The article shows the production of functional curd products enriched with extracts of Hericium erinaceus and Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms, as well as a berry component (Amur grape powder). These mushrooms contain biologically active polysaccharides with pronounced antioxidant and antitumor activity. The author investigated the methods of obtaining aquatic mushroom extracts, their chemical composition and antioxidant activity. A technology for the production of a functional curd product has been developed, the technological stages are described, including the parameters of coagulation, fermentation and pasteurization. The product also contains Amur grape powder, which enriches it with anthocyanins and natural antioxidants. The analysis of organoleptic, microbiological and antioxidant properties of the obtained samples was carried out. The research presented by the author confirms the possibility of industrial implementation of the technology for the production of a functional curd product with pronounced biological activity.

BackgroundTrihelix is a class of transcription factors unique to plants that play a major role in abiotic and biotic stress responses, seed isolate development, floral organ morphogenesis, and plant photomorphogenesis. Nevertheless, the Trihelix transcription factor family in Vitis amurensis Rupr. (V. amurensis) has not been systematically characterized.ResultsIn this study, 31 VaTrihelix genes were identified in V. amurensis, unevenly distributed across 16 chromosomes with phenomena of clustering. These genes encode hydrophilic proteins (158–858 amino acids) rich in α-helices, predominantly localized in the nucleus. Proteins sharing similar conserved motifs are grouped together phylogenetically. Cis-acting element analysis revealed numerous cis-acting elements associated with environmental and hormonal responses. Phylogenetic analysis of Trihelix members from V. amurensis, Vitis vinifera L. (V. vinifera), V. amurensis, Oryza sativa L. (O. sativa), and Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. (A. thaliana) were divided them into four subclades. Interspecies collinearity indicated greater homology between V. amurensis and dicots (V. vinifera and A. thaliana) than with the monocot O. sativa. Purifying selection acted on VaTrihelix genes during evolution. Predicted protein interactions were observed among some family members. RT-PCR analysis showed that VaTrihelix15, VaTrihelix23, and VaTrihelix30 were upregulated under all four low-temperature stress conditions. the expression levels of VaTrihelix5, VaTrihelix6, VaTrihelix7, VaTrihelix9, VaTrihelix15, VaTrihelix19, VaTrihelix20, VaTrihelix25, VaTrihelix27, VaTrihelix28, VaTrihelix29, VaTrihelix30, and VaTrihelix31 under -5 °C and -10℃ stress showed significant differences compared to the control (A).ConclusionsThis study preliminarily characterized the fundamental bioinformatic information of VaTrihelix transcription factors and revealed the potential roles of the Trihelix family transcription factors under low-temperature stress. The findings provided a theoretical foundation and candidate genes for future cold resistance breeding in grapevine.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12870-025-07509-3.

As a wine-producing region in China, Xinjiang’s ecological conditions endow grapes with distinctive flavor potential. However, systematic research on volatile compounds in wines from Vitis amurensis Rupr. varieties in this region remains limited. Therefore, wines from four Xinjiang Vitis amurensis varieties (‘Shuanghong’, ‘Zuoyouhong’, ‘Xuelanhong’, and ‘Beibinghong’) were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), headspace gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS), electronic nose (E-nose), odor activity value (OAV) calculation, and multivariate analysis. Physicochemical parameters, organic acids, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and OAVs were determined. Results showed significant differences in physicochemical properties among the varieties, potentially correlating with wine mouthfeel. Beibinghong wine contained the highest total VOC concentration. Among 64 identified VOCs, 37 had OAVs ≥ 1. Multivariate analysis identified 14 key differential volatile compounds (VIP ≥ 1, p < 0.05) responsible for flavor differences between varieties, with each variety exhibiting distinct key compounds. E-nose analysis effectively distinguished the aroma profiles of the four wines. This study elucidates the chemical and volatile compound characteristics of wines from Xinjiang Vitis amurensis varieties, providing a theoretical foundation for research on their flavor profiles. It also aids in selecting Vitis amurensis varieties for cultivation and supports the development of distinctive regional wines in Xinjiang.

Ascorbate oxidases (AAOs) are key regulators of extracellular redox homeostasis and plant stress responses, but their roles in grapevine defense remain unclear. Here, we performed a genome-wide analysis and characterization of the AAO gene family in grapevine Vitis amurensis, identifying 10 VaAAO genes that are unevenly distributed across six chromosomes, with notable clustering on chromosome 7. Promoter analysis revealed multiple phytohormone- and stress-responsive cis-elements (e.g., ARE, STRE, and TCA-element) and transcription factor binding sites (e.g., MYC/MYB, and WRKY), suggesting involvement in redox- and stress-related signaling pathways. Analysis of previously published transcriptomic data under Botrytis cinerea infection identified VaAAO7 as a key pathogen-responsive gene. VaAAO7 was rapidly induced by H2O2, and its transient ectopic overexpression in susceptible V. vinifera ‘Red Globe’ leaves significantly reduced lesion development. Together, these results demonstrate that VaAAO7 functions as a positive regulator of B. cinerea resistance and highlight its potential for genetic engineering to enhance systemic defense and develop disease-resistant grapevine cultivars.

