Persimmon Research Articles

Eggs survive through avian guts-A possible mechanism for transoceanic dispersal of flightless weevils.

How flightless animals disperse to remote oceanic islands is a key unresolved question in biogeography. The flightless Pachyrhynchus weevils represent repetitive colonization history in West Pacific islands, which attracted our interests about how some weevils have successfully dispersed in the reverse direction against the sea current. Here, we propose endozoochory as a possible mechanism that the eggs of the weevils might be carried by embedded in the fruits as the food of frugivorous birds. In this study, Pachyrhynchus eggs were embedded in small pieces of persimmon fruits (Diospyros kaki) and fed to captive frugivorous birds. After digestion, 83%–100% eggs were retrieved from the feces of a bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus) and two thrushes (Turdus chrysolaus). The retrieved eggs had hatching rates higher than 84%, which were not different from the control. In contrast, no egg was retrieved from the feces of the frugivorous pigeon (Treron sieboldii), which took a longer retention time in the guts. Our study identified that the eggs of Pachyrhynchus weevils are possible to be transported by internal digesting in some bird species.

Evaluation of the deposition of 137Cs in Japanese persimmon trees and yuzu trees from rainfall by collecting raindrops with sphagnum pads

Evaluation of the deposition of ¹³⁷Cs in Japanese persimmon trees and yuzu trees from rainfall by collecting raindrops with sphagnum pads

Nutritional and mineral composition of persimmon fruits (Diospyros kaki L.) from Central and Southern Italy

In this study, the nutritional and mineral composition of Diospyros kaki fruits from Apulia, Campania, Lazio, Sardinia and Sicily regions was evaluated. Dietary fiber, mineral, pectin, polyphenol, and protein contents were evaluated. Particularly high are the contents of the dietary fiber and pectins. The mineral elements profile was interesting due to its modest content of sodium and high potassium concentration. Protein amounts were in line with the quantities for this fruit. The total polyphenol content of the fruits analysed was very variable, interesting for the quantities found both total and gallic acid. The results obtained confirmed the nutritional value of this fruit even for special dietary regimens such as hypertension and heart diseases and the genuineness of its cultivation in Central-Southern Italy.

Exogenous application of hydrogen sulfide and γ-aminobutyric acid alleviates chilling injury and preserves quality of persimmon fruit (Diospyros kaki, cv. Karaj) during cold storage

We studied the effectiveness of the exogenous application of hydrogen sulfide (NaHS; 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 mM) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA; 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mM) in alleviating chilling injury and retaining the quality of persimmon fruit during storage at 2 °C for 45 days. Our results showed that the persimmon fruit treated with 3 mM NaHS or 7.5 mM GABA exhibited lower chilling injury manifested by lower peel browning accompanying by higher total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA). Lower H2O2 accumulation along with higher ascorbic acid accumulation in persimmon fruit treated with 3 mM NaHS or 7.5 mM GABA owing to higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzymes may be accountable for keeping membrane integrity, represented by lower electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. Besides, the higher accumulation of phenols and flavonoids owing to the higher phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and lower polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in persimmon fruit treated with 3 mM NaHS or 7.5 mM GABA may be the explanation for superior DPPH scavenging activity. In addition to the lower chilling injury, persimmon fruit treated with 3 mM NaHS or 7.5 mM GABA exhibited higher firmness owing to lower activities of polygalacturonase (PG) and pectin methylesterase (PME). Hence, our results demonstrate that exogenous application of 3 mM NaHS or 7.5 mM GABA could alleviate chilling injury, thus retaining the quality of persimmon fruit during cold storage.

Effects of a High-Molecular-Weight Polysaccharides Isolated from Korean Persimmon on the Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antiwrinkle Activity

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki), a familiar and widespread fruit worldwide, is known to exhibit several physiological effects because of the presence of pharmacologically active compounds called phytochemicals. However, its high-molecular-weight compounds, particularly polysaccharides, have not been extensively studied. In this study, D. kaki extract (DK) was fractionated into low- and high-molecular-weight fractions (DK-L and DK-H, respectively) through ethanol fractionation, and their effects on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiwrinkle activities were investigated by an in vitro system. DK-H contained significantly higher contents of neutral sugar, uronic acid, and polyphenols compared to DK and DK-L. Furthermore, DK-H exhibited significantly improved pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiwrinkle properties, compared to those of DK and DK-L, demonstrating that DK-H may play an important role in mediating the beneficial effects of persimmon. Sugar composition analysis and molecular characterization indicated that DK-H consisted of a galacturonic acid (GalA)-rich polysaccharide with a molecular weight of >345 kDa that mainly comprised GalA and small amounts of neutral sugar and polyphenol residues. These results suggest that the bioactive fraction DK-H is likely to be a GalA-rich pectic polysaccharide containing a small number of polyphenol residues, which may be a novel candidate in the pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries.

