell division and cell expansion, and ripening related events. There is considerable knowledge of auxin-related genes, mostly from work in model species. With the apple genome now available, it is possible to carry out genomics studies on auxin-related genes to identify genes that may play roles in specific stages of apple fruit development.ResultsHigh amounts of auxin in the seed compared with the fruit cortex were observed in 'Royal Gala' apples, with amounts increasing through fruit development. Injection of exogenous auxin into developing apples at the start of cell expansion caused an increase in cell size. An expression analysis screen of auxin-related genes involved in auxin reception, homeostasis, and transcriptional regulation showed complex patterns of expression in each class of gene. Two mapping populations were phenotyped for fruit size over multiple seasons, and multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were observed. One QTL mapped to a region containing an Auxin Response Factor (ARF106). This gene is expressed during cell division and cell expansion stages, consistent with a potential role in the control of fruit size.ConclusionsThe application of exogenous auxin to apples increased cell expansion, suggesting that endogenous auxin concentrations are at least one of the limiting factors controlling fruit size. The expression analysis of ARF106 linked to a strong QTL for fruit weight suggests that the auxin signal regulating fruit size could partially be modulated through the function of this gene. One class of gene (GH3) removes free auxin by conjugation to amino acids. The lower expression of these GH3 genes during rapid fruit expansion is consistent with the apple maximising auxin concentrations at this point.

Resistance of Malus domestica Fruit to Botrytis cinerea Depends on Endogenous Ethylene Biosynthesis

The plant hormone ethylene regulates fruit ripening, other developmental processes, and a subset of defense responses. Here, we show that 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACS)-silenced apple (Malus domestica) fruit that express a sense construct of ACS were more susceptible to Botrytis cinerea than untransformed apple, demonstrating that ethylene strengthens fruit resistance to B. cinerea infection. Because ethylene response factors (ERFs) are known to contribute to resistance against B. cinerea via the ethylene-signaling pathway, we cloned four ERF cDNAs from fruit of M. domestica: MdERF3, -4, -5, and -6. Expression of all four MdERF mRNAs was ethylene dependent and induced by wounding or by B. cinerea infection. B. cinerea infection suppressed rapid induction of wound-related MdERF expression. MdERF3 was the only mRNA induced by wounding and B. cinerea infection in ACS-suppressed apple fruit, although its induction was reduced compared with wild-type apple. Promoter regions of all four MdERF genes were cloned and putative cis-elements were identified in each promoter. Transient expression of MdERF3 in tobacco increased expression of the GCC-box containing gene chitinase 48.

남천(Nandina domestica) 열매 분획 추출물의 항산화 효과

This study was carried out to compare the antioxidative effects of various Nandina domestica fruits extracts. Organic fractions, including n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions, were obtained from the water and ethanol extracts of N. domestica fruits. The phenolic compound content of the EE fraction was 922.22 mg/g. The flavonoid compound content was highest in the EB fraction (282.49 mg/g). The electron-donating ability was highest (93%) in the WA and EH fractions at 0.1 mg/mL. The SOD-like activity was showed the highest in the EA fraction (56.36%), and EH and EC both showed higher than 50% activity. The nitrite-scavenging ability of the EC fraction at 1.0 mg/mL under pH 1.2 conditions was 82.03%. The xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities of all the fractions, except WE, were higher than 90% at 0.5 mg/mL. The effect of tyrosinase inhibition was highest in the WE fraction (46.75%). These results show that the N. domestica fruits fractions contained high levels of polyphenol and flavonoid compounds, along with excellent antioxidative effects. This suggests that N. domestica fruits can be used as a functional material.

Expression profiles of the MdACS3 gene suggest a function as an accelerator of apple ( Malus × domestica) fruit ripening

Ethylene plays an important role in apple fruit development and its biosynthesis is catalyzed by the two enzymes ACS (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase) and ACO (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase). Within the apple ACS gene family, at least two members, MdACS1 and MdACS3, are expressed in apple fruit tissues. While MdACS1 expresses only at late ripening stages corresponding to a sudden increase of ethylene production, a typical feature of system-II ethylene biosynthesis, the expression of MdACS3 can be detected as early as 6 weeks before physiological maturity. The objective of this study was to characterize the cultivar-specific dynamics of MdACS3 expression at both preharvest and postharvest stages, its relationship with MdACS1 activation, and its roles in apple fruit ripening and quality. Based on the transcript profiles during 8-week on-tree maturation and ripening, two MdACS3 expression patterns could be clustered among 12 apple cultivars. Most of the cultivars in pattern 1 showed high level expression with a steadily increasing trend, and most of those in pattern 2 exhibited low level expression with a transient peak at or before physiological maturity. These two expression patterns appeared to correlate with fruit ripening season and fruit firmness change during ripening. Unlike MdACS1, the expression of MdACS3 was stimulated by 1-MCP treatment, indicating a negative feedback regulation mechanism.

