Full Ripeness Research Articles

Biochemical properties of six varieties of tomato from Brong Ahafo region of Ghana as influenced by the ripening condition and drying

The study was conducted to assess the influence of the ripening condition and drying on the biochemical properties of six varieties of tomatoes ( Lycopersicum esculentum ). The six varieties (Tatiana, Techiman, Tropimech, Pectofade, Rodade and Pawa) were obtained from different tomato growing centres of the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. Fresh fruits were harvested at mature green, half ripe and full ripe conditions using the USDA colour chart for ripening. Fruit samples were sliced and dried in a solar dryer for six days. Biochemical analysis was carried out on samples of both the dried slices and fresh fruits to estimate the vitamin C content, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, moisture and dry matter contents of the six varieties. The results showed significant differences (p<0.05) among the biochemical properties of the six varieties.The vitamin C content of the varieties ranged between 10.37 and 21.25mg/100g. High moisture content, ranging between 83.24 – 96.67 percent was recorded for the six varieties. The means of the vitamin C, moisture content, pH and dry matter content were significantly different among the six varieties studied. Although the total soluble solids ranged from 2.70 to 4.17%, there was no significant difference among the varieties. The ripening condition of the fruits did not have any significant effect on the biochemical properties studied. The study revealed that drying significantly affected the biochemical properties of tomato, except the titratable acidity and the total soluble solids. Drying significantly (p<0.05) reduced the vitamin C, total soluble solids, and the moisture contents of the six varieties. As expected, the pH and the dry matter content increased significantly (p<0.05) after drying. Significant correlations were observed among the biochemical properties studied. It can be concluded that some of the six varieties studied have appreciable levels of vitamin C, dry matter, total soluble solids and titratable acidity which could be improved for industrial purposes. In respect to the biochemical properties studied, Pawa appears to be the best variety for industrial processing because of the high Total Soluble Solid (TSS) as well as lower pH and TA values, which are important quality attributes of tomato meant for processing. Tropimech and Techimanare are recommended for fresh market because of the high vitamin C and moisture contents. Although drying could be used to preserve the nutritive value of tomatoes meant for food, it is not recommended for fruits meant for processing because it reduces the TSS content. Key words : Tomato, varieties, drying, ripening, pH, vitamin C, biochemical properties, titratable acidity

Growth and Development of Triticum Monococcum L., Triticum Dicoccum Sch. and Triticum Spelta L. in Organic Farming Conditions

Summary During the 2014-2016 period in Agroecological Center at the Agricultural University - Plovdiv, Bulgaria growth and development of three species of wheat in terms of organic farming had been tracked in order to return the species in the crop rotation, maintenance of biodiversity and receiving of cleaner and healthy products from organic farms. The three species of wheat Triticum monococcum L., Triticum dicoccum Sch, and Triticum spelta L., differ between its rate of growth, development, general and productive tillering. In tillering phase the plants reached 12,3 cm of height for Triticum monococcum L., 15,7 cm for Triticum spelta L. and 19,4 cm for Triticum dicoccum Sch. Triticum monococcum L. and Triticum dicoccum Sch, reached ear formation phase 5 days earlier than Triticum spelta L. The interfacial period of stem elongation - ear formation in them, was about 21 days compared to 25 days for Triticum spelta L.. From ear formation to full maturity inter-phase periods were shorter in Triticum dicoccum Sch., which specifies the species as an early mature (6 days earlier) compared to the other two. After phenophase of stem elongation plants were growing the most intensive and in full ripeness reached a height of 94 cm in Triticum monococcum L., 81,5 cm in Triticum dicoccum Sch. and 82,5 cm in Triticum spelta L.