First report of Passiflora latent virus(Passiflora latent virus;PLV) infecting persimmon in Korea.

Passiflora latent virus (PLV), a member of the genus Carlavirus in the family Betaflexiviridae has been reported in Passiflora species in Australia, Germany, Israel, the United States, and New Zealand (Tang et al., 2008). In September 2019, leaves showing a virus-like disease with mosaic, curling and necrosis were collected from ten persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) orchards in Gyeongsang province, Korea. Total RNA from a pooled sample of leaves from 21 trees was extracted using RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Germany) and subjected to high throughput sequencing. After pre-processing and Ribo-Zero rRNA Removal, a cDNA library was prepared using an Illumina TruSeq Stranded Total RNA Kit and sequenced on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 system (Macrogen Inc. Korea). De novo assembly of the 74,862,810 reads was performed using Trinity software (r20140717); the initially assembled 213,476 contigs were screened against the NCBI viral genome database using BLASTN. By these means, 12 contigs derived from PLV were identified. Contigs with lengths of 209 to 802 nt shared nt identities of 90.70 to 94.82% with PLV isolates, covering a total of 5,169 nt (~61.6% of the full PLV genome). Two additional viruses were also detected from the pooled sample: persimmon cryptic virus (PeCV) and persimmon virus A (PeVA). To confirm PLV infection, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed using virus-specific primers, PLV-F (5'-ACACAAAACTGCGTGTTGGA-3') and PLV-R (5'-CAAGACCCACCTACCTCAGTGTG-3'), designed based on a 633 nt contig sequence in the polymerase gene. RT-PCR products of the expected 571 bp were obtained from two of 21 individual original samples; no asymptomatic plants were tested. Amplicons were cloned into the pGEM-T Easy Vector, and two clones per sample Sanger sequenced bidirectionally (BIONEER, Korea). The identical Sequence (GenBank LC556232) showed 99.65% nt identity to the contig, and 93.87% identity with the corresponding polymerase sequence of PLV-Rehovot isolate from passion fruit in Israel (MH379331). The two PLV positive samples showing leaf necrosis were also co-infected with PeVA, identified by RT-PCR using previously reported primers PeVAfor/ PeVArev (Morell et al., 2014), but not with PeCV (mixed with PeVA in only 1/21 plants; PeVA was found in 19/21 plants). None of the tested viruses were detected in two trees, displaying mosaic, and leaf curling, respectively. The foliar symptoms of PLV infection on passionfruit have been reported to vary throughout the year (Spiegel et al., 2007). No such observations in persimmon was possible, as the infected persimmon trees were removed and destroyed because they might pose a threat to the cultivation of passion fruits in Korea. To our knowledge, this is the first report of persimmon as a host of PLV anywhere in the world, and the first report of PLV in Korea in any host. A further survey is needed to determine possible presence of PLV on persimmon and Passiflora species.

Studies on preparation and preservation of persimmon (Diospyros kakiL.) pulp

The present study was conducted to prepare and preserve persimmon pulp using different preservation methods along with their evaluation for quality and storage stability. The maximum pulp recovery of 88.30% was obtained by hot pulping of persimmon fruits with peel (T3). T3 treatment selected for further studies on the basis of higher sensory scores possessed 0.61 mg/100 g β-carotene, 8.71 mg/100 g, ascorbic acid, 2.91% crude fibre, 6.41 mg/100 g total phenols, and 62.35% antioxidant activity. The preservation of pulp reflected that the persimmon pulp of treatment T1 (pulp + KMS @ 2,000 ppm in glass jars) retained higher ascorbic acid, β-carotene, total phenols, and antioxidant activity during 6 months of storage period. Henceforth, it is concluded that ripe Hachiya persimmon which otherwise is processed to a limited extent, can be successfully converted into pulp and utilized in various products to improve their nutritional quality. Practical applications Persimmon is highly perishable climacteric fruit that may deteriorate quickly when stored at ambient temperature. The fruit, even in convenient storage conditions, has a limited shelf life compared with other fruits. Therefore, after harvesting, a significant amount of mature persimmons should be processed into certain products to preserve the fruit's bioactive components and maintain overall quality. The lack of consistent information on the storage and transport factors leads to losses at the end of production process as well as during the marketing of the fruit. These losses are due to excessive ripening, loss of firmness, rot, and peel browning. But processing of persimmon is a challenge owing to its mushiness when ripe as it is a climacteric fruit. Henceforth, various methods are employed to extract pulp in order to get the maximum yield and retain nutritional and functional quality.

