Purple Fruit Research Articles

Metabolite concentrations and the expression profiles of the corresponding metabolic pathway genes in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) fruits of contrasting colors.

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) ranks fifth in importance among vegetable crops of the Solanaceae family, in part due to the high antioxidant properties and polyphenol content of the fruit. Along with the popular purple-fruited varieties of S. melongena, there are cultivars, the fruits of which are rich in phenolic compounds, but are white-colored due to the lack of anthocyanin biosynthesis. Determination of the amount of anthocyanins and other phenolic compounds, as well as carotenoids and sugars, is included in the assessment of the quality of eggplant fruits of commercial (technical) ripeness. In addition to antioxidant and taste properties, these metabolites are associated with fruit resistance to various stress factors. In this study, a comparative analysis of the content of anthocyanins, carotenoids and soluble sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose) in the peel and pulp of the fruit of both technical and biological ripeness was carried out in purple-fruited (cv. Vlas) and white-fruited (cv. Snezhny) eggplant accessions of domestic selection. The peel and pulp of biologically ripe fruits of the cvs Vlas and Snezhny were used for comparative transcriptomic analysis. The key genes of the flavonoid and carotenoid metabolism, sucrose hydrolysis, and soluble sugar transport were shown to be differentially expressed between fruit tissues, both within each cultivar and between them. It has been confirmed that the purple color of the peel of the cv. Vlas fruit is due to substantial amounts of anthocyanins. Flavonoid biosynthesis genes showed a significantly lower expression level in the ripe fruit of the cv. Vlas in comparison with the cv. Snezhny. However, in both cultivars, transcripts of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes (DFR, ANS, UFGT) were not detected. Additionally, the purple fruit of the cv. Vlas accumulated more carotenoids and sucrose and less glucose and fructose than the white fruit of the cv. Snezhny. Biochemical data corresponded to the differential expression pattern of the key genes encoding the structural proteins of metabolism and transport of the compounds analyzed.

Why do understorey Licuala palm fruits turn from red to white and then black when ripe?

Licuala ferruginea Becc., a tropical forest understorey palm, is observed to have fruits that appear red in colour when unripe, turning pink, then white, purple and finally black in colour as they ripen. We monitored 13 fruiting palms in rainforest fragments and recorded the consumption of fruits by animals via camera traps. We also documented the fruiting phenology of two palms in the nursery. In the rainforest fragments, a Cream-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus simplex) was observed plucking a mature purple fruit from a L. ferruginea palm, before flying away with the fruit in its beak. This was the only bird that was observed feeding on the mature fruit. A range of mammals, dominated by edge species such as the Long-tailed Macaque and Wild Boar, were observed to consume L. ferruginea fruits indiscriminately across all five colour stages, thereby limiting the dispersal of the fruits. Forest bulbul gape sizes also matched the fruit size, suggesting that forest bulbuls are the likely dispersers of the palm in the original forest where edge species are not in high densities. We further posit that the initial phase of red fruits, with high contrasting red reflectance against a green foliage background, might be a form of early advertisement to birds. The fruit then turns pink and white, which have high green reflectance and is less contrasting, thereby reducing the conspicuity of the fruit. This allows the fruit to ripen with high fructose and glucose content, and turn purple and black, which are known visual cues for birds. This study provides indicative support for the dispersal syndrome hypothesis and highlights the potential effects of forest fragmentation on plant-frugivore interactions.

Passion fruit HD-ZIP genes: Characterization, expression variance, and overexpression PeHB31 enhanced drought tolerance via lignin pathway

The HD-ZIP (homeodomain-leucine zipper) genes hold significant importance in transcriptional regulation, especially in plant development and responses to abiotic stresses. However, a comprehensive study targeting HD-ZIP family members in passion fruit has been absent. In our current research, 34 HD-ZIP family members (PeHBs) were identified by bioinformatics analysis. Transcriptome analysis revealed that PeHBs exhibited distinct expression patterns when subjected to the four different abiotic stresses, and significant differential expression of PeHBs was also found among the three developmental stages of the fruit and between the purple and yellow genotype passion fruit leaves. An integrated metabolome and transcriptome analysis further revealed that the HD-ZIP III class gene PeHB31 (homologous to ATHB8), was co-upexpressed with lignans in yellow fruit P. edulis (commonly used as a resistance rootstock) when compared to purple fruit P. edulis. The transformation of Arabidopsis and yeast with the PeHB31 gene showed an enhancement in their capacity to withstand drought conditions. Notably, the transgenic Arabidopsis plants exhibited an increase in lignin content within the vascular tissues of their stems. This research lays the groundwork for future studies on the control mechanisms of lignin biosynthesis by HD-ZIP genes (especially HD-ZIP classes III and I) involved in drought tolerance.

