Fruit Volatiles Research Articles

Identification of Host Fruit Volatiles from Domestic Apple (Malus domestica), Native Black Hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) and Introduced Ornamental Hawthorn (C. monogyna) Attractive to Rhagoletis pomonella Flies from the Western United States

The apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella, infests apple (Malus domestica) and hawthorn species (most notably the downy hawthorn, Crataegus mollis) in the eastern USA. Evidence suggests that the fly was introduced into the western USA sometime in the last 60 years. In addition to apple, R. pomonella also infests two species of hawthorns in the western USA as major hosts: the native black hawthorn (C. douglasii) and the introduced ornamental English hawthorn, C. monogyna. Apple and downy hawthorn-origin flies in the eastern USA use volatile blends emitted from the surface of their respective ripening fruit to find and discriminate among host trees. To test whether the same is true for western flies, we used coupled gas chromatography and electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and developed a 7-component apple fruit blend for western apple-origin flies, an 8-component black hawthorn fruit blend for flies infesting C. douglasii, and a 9-component ornamental hawthorn blend for flies from C. monogyna. Crataegus douglasii and C. monogyna-origin flies showed similar levels of upwind directed flight to their respective natal synthetic fruit blends in flight tunnel assays compared to whole fruit adsorbent extracts, indicating that the blends contain all the behaviorally relevant fruit volatiles to induce maximal response levels. The black and ornamental hawthorn blends shared four compounds in common including 3-methylbutan-1-ol, which appears to be a key volatile for R. pomonella populations in the eastern, southern, and western USA that show a preference for fruit from different Crataegus species. However, the blends also differed from one another and from domesticated apple in several respects that make it possible that western R. pomonella flies behaviorally discriminate among fruit volatiles and form ecologically differentiated host races, as is the case for eastern apple and hawthorn flies.

Catabolism of Branched Chain Amino Acids Supports Respiration but Not Volatile Synthesis in Tomato Fruits

The branched-chain amino acid transaminases (BCATs) have a crucial role in metabolism of the branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These enzymes catalyze the last step of synthesis and the initial step of degradation of these amino acids. Although the biosynthetic pathways of branched chain amino acids in plants have been extensively investigated and a number of genes have been characterized, their catabolism in plants is not yet completely understood. We previously characterized the branched chain amino acid transaminase gene family in tomato, revealing both the subcellular localization and kinetic properties of the enzymes encoded by six genes. Here, we examined possible functions of the enzymes during fruit development. We further characterized transgenic plants differing in the expression of branched chain amino acid transaminases 1 and 3, evaluating the rates of respiration in fruits deficient in BCAT1 and the levels of volatiles in lines overexpressing either BCAT1 or BCAT3. We quantitatively tested, via precursor and isotope feeding experiments, the importance of the branched chain amino acids and their corresponding keto acids in the formation of fruit volatiles. Our results not only demonstrate for the first time the importance of branched chain amino acids in fruit respiration, but also reveal that keto acids, rather than amino acids, are the likely precursors for the branched chain flavor volatiles.

Antifungal Activity and Chemical Composition of Essential Oil of Origanum Hypericifolium

Endemic oregano's, Origanum hypericifolium O. Schwartz and P.H. Davis, essential oil was extracted to exert its biological activity in vitro. Fifteen components in its extracts performed by hydro distillation. The major components in the fruit and flower volatiles of O. hypericifolium were p-cymene (34.33 g/100 g oil), carvacrol (21.76 g/100 g oil), thymol (19.54 g/100 g) and γ-terpinene (13.91 g/100 g oil). The antifungal activity of O. hypericifolium’s oil was evaluated against 14 fungi isolated from hazelnut and walnut. Nuts are capable of harboring toxigenic fungi and the threat of mycotoxin contamination on them exists. Essential oil of O. hypericifolium was found to be active both in contact and headspace assays in vitro producing hyphal growth inhibition. In the contact assay, P. frequentans was found to be the least sensitive species. The more sensitive species were P. castellonense, P. verrucosum. var. cyclopium, C. globosum, and A. kiliense. Their growth was completely (100%) inhibited at days 3 and 6. In the volatile assay, all the mycelial growth of all tested fungi was completely inhibited at day 3. The volatile activity was found to be highly efficient than that of contact activity assay. This could be because of the aromatic contents of Origanum, such as monoterpenes, carvacrol, thymol, and p-cymene.

