Stone Fruit Research Articles

Impact of pre- and post-fermentation fining with polyvinylpolypyrrolidone on the chemical stability and aromatic profile of Viognier wine.

Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) is a synthetic, insoluble polymer that can be added to white wines to improve the chemical stability of the final product by precipitating unstable low molecular weight phenolic compounds responsible for visual defects and undesirable flavor characteristics (e.g., excessive bitterness and/or astringency). The objective of this study was to characterize the effects of PVPP on the quality characteristics of Viognier wine when added pre- or post-fermentation as compared to an untreated control wine. Both PVPP-treated wines contained significantly lower concentrations of monomeric phenolics and browning pigments than the control wine (p≤0.05). The addition of PVPP prior to fermentation conferred protection against oxidation of the wine as measured by acetaldehyde concentration (p≤0.05). Analysis of the volatile aroma profile of each wine by headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatographymass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS)revealed that the overarching aroma profiles of the PVPP-treated wines were significantly different from the control wine, but there was no difference between wines treated with PVPP pre-fermentation versus those treated post-fermentation. Specifically, statistically significant differences were observed in 9 of the 22 quantified aroma compounds, including those notably associated with the "stone fruit" aroma of Viognier. A negative correlation was identified between aroma compound concentration removal and the hydrophobicity of each compound, suggesting that the observed differences in aroma may be due to adsorption of aroma compounds by PVPP. The findings from this study present risks and benefits to wine quality upon treatment with PVPP at commercially recommended levels, and provide potentially valuable information for industrial wine producers.

Effect of different inoculation strategies of mixed culture Saccharomyces cerevisiae/Oenococcus oeni on the aroma quality of Chardonnay wine

There has been growing interest in the use of mixed cultures comprised of Oenococcus oeni and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce wine with local style and typicality. This study has investigated the influence of the inoculation protocol of O. oeni on the fermentation kinetics and aromatic profile of Chardonnay wine. The one selected autochthonous O. oeni strain (ZX-1) inoculated at different stages of the alcoholic fermentation process successfully completed malolactic fermentation (MLF). Co-inoculum of S. cerevisiae and O. oeni enabled simultaneous alcoholic fermentation and MLF, leading to at least a 30 % reduction in the total fermentation time when compared to the sequential inoculation process, which was attributed to the lower ethanol stress. Meanwhile, co-inoculum stimulated the accumulation of volatile aroma compounds in Chardonnay wine. In particular, the mixed modality where the O. oeni strain ZX-1 was inoculated 48 h after S. cerevisiae allowed higher levels of terpenes, acetates, short-chain, and medium-chain fatty acid ethyl esters to be produced, which may result in the enhanced floral and fruity attributes of wine. Aroma reconstitution and omission models analysis revealed that the accumulation of linalool, geraniol, isoamyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, and ethyl caprylate during the mixed fermentation process enhanced the stone fruit, tropical fruit, and citrus aromas in Chardonnay wine. Therefore, the simultaneous fermentation of S. cerevisiae and autochthonous O. oeni ZX-1 has a positive effect on MLF and contributes to producing wines with distinctive style.

Ripening-related gene expression analysis revealed the molecular impact of 1-MCP application on apricot fruit softening, color, aroma, and antioxidant capacity

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is globally the third most cultivated stone fruit, prized for its flavourful and nutritious fruit. However, its climacteric nature impacts postharvest behaviour, shortening shelf-life. While the role and interaction of key genes and proteins involved in the ripening process of this species have been extensively studied over the years, research on ethylene suppressors like 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and cold storage is still limited. Fruit samples from 10 genotypes were collected at commercial maturity from the CEBAS-CSIC research centre and divided into three groups: control (T0), one application of 1-MCP at harvest (T1), and two applications of 1-MCP at harvest and after seven days of cold storage (T2). The study aimed to assess the effects of these treatments on fruit quality traits, such as skin color, soluble solids, acidity, firmness, and ethylene production, after various cold storage periods (10, 20, and 30 days) at 1°C, followed by 48 hours at 20°C. Cold storage combined with 1-MCP effectively reduced fruit softening and ethylene production, with varying impacts on fruit quality traits depending on the genotype. '906–12' and 'Goldrich' were identified as the most contrasting genotypes in terms of ethylene production and fruit softening. Additionally, the application of 1-MCP reduced the expression of genes responsible for fruit softening, coloration and some organoleptic characteristics while enhancing those promoting antioxidant activity during ripening. This study sheds light on the molecular processes involved in apricot fruit ripening and highlights the potential of this approach for enhancing postharvest preservation.