A new species of Psidium and notes on Neomitranthes from the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Psidium riobonito, a new species of Myrtaceae from the Atlantic Forest of the northeastern portion of the Brazilian state of São Paulo, was collected in High Montane Dense Ombrophilous Forest and is described here. Morphological characters assign the new species to Psidium sect. Apertiflora, due to its leaves with brochidodromous veins, marginal vein parallel to the margin, inflorescences in auxotelic racemes, flowers with open buds with 5 calyx lobes, in addition to dark purple fruits when ripe, with few seeds. Psidium riobonito is morphologically close to P. involutisepalum and P. myrtoides, but differs by the marginal veins 2 to 5 mm from the margin (vs. 1 to 2 mm in P. myrtoides and 1.5 to 2 mm in P. involutisepalum), glabrous or glabrescent leaves when mature (vs. pubescent or sparsely pubescent mainly along the midrib on the abaxial surface in P. myrtoides and sparsely pubescent in P. involutisepalum), pedicels 14–26 mm long (vs. 3–12 mm in P. myrtoides and 8–10 mm in P. involutisepalum). The relationship of P. riobonito to morphologically close species, comments on its taxonomy, ecology and informal conservation status, and a table with morphological characteristics of P. sect. Apertiflora are also provided. We also present for the first time the descriptions of the fruits of Neomitranthes capivariensis and N. pedicellata.

Antioxidant activity and 1H NMR profiling of leaves and fruits of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa from South Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract. Kuntorini EM, Triyasmono L, Astuti MD. 2024. Antioxidant activity and 1H NMR profiling of leaves and fruits of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa from South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 2020-2027. Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk is a flowering plant belonging to Myrtaceae, native to southern and southeastern Asia. This study aims to evaluate and compare the antioxidant activity of leaves and fruits ethanol extracts of R. tomentosa (Ait.) Hassk from two locations, namely Banjar and Batola, South Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. The samples included old and young leaves and three stages of fruit maturity, namely green, red, and purple. 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to identify the chemical profile of extracts, which comprised organic acids, carbohydrates, amino acids, and phenolic compounds. Antioxidant capacity was assessed with DPPH, which showed intensity differences in aromatic shifts in leaves and fruits for both regions. Young leaves and green fruits had higher intensity than old leaves and red and purple fruits, correlating with antioxidant capacity. Analysis of 1H NMR spectra of young and old leaf extracts identified vital metabolites, such as gallic acid, myricetin 3-O-rhamnopyranoside, myricetin, quercetin, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, as well as syringic acid, in regional chemical shifts of 10.0-6.0 ppm as aromatic compound area. The differences in spectral signal intensity revealed higher metabolite levels, specifically carbohydrates and amino acids, in red and purple fruits. However, green fruits had higher quantities of aromatic compounds.

Anticancer activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized from aqueous leaf extract of Solanum trilobatum (Purple fruit pea eggplant) on human oral cancer cells

Introduction: This research explores the capability of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) produced via friendly methods by using Solanum trilobatum leaf extract. The choice of S. trilobatum was supported by its diverse phytochemical makeup, which comprises recognized bioactive elements known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer attributes. This research explores the effect of AgNPs derived from this plant as a promising eco-friendly strategy in oral cancer treatment. Methods: The synthesis of AgNPs involved employing S. trilobatum leaf extract, with observable color changes and spectral analyses confirming the unique characteristics of the nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy detected distinct functional groups, whereas scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the presence of biocapped nanoparticles exhibiting various shapes and sizes spanning from 100 to 300 nm. Results: Cytotoxicity assessments via the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay revealed a half-minimal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 3.715 ± 0.242 μg/mL against the oral cancer (KB) cell line, indicating a significant inhibition. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays further supported the AgNPs’ anti-cancer potential, affirming their promise for oral cancer therapy. Conclusion: AgNPs synthesized from S. trilobatum leaf extract showed substantial potential as a therapeutic agent for oral cancer. This research adds to the increasing evidence endorsing the use of environmentally friendly synthesized nanoparticles in medical treatments.