Control Efficacy of Phloretin Isolated from Apple Fruits Against Several Plant Diseases

In the course of a searching natural antifungal compounds from plant sources, we found that the methanol extract (<TEX>$3,000\;{\mu}g/ml$</TEX>) of Malus domestica fruits had potential of control against rice blast (Magnaporthe grisea) and tomato late blight (Phytophthora infestans). Under bioassay-guided purification, we isolated phloretin, a phenolic compound, with in vivo antifungal activity against M. grisea. By 1-day protective application of phloretin (<TEX>$500\;{\mu}g/ml$</TEX>), the compound strongly inhibited the disease development of M. grisea and P. infestans on rice and tomato seedlings, respectively. And red pepper anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum coccodes also was moderately suppressed. However, rice sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani AG1), and barley powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei) were hardly controlled. In addition, the compound showed in vitro antifungal activity against some plant pathogenic fungi including Phytophthora capsici, Alternaria panax, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, R. solani AG4, and M. grisea. This is the first report on the antifungal activity of phloretin against plant pathogenic fungi.

Null Mutation of the MdACS3 Gene, Coding for a Ripening-Specific 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate Synthase, Leads to Long Shelf Life in Apple Fruit

Expression of MdACS1, coding for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (ACS), parallels the level of ethylene production in ripening apple (Malus domestica) fruit. Here we show that expression of another ripening-specific ACS gene (MdACS3) precedes the initiation of MdACS1 expression by approximately 3 weeks; MdACS3 expression then gradually decreases as MdACS1 expression increases. Because MdACS3 expression continues in ripening fruit treated with 1-methylcyclopropene, its transcription appears to be regulated by a negative feedback mechanism. Three genes in the MdACS3 family (a, b, and c) were isolated from a genomic library, but two of them (MdACS3b and MdACS3c) possess a 333-bp transposon-like insertion in their 5' flanking region that may prevent transcription of these genes during ripening. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the coding region of MdACS3a results in an amino acid substitution (glycine-289 --> valine) in the active site that inactivates the enzyme. Furthermore, another null allele of MdACS3a, Mdacs3a, showing no ability to be transcribed, was found by DNA sequencing. Apple cultivars homozygous or heterozygous for both null allelotypes showed no or very low expression of ripening-related genes and maintained fruit firmness. These results suggest that MdACS3a plays a crucial role in regulation of fruit ripening in apple, and is a possible determinant of ethylene production and shelf life in apple fruit.

Apple Sucrose Transporter SUT1 and Sorbitol Transporter SOT6 Interact with Cytochromeb5to Regulate Their Affinity for Substrate Sugars

Sugar transporters are central machineries to mediate cross-membrane transport of sugars into the cells, and sugar availability may serve as a signal to regulate the sugar transporters. However, the mechanisms of sugar transport regulation by signal sugar availability remain unclear in plant and animal cells. Here, we report that a sucrose transporter, MdSUT1, and a sorbitol transporter, MdSOT6, both localized to plasma membrane, were identified from apple (Malus domestica) fruit. Using a combination of the split-ubiquitin yeast two-hybrid, immunocoprecipitation, and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, the two distinct sugar transporters were shown to interact physically with an apple endoplasmic reticulum-anchored cytochrome b5 MdCYB5 in vitro and in vivo. In the yeast systems, the two different interaction complexes function to up-regulate the affinity of the sugar transporters, allowing cells to adapt to sugar starvation. An Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) homolog of MdCYB5, AtCYB5-A, also interacts with the two sugar transporters and functions similarly. The point mutations leucine-73 --> proline in MdSUT1 and leucine-117 --> proline in MdSOT6, disrupting the bimolecular interactions but without significantly affecting the transporter activities, abolish the stimulating effects of the sugar transporter-cytochrome b5 complex on the affinity of the sugar transporters. However, the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cytochrome b5 ScCYB5, an additional interacting partner of the two plant sugar transporters, has no function in the regulation of the sugar transporters, indicating that the observed biological functions in the yeast systems are specific to plant cytochrome b5s. These findings suggest a novel mechanism by which the plant cells tailor sugar uptake to the surrounding sugar availability.

