Ruby Red Research Articles

Horticultural Characteristics and Susceptibility of Table Beet Cultivars to Cercospora Leaf Spot in New York

Table beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris) production in New York is increasing for direct sale, use in value-added products, or processing. One of the most important diseases affecting table beet is cercospora leaf spot (CLS) caused by the fungus Cercospora beticola. CLS causes lesions on leaves that coalesce and leads to premature defoliation. The presence of CLS may cause buyer rejection at fresh markets. Defoliation from CLS may also result in crop loss because of the inability to harvest with top-pulling machinery. The susceptibility of popular table beet cultivars (Boldor, Detroit, Falcon, Merlin, Rhonda, Ruby Queen, and Touchstone Gold) to CLS was tested using C. beticola isolates representative of the New York population. Two trials were conducted by inoculating 6-week-old plants in the misting chamber. A small-plot replicated field trial was also conducted to examine horticultural characteristics of the cultivars. In the misting chamber trials, disease progress measured by the area under the disease progress stairs (AUDPS) was not significantly different between the red cultivars, Detroit and Ruby Queen, and was significantly higher in ‘Boldor’ than the other yellow cultivar Touchstone Gold. In the field trial, the number of CLS lesions per leaf at the final disease assessment and AUDPS were significantly lower in cultivar Ruby Queen than others and not significantly different between the yellow cultivars. The dry weight of roots was not significantly different among cultivars at first harvest (77 days after planting). At 112 days after planting, the dry weight of roots was significantly higher in cultivar Detroit than Rhonda and Boldor. Leaf blade length and the length:width ratio were cultivar-dependent, which may facilitate selection for specific fresh markets. Significant associations between canopy reflectance in the near infrared (IR) (830 nm), dry weight of foliage, and number of CLS lesions per leaf suggested that this technique may have utility for remote assessment of these variables in table beet research. Implications of these findings for the management of CLS in table beet are discussed.

Production of three new grapefruit cybrids with potential for improved citrus canker resistance

Cybrid production, combining the nucleus of one species with alien cytoplasmic organelles of another, is a potentially valuable method used for improvement of various crops including Citrus species. Furthermore, this technology is considered a non-GMO biotechnology strategy. In citrus, cybrid plants can be produced as a by-product of somatic fusion. Host resistance is the most desirable strategy for control of citrus canker. By using a cybridization approach, several putative cybrids were created by protoplast fusion of embryogenic suspension culture-derived protoplasts of canker resistant ‘Meiwa’ kumquat ( Thunb ), with mesophyll-derived protoplasts of three grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfad.) cultivars ‘Marsh,’ ‘Flame,’ and ‘N11-11’ somaclone of ‘Ruby Red.’ In an effort to generate new grapefruit cultivars with enhanced canker resistance, putative cybrid grapefruit plants morphologically equivalent to standard grapefruit from all three combinations were produced. Four mitochondrial (mt) introns, a mt ribosomal RNA spacer region, and four chloroplast (cp) DNA regions previously shown to have polymorphism among different Citrus species were tested. Four molecular markers, two mt DNA regions (intron nad7i2 and a rRNA spacer), and two cp DNA regions (NADH dehydrogenase subunit K (ndhk) gene and a trnG-trnR intergenic spacer) revealed polymorphism between kumquat and grapefruit and were used to validate the cybrids. All the cybrids had the mt genome of kumquat, and most had the cp genome of kumquat with a few exceptions. EST-SSR marker analysis confirmed that the nuclear genome in all the generated cybrids came from the grapefruit parent. All the cybrid clones have been propagated and are undergoing extensive canker assays to identify any clones that have improved canker tolerance/resistance. These cybrid populations provide a valuable tool for investigating the contribution of cytoplasmic organelles to plant disease resistance.