Transcriptome analysis of green and purple fruited pepper provides insight into novel regulatory genes in anthocyanin biosynthesis.

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a valuable horticultural crop with economic significance, and its purple fruit color is attributed to anthocyanin, a phytonutrient known for its health-promoting benefits. However, the mechanisms regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis in pepper have yet to be fully elucidated. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was utilized to analyze the transcriptome of fruits from three purple-fruited varieties (HN191, HN192, and HN005) and one green-fruited variety (EJT) at various developmental stages. To determine the relationships between samples, Pearson correlation coefficients (PCC) and principal component analysis (PCA) were calculated. Differential expression analysis was performed using the DESeq2 package to identify genes that were expressed differently between two samples. Transcription factors (TF) were predicted using the iTAK program. Heatmaps of selected genes were generated using Tbtools software. The unripe fruits of HN191, HN192, and HN005, at the stages of 10, 20, and 30 days after anthesis (DAA), display a purple color, whereas the unripe fruits of variety EJT remain green. To understand the molecular basis of this color difference, five transcriptome comparisons between green and purple fruits were conducted: HN191-10 vs EJT-10, HN191-20 vs EJT-20, HN191-30 vs EJT-30, HN192-30 vs EJT-30, and HN005-30 vs EJT-30. Through this analysis, 503 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Among these DEGs, eight structural genes related to the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway and 24 transcription factors (TFs) were detected. Notably, one structural gene (MSTRG.12525) and three TFs (T459_25295, T459_06113, T459_26036) exhibited expression patterns that suggest they may be novel candidate genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. These results provide new insights into the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in purple pepper fruit and suggest potential candidate genes for future genetic improvement of pepper germplasm with enhanced anthocyanin accumulation.

Interaction of Culture Medium and Artificial Light Type on Pigmentation of Micro-Propagated Opuntia Plants

Opuntia is recognized economically as a significant crop for its nutritional, functional, and therapeutic properties and its potential in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and bioenergy industries. Opuntia is conventionally propagated by seed or vegetative propagation via rooted scions or grafting. However, multiplication procedures are insufficient for extensive spreading. One of the alternative techniques is in vitro. For this reason, the objective was to evaluate the growth of different components combined with light conditions to induce callus, embryogenesis, and the possible synthesis of a component in the genus Opuntia. The existence of genes involved in pigment synthesis in genotypes of different fruit colors was complementarily analyzed. In this study, we used different combinations of fructose (2 g/L) with prickly pear juice (2 mL/L), mannitol (4 g/L), silver nitrate (AgNO3: 1 mg/L), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D: 2 mg/L), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA: 1 g/L), with white, blue, and red LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and laser beams. These explants yielded sufficient contents of simple phenols, gallic acid equivalents (GAE: 2283.30 ± 6.29 mg/100 g), and coumaric (2155.0 ± 35.0 mg/100 g) and ferulic (2176 ± 27.9 mg/100 g) acids for the genotype Tapón aguanoso, and chlorogenic acid (CGA: 380.22 ± 22.05 mg/100 g) for the Copena V1 genotype. Upon analyzing the genotypes of different fruit pigmentations, we also observed the following: enzyme 4,5 estradiol dioxygenases can be present in all genotypes (regardless of pigmentation); enzyme 5,3 glucosyltransferases (GTs) could be induced in pigment synthesis in the genotypes of orange to purple fruits. Sequencing primer-amplified fragments for GT showed high similarity to uridine diphospho (UDP)-glucose from other species. This allows us to infer that it is possible to obtain products of high therapeutic value in the near future under controlled conditions.

Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Properties of Puruí (Alibertia edulis, Rubiaceae), an Edible Dark Purple Fruit from the Brazilian Amazon

Albertia edulis is known as Puruí, and its leaf tea is used in the hypoglycemic and antihypertensive treatments of the Amazon native population. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition and antioxidant properties of the Puruí pulp fruit. The hydroethanolic (LFP-E), ethyl acetate (LFP-A), and volatile concentrate (LPF-V) extracts of Puruí lyophilized fruit pulp were analyzed via LC-ISI-IT-MS, GC, and GC-MS. Moreover, total phenolic and flavonoid content (TPC and TFC) and TEAC/ABTS and DPPH assays were conducted to determine their antioxidant capacity. Compounds palmitic acid, methyl linolenate, methyl linoleate, palmitic alcohol, benzene acetaldehyde, tridecanal, and furfural were mainly identified in the LPF-V extract. Compounds caffeic and quinic acids, genipin, annonaine, 3′-7-dimethoxy-3-hydroxyflavone, 4′-hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyflavone, 6-hydroxy-7-epigardoside methyl ester, baicalin, and phloretin-2-O-apiofuranosyl-glucopyranoside were mainly identified in the LFP-E and LFP-A extracts. For LFP-E and LFP-A extracts, TPC values were 5.75 ± 0.75 and 66.75 ± 3.1 mg GAE/g; TFC values were 1.14 ± 0.65 and 50.97 ± 1.2 mg QE/g; DPPH assay showed EC50 values of 1021.65 ± 5.9 and 133.60 ± 3.9 µg/mL; and TEAC/ABTS assay showed values of 28.36 ± 3.7 and 142.26 ± 2.2 µM TE/g. Alibertia edulis fruits are significant sources of phenolic compounds, also showing significant antioxidant capacity. The Puruí fruit seems promising for developing innovative and healthy products for the nutritional food market.

Phytochemical characterization and bioactivities of different fruit parts of Tunisian barbary fig (Opuntia ficus-indica)

The valorization of bio-waste to acquire products with high added value presents a great profit for the pharmaceutical, medicinal and food industries. Thus, seeds, peels, and pulps obtained from green (GFI), orange (OFI), and purple (PFI) Tunisian pear fruit (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) were evaluated in terms of phytochemical composition and biological activities. The peel part of the purple fruit contained the highest content of K, Ca, and Mg. While the seed possessed the highest P and Fe amounts. Moreover, the total carbohydrate contents in the different pear fruit parts ranged from 43.41% in the seeds (GFI) to 68.12% in pulp parts (OFI) and were significantly different from each other. The pulp parts showed much higher xylose and fructose contents, averaging 3.38 and 119.17 g/L. The seeds of the three varieties were characterized by higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids and mostly predominated by oleic acid that varied from 43.51 to 47.84% for the green and orange colored fruit seeds, followed by linoleic acid (32.76—37.1%). The seeds and peels parts contained higher levels of phenolic compounds with a total of 37 compounds compared to pulp extracts. The seeds of the three studied fruits possessed high repellency potentials against the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum). The greatest repellency activities were recorded in the purple (53.33%) and the orange (46.66%) fruit seeds at the concentration of 5 μL/cm2 and after 1h of exposure. The fruit parts showed considerable antibacterial and antifungal effects against Erwinia amylovora and Botrytis cinerea. The prickly pear fruit could be used as natural ingredients with potential biological activities.

Physiological response of anthocyanin synthesis to different light intensities in blueberry.

Fruit color is an important economic character of blueberry, determined by the amount of anthocyanin content. Anthocyanin synthesis within the blueberry fruits is significantly affected by light. To reveal the physiological response mechanism of anthocyanin synthesis in blueberry fruits in different light intensities, four light intensities (100% (CK), 75%, 50% and 25%) were set for the 'O'Neal' southern highbush blueberry as the experimental material in our study. The relationship between endogenous hormones content, associated enzyme activities, and variations with the anthocyanin content in blueberry fruits under various light intensities during the white fruit stage (S1), purple fruit stage (S2), and blue fruit stage (S3) were studied. The results showed that adequate light could significantly promote anthocyanin synthesis in blueberry fruits (P < 0.05). Blueberry fruits had an anthocyanin content that was 1.76~24.13 times higher under 100% light intensity than it was under non-full light intensity. Different light intensities significantly affected the content of endogenous hormones and the activity of associated enzymes in anthocyanin synthesis pathway (P < 0.05). Among them, the JA (jasmonic acid) content and PAL (phenylalanine ammonia lyase) activity of fruits under 100% light intensity were 2.49%~41.83% and 2.47%~48.48% higher than those under other light intensity, respectively. And a significant correlation was found between the variations in anthocyanin content in fruits and the content or activities of JA, ABA (abscisic acid), ETH (ethylene), GA3 (gibberellin 3), IAA (indoleacetic acid), PAL, CHI (chalcone isomerase), DFR (dihydroflavonol reductase) and UFGT (UDP-glucose: flavonoid 3-glucosyltransferase) (P < 0.05). It indicated that 100% light intensity significantly promoted anthocyanin synthesis in blueberry fruits by affecting endogenous hormones content and associated enzyme activities in the anthocyanin synthesis pathway. This study will lay a foundation for further research on the molecular mechanism of light intensity regulating anthocyanin synthesis in blueberry.