Ідентифікація гібридних зернівок кукурудзи за забарвленням алейронового шару

Contamination of the main crop batch with varieties and hybrids of other agricultural crops affects the final product quality. Particularly, it is necessary to control the genetic purity of hybrid corn seeds, since its creation is related to the influence of multiple factors, which can worsen the quality of seeds. Seed hybridity can be controlled through different marker systems - morphological, biochemical and molecular ones. Among these markers, morphological features with clear phenotypic expression, which meet all production requirements, are prioritized, because they are affordable, easy to identify and cheap. In corn, one can distinguish the trait of cariopsis aleurone layer pigmentation. The purpose of the work was to determine effects of different alleles of genes controlling corn cariopsis color in the first generation. Inbred corn lines, carriers of genes determining cariopsis aleurone layer pigmentation, were taken as starting material. All the lines were categorized in five groups. Corn accessions were crossed in all possible combinations between the groups. Each group of accessions carried recessive alleles of one of the main genes of aleurone pigmentation in homozygous state. The groups were formed on the basis of the following alleles: a1, a2, c1, c2 and r1 . Phenotypic expression of the genes of corn cariopsis aleurone layer pigmentation was assessed visually in the “full ripeness of cobs” phase. It was established that not all alleles of the genes of cariopsis pigmentation could be combined in one genotype. Comparison of reciprocal hybrids by phenotype showed the maternal effect in inheritance. Therefore, the genetic constitution of hybrid cariopses carrying recessive alleles of genes a1, a1-st and a2 was the most optimal in view of no dose effect of genes A1 and A2 on expression of the pigmentation trait. Recessive alleles of the genes of cariopsis aleurone layer pigmentation c1, r, r-r and r-g can be introduced only in parent lines due to the fact that expression of the “cariopsis pigmentation” trait is affected by the gene dose. Thus, the best genetic constitutions of hybrid cariopses derived from crossings of two lines with introduced alleles of the genes of cariopsis aleurone layer pigmentation were identified: A1a1 (a1-st) a1 (a1-st) A2A2a2 C1C1C1C2C2C2 R1R1R and A1A1a1 (a1-st) A2a2a2 C1C1C1C2C2C2 R1R1R1 .

Directional versus total reflectance spectroscopy for the in situ determination of lycopene in tomato fruits

Non-destructive tools for evaluating the lycopene content in tomatoes are of great interest to the entire fruit chain because of an increasing demand for beneficial health products. With the aim of developing compact low-cost reflectance sensors for lycopene determination, we compared Partial Least Squares (PLS) prediction models by using either directional or total reflectance in the 500–750 nm range. Directional reflectance at 45° with respect to the LED lighting direction was acquired by means of a compact spectrometer sensor. Total reflectance was acquired through a 50-mm integrating sphere connected to a spectrometer. The analysis was conducted on two hydroponic greenhouse cultivated red tomato varieties, namely the large round ‘Dometica’ (average diameter: 57 mm) and the small cherry ‘Juanita’ (average diameter: 26 mm). For both varieties, the spectral variance of directional reflectance was well correlated to that of total reflectance. The performances of the PLS prediction models were also similar, with R2 of cross-validation between 0.73 and 0.81. The prediction error, relative to the mean lycopene content of full ripe tomatoes, was similar: i.e. around 16–17% for both varieties and sensors. Our results showed that directional reflectance measured by means of portable, low-cost and compact LED-based sensors can be used with an adequate precision for the non-destructive assessment of lycopene in tomatoes.

Utjecaj vremena zriobe na agronomska svojstva introduciranih kultivara predivog lana

The harvest time of fibre flax is influenced by climatic conditions, varieties, stages of maturity and the crop’s final use. In addition, the time of harvesting of fibre flax affects the quality of the fibres. Fibre flax can be harvested in few stages of maturity. So, this paper presents the influence of three stages of maturity (green, yellow and full ripening) on the agronomic traits (stem yield, stem yield after retting, total fibre yield, share of total fibre, long fibre yield, share of long fibre) of five fibre flax varieties. Varieties trials with fibre flax were set up in two years (2010-2011) and in two locations: at the experimental fields of the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb on eutric cambisol and of the College of Agriculture at Križevci on pseudogley on level terrain. The trials were carried out according to the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. According to the results of the two-years research into the agronomic traits of fibre flax, significant differences were established among the varieties and among the stages of maturity under study. The varieties Agatha, Viola and Electra recorded higher values of investigated traits. All varieties achieved higher values of investigated traits at Križevci (production on heavier soil in which some of winter moisture remained available in spring months). The highest values of investigated traits were recorded when the fibre flax were harvested in the green ripening.