Regulated Deficit Irrigation Perspectives for Water Efficiency in Apricot Cultivation: A Review

Addressing agricultural water scarcity poses a current challenge of growing concern, exacerbated by climate change. This is particularly relevant for stone fruit trees, such as apricot, cultivated in semi-arid zones, where regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strategies are gaining attention to tackle the challenge. The RDI method involves optimizing various factors based on how the plant responds physiologically to indicators of its water needs. Among these indicators, water potential is considered the most reliable and influential measure. For numerous apricot varieties and diverse geographic locations, research consistently shows that implementing water reduction strategies during non-critical developmental stages of floral bud development or fruit growth does not significantly impact crop yield. However, it does lead to reduced vegetative growth, which could offer additional benefits in crop management. Furthermore, the implementation of RDI strategies leads to advantageous improvements in fruit quality, particularly storage capacity and morphometric and chemical fruit characteristics, such as total soluble solids content. This scoping review study suggests that RDI is a feasible strategy to address water scarcity in apricot cultivation; however, further studies focused on continuous water monitoring alternatives are necessary to optimize RDI techniques. Future research should prioritize optimizing RDI for different growth stages, exploring advanced technologies for precise implementation, and assessing environmental impacts, while addressing research gaps including the influence of climate variability and the interaction with other agronomic practices, to refine RDI strategies and enhance apricot orchard sustainability and productivity.

Guidelines for the choice of stone fruit rootstocks

Rootstocks for stone fruits (Prunus spp.) provide numerous and diverse production benefits, not least of which is the ability to produce high quality improved clonal fruit varieties, but also for better adaptation to orchard site variations and adoption of improved production techniques. These include mitigation of potential abiotic (soil, climate) and biotic (disease, pest) production limitations, as well as modification of natural tree vigor, precocity, and canopy architecture. Stone fruit production has lagged far behind that of apples with regard to rootstock-based control of vigor, which has contributed to comparatively less efficient production methods. Sweet cherries were the first stone fruits to have to a full range of vigor-controlling rootstocks become commercially available, about 25 years ago. It is primarily over the past decade that rootstocks conferring an increasing range of vigor control have begun to look promising for the larger-fruited stone fruits (peaches, apricots, plums), based on various scientific and commercial evaluation trials. This is likely to be a significant component of the overdue adoption of improved orchard training systems, particularly planar or “fruiting wall” canopies that are more labor efficient for pruning, fruit thinning, and harvest, and often contribute to better and/or more uniform fruit coloration, ripening, and quality. Such training systems also facilitate new and developing orchard data acquisition technologies and precision management techniques. General guidelines for the choice of stone fruit rootstocks for both specific growing conditions and anticipated contemporary production systems are discussed.

The selection of appropriate rootstock and training system towards sustainable production of stone fruits