Effects of Light Intensity on Endogenous Hormones and Key Enzyme Activities of Anthocyanin Synthesis in Blueberry Leaves

Plant anthocyanin is a secondary metabolite widely distributed in the roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits of plants, and its synthesis is significantly affected by light intensity. To reveal the physiological response mechanism of anthocyanin synthesis in blueberry leaves at different light intensities, four light intensities (100% (CK), 75%, 50% and 25%) were set for the ‘O’Neal’ southern highbush blueberry as the experimental material in our study. The relationship between endogenous hormone contents, key enzyme activities, and variations in the anthocyanin content in blueberry leaves under various light intensities during the white fruit stage (S1), purple fruit stage (S2) and blue fruit stage (S3) of fruit development were studied. The results showed that the anthocyanin content of blueberry leaves increased first and then decreased, and decreased first and then increased with the increase in light intensity and development stage, respectively. The appropriate light intensity could significantly promote the synthesis of anthocyanin, and the anthocyanin content in leaves treated with 75% light intensity was 1.09~4.08 times that of other light intensity treatments. The content or activities of gibberellin (GA3), indoleacetic acid (IAA), jasmonic acid (JA), abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene (ETH), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), chalcone isomerase (CHI), dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) and UDP-glucose: flavonoid 3-glucosyltransferase (UFGT) were significantly or extremely significantly correlated with the content of anthocyanin in leaves. This indicated that light intensity significantly promoted anthocyanin synthesis in blueberry leaves by affecting endogenous hormone contents and key enzyme activities in the anthocyanin synthesis pathway. This study lays a foundation for further research on the molecular mechanism of light intensity regulating anthocyanin synthesis in blueberry leaves.

Exploring the Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Antimicrobial Capacity of Phenolics from Blueberries and Sweet Cherries

(1) Background: Nowadays, special attention has been paid to red and purple fruits, including blueberries and sweet cherries, since they are highly attractive to consumers due to their organoleptic properties, standing out due to their vibrant red and purple colours and sweet flavour, and nutritional value. (2) Methods: The present study evaluated the phenolic profile of phenolic-enriched extracts from blueberries and sweet cherries and explored their antioxidant potential against DPPH, superoxide and nitric oxide radicals, and ferric species, and their potential to inhibit the α-glucosidase enzyme. Furthermore, their antimicrobial activity was also determined by microdilution method against four Gram-positive strains (Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, Listeria monocytogenes LMG 16779, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923) and five Gram-negative strains (Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica ATCC 13311 serovar Typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883, Proteus mirabilis CECT 170, Serratia marcescens CECT 159, and Acinetobacter baumannii LMG 1025). (3) Results: By chromatographic techniques, eight anthocyanins were detected in blueberry coloured fraction and total extract, and five anthocyanins were detected in sweet cherry total extract and coloured fraction, while quercetin aglycone and chlorogenic acids were the dominant non-coloured compounds in blueberries and sweet cherries, respectively. All extracts demonstrated significant antioxidant properties, as well as the ability to inhibit the activity of α-glucosidase enzyme and the development of various microorganisms. (4) Conclusion: The obtained data evidence the promising biological potential of blueberries and sweet cherries, being highly correlated with the presence of phenolic compounds.

Bird preferences for fruit size, but not color, vary in accordance with fruit traits along a tropical elevational gradient.

