Thai Fruits Research Articles

Non-targeted metabolomic analysis for the comparative evaluation of volatile organic compounds in 20 globally representative cucumber lines.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one of the main fruit-quality determinants in cucumber. Here, we investigated the differences in the VOC and primary metabolite composition among 20 representative cucumber lines. Results of non-targeted metabolomics revealed that the cucumber breeding line of the Korean group showed a unique VOC composition in the fruit peel compared to the other groups. Fruit-flesh VOCs significantly differed among Korean, European, and Thai fruits. The main cucumber flavor components, 2-hexenal, hexanal, 6-nonenal, 2,4-nonadienal, and 2,6-nonadienal, were lower in the Korean cucumber lines than in the others. Conversely, linoleic acid derivatives and α-linolenic acid, which are precursors of these VOCs, were abundant in Korean cucumber line. This suggests that the metabolism related to the characteristic flavor of cucumber are downregulated in Korean cucumber line. This study provides novel insights into the fruit flavor-associated metabolome in various cucumber lines.

Melatonin and its derivative contents in tropical fruits and fruit tablets

Melatonin is a hormone that controls the human circadian rhythm and also protects plants against severe stress conditions. Recently, melatonin has been used for immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer health purposes. However, scant information concerning tropical fruit contents of melatonin and its derivatives is available. Melatonin, serotonin, and tryptophan contents in fifteen tropical fruits were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Melatonin concentrations in Thai fruits varied from 1.528 to 2.401 ng/g dw, with highest levels of melatonin, serotonin, and tryptophan detected in mango, pineapple, and mulberry (2.401, 68.092, and 175.527 ng/g dw, respectively). Fruit tablets rich in melatonin and its derivatives were also developed from selected fruits including mango, pineapple and mulberry. Mango tablets were high in melatonin (2.24 ng/g dw). Increasing pineapple and mulberry percentages in the tablets significantly improved the serotonin level, while mulberry tablets contained the highest tryptophan level. Serotonin content in mixed fruit tablets containing mango, pineapple and mulberry or mixed pineapple and mulberry were higher than in individual fruits. Results can be used as guidelines to determine the concentrations of melatonin and its derivatives. Our findings can also be used to construct a database for melatonin, serotonin, and tryptophan contents in fruits and estimate their potential contribution to dietary requirements.

Glycaemic index and glycaemic load of commonly consumed Thai fruits

The present work was aimed to determine the glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) of commonly consumed Thai fruits for the potential risk of chronic diseases. Healthy subjects consumed 25 g available carbohydrate (fruits and glucose) in random order. Eighteen fruits were classified as low GI (26.5 - 54.8%) including jujube, unripe mango, banana (Kluai-Namwa, Kluai-Khai, and Kluai-Leb-Mu-Nang varieties), guava, tamarind, jackfruit, durian (Monthong and Chanee varieties), tangerine, longan, starfruit, pomelo (Thong Dee variety), sapodilla, white dragon fruit, sala, and rambutan. Fruits with medium GI (55.4 - 69.6%) includes pomelo (Kao Nampheung variety), banana (Kluai Hom variety), red dragon fruit, watermelon, coconut, mangosteen, longkong, ripe mango, papaya, rose apple, and lychee. Pineapple has a high GI value. Most of the studied fruits were classified as low GL except for tamarind, red dragon fruit, mangosteen, lychee, and pineapple which were classified as medium GL. Various kinds of Thai fruits provided different GI and GL values. Therefore, low GI fruit with low GL regimen can be considered as alternative food sources to be used for diet manipulation in diabetic patients as well as in healthy population.