Assessment of resistance to bacterial wilt incited by Ralstonia solanacearum in tomato germplasm

Bacterial wilt incited by Ralstonia solanacearum has been found the most damaging and widespread diseases of tomato throughout the world and causes heavy yield losses. Management of the disease is mainly relied on chemicals, and their use is fraught with health risks. The hazardous effects of pesticides can be dispensed with using non-chemical strategies, and resistant cultivars can prove a promising alternative. In the present study, 30 tomato cultivars were assessed for their resistance to bacterial wilt. None of the cultivars was immune or highly resistant to R. solanacearum. Two cultivars Early King and Lerica were found resistant (R), and four viz. Red Hero, Giant Cluster, Red Ruby and Red Stone showed moderately resistant (MR) reaction. Eleven cultivars each appeared as moderately susceptible and susceptible, while two cultivars (Bonny Best and Roma VF) were assessed as highly susceptible (HS) to the bacterium. In HS cultivars, symptoms appeared 4 days after inoculation. The symptoms were first observed on leaves and then progressed toward other parts of plants resulting in complete wilting in susceptible cultivars within 14 days. Brown discoloration in vascular systems of transversely cut parts of HS plants was also observed. On the other hand, in R and MR cultivars, symptoms appeared on leaves followed by chlorosis and no wilting was observed even after 14 days of inoculation. The R and MR cultivars are therefore recommended for cultivation under integrated production systems and in developing new resistant tomato cultivars.

An interactive web-based intervention on nutritional status, physical activity and health-related quality of life in patient with metabolic syndrome: a randomized-controlled trial (The Red Ruby Study)

Background/Objectives:Physical inactivity and unhealthy nutritional behaviors are recognized as the key factors in the cause and management of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The effectiveness of interactive web-based interventions on dietary intakes, physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among people with MetS is currently unknown.Methods:The two-arm randomized-controlled trial was conducted for patients with MetS from June through December 2012 in Tehran, Iran. Participants (n=160) were recruited through online registration on the study website. After free clinical assessments of eligible participants for MetS, they were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups (n=80). All participants received general information about cardiovascular diseases and MetS risk factors via the website. The intervention group logged in to interactive part including My Healthy Heart Profile, received tailored calorie-restricted diet and used all parts of the interactive prevention program. Anthropometric measures, glycemic status, lipid profile, physical activity and food intake were evaluated at the beginning and after 6-month follow-up. HRQOL was assessed at beginning, 3- and 6-month follow-up.Results:There were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups on age, gender, education and MetS factors. In comparison with control group, the intervention group showed significant changes in moderate physical activity 260.3±473.6 vs 101.6±213.1 MET-min/week, walking 505.2±505.3 vs 321±884 MET-min per week, cholesterol intake −88.4±158.7 vs −8.3±6 mg per day, total calories −430.2±957.5 vs −392.9±34.7 kcal per day and sodium 1336.9±2467 vs 1342±3200.4 mmol per day. With regard to HRQOL, the intervention group showed greater improvement in general health and vitality (P<0.05 for all).Conclusion:These results indicate the positive impact of a lifestyle intervention by a web-based program on physical activity, dietary intake and several dimension of QoL. The use of web-based approaches is a great interest to manage patients at high cardiovascular risk, especially where the prevalence of obesity, MetS and diabetes is increasing.

Morphological and chemical evolution of corundum (ruby and sapphire): Crystal ontogeny reconstructed by EMPA, LA-ICP-MS, and Cr3+Raman mapping