Technologies for the production and application of food supplements based on fruits cryopowders

The article presents material on the production of a new class of bio-correctors in the form of cryopowders from fruit raw materials grown in the Adler district of the Krasnodar Territory. Fruits of shadberry, feijoa and persimmon are chosen as research objects. Fruits have high characteristics of quality, but low shelf-life. The chemical composition of fruits contains a significant amount of easily digested carbohydrates, vitamins, macro and micronutrients. The dependence of the moisture content of fruit raw materials on the duration and speed of low-temperature drying is investigated. Mathematical substantiation of the freezing process and the contribution of dry substance heat capacity, ice and water to the heat generated during the water crystallization are given. The technological apparatus scheme for the production of cryopowders from fruit raw materials has been improved. It is based on raw material dehydration in a gaseous nitrogen environment, shock low-temperature freezing of research objects and ultrafine grinding of pre-prepared and dried raw materials in a liquid nitrogen environment.

Effects of inside-out heat-shock via microwave on the fruit softening and quality of persimmon during postharvest storage

Rapid postharvest softening largely limits the shelf-life of persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) fruit. Microwave is a new environmental-friendly inside-out heat-shock approach, whose effect on the fruit softening and quality has not yet been investigated. The current study applied two kinds of microwave treatments (low-power long-time, LPLT, or high-power short-time, HPST) to persimmon fruit with comparison to the hot water (HW) treatments. The results showed both microwave treatments maintained firmness, facilitated the deastringency, and increased soluble solid contents (SSC) and sugar-acid ratio of persimmon fruit. The microwave treatments reduced the cellulose and pectin degradation, and inhibited the cellulase activity, resulting in a significantly higher firmness than HW treatment and control after 2 and 4 days of storage. Moreover, application of HPST treatment down-regulated gene expression of DkPG1, DkPE2 and DkEGase1 compared with untreated fruits. These results indicated that microwave treatment is a promising soft-delaying method for the preservation of persimmon fruit.

Differences in Fallout-Derived <sup>137</sup>Cs and Naturally-Derived <sup>133</sup>Cs Transfer to Fruit in Persimmon Tree

カキ果実の放射性物質による汚染状況を把握するため，複数のカキ圃場で土壌及び果実の137Csならびに133Cs濃度を測定した。3年間調査した果実の137Cs濃度は低下する傾向の圃場が多く，移行係数については，年度間に有意な差はみられなかった。事故後5～7年が経過した時点では，地上部汚染の影響が低下しており，土壌から果実へのセシウムの移行も限定的であると考えられた。土壌の133Cs濃度は各圃場とも同程度であったが，果実の133Cs濃度が他の圃場と比較してより高い圃場があった。

Transcriptome Analysis Revealed the Roles of Carbohydrate Metabolism on Differential Acetaldehyde Production Capacity in Persimmon Fruit in Response to High-CO2 Treatment.

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) fruit is unique due to the continuous accumulation of soluble tannins during fruit development in most cultivars, which causes undesired astringency. High-CO2 treatment was the most effective widely used method for astringency removal. However, differential effects of high-CO2 treatment between cultivars were observed and the molecular basis remained inclusive. Previously, one cultivar ("Luoyangfangtianshengshi," LYFTSS) showed rapid deastringency, while two cultivars ("Shijiazhuanglianhuashi," SJZLHS; "Laopige," LPG) showed slow deastringency in response to high-CO2 (95% CO2) treatment. In this study, the metabolites (acetaldehyde and ethanol) related to deastringency were further analyzed and both acetaldehyde and ethanol were higher in SJZLHS and LYFTSS than that in LPG, where acetaldehyde was undetectable. Based on the RNA-seq data, the weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that one module, comprised of 1773 unigenes, significantly correlated with the contents of acetaldehyde and ethanol (P < 0.001). Further analysis based on the acetaldehyde metabolism pathway indicated that the differentially expressed structural genes, including previously characterized DkADH and DkPDC and also their upstream members (e.g., PFK, phosphofructokinase), showed positive correlations with acetaldehyde production. Quantitative analysis of the precursor substances indicated that sucrose, glucose, and fructose exhibited limited differences between cultivar except for malic acid. However, the content of malic acid is much less than the total soluble sugar content. To verify the correlations between these genes and acetaldehyde production, the fruit from 14 more cultivars were collected and treated with high CO2. After the treatment, acetaldehyde contents in different cultivars ranked in 30.4-255.5 μg/g FW. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and correlation analysis indicated that the EVM0002315 (PFK) gene, belonging to carbohydrate metabolism, was significantly correlated with acetaldehyde content in fruit. Thus, it could be proposed that the differentially expressed carbohydrate metabolism related genes (especially PFK) are the basis for the variance of acetaldehyde production among different persimmon cultivars.