Estimation of genetic parameters and prediction of breeding values for apple fruit-quality traits using pedigreed plant material in Europe

Genetic parameters for apple (Malus x domestica) fruit external traits (fruit size, ground colour, proportion of over colour and attractiveness) and sensory traits (firmness, crispness, texture, juiciness, flavour, sugar, acidity and global taste) were estimated using 2,207 pedigreed genotypes from breeding programmes in six European countries. Data were scored for 3 years and four periods during storage. Analyses were performed with a restricted maximum likelihood method using VCE 5.1.2 software. Heritability estimates ranged from medium to high for instrumental traits. Genetic correlations between firmness and sugar were medium and low between firmness and acidity. Sensory traits showed low to high heritability, acidity and flavour being, respectively, the most and the less heritable. Global taste was strongly correlated with texture, juiciness, and flavour and relatively less correlated with crispness and acidity. Sensory sugar and acidity showed highly negative correlations whereas their instrumental measurements showed low and increasing positive correlations from harvest to 4 months post-harvest. Sugar exhibited a higher sensory/instrumental divergence. Conversely, instrumental and sensory firmness were highly correlated. Fruit external characteristics had medium heritability. Fruit attractiveness had highest and lowest correlations with fruit size and ground colour, respectively. Best linear unbiased predictors of breeding values were computed for all genotypes with the software PEST. The results were analysed with regard to the dynamic and the reliability of genetic parameters according to the scoring dates. Original issues of the study and the importance of the obtained results for efficient designs of further apple fruit quality breeding programmes were discussed.

Isolation and structure elucidation of novel phenolic constituents from Sorbus domestica fruits

Abstract In the framework of the detailed phytochemical analysis of Sorbus domestica fruits at several maturity stages and additively to the phenolic compounds elucidated by LC-DAD-MS (ESI+), ten more, novel phenolic compounds were isolated after preparative work and their structure elucidation was achieved with UV–vis, NMR ( 1 H, 13 C, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY, TOCSY, ROESY), LC-DAD-MS (ESI+) and HR-NanoESI-QqTOF-MS/MS. The novel compounds belong to the categories of hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives (Compounds 1, 2, 3 ), polyphenolic phenylpropanoid derivative (Compound 4 ), quercetin glycosides (Compounds 5, 6 ), flavanol glycoside (Compound 7 ), quercetin dimmer (Compound 8 ) and biphenyls (Compounds 9, 10 ). Their structures were established as: Vannilic acid 4-O- α -L-rhamnoside (1) , protocatechuic acid anhydrite (2) , trivanilloyl-(1,3,4-trihydroxybenzol) ester (3), 3-{4-(bis[4-hydroxy-3-(5-hydroxypentanoyloxy) phenyl) methoxy]-3,5-dihydroxy phenyl} propanoic acid (4), quercetin 3-O- β -D-glucopyranosyl(1′′′→2′′)- α -L-rhamnosyl(1′′′′→3′′′)- α -L-rhamnosyl(1′′′′′→3′′′′)- α -L-arabinofuranoside, quercetin 3-O- α -L-rhamnosyl(1′′′→3′′)- β -D-glucopyranoside (6) , 5,7,3′,6′-tetrahydroxyflavanol 7-O- β -D-glucopyranoside (7), (7-O-4′′′, 4′O-7′′) quercetin dimmer (8), [2,2′-dihydroxy, 4-(propionic acid hexyl ester), 4′-(propionic acid heptyl ester)] biphenyl (9) and [2,6,2′,6′-tetrahydroxy, 4,4′-bis-(propionic acid hexyl ester)] biphenyl (10).