The Bright Future of Peptidomics.

In this final chapter I project my personal perspective on the future of peptidomics. A bird's eye view is shed on the discipline and a bid is made to frame it in the broader arena of the life sciences of tomorrow. Inferring from its present state-of-the-art and from the general direction of some evolutionary trends which are to be discerned, a case is made that peptidomics enjoys full ripeness as a young branch of science today, from which a bright future for the discipline can be predicted.

Features of the formation of sowing qualities of white lupine seeds depending on the harvest time

Purpose . To determine the optimal time for harvesting in nurseries of primary seed production of white lupine. Methods . Field, laboratory and statistical methods of material evaluation were used. Sowing qualities were studied in the laboratory separately for seeds from the central and lateral racemes in accordance with DSTU 2240-93 (State Standard of Ukraine). Results . The results of studies on determination of optimal terms for harvesting in nurseries of primary seed production are given. The studies were conducted separately for seeds from the central and lateral racemes collected in different ripe stages. It was established that the seed vigor during the first harves­ting time was minimal and ranging for varieties from 70.0 to 73.0% for the central raceme and from 58.0 to 65.0% for the lateral racemes. The best indices of seed vigor and germination capacity were established in the seeds of the central racemes harvested during the “yellow cotyledon” stage. They averaged 90.8 and 94.3% respectively for all varieties, while in the seeds of the lateral racemes these indices amounted to 84.5 and 89.3%. Agrometeorological conditions had influence on the thousand-kernel weight formation. In dry years, plants produced feeble and lightweight seeds, so their sowing qualities has been deteriorated. The highest thousand-kernel weight was obtained in the “full ripeness” stage, when it ranging from 284 to 338 g in the central racemes and from 266 to 316 in the lateral ones. The development of embryonic roots including external appearance, length was assessed. Visual assessment of germination on the third day and measurement of the length of embryonic roots on the seventh day showed that healthy, well-developed seedlings were observed in seeds of the fifth and sixth harvesting periods. Conclusions . The highest sowing qualities in most varieties with regard to lateral racemes were established in the seeds harvested in the «full ripeness» phase. For the germinating capacity, seeds of the central raceme met the requirements of DSTU for the additional category (87.0%), starting from the stage “beginning of the embryonic root yellowing”, but seeds of the lateral racemes not earlier than the phase of “yellow cotyledons”. Harvesting should be started at the “yellow cotyledons” phase of lupine seeds maturity when they were fully formed and have high sowing qualities.

Physiological changes and hydrolyzing enzyme activities during ripening of guava (Psidium guajava) fruits on-tree and in-storage

An investigation was made to compare various physiological changes and hydrolyzing enzyme activities of guava (Psidium guajava L.) fruits of cv. Hisar Surkha and Hisar Safeda during ripening on-tree and in-storage. For studying on-tree ripening, fruits were harvested from both winter and rainy season crop at green mature, half ripe and full ripe stages. However for in storage ripening studies, fruits were harvested at green mature stage. Studies showed a progressive decrease of moisture content of fruits with advancement of ripening both on-tree and in-storage, whereas, specific gravity of fruits exhibited an inconsistent trend during ripening on-tree but followed a continuous decreasing trend during ripening in-storage. A continuous chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid synthesis was exhibited with the advancement of ripening on-tree as well as in-storage. Activities of enzyme PPO increased with advancement of ripening on-tree as well as in-storage. Catalase activity showed a sigmoidal trend during ripening of guava fruits both on-tree and in-storage, i.e. initially increased and thereafter followed a declining trend. Changes in the activities of both the enzymes were faster during ripening in-storage as compared to ripening on-tree. The changes were faster in cv. Hisar Surkha than Hisar Safeda. Activities of both the enzymes were higher in winter season crop as compared to rainy season crop.