Ascorbic acid in the fruits and leaves of some persimmon cultivars in the Southern Coast of the Crimea

The results of the ascorbic acid content in the fruits and leaves of 10 persimmon cultivars from the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens’ collection are presented. It has been established that the concentration of ascorbic acid in technical persimmon fruits is 19,8-56,3 mg / 100 g, and in mature fruits it is 70-85% lower (5,08-8,96 mg / 100 g). Persimmon leaves contain 5-20 times more ascorbic acid than in fruits. The results showed the ability to use persimmon leaves as an additional source of vitamin C. The maximum content of ascorbic acid is allocated to the fruits of the cultivars Virginskaya Krupnoplodnaya, Delishes, Sidles and leaves of the cultivars Sidles and Zolotistaya.

Taiwanese consumers’ preference for dried persimmons related to the Korean wave

Taiwanese consumers’ preference for dried persimmons related to the Korean wave

Noninvasive Diagnosis of Seedless Fruit Using Deep Learning in Persimmon

Noninvasive diagnosis of internal traits in fruit crops is a high unmet need; however it generally requires time, costs, and special methods or facilities. Recent progress in deep neural network (or deep learning) techniques would allow easy, but highly accurate diagnosis with single RGB images, and the latest applications enable visualization of “the reasons for each diagnosis” by backpropagation of neural networks. Here, we propose an application of deep learning for image diagnosis on the classification of internal fruit traits, in this case seedlessness, in persimmon fruit (Diospyros kaki). We examined the classification of seedlessness in persimmon fruit by using four convolutional neural networks (CNN) models with various layer structures. With only 599 pictures of ‘Fuyu’ persimmon fruit from the fruit apex side, the neural networks successfully made a binary classification of seedless and seeded fruits with up to 85% accuracy. Among the four CNN models, the VGG16 model with the simplest layer structure showed the highest classification accuracy of 89%. Prediction values for the binary classification of seeded fruits were significantly increased in proportion to seed numbers in all four CNN models. Furthermore, explainable AI methods, such as Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) and Guided Grad-CAM, allowed visualization of the parts and patterns contributing to the diagnosis. The results indicated that finer positions surrounding the apex, which correspond to hypothetical bulges derived from seeds, are an index for seeded fruits. These results suggest the novel potential of deep learning for noninvasive diagnosis of fruit internal traits using simple RGB images and also provide novel insights into previously unrecognized features of seeded/seedless fruits.

Long-term Storage of ‘Taishuu’ Persimmon Fruit by Polyethylene Packaging with CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; Absorbent

Long-term Storage of ‘Taishuu’ Persimmon Fruit by Polyethylene Packaging with CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; Absorbent

Morphological characterization and molecular identification of Colletotrichum species associated to sweet persimmon anthracnose in Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT: The highlands of Southern Brazil contribute with 40% of Brazilian persimmon production. Although expanding, persimmon production faces major problems caused by anthracnose disease (black spot), including fruit rot and necrosis of leaves. Several Colletotrichum species (C. horii, C. gloeosporioides, among others) are implicated in persimmon anthracnose around the world. To identify Colletotrichum species associated with persimmon anthracnose in the highlands of Southern Brazil, 34 isolates were analyzed by ITS-rDNA partial region, GAPDH, and TUB2 partial gene sequences, morphological characteristics, and virulence on persimmon fruits and leaves. Data showed a high prevalence of C. horii (85.3%), that associated with its high virulence on fruits and leaves, confirm a considerable degree of host preference. Moreover, other species C. aenigma, C. asianum, C. fructicola, and C. nymphaeae, were identified, but the last three ones exhibited low virulence on fruits and were not able to produce symptoms on leaves. As far as we know this is the first reference on C. asianum in persimmon. The present data may contribute to a better understanding of the etiology of anthracnose in sweet persimmon in Southern Brazil, and it will be useful for epidemiological studies and the development of disease management measures.