The term “ ontogeny ,” which is commonly used in biology, was introduced into the Earth sciences in 1961 to include the genesis and evolution of single crystals and crystal aggregates. The term encompasses nucleation , growth , alteration , and destruction . We present results of studies concerning the ontogeny of natural corundum (rubies and sapphires), and the chemical and morphological evolution of corundum crystals from deposits in Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar) and Southeast Asia (Vietnam). Trace-element compositions indicative for different corundum habits were determined by rim-to-rim LA-ICP-MS and electron microprobe analyses. Raman spectroscopy was applied for Cr 3+ photoluminescence mapping. Results traced the development of corundum crystals and the evolution of their chemistry and morphology, and helped to clarify the geological processes within particular deposits. These variations of corundum morphology are directly correlated with Cr and Fe contents and varying P-T conditions that prevailed during crystal growth. Dipyramidal habits combined with white color in corundum from two deposits in the Mangari area in Kenya have Cr concentrations of ~200–700 μg/g in crystals that grew under high P-T conditions. Prismatic habit of bright red ruby crystals was linked to Cr concentrations of ≥1500 μg/g in samples from Luc Yen (Vietnam) and Mangari (Kenya), formed under lower P-T . Concentrations of Cr between 700–1500 μg/g are associated with pink color and combinations of different habits (dipyramidal, prismatic, or dipyramidal-prismatic) in these samples. Contents of Fe ~700 μg/g and Cr ~1200 μg/g in sapphire crystals from the Morogoro area of Tanzania caused pink color that correlated with dipyramidal habit and elongation along the c axis. Rhombohedral habit and blue-violet color were observed at Cr ~600 μg/g and Fe ≥2000 μg/g in sapphires from Andranondambo in Madagascar, formed during the final stage of contact metamorphism.

KERAGAMAN DAN KEKERABATAN KULTIVAR JAGUNG (Zea mays L.) LOKAL ASAL PULAU KISAR KABUPATEN MALUKU BERDASARKAN KARAKTER FENOTIP

Background: The relationship of plant kinship can be done through the identification of the phenotype character that is the character that appears on the individual or plant organism that can be both quantitative and qualitative. The purpose of this research is to know the diversity and kinship of corn cultivar from Kisar Island Regency of Maluku Southwest of Maluku Province based on phenotype character.&#x0D; Methods: The genetic material used was six local corn cultivars and one comparative variety. The six local corn cultivars are Red ruby with a brown cob, Blood red corn, Sticky, Ripe yellow, Deep yellow, and White, while the varieties are Srikandi varieties. To know the effect of cultivars and corn varieties on phenotypic diversity, variant analysis with Statistica Analytical System (SAS version 9.0) was used. To know the character that gives the greatest contribution to the diversity of cultivar phenotype and corn varieties, the main component analysis is done. To know the kinship among corn cultivars based on phenotypic character, gross analysis (cluster analysis) with hierarchy method is performed. The main component analysis and gameplay analysis was performed using SPSS version 18.0 computer program.&#x0D; Results: The results of variance analysis showed a significant effect of maize cultivar on phenotypic diversity. Characters that contribute to the diversity of the corn cultivar phenotype are the proline level, the weight of cobs without harvesting at harvest, the weight of cobs without dryness of the oven, the weight of the cobs at 12% moisture content, the unleaded cobs at 12%, the diameter of the ear, the number of seeds per ear, the number of rows of beans per ear, the number of leaves, and the length of the leaf. The results of Euclidean and Euclidean girder analysis show that the local yellow cultivars are in one group alone and have a low similarity with other local corn cultivars as well as the Srikandi-based varieties based on their phenotypic characters.&#x0D; Conclusion: There is a variety of phenotypes of local corn cultivars and varieties of Srikandi compounds grown on Kisar Island of Southwest Maluku Maluku Province.

Potential of Nano-Formulated Zinc Oxide for Control of Citrus Canker on Grapefruit Trees.