Studies on biochemical constituents of sapota (Manilkara zapota L.) at different stages of ripening during storage

Sapota fruits (Var. Cricket Ball) of three different ripening stages i.e. mature(? 13 kg/cm2), half ripe (6-7 kg/cm2), and full ripe (2-3 kg/cm2), were packed with newspaper soaked with 3 dosages (1000 ppm, 2000 ppm and 3000 ppm) of ethylene absorbent (KMnO4) along with control and stored at normal room temperature by packing in cardboard boxes. It was observed that specific gravity, ascorbic acid and total phenols decreased whereas cumulative loss in weight and malondialdehyde content increased with increasing period of storage. Fruits packed in different concentrations of KMnO4 soaked paper had less cumulative loss and retained more content of specific gravity, ascorbic acid and total phenols in all three stages. But less malondialdehyde content was observed. The effect of KMnO4 increased with increasing concentrations of KMnO4 in all three stages. As a result, more desirable content was noted in fruits packed with 3000 ppm concentration of KMnO4in mature fruits. This work relates to enhancement of shelf life of sapote so that it may be transported to far off places.

Influence of ripening stages on physicochemical characteristics of acerola fruits

The current study aimed to evaluate the influence of six ripening stages on physicochemical characteristics of acerola fruits from cultivar Olivier. The fruits were obtained at Experimental Orchard of the Sao Paulo State University. The experimental design was completely randomized, with six ripening staged and four replications. The physicochemical characteristics evaluated were pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, ratio, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), reducing sugars, total sugars, sucrose and colour. There was a decrease in the levels of ascorbic acid and total sugars at full ripeness. However, the levels of sucrose increased during ripening. With regards to the ascorbic acid, there were significant differences for all six maturity stages, by the time the peel colour was quite red, meaning its fully ripened stage, it presented 1675.67 mg/100 g of fresh weight, hence lower than fully green (3175.67 mg/100 g of fresh weight).

Geographic variability of selected phenolic compounds in fresh berries of two Cornus species

The contents of quercetin glycosides and neochlorogenic acid in fresh berries of Cornelian cherry and Common dogwood were assessed through LC–MS/MS analysis to determine chemical differentiation between two distant populations of each species. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical variability of Cornus mas and Cornus sanguinea on the basis of the content of six selected phenolic compounds in fruit extracts. Fruits were sampled at the time of full ripening, mid-September, from two localities that differed in terms of orographic and environmental conditions. Fresh fruit extracts were analyzed by LC–MS/MS to determine the presence and contents of neochlorogenic acid, quercitrin, isoquercetin, hyperoside, rutoside and querciturone. While all of the tested compounds were detected in both species, their content was several times higher in C. sanguinea. Locality-dependent differences were tested by appropriate statistical tests, which confirmed that the contents of all compounds significantly differed in C. mas, whereas the content of only one compound differed in C. sanguinea. Differences between populations were also revealed by PCA analyses. Both species showed clear separation of populations based on the analyzed phenolic compounds. The results showed that a specific environment can significantly affect the contents of certain secondary metabolites, as in the case of C. mas, and/or that the synthesis of these compounds can be to a lesser extent influenced by external factors, as in the case of C. sanguinea.

Impact of early harvesting and two cold storage technologies on eating quality of red ripe tomatoes

Tomato fruits of cv. Caramba harvested at the pink ripening stage were cold stored for 4 and 7 days at 6 °C, then allowed to fully ripen at ambient temperature, and finally evaluated for eating quality, and compared with fruit fully ripened on the vine. In addition, fruits harvested at full ripeness were subjected to cold storage at 6 °C by a conventional or the innovative passive refrigeration PRS™ system for 2, 4, and 7 days, and then evaluated. Tomato quality evaluation included sensory, chemical (volatile compounds, sugars, and organic acids), and physical (flesh texture and skin colour) attributes. Fruit harvested at the pink stage, and then subjected to cold storage, when attained full external red colour showed less intense tomato odour, red ripe tomato odour, and flavour when compared to fruit fully ripened on the vine, and, at the same time, developed a perceptible mould off-odour. These differences were consistent with those observed in the levels of aroma compounds and fermentation metabolites. Main effects associated with cold storage of red ripe fruits by both conventional and passive refrigeration were increased skin toughness and decreased sourness. Passive refrigeration caused a more pronounced toughening of the skin, but no development off-odours were detected. Analysis of alteration of volatile synthesis confirmed recent findings on the molecular mechanism underlying chilling-induced loss of flavour in tomatoes.