Антимутагенные эффекты композиции из экстрактов листьев зелёного чая и плодов кавказской хурмы

On a culture of human peripheral blood lymphocytes, antimutagenic activity of a composition from extracts of green tea leaves and Caucasian persimmon fruits was established with a modification of the mutation process induced by chemical compounds producing an alkylating effect (nitrosomethylurea and sodium fluoride). A concentration dependence of the antimutagenic efficiency of the studied phytocomposite was shown. The highest antimutagenic efficiency was observed when a combination of green tea extract at a concentration of 0.01 μg/ml and persimmon fruit extract at a concentration of 0.001 μg/ml were used. Moreover, this combination was most effective against mutations induced by both nitrosomethylurea and sodium fluoride: the antimutagen efficiency factor was 0.53 and 0.55, respectively.

Research of Functional and Technological Properties of Persimmon Fruits as an Object of Drying

Persimmon fruits should be initially quite hard, so that they can not only be easily peeled, but also fastened with a strong rope for the closely adjacent stems and dried for a month or two under a canopy. Despite the extensive nature of this process, farmers are used to this artisanal method and the small profit it can provide in those 3-4 post-harvest weeks, as long as the persimmon can remain firm. The aim of this work was to develop more efficient alternative drying methods that allow drying persimmons in an accelerated mode and at all stages of its post-harvest storage. The objects of the study were the fruits of the cultivars Hachiya and Hiakume, grown in the experimental farm of the Research Institute of Horticulture and Tea Industry (Guba, Azerbaijan). The method of creating the final products was used, based on taking into account the physical and chemical changes that occur in the persimmon during its maturation. It was found that the natural balance between lecoanthocyanins (the most tart among polyphenols), protopectin, which refers to insoluble dietary fiber and easily digestible carbohydrates, does not provide the best color and taste of 100% dried persimmon from early solid raw materials. Slicing slices of hard fruit into slices 2-3 mm thick and holding the slices for 10-15 minutes in solutions of table salt and sugar allows you to improve their color and taste initially. Aged softened fruits are amazingly delicious and without additives. Taking into account these and other revealed facts, technologies were developed for obtaining natural chips from solid persimmons, and 100% dried persimmons from softened persimmons. Calculations have shown that the proposed technologies are cost-effective and promising for wide application.

Paper-containing 1-methylcyclopropene treatment suppresses fruit decay of fresh Anxi persimmons by enhancing disease resistance

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this work was to evaluate the potential application of papers containing 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) postharvest treatment for suppressing fruit decay of fresh Anxi persimmons and its possible mechanism. Materials and methods Anxi persimmon fruit were treated with papers containing 1-MCP at the dosage of 1.35 μL/L and stored at 25 ± 1 °C and 85 per cent relative humidity for 35 days. During storage, the fruit decay rate and lignin content were evaluated, and the content of total phenolics, the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), chitinase (CHI), and β-1,3-glucanase (GLU) were determined by spectrophotometry. Results The 1-MCP–treated persimmons displayed a lower fruit decay rate, but higher contents of lignin and total phenolics, higher activities of PAL, PPO, POD, CHI, and GLU. Conclusions The treatment with 1-MCP could inhibit the fruit decay of postharvest Anxi persimmons, which might be because 1-MCP enhanced fruit disease resistance by increasing the activities of disease resistance-associated enzymes and retaining higher contents of disease resistance-related substances in postharvest fresh Anxi persimmons. These findings indicate that papers containing 1-MCP at the dosage of 1.35 μL/L have potential application in suppressing fruit decay and extending storage life of postharvest fresh Anxi persimmons.

Development of formulation and technology of marshmallows with dried persimmon

The paper shows a short review of main useful properties of persimmon fruits, methods of their processing and practical use in formulations of different food production types. Based on the review, the advisability of using persimmon in marshmallows formulations is shown. Comparative characteristics of two drying methods of persimmon are carried out practically, and optimal parameters of drying process, where losses of biologically active substances are minimal, are established. The comparison of sensory characteristics of two marshmallow samples is shown, and their nutritional value is calculated. First (control) marshmallow sample was obtained using classical formulation. The formulation of second (experimental) marshmallow sample also included dried persimmon powder. It is determined that persimmon powder does not have negative effect on sensory properties of marshmallows and improves its nutritional value. Therefore, powder can be implemented practically. The developed marshmallows are a healthy food product, so it can work towards sustainable development of modern society reducing the number of nutritional diseases.