Antimicrobial activity of experimental formulations of two structurally different nano-zinc oxide materials, plate-like Zinkicide SG4 and particulate Zinkicide SG6, was evaluated against Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, the cause of citrus canker. In vitro assay demonstrated Zinkicide SG4 had a twofold lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Escherichia coli and X. alfalfae subsp. citrumelonis (62.5 to 250 µg/ml) compared with copper sulfate (250 µg/ml), copper hydroxide (250 to 500 µg/ml), or cuprous oxide/zinc oxide (125 to 250 µg/ml). Zinkicide SG6 had a sevenfold to eightfold lower MIC against Escherichia coli and X. alfalfae subsp. citrumelonis (31 to 250 μg/ml). Leaves of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and fruit of 'Ruby Red' grapefruit (C. paradisi) were evaluated for citrus canker disease control. A greenhouse assay with foliage demonstrated that spray treatment with Zinkicide reduced citrus canker lesion development after injection-infiltration of X. citri subsp. citri into the leaf intercellular space. In field trials conducted in Southeast Florida in 2014 and 2015, Zinkicide SG4 and SG6 reduction of grapefruit canker incidence exceeded that of cuprous oxide and cuprous oxide/zinc oxide bactericides. Zinkicide formulations were also effective against the fungal diseases, citrus scab (Elsinoe fawcetti) and melanose (Diaporthe citri), on grapefruit. No sign of phytotoxicity to the fruit rind was observed during either season. Antimicrobial activity of Zinkicide for protection of leaves and fruit against X. citri subsp. citri was comparable or exceeded that for commercial copper and zinc oxide formulations which may be attributed to translaminar movement of Zinkicide.

Evaluation of soil applied systemic acquired resistance inducers integrated with copper bactericide sprays for control of citrus canker on bearing grapefruit trees

Soil application of systemic neonicotinoid insecticides and the commercial systemic acquired resistance (SAR) inducer, acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), provides season-long control of foliar infection by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, the causal agent of citrus canker. Reduction in leaf disease incidence with ASM is comparable to protection with 21-day interval foliar sprays of copper hydroxide (CH). Soil applications of ASM alone, rotated with the neonicotinoids imidacloprid (IMID), thiamethoxam (THIA), and clothianidin (CLOTH), or combined with foliar sprays of CH were compared for canker disease control on fruit of 5- to 7-year-old bearing ‘Ruby Red’ grapefruit trees in Southeast Florida. All treatments significantly reduced the incidence of canker lesions on fruit compared to the untreated check. Soil drenches of ASM and season-long rotations with IMID, THIA, and CLOTH were as effective for suppressing fruit canker as season-long foliar sprays with CH. SAR inducers combined with CH sprays provided optimum control of fruit canker when initiated before the onset of the susceptible foliar flush in the spring. Additional control of canker with soil-applied SAR inducers may enable reduction in the frequency of copper sprays and reduce disease loss from copper resistant Xcc strains where they are prevalent.

Color improvement of rubies by ion beam technique

Abstract Ion implantation technique has been used for improving the quality of natural ruby. The implantation was performed by using 90 keV N2-ion and 50 keV O-ion beams. Either kind of ion species could eliminate tiny inclusions in the ruby as observed from an optical microscope. The red color of the ruby was intensified after O-ion implantation. N2-ion implantation changed the color of red ruby to be violet-red. UV–vis and X-ray absorption spectroscopic techniques were employed for investigating the mechanism behind the optical quality improvement of the ruby. The results from both measurement techniques are reported and discussed.

Injection–Infiltration of Attached Grapefruit with Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri to Evaluate Seasonal Population Dynamics in Citrus Canker Lesions

AbstractTo study population dynamics of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) in citrus canker lesions on fruit, a needle‐free injector was used for infiltration of bacterial inoculum into fruit in situ on mature ‘Ruby Red’ grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) trees in Florida. Inoculations of Xcc at 105 colony‐forming units (cfu) per ml were conducted in 2012 and 2013 on attached fruit varying from 15 mm to 90 mm in diameter. Inoculations were repeated every 2–3 weeks until the fruit were no longer injectable. On fruit less than 40 mm in size, erumpent lesions formed within 2 weeks of inoculation and expanded 1–9 mm in diameter from 30 to 120 days postinoculation (dpi). Xcc populations in lesions were 6–8 log cfu per lesion at 30 dpi and maintained this population up to 90 dpi. By 120 dpi, Xcc populations declined 1–3 log units as rainfall and temperature decreased in September–October. Xcc populations declined to ~3 log cfu per lesion after 120 dpi in November 2012 and 2013, whereas the population resurged to 5 log cfu per lesion after 180 dpi in January–February 2014.