Electronic tongue discrimination of four tomato cultivars harvested at six maturities and exposed to blanching and refrigeration treatments

The objective of this research was to evaluate whether an electronic tongue (e-tongue) could differentiate “taste” profiles of full ripe tomato fruit of different cultivars, harvest maturities, and exposure to refrigeration or blanching. The four cultivars included: two common commercial cultivars, ‘Tygress’ and ‘FL 47’, with round shape and firm texture; ‘Tasti-Lee’, a hybrid with high lycopene content due to the crimson gene for the premium tomato market; and ‘Cherokee Purple’, an heirloom cultivar that consistently ranked very high in taste tests. Commercially, tomatoes are often harvested at the mature green (MG) stage for the fresh fruit and food service markets, and traditional vine-ripe harvested tomatoes are generally sold directly at farmer’s markets. To assess the effect of harvest maturity on fruit flavor once the fruit are fully ripened, fruit were harvested at six maturities from MG to full red. ‘Tygress’, ‘FL 47’, and ‘Tasti-Lee’ fruit all had similar total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA) content regardless of harvest maturity. Nonetheless, ‘Cherokee Purple’ had much higher TSS and TA at all but the MG harvest stage. E-tongue tests not only confirmed the differences detected in TSS/TA data, but also differentiated between the three commercial cultivars, and six harvest maturities. Both refrigeration and blanching are common kitchen practices and they were tested on ‘Tasti-Lee’ fruit for which some changes in the taste profiles were found by e-tongue, especially for the refrigeration treatment. E-tongue sensors ZZ, JE, BB, HA, and JB data correlated to TSS and TA, with significantly high correlations with TSS. E-tongue profiles not only significantly related to TSS, but successfully predicted TSS.

External maturity indicators, carotenoid and sugar compositions and volatile patterns in ‘Cuoredolce®’ and ‘Rugby’ mini-watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb) Matsumura & Nakai) varieties in relation of ripening degree at harvest

A physical-chemical characterization, followed by the measurement of biochemical traits, was performed on two novel mini-watermelon varieties, ‘Cuoredolce®’ and ‘Rugby’, selected for the high content of sugars and carotenoids, at three different maturation stages. The aim of this work was to define the fruit quality and to find potential external maturity indicators. The two cultivars resulted different in precocity and ‘Rugby’ was more near to full ripeness from the early stage considered. As expected, carpometric parameters showed the highest predictive validity of internal quality, being in both varieties positively correlated with SSC (soluble solids content), JU (percent juice), β-carotene, Car/Lyc (β-carotene/lycopene) ratio and sucrose, and negatively with firmness and lycopene. Multivariate analysis of physical-chemical parameters and biochemical traits together with the output of E-nose selected sensors showed the relationships between W3S (methane-aliphatic) and W6S (hydrogen) sensors and sugar composition and pulp firmness and between W2W (aromatic and sulfur organic compounds) and W1W (terpenes, sulfur organic compounds) sensors and fermentative metabolites, the prevalent headspace compounds. The changes of Car/Lyc with ripening suggest that in ‘Cuoredolce®’ there is a more efficient conversion of lycopene to β-carotene at earlier ripening stage. The high sugars content defines the good eating quality of these novel mini-watermelons.

Effect of continuous negative pressure water supply on the growth, development and physiological mechanism of Capsicum annuum L.