Attraction of the West Indian fruit fly to mango fruit volatiles

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the attraction of West Indian fruit fly, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae), to volatiles of three mango [Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae)] cultivars in field cage tests. The number of flies captured with Multilure traps baited with Amate mature green mangoes was significantly higher than that captured in traps baited with Coche and Ataulfo fruits. There was no significant difference between the number of flies captured in traps baited with Coche or Ataulfo mangoes. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis of mango fruit volatiles identified 24, 22, and 19 compounds for Amate, Ataulfo, and Coche mango cultivars, respectively. A principal component analysis of the volatiles revealed that the Amate mango was more distant from the Ataulfo mango, and the latter cultivar was closer to the Coche mango. The compounds myrcene, α‐pinene, β‐selinene, and trans‐β‐ocimene were the most abundant in Amate mangoes, whereas 3‐carene, β‐selinene, terpinolene, and α‐pinene were the predominant compounds of Ataulfo cultivars. In the Coche mango, the predominant compounds were 3‐carene, β‐selinene, terpinolene, and limonene. Traps baited with a blend of myrcene, α‐pinene, and trans‐β‐ocimene captured more A. obliqua females and males than control traps. Flies were more attracted to the Super Q volatile extracts of Amate mango than to the three‐component blend formulated in a ratio of 1:1:1. However, there was no significant difference between the number of flies caught by traps baited with Amate mango extracts and that caught by traps baited with the three‐blend component when this was formulated according to the relative proportions in the mango extracts. Traps baited with myrcene, the major component, caught fewer flies than traps baited with Amate mango extracts.

Identification of Host Fruit Volatiles from Three Mayhaw Species (Crataegus Series Aestivales) Attractive to Mayhaw-Origin Rhagoletis pomonella Flies in the Southern United States

The apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella, infests several hawthorn species in the southern USA. Here, we tested the hypothesis that these populations could serve as reservoirs for fruit odor discrimination behaviors facilitating sympatric host race formation and speciation, specifically the recent shift from downy hawthorn (Crataegus mollis) to domestic apple (Malus domestica) in the northern USA. Coupled gas chromatography and electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD), gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and flight tunnel bioassays were used to identify the behaviorally active natal fruit volatile blends for three of the five major southern hawthorns: C. opaca (western mayhaw), C. aestivalis (eastern mayhaw), and C. rufula (a possible hybrid between C. opaca and C. aestivalis). A 6-component blend was developed for C. opaca (3-methylbutan-1-ol [44%], pentyl acetate [6%], butyl butanoate [6%], propyl hexanoate [6%], butyl hexanoate [26%], and hexyl butanoate [12%]); an 8-component blend for C. aestivalis (3-methylbutan-1-ol [2%], butyl acetate [47%], pentyl acetate [2%], butyl butanoate [12%], propyl hexanoate [1%], butyl hexanoate [25%], hexyl butanoate [9%], and pentyl hexanoate [2%]); and a 9-component blend for C. rufula (3-methylbutan-1-ol [1%], butyl acetate [57%], 3-methylbutyl acetate [3%], butyl butanoate [5%], propyl hexanoate [1%], hexyl propionate [1%], butyl hexanoate [23%], hexyl butanoate [6%], and pentyl hexanoate [3%]). Crataegus aestivalis and C. opaca-origin flies showed significantly higher levels of upwind directed flight to their natal blend in flight tunnel assays compared to the non-natal blend and previously developed apple, northern downy hawthorn, and flowering dogwood blends. Eastern and western mayhaw flies also were tested to the C. rufula blend, with eastern flies displaying higher levels of upwind flight compared with the western flies, likely due to the presence of butyl acetate in the C. aestivalis and C. rufula blends, an agonist compound for eastern mayhaw-origin flies, but a behavioral antagonist for western flies. The results discount the possibility that the apple fly was "pre-assembled" and originated via a recent introduction of southern mayhaw flies predisposed to accepting apple. Instead, the findings are consistent with the possibility of southern mayhaw-infesting fly host races. However, mayhaw fruits do emit several volatiles found in apple. It is, therefore, possible that the ability of the fly to evolve a preference for apple volatiles, although not the entire blend, stemmed, in part, from standing variation related to the presence of these compounds in southern mayhaw fruit.