Interactive web-based lifestyle intervention and metabolic syndrome: findings from the Red Ruby (a randomized controlled trial).

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome is a growing public health problem worldwide. Several interventions have been proposed to specifically target the problem. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an interactive web-based lifestyle for management of metabolic syndrome.MethodsThis randomized controlled trial was conducted from June through August 2012 in Tehran, Iran. Participants were individuals with metabolic syndrome who had registered on the study website. Interested eligible participants were invited for a free clinic visit and clinical assessment. They were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 80) or control (n = 80) group. The intervention group received an interactive web-based program called the Healthy Heart Profile and were followed for 6 months. The control group received general information on metabolic syndrome. Anthropometric measures, glycemic status, and lipid profile were evaluated at baseline, and at 3- and 6-month follow-up assessments. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III report except for waist circumference, which was modified to ≥90 cm for both genders for the Iranian population.ResultsIn total, 1,437 individuals registered on the study website. The mean age of participants was 44.2 years (SD = 10.0). There were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups on any baseline variable except that participants in the intervention group recorded higher levels of LDL. The results showed a decrease in metabolic syndrome in both groups. These reductions were significantly greater in the intervention group at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups. The intervention group showed significantly greater decreases (P < 0.05) over the control group for, respectively, systolic blood pressure (3-month: −10 versus −6 mmHg; 6-month: −11 versus −8 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (3-month: −10 versus −4 mmHg; 6-month: −11 versus −6 mmHg), weight (3-month: −2 versus −1 kg; 6-month: −4 versus −1 kg), body mass index (3-month: −0.5 versus −0.2 kg/m2; 6-month: −1.1 versus −0.4 kg/m2) and improvement in HDL (3-month: 2 versus 0.64 mg/dl; 6-month: 6 versus 4 mg/dl).ConclusionThe findings suggest that the web-based interactive program was beneficial for individuals with metabolic syndrome. Comprehensive interactive web-based prevention programs are promising to help involve patients in improving management of metabolic syndrome and adopting a healthy lifestyle.Trial registrationIRCT201111198132N1. Registered 27 May 2013.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0950-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Cybridization of Grapefruit with ‘Dancy’ Mandarin Leads to Improved Fruit Characteristics

In cybridization, new combinations of nuclear and cytoplasmic genes result in a unique genotype that may bring cellular, physical, physiological, and biochemical changes to the plant. This has been demonstrated in the unexpected cybrids generated from the fusion of citrus (Citrus sp.) protoplasts in two independent experiments. The first experiment was conducted to generate potentially seedless triploids by fusing diploid protoplasts of embryogenic ‘Dancy’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata) suspension culture cells with haploid ‘Ruby Red’ grapefruit (C. paradisi) protoplasts derived from tetrad-stage microspores. After multiple attempts, only one triploid was recovered, but several diploid plants with typical grapefruit morphology were also regenerated. In the second experiment, protoplasts derived from embryogenic ‘Dancy’ mandarin suspension culture were fused with nonembryogenic protoplasts from ‘Duncan’ grapefruit leaves in an effort to produce an allotetraploid somatic hybrid. The fruit from the resulting trees resembled grapefruit in morphology and type, and maintained excellent quality throughout the summer, when commercial grapefruit rapidly loses quality. Fruit on these trees remained firm with exceptional sweetness and good flavor into August, and without seed germination. The regenerants obtained in the protoplast fusion experiments were confirmed as cybrids by genetic marker analyses. The test grapefruit were identical to commercial ‘Ruby Red’ grapefruit at six nuclear simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker loci, but identical to ‘Dancy’ with respect to a mitochondrial intron marker. The plastid genomes of individual trees originated from either fusion partner. In the first experiment, haploid ‘Ruby Red’ protoplast preparations must have also contained contaminant diploid protoplasts. Apart from the value of altered fruit quality attributes in the marketplace, these plants provide an opportunity to understand the contributions of cytoplasmic organelle genetics to important citrus fruit-breeding objectives.