Effects of continuous negative pressure water supply on water consumption, growth and development, as well as physiological mechanism and quality of Capsicum annuum L. were investigated in this paper. Meanwhile, the optimal negative pressure water supply conditions for growth of C. annuum L. were screened out to achieve the goals of water conservation, high yield and high quality, thus providing theoretical foundation for its field production. The pot experiment within the greenhouse was utilized; the continuous negative pressure water supply was adopted; the four treatments, artificial watering (CK), –5 kPa (T1), –10 kPa (T2), and –15 kPa (T3) were set; and the daily water consumption, yield, as well as the biomass, nitrate reductase, root activity, vitamin C, capsaicin, and nutrient uptakes of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) during various stages of its growth were determined. Compared with CK, when the water supply pressure was controlled at –5 to –15 kPa in the experiment, the total water consumption of C. annuum L. reduced by 53.42 to 67.75%, the total water consumption intensity reduced by 54.29 to 67.14%, and the water use efficiency increased by 12.66 to 124.67%. The N accumulation in a single strain of C. annuum L. from the color turning stage to the red ripe stage increased by 15.99 to 100.55%, respectively, compared with that of CK; the P accumulation increased by 20.47 to 154.00% relative to that of CK, and the K accumulation increased by 64.92 to 144.9% compared with that of CK. Compared with CK, C. annuum L. yield was remarkably improved by 13.79% at T1, and contents of vitamin C, capsaicin as well as carotenoids at all growth stages were enhanced by 13.42–147.01%, 11.54–71.01%, and 41.1–568.06%, respectively. Nitrate reductase activity, root activity and chlorophyll (a+b) were markedly increased by 335.78–500%, 79.6–140.68% and 114.95–676.19%, respectively, from immature stage to full ripe stage. Adopting the continuous negative pressure water supply for C. annuum L. has a significant water-saving effect, and the water supply pressure being stable at –5 kPa contributes to its growth and development, improves yield, enhances root activity, promotes nutrient uptake, and improves its quality, thus achieving the effects of water conservation, high yield, high quality and high efficiency.

THE CONTENT OF POLYPHENOLS AND CHOSEN HEAVY METALS IN CHICKPEA SEEDS (CICER ARIETINUM L.) AFTER MICRONUTRIENTS APPLICATION INTO SOIL

The aim of work was the investigation of the input of chosen heavy metals into chickpea and polyphenols accumulation in seeds cultivated after Zn and Cu application into soil in model conditions. The soil used in the pot trial was uncontaminated. Chickpea (cv. Slovák) was harvested in full ripeness. With increased Zn (Cu) doses applied into the soil (0-500 and 0-100 mg.kg-1 for Zn and Cu, respectively), the strong statistical positive relationship between soil Zn (Cu) content and Zn (Cu) amount in seeds of chickpea was confirmed. Despite of high Zn (Cu) doses applied into the soil in model conditions, in all variants the determined Zn and Cu amount in chickpea was below the maximal allowed content in foodstuffs. Chickpea cv. Slovák accumulated high amounts of Pb and Cd (in all variants higher than hygienic limits). The contents of other tested heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr) were lower than hygienic limits. With increased Zn doses applied into the soil the polyphenols contents determined in seeds of chickpea were increased. With increased Cu doses applied into the soil the polyphenols contents determined in seeds of chickpea were decreased. The strong statistical relationship between soil Zn content and polyphenols amount (R=0.911) as well as the antioxidant capacity values (R=0.992) was confirmed. The moderate statistical linear negative relationship between soil Cu content and polyphenols content (R= - 0.671) and increased antioxidant capacity values in seeds of chickpea was confirmed.

The dominant allele Aft induces a shift from flavonol to anthocyanin production in response to UV-B radiation in tomato fruit.