In stone fruit species, such as peach, cherry, apricot and plum labour requirement is important ranging from 45% to 71% of the total cost of production. In this sense, combining size controlling rootstocks as Rootpac® series, Isthara® and others in peach and plum, or Gisela® and Corette® series in cherry, with intensive bidimensional training systems based on central axis or bi axis resulted in earlier and higher yields, compared with the traditional open vase associated with vigorous rootstocks. The association of these intensive orchards with bidimensional canopies and good accessibility to canopy by labour and machines, is essential to reduce the cost of production. These canopies allow an efficient use of labour and mechanization. Regarding peach, under Ebro Valley (Spain) conditions, the reduction on total cost of production ranged from 15% to 20% and the harvest rate increased by 41%, enhancing also fruit quality due to better light distribution within the tree canopy. In cherry the increase of harvest rate increased by 72% when UFO was compared with the traditional open center. Regarding what in Washington State (US). With European and Japanese varieties, intensification by using Rootpac®20 rootstock and super high density plantings (SHD), allowed to get more than 40 t ha-1 in the third year in Ebro Valley (Spain). With ‘Agen’ European plum, using the same rootstock, under Chilean conditions training trees in a small hedge (SHD) allowed the full mechanization of the harvest by using over-the-row harvester or pedestrian harvest for the needs of fresh market. In this case, manual harvest efficiency increased by 49% compared with the traditional open vase. In all species, the use of size controlling rootstocks offers different options to growers when selecting the training systems concerning skilled labour requirements to train the trees in the first years. Thus, an increase was recorded when the number of axes increased from central axis to bi-, tri- and multi-axes. Furthermore, all these planar canopies were better adapted to the application of precision technologies based on artificial vision (AV) for monitoring pest and diseases, neural network and AV for fruit counting, yield forecasting and robotic harvesting.

Stone fruit crops market development in Ukraine and throughout the world

he current state of the stone fruit market in Ukraine, the price situation, and the development of foreign trade are analyzed. The issue of production and sale of fruits in the world is considered. It has been established that peaches and nectarines occupy the first place among stone fruits in terms of world production. China is the leader among world producers of stone fruits. It was determined that the needs of the population of Ukraine in stone fruits relative to the consumption rate, due to its low paying demand, are met by only 70%. Due to the concentration of the main production of these fruits in households, there is differentiation in the level of consumption. After all, the chaotic nature of their production and sale cannot ensure uniformity and sufficiency. In our opinion, Ukrainian stone fruits remain less competitive in terms of prices than imported ones due to undeveloped infrastructure and insufficient government support for the horticulture market. The purpose of the research is to reveal the features of the formation of the conjuncture of the global and domestic stone fruit market and further development prospects. The variability of the market of stone fruits is manifested in the change of its conjuncture. The study of the latter was carried out based on a set of economic indicators divided into groups: production, internal turnover, foreign trade, price. In the process of research, the dialectical method of understanding market processes and the systematic approach, analytical generalizations, statistical comparison, constructive-calculation, abstract-logical method were used. It was established that the structure and saturation of the stone fruit market is insufficiently efficient and requires an additional expansion of the quality product offer to meet the needs of consumers. The basis for this should be an increase in production volumes by horticultural enterprises. This requires additional state support, in particular for solving pricing, investment, lending and insurance issues. The problem of selling stone fruits remains acute. This is due to the insufficient development of the processing industry and the lack of storage facilities for enterprises. This limits the formation of marketable batches of fruits for export. We believe that in the near future, in order to optimally meet the needs of consumers with fruits, it is necessary to develop a long-term program for the development of the internal market of stone fruits. It is necessary to take into account the possibilities of financial state support of the horticulture industry and forecast indicators of demand provision. Key words: market, stone fruits, consumption, supply, demand, export, import, price.

Features of in vitro multiplication of stone fruit crops

Features of in vitro multiplication of stone fruit crops

Fungal Trunk Diseases Causing Decline of Apricot and Plum Trees in the Czech Republic.