&lt;b&gt;The influence of rootstock and time of harvest on the fruit quality during storage of in two grapefruit cultivars

The effects of the ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin and ‘Swingle’ citrumelo rootstocks and time of harvest on the quality of cold-stored (13°C and 90% R.H.) ‘Ruby Red’ and ‘Star Ruby’ grapefruit grown under the tropical conditions prevalent in Ceará state, Brazil, were evaluated. Fruit quality was assessed by mass loss and peel color, the percentage of juice, soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, maturity index, and ascorbic acid content. The results suggested that ‘Ruby Red’ and ‘Star Ruby’ grapefruit presented similar amounts of soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid levels at harvest, and the trends over the course of storage followed similar patterns for both cultivars, regardless of rootstock. The influence of scion-rootstock combination on the studied variables was dependent on the time of harvest. The peel color of ‘Ruby Red’ grafted on ‘Swingle’ citrumelo is more vivid and redder when harvested in October than when harvested in August. ‘Ruby Red’ and ‘Star Ruby’ grapefruit harvested in October are sweeter, less acidic, juicier, and richer in ascorbic acid than those harvested in August. ‘Cleopatra’ mandarin rootstock might favor ascorbic acid levels at harvest, but the fruit may lose more weight during storage.

Exploring the diversity in Citrus fruit colouration to decipher the relationship between plastid ultrastructure and carotenoid composition

Differentiation of new and characteristic plastid ultrastructures during ripening of citrus fruits in both peel and pulp appears to be strongly correlated with the content and complement of carotenoids. Most of the species of the Citrus genus display a wide range in fruit colouration due to differences in carotenoids; however, how this diversity is related and may contribute to plastid differentiation and ultrastructure is currently unknown. To that end, carotenoid profile and plastid ultrastructure were compared in peel and pulp of three sweet oranges: the ordinary orange-coloured Navel, rich in β,β-xanthophylls, the yellow Pinalate mutant with an elevated content of colourless carotenes and reduced β,β-xanthophylls, and the red-fleshed Cara Cara with high concentration of colourless carotenes and lycopene in the pulp; and two grapefruits: the white Marsh, with low carotenoid content, and the red Star Ruby, accumulating upstream carotenes and lycopene. The most remarkable differences in plastid ultrastructure among varieties were detected in the pulp at full colour, coinciding with major differences in carotenoid composition. Accumulation of lycopene in Cara Cara and Star Ruby pulp was associated with the presence of needle-like crystals in the plastids, while high content of upstream carotenes in Pinalate pulp was related to the development of a novel plastid type with numerous even and round vesicles. The presence of plastoglobuli was linked to phytoene and xanthophyll accumulation, suggesting these structures as the main sites for the accumulation of these pigments. Peel chromoplasts were richer in membranes compared to pulp chromoplasts, reflecting their different biogenesis. In summary, differences in carotenoid composition and accumulation of unusual carotenoids are mirrored by the development of diverse and novel chromoplast types, revealing the plasticity of these organelles to rearrange carotenoids inside different structures to allow massive accumulation and thus contributing to the chemical stability of the carotenoids.