Amur grape VaMYB4a mediates grapevine cold tolerance via dual regulation of CBF-COR and ABA pathways

Polyploidy breeding is a promising strategy to enhance stress tolerance and functional quality in fruit crops. Tetraploid Vitis amurensis (V. amurensis) may offer superior advantages over its diploid counterpart, including increased biomass, improved antioxidant capacity, and greater adaptability to environmental stress. This study investigated the effects of colchicine concentration and treatment duration on tetraploid induction in Vitis amurensis and analyzed the initial growth characteristics of colchicine-induced tetraploids. Nodal explants were treated with four colchicine concentrations (0.01–0.2%) for three durations (8, 16, and 24 hours), and ploidy levels were determined using flow cytometry. Morphological and physiological traits were evaluated after ex vitro acclimatization. The highest induction efficiency was achieved with 0.1–0.2% colchicine for 16 hours, optimizing tetraploid production while maintaining a 50% survival rate. Higher colchicine concentrations and longer exposure times significantly reduced survival rates, indicating a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect. Tetraploid V. amurensis exhibited a 2.7-fold increase in the average total length of the main shoot and a 1.93-fold increase in stomatal size compared to diploid V. amurensis regardless of genotypes.. Antioxidant properties were markedly improved, with phenolic and flavonoid contents up to 2.5 times greater than in diploids, alongside increased DPPH radical scavenging activity and Ferric reducing Antioxidant power values, reflecting better oxidative stress mitigation. These improvements can be attributed to chromosome doubling, which enhances cellular size, secondary metabolite production, and metabolic efficiency. This study underscores the importance of balancing colchicine efficacy with toxicity for successful tetraploid induction. Tetraploid Vitis amurensis presents strong potential as a climate-resilient and functional grape cultivar, with superior growth and stress tolerance traits. Further in vivo and ex vitro research is needed to confirm these findings and explore mechanisms underlying stress resilience for sustainable viticulture. Key words: Antioxidant properties; Grapevine; Polyploidy; Leaf characteristics

The Amur grape (Vitis amurensis Rupr.) is a wild grape species rich in bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, resveratrol, and iron, making it a potential functional ingredient for food fortification. Despite its proven antioxidant and nutritional benefits, its application in meat product fortification remains unexplored. The present study aims to evaluate the potential use of the Amur grape to fortify mass consumption food products. A systematic review of relevant literature was conducted using the PRISMA algorithm, analyzing sources from Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct. Findings indicate that Amur grape extracts exhibit significant antioxidant activity (367.24±0.53 mg ascorbic acid equivalents/g), which can extend the shelf life of meat products and enhance their nutritional profile. Hence, they exhibit anti-anemic and antioxidant effects when added to food products. The polyphenols of Amur grapes, primarily resveratrol, enhance the antioxidant effect of ascorbic acid and exhibit anticarcinogenic, cardioprotective, anti-stressor, and other effects. The fortification of food products with compositions from Amur grape also improves their organoleptic characteristics and extends shelf life due to high antioxidant activity. The conclusion indicates that there are relatively few developments in food product technologies with Amur grapes, and mass consumption food products, including meat products, fortified with Amur grapes are practically nonexistent on the market. The findings contribute to the development of natural, clean-label antioxidant solutions, aligning with consumer trends toward healthier, functional foods. Keywords: Amur grape, Vitis amurensis, functional food ingredient, resveratrol, meat products, antioxidant properties, natural food additives, food preservation.