Birds constitute one of the most important seed dispersal agents globally, especially in the tropics. The feeding preferences of frugivorous birds are, therefore, potentially of great ecological importance. A number of laboratory-based and observational studies have attempted to ascertain the preferences of certain bird species for certain fruit traits. However, little attention has been paid to community-wide preferences of frugivorous birds and the impact this may have on fruit traits on a broader scale. Here, we used artificial fruits of different colors and sizes to investigate community-wide fruit trait preferences of birds at three sites along an elevational gradient in Papua New Guinea. We recorded attack rates on artificial fruits as visible impressions made by a bird's beak during a feeding attempt. We also measured the colors and sizes of real fruits at each site, and the gape widths of frugivorous birds, allowing for comparisons between bird feeding preferences and bird and fruit traits. Regardless of elevation, red and purple fruits were universally preferred to green and attacked at similar rates to one another, despite strong elevational patterns in real fruit color. However, elevation had a significant effect on fruit size preferences. A weak, non-significant preference for large fruits was recorded at 700 m, while medium fruits were strongly preferred at 1700 m and small fruits at 2700 m. These patterns mirror those of both real fruit size and frugivorous bird gape width along the gradient, suggesting the potential for selective pressure of birds on fruit size at different elevations.

Estimação do tamanho ótimo de parcela em experimento em campo com maracujá-roxo

Abstract The species P. edulis Sims f. edulis, native to Brazil, known as purple passion fruit, has purple fruits and lower acidity. With the growing demand for passion fruits, there is greater need for research on their cultivation to reduce production costs and improve fruit quality. The adequate determination of the size and number of plots has been a fundamental limitation in studies with several crops, as it is difficult to obtain constant data on plants per plot in most experiments, making it impossible to use usual methodologies for data analysis. As a result, testing can be performed with less labor and implementation costs, making plot size optimization a step of interest. Thus, this work aims to determine the ideal size of experimental plots with purple passion fruit in the field using three methods. The variables analyzed were fruit length, fruit diameter, peel thickness, juice yield, soluble solids content, citric acid, number of fruits, and average fruit weight. The use of optimal plot size of six basic units for fruit-related variables, five for pulp-related variables, and seven basic units for production variables, is recommended.

Overexpression of RuFLS2 Enhances Flavonol-Related Substance Contents and Gene Expression Levels.

As an emerging third-generation fruit, blackberry has high nutritional value and is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Flavonoid biosynthesis and metabolism is a popular research topic, but no related details have been reported for blackberry. Based on previous transcriptome data from this research group, two blackberry flavonol synthase genes were identified in this study, and the encoded proteins were subjected to bioinformatics analysis. RuFLS1 and RuFLS2 are both hydrophobic acidic proteins belonging to the 2OG-Fe(II) dioxygenase superfamily. RuFLS2 was expressed at 27.93-fold higher levels than RuFLS1 in red-purple fruit by RNA-seq analysis. Therefore, RuFLS2-overexpressing tobacco was selected for functional exploration. The identification of metabolites from transgenic tobacco showed significantly increased contents of flavonoids, such as apigenin 7-glucoside, kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, astragalin, and quercitrin. The high expression of RuFLS2 also upregulated the expression levels of NtF3H and NtFLS in transgenic tobacco. The results indicate that RuFLS2 is an important functional gene regulating flavonoid biosynthesis and provides an important reference for revealing the molecular mechanism of flavonoid accumulation in blackberry fruit.

Transcriptome analysis identifies key genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in black and purple fruits (Lycium ruthenicum Murr. L)

Lycium ruthenicum is a characteristic plant resource in Northwest China. The fruit with high anthocyanin content is the main reason for its high nutritional value and economic value, while the regulation of key genes regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis in black fruit is not clear. In this study, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to compare the expression differences of all genes in black and purple fruits. The purple samples obtained 45.13 and 51.49 M Raw reads, while the black fruit samples measured 53.85 and 47.38 M Raw Reads. After splicing and assembly, 162,842 transcripts were obtained after removing redundant and duplicated results. Homology comparison of all predicted proteins found that 36,978 (22.43%) genes in Lycium ruthenicum were homologous to Solanum tuberosum, followed by 24,459 (14.84%) genes were homologous to Capsicum annuum. Overall, 3685 genes were up-regulated in purple fruit, 2837 genes were down-regulated in purple fruit, and the remaining 156320 genes were not differentially expressed in black and purple fruit. Through homology comparison of anthocyanin biosynthesis and metabolism structure genes in Lycium ruthenicum, 63 homologous genes, 4 MYB transcription factors and 5 bHLH transcription factors were screened. LrAN2p (909 bp) in purple fruit was 136 bp more upstream of ‘ATG’ than LrAN2 (774 bp) in black fruit. Three highly expressed copies of bHLH transcription factors AN1b with different lengths were screened in black fruit, but they were almost not expressed in purple fruit. This study possibly identified the major LrAN1b genes regulating the black fruit trait.