Consumer behavior to Thai fruit consumption during COVID-19 pandemic in Jakarta, Indonesia

Indonesia imports fruits from around the world to serve people’s demand. Thailand as one of the fruit exporters to Indonesia needs to further explore what influences the consumption of Thai Fruits in Indonesia. Moreover, currently the COVID-19 pandemic likely affects all sectors, including the agriculture sector. This study aims to analyze the relation between socioeconomic characteristics and consumer behavior, particularly the pandemic period, that affects the purchasing decision of Thai Fruits. Using a structured questionnaire, random sampling of 1,736 respondents who shop at 5 All Fresh Supermarket branches were interviewed. The data was analyzed using the chi square test and binary logistic regression. The results found that socioeconomic characteristics such as age, gender, education, occupation, and income had a relation with Thai Fruits purchasing decision. In term of product awareness for instance, quality and taste is the utmost concern for customers. However, during COVID-19 pandemic, the level of customers’ consideration for quality and safety is clearly higher. Therefore, a different strategy is needed to convince consumers. The result also found that tasting experience influences purchasing decision significantly. To enhance international economic development, such agricultural products must respond to the customers’ needs and mutual cooperation between trading countries.JEL Classification: F13; Q13; Q17

Evaluation of Antidiabetic, Antioxidant and Other Phytochemical Properties of Thai Fruits, Vegetables and Some Local Food Plants

Antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase and prebiotic activities, total phenolics and flavonoids of 33 crude ethanolic extracts of Thai local fruits, vegetables and some local food plants were determined. Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) fruit peel and Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica) fruit extracts had highest antioxidant activity. Bamboo grass (Tiliacora triandra) leaf extract had strongest α-amylase inhibitory activity (78.28 % inhibition), while mulberry (Morus alba) fruit extract had strongest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (59.63 % inhibition). Star cactus (Aloe vera) leaf pulp extract had strongest anti-acetylcholinesteraseVactivity (31.55 % inhibition). Indian gooseberry fruit and mangosteen fruit peel extracts had highest content of total phenolics and flavonoids, respectively. The extract with highest indigestible polysaccharide content was the extract of mangosteen fruit peels (188.62 mg/g extract), while those with relatively high indigestible polysaccharides were the extracts of pineapple fruits (Ananas comosus), lotus seeds (Nelumbo nucifera), black rice grains (Oryza sativa) and pisang mas banana fruits (Musa sapientum). Based on these properties, 5 plant extracts were selected to study for their prebiotic effect on growth and fermentation of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus in yogurt at 42 °C. Addition of lotus seed extract resulted in highest proliferation of these bacteria with 2.24 logCFU/g increase of total lactic acid bacterial counts in yogurt after 24 h fermentation, while addition of black rice grain, pisang mas banana fruit and pineapple fruit extracts caused good growth of these bacteria with 2.12 - 2.19 logCFU/g increase of total counts.

Increased productivity of Thai fruits by using plant growth regulators

Increased productivity of Thai fruits by using plant growth regulators

Abstract # P-3: Evaluation of Antidiabetic, Antioxidant and Other Phytochemical Properties of Thai Fruits, Vegetables and Some Local Food Plants

Abstract # P-3: Evaluation of Antidiabetic, Antioxidant and Other Phytochemical Properties of Thai Fruits, Vegetables and Some Local Food Plants

Screening and characterization of beta-glucosidase production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Beta-Glucosidases (BGS) are, the group of hydrolase enzymes, involved in the degradation processes and many biological processes. Due to demand, intensive screening of BGS is required to explore the natural microbial source of BGS. The current study deals with isolation and identification of BGS producing S. cerevisiae from Thai fruits & beverages and assessment of impact of pH, temperature, and salt concentration on BGS production. About 34 samples were collected. Yeast cells were isolated by plate method and characterized. About ten different strains were isolated and identified. The strain has been confirmed as S. cerevisiae through ribosomal sequencing. The optimization of BGS production was achieved by Box-Behnken design and Response Surface Methodology and confirmed that pH 4.0, temperature at 40 C, and 0.5% of NaCl are optimum conditions. The kinetic analysis suggested that 24 h of incubation achieve the maximum yield. The reported S. cerevisiae strain could be the safer source for BGS. Further studies on enzyme recovery and purification will unbolt the way to attain high-quality microbial enzyme.

Thai Fruits Exhibit Antioxidant Activity and Induction of Antioxidant Enzymes in HEK-293 Cells.