Fungal trunk diseases (FTDs) have been a significant threat to the global stone fruit industry. FTDs are caused by a consortium of wood-decaying fungi. These fungi colonize woody tissues, causing cankers, dieback, and other decline-related symptoms in host plants. In this study, a detailed screening of the fungal microbiota associated with the decline of stone fruit trees in the Czech Republic was performed. The wood fragments of plum and apricot trees showing symptoms of FTDs were subjected to fungal isolation. The partial internal transcribed spacer region, partial beta-tubulin, and translation elongation factor 1-α genes were amplified from genomic DNA extracted from fungal cultures. All isolates were classified, and the taxonomic placement of pathogenic strains was illustrated in phylogenetic trees. The most abundant pathogenic genus was Dactylonectria (31%), followed by Biscogniauxia (13%), Thelonectria (10%), Eutypa (9%), Dothiorella (7%), Diplodia (6%), and Diaporthe (6%). The most frequent endophytic genus was Aposphaeria (17%). The pathogenicity of six fungal species (Cadophora daguensis, Collophorina africana, Cytospora sorbicola, Dothiorella sarmentorum, Eutypa lata, and E. petrakii var. petrakii) to four Prunus spp. was evaluated, and Koch's postulates were fulfilled. All tested isolates caused lesions on at least one Prunus sp. The most aggressive species was E. lata, which caused the largest lesions on all four tested Prunus spp., followed by E. petrakii var. petrakii and D. sarmentorum. Japanese plum (Prunus salicina) and almond (P. amygdalus) were the most susceptible hosts, while apricot (P. armeniaca) was the least susceptible host in the pathogenicity trial.

Experimental quantification of mating disruption for false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in stone fruit and table grape cultivation

Mating disruption is the broadcasting of female pheromones within an agricultural system to interfere with, or decrease, the reproductive potential of the pest insect. Seen as a sustainable, nonchemical management method, it is used in citrus orchards against false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Research to support its efficacy against FCM is limited, especially in stone fruit and table grapes. Previous efforts to quantify mating disruption against FCM have yielded inconsistent results, highlighting the necessity for additional investigation. In the present study, an experimental design that provides reliable results was evaluated. Following their release in a stone fruit orchard and a table grape vineyard, sterile males were recaptured with a trapping grid every 24 h, for five days. Trapping efficiency, trap interference and recaptures of wild and sterile moths were compared. Factors that improved the reliability of results included the use of mark-release-recapture experiments, using a nine-trap layout and a paired control, which ensured that only one variable was changed. Experimental blocks were then either treated with 400 or zero pheromone dispensers/ha. The current study reports the first experimental evidence that mating disruption is an effective control method against FCM in stone fruit and table grapes. Mating disruption was calculated at 86% in stone fruit and 93% in table grapes, with less than the field dose, indicating that mating disruption shows promise as a control technique against FCM, in both stone fruit and table grapes. The present study, therefore, sets a solid foundation for further research into the mechanistic understanding of how the pest is disrupted, as well as into calculating the dosage causing the highest level disruption with the smallest amount of pheromone.

Staphylococcus warneri, an unconventional plant pathogen involved in canker disease of almond and other Prunus species

AbstractBacterial canker disease of stone fruits is a major concern in stone fruit‐growing countries worldwide. Pseudomonas spp. and Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap) are the primary pathogens involved in this disease. In spring, summer and autumn 2016, symptoms like those produced by Pseudomonas spp. and Xap were observed in almond, apricot, peach and nectarine orchards in central provinces of Iran (Qom, Isfahan, and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari). Gram‐positive cocci bacterial isolates were obtained from symptomatic trees. Following hypersensitivity and pathogenicity tests, isolates were divided into pathogenic and nonpathogenic groups, demonstrating the pathogenicity of some isolates on saplings of almond, peach and apricot. Multilocus sequence analysis was performed using the partial sequence of 16S rRNA region and four housekeeping genes, namely tuf, gap, dnaJ and rpoB, to determine the taxonomic classification of isolates, and revealed that pathogenic isolates identified as Staphylococcus warneri, while nonpathogenic isolates identified as S. warneri, S. epidermidis, S. hominis and S. saprophyticus. The isolates were further characterized by phenotypic and biochemical tests as well as by antibiotics assays. The unusual nature of the identified microorganism in the present study lies in the fact that, unlike most plant‐pathogenic agents, S. warneri is recognized worldwide as a cause of bacterial infections in humans and animals. Taken together, the bacterial canker disease caused by S. warneri appears to be a newly emerging disease of apricot, peach and almond trees.