Role of Ethylene in the Biosynthesis of Fatty Acid-Derived Volatiles in Tomato Fruits

Regulation of ethylene biosynthesis or action has an important effect on volatiles production in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruits. To understand the role of ethylene in the biosynthesis of fatty acid-derived aroma volatiles in tomato, we used Lichun tomato from a transgenic line with strictly suppression of ethylene biosynthesis (antisenseLeACS2tomato) and its wild type background line. This study was focused on the levels of the precursor substrates, activities and transcriptional levels of aroma volatile-related enzymes, including lipoxygenase (LOX), hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). We also investigated the different abilities of converting the precursor substrates to aroma volatiles in ethylene suppressed transgenic and wild-type (WT) tomato fruits. Our results showed that the contents of endogenous linoleic and linolenic acid in tomato fruits were ethylene depended. Suppression of ethylene biosynthesis increased the content of endogenous linolenic acid inLichuntomato fruit and then declined the ratio of linoleic /linolenic acid. Exogenous ethylene changed the value of linoleic acid /linolenic acid in antisenseLeACS2(ACS) tomato fruit to the similar level of WT. During the ripening of wild type Lichun tomato fruit, LOX activity was ethylene and development dependent. Suppression of ethylene biosynthesis did not inhibit the transcriptional expression ofLoxCgene. And the HPL and ADH activities were partial ethylene-dependent during the ripening of wild typeLichuntomato fruit. Moreover, suppression of ethylene biosynthesis also affected the bioconversion of unsaturated-fatty acid precursors to C6 aldehydes and C6 alcohols. All these results indicated that ethylene had complicated effects on the biosynthesis of fatty acid-derived armoa volatiles by affecting the precursor’s content, enzyme activities, enzyme expression and the substrate utilization.

Identification of Fruit Volatiles from Green Hawthorn (Crataegus Viridis) and Blueberry Hawthorn (Crataegus Brachyacantha) Host Plants Attractive to Different Phenotypes of Rhagoletis Pomonella Flies in the Southern United States

The apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella, infests several hawthorn species in the southern USA. In a companion paper, we showed that R. pomonella flies infesting two different mayhaw species (Crataegus opaca and C. aestivalis) can discriminate between volatile blends developed for each host fruit, and that these blends are different from previously constructed blends for northern fly populations that infest domestic apple (Malus domestica), downy hawthorn (Crataegus mollis), and flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). Here, we show by using coupled gas chromatography and electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD), gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and flight tunnel bioassays, that two additional southern hawthorn fly populations infesting C. viridis (green hawthorn) and C. brachyacantha (blueberry hawthorn) also can discriminate between volatile blends for each host fruit type. A 9-component blend was developed for C. viridis (3-methylbutan-1-ol [5%], butyl butanoate [19.5%], propyl hexanoate [1.5%], butyl hexanoate [24%], hexyl butanoate [24%], pentyl hexanoate [2.5%], 1-octen-3-ol [0.5%], pentyl butanoate [2.5%], and (3E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT) [20.5%]) and an 8-component blend for C. brachyacantha (3-methylbutan-1-ol [0.6%], butyl acetate [50%], pentyl acetate [3.5%], butyl butanoate [9%], butyl hexanoate [16.8%], hexyl butanoate [16.8%], 1-octen-3-ol [0.3%], and pentyl butanoate [3%]). Crataegus viridis and C. brachyacantha-origin flies showed significantly higher levels of upwind oriented flight to their natal blend in flight tunnel assays compared to the alternate, non-natal blend and previously developed northern host plant blends. The presence of DMNT in C. viridis and butyl acetate in C. brachyacantha appeared to be largely responsible for driving the differential response. This sharp behavioral distinction underscores the diversity of odor response phenotypes in the southern USA, points to possible host race formation in these populations, and despite the presence of several apple volatiles in both blends, argues against a functional apple race existing on southern host plants prior to the introduction of apple to North America.

Geographic variation in the flavour volatiles of Alphonso mango

Alphonso, one of the most popular cultivars of mango in India is known to exhibit geographic variation in the flavour of ripe fruits. To get chemical insight into this difference, volatiles were studied in the ripening fruits of Alphonso mangoes from three cultivation locations in India. Ripe fruits from Deogad had lower content of mono- and sesquiterpenes and higher content of lactones and furanones as compared to the fruits from Dapoli; whereas fruits from Vengurle had average quantities of these chemicals in comparison with Deogad and Dapoli fruits. This variation was clearly reflected as separate clustering of the localities in the Principal Component Analysis. The localities were indistinguishable from each other in terms of raw fruit volatiles. This study exemplifies a case of phenotypic plasticity; since the plants chosen were clonally propagated, such geographic variation in the volatiles can be attributed to varied abiotic conditions at these three localities.