Caffeic acid-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a key enzyme in lignin synthesis and secondary metabolism in plants, and it participates in the regulation of plant growth and development as well as plants' stress response. To further investigate the function of COMT in grapevine, a total of 124 COMT family genes were identified from three Vitis species in this study, namely Pinot noir (Vitis vinifera L.), Vitis amurensis, and Vitis riparia. The amino acid sequence encoded by these genes ranged from 55 to 1422 aa, and their molecular mass ranged from 6640.82 to 77,034.43 Da. Subcellular localization prediction inferred that they were mainly located in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm. The prediction of secondary structures showed that α-helix and irregular coiled-coil were primary structural elements. These genes were unevenly distributed across 10 different chromosomes, respectively. Phylogenetic tree analysis of the amino acid sequences of VvCOMT, VaCOMT, VrCOMT, and AtCOMT proteins showed that they were closely related and were divided into four subgroups. The motif distribution was similar among the cluster genes, and the gene sequence was notably conserved. The 124 members of the COMT gene family possessed a variable number of exons, ranging from 2 to 13. The promoter region of all of these COMTs genes contained multiple cis-acting elements related to hormones (e.g., ABA, IAA, MeJA, GA, and SA), growth and development (e.g., endosperm, circadian, meristem, light response), and various stress responses (e.g., drought, low temperature, wounding, anaerobic, defense, and stress). The intraspecies collinearity analysis suggested that there were one pair, three pairs, and six pairs of collinear genes in Va, Pinot noir, and Vr, respectively, and that tandem duplication contributed more to the expansion of these gene family members. In addition, interspecific collinearity revealed that the VvCOMTs had the strongest homology with the VaCOMTs, followed by the VrCOMTs, and the weakest homology with the AtCOMTs. The expression patterns of different tissues and organs at different developmental stages indicated that the VvCOMT genes had obvious tissue expression specificity. The majority of VvCOMT genes were only expressed at higher levels in certain tissues. Furthermore, we screened 13 VvCOMT genes to conduct qRT-PCR verification according to the transcriptome data of VvCOMTs under abiotic stresses (NaCl, PEG, and cold). The results confirmed that these genes were involved in the responses to NaCl, PEG, and cold stress. This study lays a foundation for the exploration of the function of the COMT genes, and is of great importance for the genetic improvement of abiotic stress resistance in grapes.

The global community continues to face the urgent need to develop environmentally friendly methods to increase agricultural productivity. Using plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) as plant growth stimulants could solve this problem, as this practice is more environmentally friendly than using fertilizers. This study characterized the Gordonia aichiensis P6PL2 bacterium associated with Vitis amurensis using whole-genome sequencing and in vitro and in vivo testing. The whole genome size of G. aichiensis P6PL2 was 5,435,824 bp with 5279 open reading frames. G. aichiensis P6PL2 possessed genes for the production of phytohormones (auxins and cytokinins) and an increased bioavailability of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. In addition, the presence of genes involved in synthesizing growth stimulants, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid and spermidine, has been demonstrated, as has the presence of genes involved in reducing various abiotic and biotic stress factors. Moreover, the results demonstrated the growth-promoting impact of a single application of G. aichiensis P6PL2 on seedlings and 30-day rice plants. This paper has shown and discussed the potential importance of G. aichiensis P6PL2 for agriculture.

Unveiling flavonoid profiles of Vitis amurensis cultivars and its hybrids with V. vinifera: Insights from two viticulture regions

Temperature plays a pivotal role in modulating growth, development, and distribution of plants. Grapevine (Vitis spp.), a perennial plant, must withstand changes in both low and high temperatures due to its sessile nature. However, the extensively cultivated Vitis vinifera L. is sensitive to both cold and heat, and cannot withstand extremely low and high temperatures. In contrast, certain wild germplasms such as Vitis amurensis, Vitis riparia, and Vitis davidii demonstrate excellent tolerance to cold and heat stressors. In recent years, substantial advancements have occurred in the understanding of grapevine resistance, focusing extensively on physiological mechanisms, metabolic pathways, and molecular regulatory processes. However, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying grapevine cold and heat resistance remains insufficient. This review aims to summarize the main progress in research on cold and heat tolerance in grapevines, while also addressing existing gaps and identifying relevant topics for further investigation.

The fruit peel serves as the frontline defense of grapes against pathogens like Botrytis cinerea, yet its defense mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study reveals novel resistance mechanisms underlying peel immunity through comparative transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of Vitis amurensis "Bei Binghong" (BH) and V. vinifera "Red Globe" (RG). The analysis identified 1277 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 38 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), primarily associated with secondary metabolic processes and plant hormone signaling pathways. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) uncovered three key modules and several novel hub genes. Crucially, transcriptomic profiling identified VaWRKY20 as a central regulator. Postinfection, upregulated genes and metabolites were involved in salicylic acid (SA), lignin, and stilbene biosynthesis in BH, as well as enhanced resistance through overexpression of VaWRKY20. A conceptual model for V. amurensis defense against B. cinerea was proposed, providing novel insights into grapevine defense mechanisms.