The cellular antioxidant enzymes play the important role of protecting the cells and organisms from the oxidative damage. Natural antioxidants contained in fruits have attracted considerable interest because of their presumed safety and potential nutritional value. Even though antioxidant activities of many fruits have been reported, the effects of phytochemicals contained in fruits on the induction of antioxidant enzymes in the cells have not been fully defined. In this study, we showed that extracts from Antidesma ghaesembilla, Averrhoa bilimbi, Malpighia glabra, Mangifera indica, Sandoricum koetjape, Syzygium malaccense, and Ziziphus jujuba inhibited H2O2-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species production in HEK-293 cells. Additionally, these Thai fruit extracts increased the mRNA and protein expressions of antioxidant enzymes, catalase, glutathione peroxidase-1, and manganese superoxide dismutase. The consumption of Thai fruits rich in phenolic compounds may reduce the risk of oxidative stress.

A Chitinase-Like Protein with α-Amylase Inhibitory Activity from Kluai Hom Thong Banana Fruit: Musa (AAA group)

Diabetes is a syndrome of disordered metabolism resulting in abnormally high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). The one possibility of lowering postprandial glucose levels is by the inhibition of α-amylase activity. In this study, aqueous extracts from local Thai fruits were tested for their inhibitory effect on α-amylase. The results showed that the fruits of Kluai Hom Thong; Musa (AAA group) showed significant reduction in α-amylase activity. An α-amylase inhibitor was purified by using a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion exchange chromatography with DEAE cellulose, and gel filtration chromatography with Superdex 75, respectively. The enriched preparation had a specific activity of 355.7 AI U/mg proteins for a yield of 18.5% total protein. The molecular weight of this α-amylase inhibitor was estimated by SDS-15% (w/v) PAGE to be about ∼20 kDa. Periodic staining and phenol-sulfuric assay showed that the α-amylase inhibitor was a glycoprotein and contained 10.74 ± 0.35% (by weight) carbohydrate moiety. The pH stability of this α-amylase inhibitor was between pH 4 and 7, and it is stable up to 40°C but is totally inactivated after exposure to 40°C for 120 min. The α-amylase inhibitory activity was stimulated by Ca2+ and Mn2 at less than 25 mM but not by Mg2+, Fe3+, Hg2+, Co2+, and EDTA. Determination of the kinetics of the inhibition of α-amylase by standard enzymatic methods indicated the Ki of this protein was 0.89 mg protein/mL. The amino acid sequence of an internal fragment of this purified α-amylase inhibitor had a similarity to the sequence from the plant lectin/endochitnase1 family.

Characterization and gene expression profiles of thermotolerant Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates from Thai fruits

For industrial applications, fermentation of ethanol at high temperature offers advantages such as reduction in cooling costs, reduced risk of microbial contamination and higher efficiency of fermentation processes including saccharification and continuous ethanol stripping. Three thermotolerant Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates (C3723, C3751 and C3867) from Thai fruits were capable of growing and producing 38 g/L ethanol up to 41°C. Based on genetic analyses, these isolates were prototrophic and homothallic, with dominant homothallic and thermotolerant phenotypes. After short-term (30 min) and long-term (12 h) exposure at 37°C, expression levels increased for the heat stress-response genes HSP26, SSA4, HSP82, and HSP104 encoding the heat shock proteins small HSP, HSP70, HSP90 and the HSP100 family, respectively. In isolates C3723 and C3867, expression was significantly higher than that in reference isolates W303 and TISTR5606 for TPS1 encoding trehalose-6-phosphate synthase, NTH1 encoding neutral trehalase and GSY1 encoding glycogen synthase. The results suggested that continuous high expression of heat stress-response genes was important for the long-term, heat stress tolerance of these thermotolerant isolates.

Impact of six fruits—banana, guava, mangosteen, pineapple, ripe mango and ripe papaya—on murine hepatic cytochrome P450 activities

The effects of six Thai fruits, namely banana, guava, mangosteen, pineapple, ripe mango and ripe papaya, on cytochrome P450 (P450) activities were investigated. The median inhibitory concentrations (IC(50) ) of each of the fruit juices on CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A11 activities were determined. Pineapple juice showed the strongest inhibitory effect against all the evaluated P450 isozyme activities in mouse hepatic microsomes, followed by mangosteen, guava, ripe mango, ripe papaya and banana. The study was further performed in male ICR mice given pineapple juice intragastrically at doses of 10, 20 and 40 mg kg(-1) per day for 7 or 28 days. In a concentration-dependent fashion, the pineapple juice raised ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase, aniline hydroxylase and erythromycin N-demethylase activities, which are marker enzymatic reactions responsible for CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and CYP3A11, respectively. The effect of pineapple juice on the expression of CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and CYP3A11 mRNAs corresponded to their enzymatic activities. However, the pineapple juice significantly decreased methoxyresorufin O-demethylase activity. These observations supported that the six Thai fruits were a feasible cause of food-drug interaction or adverse drug effects owing to their potential to modify several essential P450 activities. Individuals consuming large quantities of pineapple for long periods of time should be cautioned of these potential adverse effects.