Cold storage conditions affect the persistence of diphenylamine, folpet and imazalil residues in ‘Pink Lady ®’ apples

‘Pink Lady ®’ apples ( Malus domestica) fruit were harvested at commercial maturity treated with three different agrochemical products, and stored at 1 °C under either air or controlled atmosphere conditions (2.5 kPa O 2 + 3 kPa CO 2 and 1 kPa O 2 + 2 kPa CO 2) for 15 and 28 weeks. Diphenylamine, folpet and imazalil contents in both skin and flesh were simultaneously determined after cold storage plus a simulated marketing period of 1 or 7 days at 20 °C. Results showed that apples stored in 2.5 kPa O 2 + 3 kPa CO 2 retained higher contents of diphenylamine residues in comparison with those stored in 1 kPa O 2 + 2 kPa CO 2 or refrigerated air. Significant differences in imazalil skin contents were found throughout the simulated marketing period at 20 °C after storage for 28 weeks in controlled atmospheres.

Soil and rootstock influence on fruit quality of plums ( Prunus domestica L .)

Soil and rootstock can particularly affect the ‘Rainha Claudia Verde’ ( Prunus domestica) fruit quality, mainly its firmness characteristics. To investigate the variation in fruit quality, plums were harvested at commercial maturity from trees grafted on Marianna GF8-1 ( Prunus cerasifera × munsoniana) and Marianna GF10-2 ( P. cerasifera × munsoniana) rootstocks on two different soils: Haplic Luvisol and Vertic Luvisol. After harvest fruits were stored at 2 °C for 3 weeks. At the harvest day a small group of fruits were analysed without cold storage. During storage fruits were tested for firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity and fruit mineral content. Tree vigour was evaluated from trunk cross-sectional areas values. The GF8-1 rootstock promoted the highest vegetative development, comparing to GF10-2. This rootstock promoted the largest fruits size and the higher calcium fruit level. Positive correlations were found between higher concentrations of calcium in the pulp fruits and firmness. Fruits from two different rootstocks showed the same firmness at harvest but during cold storage, fruits from GF10-2 rootstock exhibited the highest firmness pulp values. There weren’t significant differences in fruit nitrogen and potassium levels for any studied factor. At harvest solids soluble content and solids soluble content/titratable acidity ratio weren’t affected by soil type or rootstock. As expected, solids soluble content during cold storage increased and solids soluble content/titratable acidity had a slight increase. GF10-2 revealed to be a good option as a ‘Rainha Claudia Verde’ rootstock for plums growers due to its intermediate-vigour. Also GF10-2 fruits presented better quality during storage comparing with GF8-1.

A novel complex phenolic constituent from medium matured Sorbus domestica (Rosaceae) fruits

A novel complex phenolic constituent from medium matured Sorbus domestica (Rosaceae) fruits

Effects of a biocontrol agent of apple powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) on the host plant and on non-target organisms: an insect pest (Cydia pomonella) and a pathogen (Venturia inaequalis)

A number of studies have focused on the selection and use of new biocontrol agents, but the effects of the introduction of these microorganisms on non-target organisms, including the crop plants themselves, are not well known. Non-target effects of sprayed applications of a potential biocontrol agent of apple powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha Ell. Et Ev.), on scab infections (Venturia inaequalis Cooke Winter), on codling moth [Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)] oviposition and damage and apple (Malus x domestica) fruit quality are examined. This biocontrol agent, an epiphytic yeast isolate called Y16, affected neither conidia germination of V. inaequalis nor their penetration of the leaf tissue but suppressed the disease caused by this pathogen. The quantity of eggs laid by the codling moth during its second flight period on yeast treated trees was significantly different to the quantity of eggs laid on the untreated trees. In the first season of the experiments, more eggs were laid on the treated trees, especially on those tree parts closest to the fruit. These results, however, were not confirmed the following season: fewer eggs were laid on the treated trees than on the untreated trees. These conflicting observations are attributed to year-to-year variation in environmental conditions, which may affect yeast survival and activity. A 2-month-long assay was conducted in the orchard during the codling moth's second flight period from mid-July until mid-September. The yeast treatment did not affect the damage caused by the codling moth to the fruits. Finally, the yeast treatment did not affect any of the examined fruit quality parameters.