Prevalence of stone fruit viruses in Russian regions and genetic analysis of PNRSV isolates

As part of monitoring works carried out by specialists of the All-Russian Plant Quarantine Center, samples of stone fruit crops collected in 20 Russian Federation subjects were tested by enzyme immunoassay for the presence of the following viruses: ACLSV, ApMV, APLPV, ArMV, CLRV, CRLV, PBNSPaV, PDV, PNRSV, PPV, PRMV, RpRSV, SLRSV, TBRV, ToRSV, and TRSV. The distribution of plum pox potyvirus (PPV), prunus necrotic ring spot ilarvirus (PNRSV), and prune dwarf ilarvirus (PDV) was determined across the area of 12, 12, and 8 Russian Federation subjects in 14.9 %, 11.9 %, and 1.7 % of test samples, respectively. The presence of these viruses was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction with subsequent sequencing of the amplification products obtained. The occurrence of these viruses was analyzed depending on the type of plantation, plant species, and region of distribution. The envelope protein gene region of 18 PNRSV isolates from five Russian Federation subjects was analyzed, which showed a significant genetic variability of this virus among the Russian population.

Relationships between canopy radiation interception and LiDAR-derived geometry features in pome and stone fruit

Relationships between canopy radiation interception and LiDAR-derived geometry features in pome and stone fruit

Optimization of clonal micropropagation of stone fruit crops

The aim of the research was to optimize the clonal micropropagation of stone crops through the use of improved techniques. The objects of the research at the stage of introduction into culture in vitro were meristematic apexes, at the stage of micro-propagation itself – micro-shoots, at the rooting stage – rooted micro-shoots, at the adaptation stage – micro-plants. All experiments were carried out according to generally accepted methods using the example of the steppe cherry variety Shchedraya, the domestic plum variety Kazanskaya and the hybrid sweet cherry Fatezh. As a result of the research, it was found that the use of a 10 % chlorhexidine solution for sterilization of the initial plant material of stone crops increased the survival rate of apexes on average by 2.4 %; the combined use of growth regulators 6-benzylaminopurine 0.5 mg/l, gibberellic acid 0.2 mg/l, indo-lil-3-butyric acid (IBA) 0.2 mg/l in a nutrient medium and an experimental diode pulsed phytoirradiator in the last proliferation passage activated the proliferation of micro-shoots, increasing the reproduction coefficient of stone crops in 6 passages by an average of 0.9 pcs/explant; the addition of 1.0 mg/l (IBA ) to the nutrient medium provided an increase in the rooting capacity of micro-shoots of stone crops by an average of 9.6 %. The treatment of micro-plants of stone crops at the stage of adaptation by spraying with an 8 % solution of the extract of the products of the larvae of the large wax moth and the use of an experimental LED pulsed phytoirradiator with a mixed spectrum contributed to an increase in their survival rate by an average of 12.4 %. Compliance with the proposed improved methods of clonal micropropagation of stone crops using growth regulators and an experimental LED pulse phytoirradiator with a mixed spectrum made it possible to increase the yield of standard adapted micro-plants by 2 times. At the same time, the cost of one adapted micro-plant decreased by an average of 11.4 rubles, and the profitability of obtaining improved stone crop material increased by 33.7 % and amounted to 160.7 %.

Pseudomonas protegens controlled brown rot (Monilinia fructicola) on peach fruit in postharvest by suppressing fungal development and inducing plant defense-related genes