The KNOX (KNOTTED1-like homeobox gene) gene family plays a pivotal role in controlling plant growth, maturation, and morphogenesis. However, the function of KNOX in Vitis amurensis has not yet been reported. This study identified and characterized the entire KNOX gene family in Vitis amurensis. By employing bioinformatic approaches, the phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal positions, gene architectures, conserved motifs, cis-regulatory elements present in promoter regions, and gene expression profiles of KNOX gene family members in Vitis amurensis were identified and analyzed. Ten KNOX genes spanning nine chromosomes were discovered, and these genes were subsequently categorized into two distinct subclasses. The promoter regions of members of the KNOX gene family include cis-acting elements that are involved in plant growth, hormonal regulation, and stress and light responses. An examination of the expression profiles of KNOX genes in different tissues of Vitis amurensis revealed that genes in Class I presented tissue-specific expression patterns, whereas genes belonging to Class II presented more ubiquitous expression across various tissues. The expression levels of Vitis amurensis KNOTTED1-like homeobox (VaKNOX)2, VaKNOX3, and VaKNOX5 were highest in fruits. VaKNOX2, VaKNOX3, and VaKNOX5 can serve as candidate genes for enhancing fruit quality. The expression levels of VaKNOX6 and VaKNOX7 were much higher in cold environments than in normal conditions. Through in-depth research into the functions of VaKNOX6 and VaKNOX7, we aimed to improve the cold resistance of grapevine varieties.

Ethylene-responsive transcription factors (ERFs) were widely found to participate in cold response in plants. But the underlying regulatory mechanism of each cold-induced ERFs remains to be elucidated. Previously, we identified VaERF057 as a cold-induced gene in Vitis amurensis, a cold-hardy wild Vitis species. Here we found that overexpression of VaERF057 (VaERF057-OE) enhanced the freezing tolerance of V. amurensis roots. While VaERF057 knockdown tissues show decreased cold tolerance than control. DAP-seq combined with transcriptome data (VaERF057-OE roots) allowed to identify VaFBA1 (fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase) as a downstream target of VaERF057. VaERF057 can bind to the VaFBA1 promoters and activate its expression. VaERF057-OE roots show increased expression of VaFBA1 and high content of soluble sugar than the control, whereas VaERF057 knockdown tissues showed opposite changes. Results from OE and knockdown material also support the role of VaFBA1 in regulating soluble sugar content and cold tolerance in grapevines. Furthermore, cold-induced expression of VaERF057 was found to be regulated by ethylene-insensitive3-1 (VaEIN3.1). Overexpression of VaEIN3.1 enhanced the transcription of VaERF057 and VaFBA1, the content of soluble sugar and cold tolerance in grapevine. VaEIN3.1 knockdown tissues show opposite trends when compared to VaEIN3.1-OE lines. Together, these results suggested a positive contribution of VaEIN3.1-VaERF057-VaFBA1 module in response to cold stress in grapevine.

Cold stress poses a significant threat to viticulture, particularly under the increasing pressures of climate change. In this study, we identified VaMIEL1, a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase from Vitis amurensis, as a negative regulator of cold tolerance. Under normal temperature conditions, VaMIEL1 facilitates the ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of the cold-responsive transcription factor VaMYB4a, thereby attenuating its regulatory role in the CBF-COR signaling cascade. However, under cold stress, VaMIEL1 expression is downregulated, leading to the stabilization of VaMYB4a and the activation of CBF-COR signaling. Through a combination of biochemical assays and functional analysis in Arabidopsis thaliana and grapevine calli, we demonstrate that VaMIEL1 overexpression reduces cold tolerance, as evidenced by increased oxidative stress, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and downregulated expression of cold-responsive genes. Conversely, silencing of VaMIEL1 enhances cold tolerance by stabilizing VaMYB4a and boosting antioxidant defenses. These findings uncover a previously unrecognized regulatory mechanism by which VaMIEL1 modulates cold tolerance through transcriptional and oxidative stress pathways, offering potential targets for the development of climate-resilient grapevine cultivars and other crops.

Identification of the grape MAPKKK gene family and functional analysis of the VaMAPKKK15 gene under low temperature stress.