Dissecting the role of climacteric ethylene in kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) ripening using a 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase knockdown line

During climacteric fruit ripening, autocatalytic (Type II) ethylene production initiates a transcriptional cascade that controls the production of many important fruit quality traits including flavour production and softening. The last step in ethylene biosynthesis is the conversion of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) to ethylene by the enzyme ACC oxidase (ACO). Ten independent kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) lines were generated targeting suppression of fruit ripening-related ACO genes and the fruit from one of these lines (TK2) did not produce detectable levels of climacteric ethylene. Ripening behaviour in a population of kiwifruit at harvest is asynchronous, so a short burst of exogenous ethylene was used to synchronize ripening in TK2 and control fruit. Following such a treatment, TK2 and control fruit softened to an 'eating-ripe' firmness. Control fruit produced climacteric ethylene and softened beyond eating-ripe by 5 d. In contrast, TK2 fruit maintained an eating-ripe firmness for >25 d and total volatile production was dramatically reduced. Application of continuous exogenous ethylene to the ripening-arrested TK2 fruit re-initiated fruit softening and typical ripe fruit volatiles were detected. A 17 500 gene microarray identified 401 genes that changed after ethylene treatment, including a polygalacturonase and a pectate lyase involved in cell wall breakdown, and a quinone oxidoreductase potentially involved in volatile production. Many of the gene changes were consistent with the softening and flavour changes observed after ethylene treatment. However, a surprisingly large number of genes of unknown function were also observed, which could account for the unique flavour and textural properties of ripe kiwifruit.

Study of 'Redhaven' peach and its white-fleshed mutant suggests a key role of CCD4 carotenoid dioxygenase in carotenoid and norisoprenoid volatile metabolism.

BackgroundCarotenoids are plant metabolites which are not only essential in photosynthesis but also important quality factors in determining the pigmentation and aroma of flowers and fruits. To investigate the regulation of carotenoid metabolism, as related to norisoprenoids and other volatile compounds in peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch.), and the role of carotenoid dioxygenases in determining differences in flesh color phenotype and volatile composition, the expression patterns of relevant carotenoid genes and metabolites were studied during fruit development along with volatile compound content. Two contrasted cultivars, the yellow-fleshed 'Redhaven' (RH) and its white-fleshed mutant 'Redhaven Bianca' (RHB) were examined.ResultsThe two genotypes displayed marked differences in the accumulation of carotenoid pigments in mesocarp tissues. Lower carotenoid levels and higher levels of norisoprenoid volatiles were observed in RHB, which might be explained by differential activity of carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase (CCD) enzymes. In fact, the ccd4 transcript levels were dramatically higher at late ripening stages in RHB with respect to RH. The two genotypes also showed differences in the expression patterns of several carotenoid and isoprenoid transcripts, compatible with a feed-back regulation of these transcripts. Abamine SG - an inhibitor of CCD enzymes - decreased the levels of both isoprenoid and non-isoprenoid volatiles in RHB fruits, indicating a complex regulation of volatile production.ConclusionsDifferential expression of ccd4 is likely to be the major determinant in the accumulation of carotenoids and carotenoid-derived volatiles in peach fruit flesh. More in general, dioxygenases appear to be key factors controlling volatile composition in peach fruit, since abamine SG-treated 'Redhaven Bianca' fruits had strongly reduced levels of norisoprenoids and other volatile classes. Comparative functional studies of peach carotenoid cleavage enzymes are required to fully elucidate their role in peach fruit pigmentation and aroma.