Carotenoid, flavonoid profiles and dietary fiber contents of fruits commonly consumed in Thailand

Soluble and insoluble dietary fiber and flavonoid contents in 21 varieties of Thai fruits, as well as carotenoids in five varieties of ripe durians were determined. Fresh fruits were purchased from five local markets in Bangkok during July 2008–May 2009. Dietary fiber content ranged from 0.71 to 3.58 g/100 g edible portion, with all five varieties of durian, guava, ripe banana and papaya being good sources of dietary fiber. Durian (Chanee, Kradom, and Puang manee variety) having yellow to deep-yellow color pulp had the highest carotenoid content. Durian, pomelo, guava and ripe banana were good sources of flavonoids; especially pomelo (Thong dee and Tuptimsayam variety) showed the greatest total flavonoid content (13,994.21 and 15,094.99 μg/100 g edible portion). Data in this study demonstrated that Thai fruits are not only a good source of dietary fiber but also a good source of carotenoids and flavonoids.

Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from Thai fermented fruits and vegetables

Ten Lactobacillus strains originally isolated from Thai fruits and vegetables fermentation were characterized by various phenotypic and genotypic methods. The phenotypic analysis using the method of carbohydrate fermentation patterns (API50CHL) revealed that the isolates belonged to the L. plantarum species. This was further confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) revealed a strongly clonal population structure and a low genotypic diversity in this collection. However, the analyzed L. plantarum population demonstrated a higher level of diversification after API50CHL that reflects the role of available carbohydrate sources in bacterial evolution. Our results support the postulate that a combination of conventional biochemical and genotyping methods allows a thorough characterization and identification of isolates. We propose that genotypic characterization could be complemented by biochemical characterization to discriminate L. plantarum strains.

Sugar profiles and soluble and insoluble dietary fiber contents of fruits in Thailand markets

The objective of the present study was to determine sugar and dietary fiber contents in 37 varieties of Thai fruits. Sugars were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and dietary fiber values were measured by the enzymatic–gravimetric method. The total sugar (sucrose, fructose and glucose) content ranged from 4.5 g/100 g (strawberry) to 20.3 g/100 g (ripe banana; hawm variety) edible portion. All varieties of ripe banana provided good sources of glucose, fructose and total sugar. The total dietary fiber content ranged from 0.6 g/100 g (watermelon) to 11.5 g/100 g (sapodilla) edible portion. The rank of TDF contents per 100 g edible portion was sapodilla > durian > guava and strawberry > apple > Chinese pear > sugar apple > star fruit. Other fruits contained total dietary fiber values lower than 2.4 g/100 g edible portion, especially watermelon, which had the lowest total dietary fiber content (0.6–0.7 g/100 g edible portion).

Screening and identification of yeast strains from fruits and vegetables: Potential for biological control of postharvest chilli anthracnose (Colletotrichum capsici)

Yeasts antagonistic to Colletotrichum capsici were isolated from Thai fruits and vegetables. Four antagonists (R13, R6, ER1, and L2) were found that inhibited C. capsici growth with biocontrol efficacies of 93.3%, 83.1%, 76.6%, and 66.4%, respectively. Identification by 26S rDNA, and ITS region sequence together with physiological and morphological characteristics, showed them to be Pichia guilliermondii , Candida musae , Issatchenkia orientalis , and Candida quercitrusa , in order of their efficacy. P. guilliermondii strain R13 showed efficacy in reducing disease incidence on C. capsici infected chilli fruits to as low as 6.5%. Lower disease incidence was observed at lower storage temperature. The application of P. guilliermondii is more effective for preserving chilli fruits than conventional preservation with chlorinated water.