Cold stress severely impacts the quality and yield of grapevine (Vitis L.). In this study, we extend our previous work to elucidate the role and regulatory mechanisms of Vitis amurensis MYB transcription factor 4a (VaMYB4a) in grapevine's response to cold stress. Our results identified VaMYB4a as a key positive regulator of cold stress. We demonstrated that VaMYB4a undergoes phosphorylation by V. amurensis calcineurin B-like (CBL) proteins-interacting protein kinase 18 (VaCIPK18) under cold stress, a process that activates VaMYB4a transcriptional activity. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq). We performed a comprehensive genomic search to identify downstream components that interact with VaMYB4a, leading to the discovery of a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, V. amurensis phytochrome-interacting factor 3 (VaPIF3). VaMYB4a attenuated the transcriptional activity of VaPIF3 through a phosphorylation-dependent interaction under cold conditions. Furthermore, VaPIF3, which interacts with and inhibits V. amurensis C-repeat binding factor 4 (VaCBF4, a known positive regulator of cold stress), has its activity attenuated by VaMYB4a, which mediates the modulation of this pathway. Notably, VaMYB4a also interacted with and promoted the expression of VaCBF4 in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Our study shows that VaMYB4a positively modulates cold tolerance in plants by simultaneously downregulating VaPIF3 and upregulating VaCBF4. These findings provide a nuanced understanding of the transcriptional response in grapevine under cold stress and contribute to the broader field of plant stress physiology.

Although the significance of some plant WRKYs in response to cold stress have been identified, the molecular mechanisms of most WRKYs remain unclear in grapevine. In this study, we demonstrate that cold-induced expression of VaBAM3 in Vitis amurensis executes a beneficial role in enhancing resistance by the regulating starch decomposition. VaWRKY65 was identified as an upstream transcriptional activator of VaBAM3 through yeast one-hybrid library screening and validated to directly interact with the W-box region inside the VaBAM3 promoter. Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants and grapevine roots overexpression VaWRKY65 exhibited improved cold tolerance along with higher BAM activity and soluble sugar levels, whereas opposite changes were observed in VaWRKY65 knockdown lines created by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in grapevine plants and in the knockout wrky65 mutants generated by CRISPR/Cas9 technology in grapevine roots. The transcriptome data show that overexpression of VaWRKY65 led to significant alteration of a diverse set of stress-related genes at the transcriptional level. One of the genes, Peroxidase 36 (VaPOD36), was further verified as a direct target of VaWRKY65. Consistently, VaWRKY65-overexpressing plants had higher VaPOD36 transcript levels and POD activity but a reduced ROS level, while silencing VaWRKY65 results in contrary changes. Collectively, these results reveal that VaWRKY65 enhanced cold tolerance through modulating soluble sugars produced from starch breakdown and ROS scavenging.

Calcium ions (Ca2+) are important second messengers and are known to participate in cold signal transduction. In the current study, we characterized a Ca2+-binding protein gene, VamCP1, from the extremely cold-tolerant grape species Vitis amurensis. VamCP1 expression varied among organs but was highest in leaves following cold treatment, peaking 24 h after treatment onset. VamCP1 was found to localize to the plasma membrane and nucleus and the gene showed transcriptional autoactivation activity. Overexpression of VamCP1 in Arabidopsis thaliana and grapevine (V. vinifera) resulted in transgenic plants that were more tolerant to cold stress than the wild type. This correlated with reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), elevated activity of antioxidant enzymes and proline content, as well as lower levels of malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage. Additionally, the expression of genes related to cold tolerance, including C-repeat binding factors (CBF) and cold-regulated (COR) genes, was higher in the transgenic lines. Taken together, our results indicate that overexpression of VamCP1 enhanced cold tolerance in plants by promoting the upregulation of genes related to cold tolerance and scavenging of excessive ROS. These findings provide a foundation for the molecular breeding of cold-tolerant grapevine.

Cumulative exposure of the skin to ultraviolet light causes skin photoaging by breaking down the extracellular matrix (ECM), degrading Type I procollagen (COL1A1), and enhancing the proinflammatory cytokine levels in the skin. The extract of the herb Vitis amurensis Rupr. (VA) was traditionally used therapeutically owing to its antitumor and antimicrobial activities; however, its UV‐protective effect on skin remains unclear. This study was aimed to explore the photoprotective effect of VA in human dermal fibroblast (HDF) and elucidated the underlying molecular pathway. We quantified the total phenolic/flavonoid content and evaluated the free radical scavenging, antiwrinkling, and anti‐inflammatory effects of the VA extract at nontoxic concentrations in UVB‐irradiated HDFs. We found that the VA extract scavenged free radicals and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), downregulated matrix metalloproteinases‐1 (MMP‐1) expression, restored Type I procollagen expression at the gene and protein levels, and reduced the proinflammatory cytokine IL‐6 expression. Mechanistically, VA primarily downregulated the ERK and JNK pathways to regulate MMP‐1 expression and activated the Smad pathway by suppressing the ERK pathway for COL1A1 synthesis. Moreover, we identified ε‐viniferin as the major ingredient in the VA extract and that it exerted Type I procollagen expression‐promoting activity, indicating its role as the effective compound in the VA extract. These findings suggest that VA is a photoprotective biomaterial that can be used in the cosmetics industry.