Brown rot, caused by Monilinia fructicola (Wint.) Honey is one of the world's most economically important stone fruit diseases, incurring significant losses during pre-harvest and post-harvest phases. This study demonstrated the inhibitory effect of an endophyte bacterium Pseudomonas protegens (strain QNF1), isolated from Chinese leek (Allium tuberosum) roots. The in vitro experiment revealed that P. protegens significantly suppressed M. fructicola mycelial growth by 67.11 % and 95.53 % in the potato dextrose agar (PDA) and potato dextrose broth (PDB) media compared to the control. P. protegens cell-free supernatants (CFS) also restrained M. fructicola mycelial growth by 97.95 %. In addition, the in vivo experiment displayed P. protegens reduced brown rot of peach fruit inoculated with M. fructicola plug and dipped into M. fructicola fermentation broth by 81.57 % and 85.58 %, respectively. Moreover, P. protegens improved the peach fruit quality to a certain extent. In the early stage, P. protegens significantly induced defense-related genes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), chitinase (CHI), and beta-1,3-glucanases (GLU). Through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-MS analysis, 21 and 19 principal metabolites were identified in P. protegens, respectively. Among them, pyroglutamic acid, lysine, valine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and methionine were discovered by both analysis methods. The study revealed that P. protegens reduced the brown rot of peach fruit by suppressing fungal development and inducing plant defense systems. The main findings of the study proved that P. protegens represents a promising alternative for controlling the brown rot of peach fruit and other stone fruits during storage.

Neuroprotective effect of Withania somnifera leaves extract nanoemulsion against penconazole-induced neurotoxicity in albino rats via modulating TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway

Penconazole (PEN) is a systemic triazole fungicide used to control various fungal diseases on grapes, stone fruits, cucurbits, and strawberries. Still, it leaves residues on treated crops after collection with many hazardous effects on population including neurotoxicity. Withania somnifera leaves extract (WSLE) is known for its memory and brain function enhancing ability. To evoke such action efficiently, WSLE bioactive metabolites are needed to cross the blood–brain barrier, that could limit the availability of such compounds to be localized within the brain. Therefore, in the present study, the association between PEN exposure and neurotoxicity was evaluated, and formulated WSLE nanoemulsion was investigated for improving the permeability of the plant extract across the blood–brain barrier. The rats were divided into five groups (n = 6). The control group was administered distilled water, group II was treated with W. somnifera leaves extract nanoemulsion (WSLE NE), group III received PEN, group IV received PEN and WSLE, and group V received PEN and WSLE NE. All rats were gavaged daily for 6 weeks. Characterization of compounds in WSLE using LC–MS/MS analysis was estimated. Neurobehavioral disorders were evaluated in all groups. Oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant enzyme activities, and inflammatory cytokines were measured in brain tissue. Furthermore, the gene expression patterns of GFAP, APP, vimentin, TGF-β1, Smad2 and Bax were measured. Histopathological changes and immunohistochemical expression in the peripheral sciatic nerve and cerebral cortex were evaluated. A total of 91 compounds of different chemo-types were detected and identified in WSLE in both ionization modes. Our data showed behavioral impairment in the PEN-treated group, with significant elevation of oxidative stress biomarkers, proinflammatory cytokines, neuronal damage, and apoptosis. In contrast, the PEN-treated group with WSLE NE showed marked improvement in behavioral performance and histopathological alteration with a significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activity and anti-inflammatory cytokines compared to the group administered WSLE alone. The PEN-treated group with WSLE NE in turn significantly downregulated the expression levels of GFAP, APP, vimentin, TGF-β1, Smad2 and Bax in brain tissue. In conclusion, WSLE NE markedly enhanced the permeability of plant extract constituents through the blood brain barrier to boost its neuroprotective effect against PEN-induced neurotoxicity.

Evaluation of improved functional characteristics of Lactobacillus enriched fruit bar prepared from stone fruits of Mid Himalayan belt

Probiotic enriched functional fruit bar was prepared by using stone fruits (i.e. apricot and plum) of Mid Himalayan belt. Purpose of this study is to determine the survival of potential probiotic isolates in fruit bar and to study physico-chemical and sensorial properties of the product along with nutritional profile as well as microbial safety. Probiotics bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus KC6 and Lactobacillus paraplantarum Sam 1 were used to prepare fruit bar. Probiotic fruit bar was prepared in seven sets and was evaluated for various physico-chemical, nutritional and functional properties during storage period. It was revealed in the study that probiotic fruit bar is nutritionally and functionally better than non-probiotic fruit bar. Probiotic encapsulated bacteria in co-culture combinations efficiently enhanced nutritional quality of fruit bar. Microbiological evaluation of the product revealed that the viability of encapsulated probiotic co-culture bacteria was significantly greater as compared to free cells in the probiotic fruit bar.