A web-based interactive lifestyle modification program improves lipid profile and serum adiponectin concentrations in patients with metabolic syndrome: the “Red Ruby” study

The effectiveness of internet-based programs in prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome has not been fully explored. In the present study, we investigate the effect of a 6-month web-based interactive lifestyle modification program on anthropometric variables and biochemical risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The study had been carried out among 160 patients with metabolic syndrome (intervention, n = 80; control, n = 80). The primary outcomes were change in anthropometric variables, fasting serum glucose (FSG), lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, and serum adiponectin concentrations in intervention and control groups. Significant reductions in anthropometric variables and serum lipids were observed in both intervention and control groups; however, reduction in waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was only significant in intervention group (P < 0.05). Reduction in anthropometric variables and serum triglyceride, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and liver enzymes were significant in intervention and control groups (P < 0.05) but in women decrease in FSG, TC, and LDL-C were only significant in intervention group (P < 0.05). The present study showed that a web-based intervention was effective in weight loss and improving cardio-metabolic factors in patients with metabolic syndrome after a 6-month intervention.

Involvement of lycopene in the induction of tolerance to chilling injury in grapefruit

Grapefruit are among the more sensitive Citrus varieties likely to develop chilling injury (CI) symptoms during postharvest storage at low temperatures. Comparative observations of the incidence of CI in fruit of white Marsh (MSH) and red Star Ruby (SR) grapefruit during postharvest storage at 2°C plus 7 days at 20°C to simulate shelf-life revealed that (1) the former was consistently more sensitive to CI, developing cold damage uniformly throughout the whole rind surface, and (2) more strikingly, CI symptoms in fruit of SR grapefruit were restricted to the yellow areas of the rind and the red-colored zones were almost absent of cold damage. This tolerance to CI in red flavedo was associated with high carotenoid (×2) and lycopene (×14) contents, as compared with yellow-colored flavedo. Absence of chilling damage in red areas of SR grapefruit rind was confirmed by cellular ultrastructure observations, in which these epidermal cells were intact, with a well-defined structure and compact vacuoles filled with content. Cells of yellow-colored tissue developing CI, were collapsed, with a contracted vacuole and shrinking organelles. To explore whether the tolerance to CI in red areas of grapefruit rind was due to an elevated lycopene concentration, chemical and environmental stimulation of this carotenoid was performed in fruit of both grapefruit varieties. Application of the inhibitor of the lycopene cyclase activity, CPTA (2-(4-chlorophenylthio) triethylamine hydrochloride) induced red coloration, increased lycopene accumulation (×32) and significantly delayed development of CI symptoms in the rind the CI-sensitive MSH. Bagging of SR grapefruit enhanced a homogenous red coloration and substantially induced lycopene accumulation (×75). CI symptoms in bagged fruit were notably delayed and reduced, as compared with non-bagged yellow fruit, upon subsequent storage at 2°C for up to 58 days and 7 days at 20°C. Analysis of the expression of ethylene biosynthetic genes (ACS1, ACS2 and ACO) revealed a significant induction in chilling-damaged tissue of both varieties that was almost absent in red chilling-tolerant tissue. Similarly, accumulation of transcripts of the ethylene receptors ETR1 and ETR3 were also associated with chilling damage, but a cold factor appears to also mediate the expression of these genes. Taken together, our results indicate that high lycopene concentration appears to be responsible for the induction of tolerance to chilling in the red-colored areas of the flavedo of grapefruit during postharvest storage at low temperatures.

Analysis of ethylene biosynthesis and perception during postharvest cold storage of Marsh and Star Ruby grapefruits

Grapefruits are among the citrus species more sensitive to cold and develop chilling injury symptoms during prolonged postharvest storage at temperatures lower than 8 ℃-10 ℃. The plant hormone ethylene has been described either to protect or potentiate chilling injury development in citrus whereas little is known about transcriptional regulation of ethylene biosynthesis, perception and response during cold storage and how the hormone is regulating its own perception and signaling cascade. Then, the objective of the present study was to explore the transcriptional changes in the expression of ethylene biosynthesis, receptors and response genes during cold storage of the white Marsh and the red Star Ruby grapefruits. The effect of the ethylene action inhibitor, 1-MCP, was evaluated to investigate the involvement of ethylene in the regulation of the genes of its own biosynthesis and perception pathway. Ethylene production was very low at the harvest time in fruits of both varieties and experienced only minor changes during storage. By contrast, inhibition of ethylene perception by 1-MCP markedly induced ethylene production, and this increase was highly stimulated during shelf-life at 20 ℃, as well as transcription of ACS and ACO. These results support the auto-inhibitory regulation of ethylene in grapefruits, which acts mainly at the transcriptional level of ACS and ACO genes. Moreover, ethylene receptor1 and ethylene receptor3 were induced by cold while no clear role of ethylene was observed in the induction of ethylene receptors. However, ethylene appears to be implicated in the transcriptional regulation of ERFs both under cold storage and shelf-life.