The introgression of the A ft allele into domesticated tomato induced a shift from flavonol to anthocyanin production in response to UV-B radiation, while the hp - 1 allele negatively influenced the response of flavonoid biosynthesis to UV-B. Introgression of the dominant allele Anthocyanin fruit (Aft) from Solanum chilense induces anthocyanin accumulation in the peel of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit. UV-B radiation can influence plant secondary metabolism regulating the expression of several genes, among which those involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. Here, we investigated whether post-harvest UV-B treatment could up-regulate flavonoid production in tomato fruits and whether the Aft allele could affect flavonoid biosynthesis under UV-B radiation. Mature green fruits of an anthocyanin-rich tomato mutant line (SA206) and of its wild-type reference, cv. Roma, were daily subjected to post-harvest UV-B treatment until full ripening. Up-regulation of CHS and CHI transcription by UV-B treatment induced flavonoid accumulation in the peel of cv. Roma. Conversely, UV-B decreased the total flavonoid content and CHS transcript levels in the SA206 peel. SA206 being a double mutant containing also hp-1 allele, we investigated also the behavior of hp-1 fruit. The decreased peel flavonoid accumulation and gene transcription in response to UV-B suggest that hp-1 allele is involved in the marked down-regulation of the flavonoid biosynthesis observed in SA206 fruit. Interestingly, in SA206, UV-B radiation promoted the synthesis of delphinidin, petunidin, and malvidin by increasing F3'5'H and DFR transcription, but it decreased rutin production, suggesting a switch from flavonols to anthocyanins. Finally, although UV-B radiation does not reach the inner fruit tissues, it down-regulated flavonoid biosynthesis in the flesh of both genotypes. This study provides, for the first time, evidence that the presence of the functional Aft allele, under UV-B radiation, redirects flavonoid synthesis towards anthocyanin production and suggests that the hp-1 allele negatively influences the response of flavonoid biosynthesis to UV-B.

Tomato Flavor: Lost and Found?

Tomato Flavor: Lost and Found?

Accumulation of soil moisture in winter wheat cultivation on slopes of ordinary chernozems of the Rostov oblast

The article discusses the effect of different predecessors and methods of basic treatment of soil on the magnitude and nature of the formation of soil moisture reserves in the cultivation of winter wheat on the slopes of ordinary chernozems in the Rostov oblast. Winter wheat in the experiment was cultivated after a steam clean, after winter wheat, after peas, and after corn silage. The study was conducted in four variants of primary tillage in the following crop rotations: chisel, combo, surface, and moldboard tillage. It is established that, in general, over the growing period of winter wheat, 3 of 4 years have a shortage of water supply, especially in the period from the resumption of the spring growing season to complete full ripeness. Analysis of the autumn watersupplies by variants of the main processing of the soil indicates the advantage of the chisel treatment, confirmed statistically by two predecessors—a clean pair and corn silage. The studies for the years 2011–2014 showed the close relationship of the absorption coefficient of precipitation from the reserves of productive moisture in autumn (R 2 = 0.94). It is revealed that the assimilation of precipitation of the cold period largely depends on soil fertility due to different stocks of productive moisture in autumn. The close relationship of grain yield with the value primary of moisture reserves in the autumn sowing of winter wheat in the soil layer of 0–150 cm is shown.

Responses of volatile compounds in inner tissues on refrigeration in full ripe tomatoes

A 4-day storage of tomato fruit in refrigerator, a common consumer practice in kitchens, would significant suppress the volatile production in pericarp; however, little is reported on volatile profile in inner tissues. In this study, red “FL 47” tomato fruits were stored at 5 °C or 20 °C for 4 days to simulate the major consumer storage types. Inner tissues were sampled immediately after treatments for volatile analysis. Although no visual chilling injury (CI) symptom was observed, refrigeration considerably suppressed the productions of aldehydes, nitrogen- and oxygen-containing heterocyclic compounds, oxygen-containing heterocyclic compounds, esters, and alcohols, including 10 abundant and/or important volatile compounds. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) based on the results of chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and electronic nose (e-nose) analysis discriminated the volatile profiles between control and refrigerated fruit, which indicated that volatiles in inner tissue, another contribution to tomato aroma, also altered by refrigeration, and confirmed that refrigeration was not recommended to consumers. Practical applications Due to their characteristic aroma and taste, tomato fruit which is consisted of pericarp and inner tissues is one of the widely grown and consumed fruit in the world. A 4-day refrigeration of tomato fruit is a common consumer practice in home kitchens; however, little is reported on the impact of such practice on aroma quality in inner tissues. This study provided valuable information on volatile profile in inner tissue of red “FL 47” tomato fruit and the aroma change in this tissue after 4-day refrigeration.