LC–DAD–MS (ESI+) analysis of the phenolic content of Sorbus domestica fruits in relation to their maturity stage

The aim of this study was the detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of the phenolic content of several extracts and fractions of Sorbus domestica fruits. The analysis was realized by LC–DAD–MS (ESI+). Twenty-four different extracts and fractions of five different maturity stages of the fruit were analyzed for comparison reasons in order to determine the most beneficial for health type of consuming. Sixty-two different phenolics were identified. There were significant qualitative and quantitative differentiations in the phenolic content among the different types of the fruits. All categories were rich in benzoic, phenylpropanoic and cinnamoylquinic acids and derivatives. Unripe fruit categories were also rich in flavonoids, while well matured fruit categories had a low content of flavonoids. Fruit pulp, which was proved to be a strong antioxidant according to previous research work, contained very low amounts of both acids and flavonoids, but its phenolic content was highly qualitatively differentiated from the other categories.

Translational dynamics of water in the cytoplasm of parenchymal cells of Malus domestica fruit: A pulsed NMR approach

Translational dynamics of water in the cytoplasm of parenchymal cells of Malus domestica fruit: A pulsed NMR approach

Non‐destructive chlorophyll fluorescence and colour measurements of ‘Braeburn’ and ‘Royal Gala’ apple (Malus domestica) fruit development throughout the growing season

Fruit size, skin colour determinations, and chlorophyll fluorescence of two apple (Malus domestica) cultivars, ‘Braeburn’ and ‘Royal Gala’, were followed throughout the growing season to assess fruit development. Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured with a pulse‐amplitude modulated fluorometer on the blush and back sides of the fruit and skin colour with a tristimulus colorimeter giving colour coordinates as hue angle, chroma, and lightness coefficient. Fruit of both cultivars followed a single sigmoid growth pattern with ‘Royal Gala’ apples attaining full size at c. 140 days after full bloom (DAFB) and ‘Braeburn’ fruit at c. 168 DAFB. Fluorescence peaked at 80 DAFB then declined in all instances. Hue angle varied consistently throughout the growing season in both cultivars, indicative of shifts in colour from yellow‐green to red. Background and blush colours of ‘Braeburn’ remained distinct throughout the growing season whereas for ‘Royal Gala’ the two sides merged to the same colour. Skin colour intensity also differed between the two sides initially but merged to a uniform intensity at the end of the growing season. Hue angle was best able to discriminate between the two cultivars in ripening patterns and thus would be a useful technique to quantify fruit development in an objective manner.

Antioxidant activities of various extracts and fractions of Sorbus domestica fruits at different maturity stages

Abstract Thirty four different extracts, fractions and residues of five different maturity stages of the Greek Service tree fruits ( Sorbus domestica , fam. Rosaceae) were evaluated for their antioxidant activities (DPPH and luminol-induced chemiluminescence methods) and in correlation with their total phenolic contents (Folin–Ciocalteau test). Dichloromethane, diethyl ether and ethyl acetate fractions possessed significant radical-scavenging activities which were greater than the activity of trolox. This seemed to be correlated with their total phenolic content. Unripe yellow fruits, together with the fruit pulp, were the strongest antioxidants, while the well-matured brown fruits were the weakest ones. Results showed that the fractions of diethyl ether, ethyl acetate and dichloromethane, can be used as antioxidants in food and medicinal preparations.

Groundcover Materials Improve Quality and Storability of 'Aroma' Apples

To decrease the unfavorable effects of herbicides on human health and on the environment, new sustainable mulching methods have been developed. These methods aim to impede weed growth and also result in good yield and high fruit quality. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of the replacement of conventional methods (chemical treatments or mechanical) with different groundcover material systems (GCMSs) that use aluminum, bark and black polypropylene on 'Aroma' apple (Malus domestica) fruit maturity and quality, and fruit resistance to bruising and decay. The experiment was carried out from 1995 to 2001. Compared with conventional mulching methods, aluminum mulching was found to control annual weeds more effectively, to increase soil temperature, light reflection, yield, and fruit weight, to decrease bruise occurrence, to intensify and saturate the red coloration of apples, and to increase firmness and acid and sugar contents, resistance to storage disorders and decay after storage and shelf life. The other two used GCMSs, bark and black polypropylene also influenced many yield and quality parameters. However, less positive influences on the different parameters were found for bark compared with aluminum, and the use of black propylene was not favorable compared with the conventional mulching methods. Generally, decreased starch content at early picking dates was found for apples grown with GCMSs, indicating an earlier ripening for these apples compared with apples grown with a conventional mulching system. In summary, aluminum mulching was found to be the best alternative mulching method for production of 'Aroma' apples.