Phenotypic Screening of Chilli Genotypes Collected from Different Regions

The experiment was performed at Maharajpur Farm under the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, J.N.K.V.V., Jabalpur (M.P.) during the Kharif season 2019-2022 and planted in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The characterization of thirty genotype for thirty-five qualitative traits articulated no variability for trait i.e., the monomorphic trait was non-enveloping fruit calyx cover, two descriptors were found to be moderately diverse, which were with medium fruit intensity of the red colour (at the mature unripe stage) and the narrow triangular shape of fruit with the Shannon-Weaver diversity index H'=0.46 &amp; H'=0.50, both of these are fruit related traits. The descriptor intensity of pubescence (hairiness) of the stem had the highest diversity index of 1.82. The studies highlighted some of the genotypes with the distinctness, MPKC-1(Katni collection) addressed unique features with green with purple tinge leaf colour, purple petal colour, upright fruit orientation, absence of fruit curvature, purple fruit colour at ripening maturity, ovate leaf and erect plant habit, depicting it like a wild relative of capsicum and could be utilized as the morphological descriptor.

Anthocyanins accumulation analysis of correlated genes by metabolome and transcriptome in green and purple peppers (Capsicum annuum)

BackgroundIn order to clarify the the molecular mechanism of anthocyanin accumulation in green and purple fruits of pepper using metabolomics and transcriptomics,to identify different anthocyanin metabolites,and to analyze the differentially expressed genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis..ResultsWe analyzed the anthocyanin metabolome and transcriptome data of the fruits of 2 purple pepper and 1 green pepper. A total of 5 anthocyanin metabolites and 2224 differentially expressed genes were identified between the green and purple fruits of pepper. Among the 5 anthocyanin metabolites,delphin chloride was unique to purple pepper fruits,which is the mainly responsible for the purple fruit color of pepper. A total of 59 unigenes encoding 7 enzymes were identified as candidate genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in pepper fruit. The six enzymes (PAL,C4H,CHI,DFR,ANS,UFGT) had higher expression levels except the F3H gene in purple compared with green fruits. In addition,seven transcription factors were also found in this study. These transcription factors may contribute to anthocyanin metabolite biosynthesis in the fruits of pepper. One of differentially expressed gene novel.2098 was founded. It was not annotated in NCBI. Though blast analysis we preliminarily considered that this gene related to MYB transcription factor and was involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in pepper fruit.ConclusionsOverall, the results of this study provide useful information for understanding anthocyanin accumulation and the molecular mechanism of anthocyanin biosynthesis in peppers.

Identifikasi Morfologi Vegetatif dan Generatif Varietas Jambu Bol Gondang Manis dan Jambu Jamaika di Desa Gondang Manis Kecamatan Bandar Kedungmulyo Jombang

The purpose of this research to determine the morphological characteristics of vegetative and generative growth and the characteristics of guava bol gondang sweet and guava bol jamaica in Gondang Manis village, Bandar Kedungmulyo district, Jombang regency, East Java. The research was carried out from May to July 2021 by selecting 5 samples of guava bol gondang sweet and 5 samples of guava bol jamaica. The research was conducted by direct observation and compiled using descriptive methods, namely simplifying and organizing data to obtain an overall picture of the object being observed. This research was carried out by direct observation by taking the type of research that described in detail and systematically the growth of vegetative and generative morphology of guava varieties gondang sweet and guava bol jamaica. Based on observations of vegetative and generative morphology growth of guava plants, guava bol gondang sweet and guava bol jamaica include tree plant habitus, plant height range, leaf area, leaf width, leaf length, petiole shape, petiole color, color of the upper surface of the leaf, color of the lower surface. leaf, leaf base shape, leaf tip shape, leaf edge, leaf shape, stem color, stem circumference, stem shape, number of main branches, flower location, number of petals, flower type, flower color, fruit shape, fruit circumference, fruit weight ,flesh thickness, fruit length, purple fruit color, seed shape, number of seeds, seed weight and seed circumference.&#x0D; Keywords : Generative, guava gondang sweet, guava jamaica, vegetative