Development of a quantitative method for headspace analysis of methylsulfanyl-volatiles from kiwifruit tissue

Minor fruit volatiles are likely to be missed using sampling techniques optimized for the extraction of major compounds. This can be a disadvantage if these minor compounds contribute to characteristic fruit flavors. In this comparative study, headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and dynamic headspace sampling (DHS) parameters were systematically optimized to ensure highest extraction yields of methylsulfanyl-volatiles from kiwifruit tissue samples. A significant “salting-out” effect from the fruit matrix was observed using both sampling techniques after (NH4)2SO4 saturation. HS-SPME at optimized conditions (polydimethylsiloxane–divinylbenzene-coated fiber, (NH4)2SO4 saturation, 5min equilibration and 20min sampling at 40°C) was faster and more convenient to use than DHS for qualitative purposes. Despite this, the qualitative and quantitative methylsulfanyl-volatile profile was improved using optimized DHS ((NH4)2SO4 saturation; sampling time 20h; flow rate 30mL min−1) compared with HS-SPME, making this the more sensitive and preferred method for quantitative studies. The optimization strategies for increasing headspace extraction yields of trace compounds presented in this study can easily be applied to tissue samples from other fruit.

Survey of ex situ fruit and leaf volatiles from several Pistacia cultivars grown in California

California is the second largest cultivator of pistachios, producing over 375 million pounds and a revenue of $787 million in 2009. Despite the agricultural and economic importance of pistachios, little is known regarding their actual volatile emissions, which are of interest owing to their potential roles as semiochemicals to insect pests. The ex situ volatile analysis of leaves from Pistacia atlantica, P. chinensis, P. lentiscus, P. palaestina, P. terebinthus, P. vera and P. weimannifolia demonstrated emission differences between species as well as between female and male leaves. Leaves from the female P. vera cultivars Bronte, Damghan, II, III, Kerman and Ohadi as well as fruits of P. atlantica, P. chinensis, P. lentiscus, P. palaestina, P. terebinthus and P. vera (cultivars II, III, Kaleh, Kerman, Momtaz and Ohadi) showed differences in the composition and relative quantity of major volatiles. The compounds in highest relative quantities from the various analyses were sabinene, Δ(3)-carene, β-myrcene, α-phellandrene, limonene, (Z)-ocimene, (E)-β-ocimene and α-terpinolene. This is the first ex situ survey of fruit and leaf volatile emissions from California-grown Pistacia species and a number of corresponding cultivars. The study provides an overview of the major and minor volatile emissions and also offers evidence of chemotypes based on monoterpenes. The results highlight the dissimilarity of major components detected between ex situ volatile collection and essential oil analysis.

Analysis of Volatile Compounds of Sour Guava (Psidium guineense Swartz) Fruit

Volatile compounds from sour guava (Psidium guineense Swartz) fruit were isolated by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and simultaneous distillation-solvent extraction (SDE), and identified by GC-FID and GC/MS. A total of 181 compounds were reported for the first time in this fruit, 119 and 163 compounds were identified as headspace volatiles and fruit volatiles, respectively. Ethyl butyrate, ethyl hexanoate, β-caryophyllene and selin-11 -en-4α-ol were the major compounds. Esters (69.5%) and terpenes (60.8%) were the major classes of compounds found in the headspace volatiles and fruit volatiles.

Volatile Compounds of Capsicum frutescens L. Cultivars from Colombia

Fruit volatiles of three Colombian cultivars of Capsicum frutescens (Cesari amarillo, Cesari morado and Pajarito) were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. One-hundred-seventy-two volatile compounds were identified in the cultivars, representing 30.26 mg/kg, 22.36 mg/kg and 68.26 mg/kg for Cesari amarillo, Cesari morado and Pajarito cultivars, respectively. Isohexyl isohexanoate, isohexyl isovalerate and isohexyl 2-methylbutyrate were the major compounds in Cesari amarillo and Cesari morado; while in the Pajarito cultivar the majors were isohexyl isovalerate and hexyl isovalerate. Cesari amarillo and Cesari morado have many similarities among them in comparison with the Pajarito cultivar, not only in the total amount of volatiles, but also in the individual distribution of major compounds.