Bacterial community shifts of commercial apples, oranges, and peaches at different harvest points across multiple growing seasons.

Assessing the microbes present on tree fruit carpospheres as the fruit enters postharvest processing could have useful applications, as these microbes could have a major influence on spoilage, food safety, verification of packing process controls, or other aspects of processing. The goal of this study was to establish a baseline profile of bacterial communities associated with apple (pome fruit), peach (stone fruit), and Navel orange (citrus fruit) at harvest. We found that commercial peaches had the greatest bacterial richness followed by oranges then apples. Time of harvest significantly changed bacterial diversity in oranges and peaches, but not apples. Shifts in diversity varied by fruit type, where 70% of the variability in beta diversity on the apple carposphere was driven by the gain and loss of species (i.e., nestedness). The peach and orange carposphere bacterial community shifts were driven by nearly an even split between turnover (species replacement) and nestedness. We identified a small core microbiome for apples across and between growing seasons that included only Methylobacteriaceae and Sphingomonadaceae among the samples, while peaches had a larger core microbiome composed of five bacterial families: Bacillaceae, Geodermtophilaceae, Nocardioidaceae, Micrococcaeceae, and Trueperaceae. There was a relatively diverse core microbiome for oranges that shared all the families present on apples and peaches, except for Trueperaceae, but also included an additional nine bacterial families not shared including Oxalobacteraceae, Cytophagaceae, and Comamonadaceae. Overall, our findings illustrate the important temporal dynamics of bacterial communities found on major commercial tree fruit, but also the core bacterial families that constantly remain with both implications being important entering postharvest packing and processing.

USE OF Prunus armeniaca L. SEED OIL AND PULP IN HEALTH AND COSMETIC PRODUCTS

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is grown at high altitudes. Apricot is a stone fruit that can grow at an altitude of 1000-2700 m (Khursheed et al., 2020). Apricot is widely used in the cosmetics industry, pharmaceutical industry and food industry. Apricots are valuable sources for functional foods and nutraceuticals. Apricot kernel and pulp are rich in polyphenols, fatty acids, carotenoids, minerals, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid and ascorbic acid. It also contains microelements such as Zn, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Na, Mn, P and K. Apricotoil-based massage cream, moisturising cream, bleaching cream and skin mask are produced from apricot kernel pulp, contributing to recycling. In order to extract oil from apricot kernel, oils are extracted by cold press method. For the extraction of bioactive compounds from apricot kernels, various techniques such as solvent extraction, ultrasonication, enzyme assisted, microwave assisted and aqueous extraction are used. In general, our findings indicate that apricot kernels are a valuable source of oil with potential applications in food and cosmetic industries.

Physicochemical Characterization of Novel Bacteriophages of Pseudomonas syringe from Northwest Iran.

Bacterial canker, caused by Pseudomonas syringae, is a devastating disease of stone fruit trees worldwide. The bacterium has a broad host range and a high capacity for adaptation and dissemination, owing to its high mutation rate and horizontal gene transfer. Traditional control methods based on copper compounds and antibiotics have resulted in the development of resistance in the bacterial population. Thus, alternative approaches are needed, such as phage therapy. This study aimed to characterize the physicochemical and biological properties of novel Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss)-specific phages isolated from the soils of northwestern Iran. Seventy-five phage isolates were obtained, and their host range was determined against various bacterial pathogens. Five phages exhibiting the highest lytic activity against Pss and a narrow host range were selected for subsequent analysis. The stability of the selected phages was assessed under different conditions such as ultraviolet irradiation, temperature, pH, NaCl concentration, and chloroform exposure. The selected phages demonstrated significant effectiveness invivo, exerting substantial suppression on the population of Pss. This reduction was observed for both individual phages and when the phages were utilized as a mixture. The findings indicate that phages have the potential to be used as biocontrol agents in agriculture.