'Red Ruby': an interactive web-based intervention for lifestyle modification on metabolic syndrome: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundAlthough effectiveness of web-based interventions on lifestyle changes are recognized, the potential of such programs on metabolic syndrome has not been explored. We describe the protocol of a randomized controlled trial that aims to determine the feasibility, acceptability, usability, and effectiveness of interactive technology on lifestyle intervention in a population with metabolic syndrome.Methods/designThis is a two-arm randomized controlled trial. The study includes 160 participants (n = 80 per arm) who will be recruited via online registration on the study website. The inclusion criteria are that they should have metabolic syndrome and have access to the Internet. All participants will receive information on dietary intake and physical activity through the study website. The intervention group will receive additional resources via the study website including interactive Healthy Heart Profile and calorie restricted diet tailored to the participants. The primary outcomes are feasibility, acceptability, usability, and the change in metabolic syndrome components. The secondary outcomes are comparing quality of life, physical activity and food intake among the study arms. The participants will be followed up to 6 months with data collection scheduled at baseline, 3 and 6 months.DiscussionThere is a need for developing and evaluating web-based interventions that target people with high risk for cardiovascular diseases. This study will therefore make an important contribution to this novel field of research and practice.Trial registrationIRCT201111198132N1

Influence of temperature and net radiation on the natural degreening process of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) cultivars Rio Red and Star Ruby

This contribution analyses the influence of net radiation and temperature on the colour changes that take place in the peel of two cultivars of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.), Rio Red and Star Ruby. The study, which covered four growing seasons (2005/6, 2006/7, 2010/11 and 2011/12) shows that, while net radiation influenced the colour change in both varieties, it was not sufficient in itself to explain when the degreening starts. This process only started when the mean of the minimum daily temperatures for the 14 days preceding the measurement was 13–14°C or when the daily minimum temperature was below 12.5°C on two (not necessarily consecutive) days. This information shows that, for new plantations of these two grapefruit cultivars to be successful, not only must the thermal integral be high, but that temperatures must fall below 13 or 14°C for degreening to begin during ripening. If these conditions are not met, grapefruit intended for commercial distribution will have to be subjected to artificial degreening in an ethylene chamber, thus increasing production costs.

Improvement in Quality of Wine by Blending White and Coloured Grapes

Blending of juices from four white grape varieties viz., Thompson Seedless, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Italia with three coloured varieties, viz., Shiraz, Ruby Red and Bangalore Blue, was done in 2:1 and 3:1 ratios to assess the effect of blending on wine quality. White varieties blended with Bangalore Blue recorded maximum titratable acidity (1.23%), while those blended with Ruby Red showed the least acidity (0.42%), Alcohol content in the wine ranged from 8.11% (Italia + Ruby Red, 2:1) to 12.04% (Chenin Blanc + Shiraz, 2:1). The range of values for tannin content (0.007% to 0.044 %) and total phenol content (228mg/l to 571mg/l) indicated that white varieties blended with the coloured cv. Shiraz had the lowest content of tannins and total phenols in wine, while, those blended with cv. Ruby Red showed highest content of these in the blended wines. Hence, among different blends, Chenin Blanc, Thompson Seedless, Sauvignon Blanc and Italia blended with the coloured variety Shiraz, in 2:1 ratio, produced good quality wine.