Macroglomeruli for fruit odors change blend preference in Drosophila

The olfactory circuitry of Drosophila melanogaster is becoming increasingly clear. However, how olfactory processing translates into appropriate behavioral responses is still poorly understood. Using a sibling species approach, we tested how a perturbation in the olfactory circuitry affects odor preference. In a previous study, we found that the sibling species of D. melanogaster, the specialist D. sechellia, overrepresents a sensillum, ab3, the A neuron of which is sensitive to hexanoate esters, characteristic of the species' sole host, the Morinda citrifolia fruit. Concordantly, the corresponding glomerulus, DM2, is enlarged. In this study, we found that the ab3B neuron, the expansion of which was previously assumed to be pleiotropic and of no ecological significance, is in fact tuned to another morinda fruit volatile, 2-heptanone (HP). Axons of this neuron type arborize in a second enlarged glomerulus. In behavioral experiments we tested how this has affected the fly's odor preference. We demonstrate that D. sechellia has a reversed preference for the key ligands of these macroglomeruli, especially at high concentrations. Whereas D. melanogaster was repelled by high concentrations of these odors, D. sechellia was highly attracted. This was the case for odors presented singly, but more notably for blends thereof. Our study indicates that relatively simple changes, such as a shift in sensillar abundance, and concordant shifts in glomerular size, can distort the resulting olfactory code, and can lead to saltatory shifts in odor preference. D. sechellia has exploited this to align its olfactory preference with its ecological niche.

Plant volatiles

Plant volatiles are the metabolites that plants release into the air. The quantities released are not trivial. Almost one-fifth of the atmospheric CO2 fixed by land plants is released back into the air each day as volatiles. Plants are champion synthetic chemists; they take advantage of their anabolic prowess to produce volatiles, which they use to protect themselves against biotic and abiotic stresses and to provide information - and potentially disinformation - to mutualists and competitors alike. As transferors of information, volatiles have provided plants with solutions to the challenges associated with being rooted in the ground and immobile.

Flower and fruit volatiles assist host-plant location in the Tomato fruit flyNeoceratitis cyanescens

Mature females of the tomato fruit fly Neoceratitis cyanescens can detect host fruit at a short distance using only visual stimuli, but little is known about the role of airborne volatile cues in the host searching strategy. A series of experiments is conducted in a laboratory wind tunnel, in which the behavioural responses of individual flies to volatiles from Solanaceae host plants (including tomato Lycopersicum esculentum Mill., bug weed Solanum mauritianum Scop. and Turkey berry Solanum torvum Sw.) are observed, according to some environmental (air speed) and physiological (age and mating status of females, time of day) factors. Mature females respond primarily to specific olfactory cues from blends of flowers or host fruit, preferentially unripe fruit for bug weed, as opposed to ripe fruit for Turkey berry or tomato. Males are also highly attracted by the odour of unripe fruit of bug weed. Wind plays a key role, as shown by the proportion of flies that reach the upwind section of the tunnel in the presence of both fruit odour and air flow (66.7%) and in the absence of either fruit odour (13.3%) or wind (36.7%). In response to fruit volatiles carried by wind, flies embark in a 'plume tracking' or 'aim and shoot' flight, consistent with odour-conditioned anemotaxis. Females respond to host fruit odour regardless of their age, egg load or mating status, and also more consistently in the afternoon, which is their preferential time of day for egg-laying. Searching behaviour and response to host volatiles in N. cyanescens are discussed in the light of host-finding and an adaptive strategy.

Heritability and Genetic and Phenotypic Correlations of Apple (Malus×domestica) Fruit Volatiles in a Genetically Diverse Breeding Population

Flavor is an important quality trait of fruit and a target for improvement through plant breeding. Eighty-nine flavor volatiles from 240 apple (Malus domestica) genotypes from a highly diverse breeding population were measured by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) over 2 years. Heritabilities and phenotypic and genetic correlations were calculated for 23 flavor volatiles. Genetic correlations showed coinheritance of five groups of volatiles, ethyl esters, alcohols and alpha-farnesene, propyl and butyl esters, propanoate and 2-methylbutanoate esters, and acetate esters, consistent with our knowledge of volatile biosynthesis in apple. This work demonstrates a genetic structure underlying the highly variable volatile profiles observed for apple fruit and the potential of GC-MS volatile profiling for the genetic analysis of aroma volatiles in genetically diverse populations.

Semiochemicals used in Host Location by the Coffee berry Borer, Hypothenemus hampei

The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei is a serious pest in many coffee growing countries. Electrophysiological and behavioral responses of H. hampei to volatiles of different phenological stages of coffee, Coffea arabica, fruits were studied in order to identify volatile semiochemicals used in host location. Volatiles were collected from different phenological stages of C. arabica fruit by air entrainment. Electrophysiological recordings were made from insect antennae. Behavioral assays were carried out using a Perspex four-arm olfactometer. Insects spent significantly more time in the region of the olfactometer where ripe and dry fruit volatiles were present compared to control regions. Coupled gas chromatography--electroantennography revealed the presence of six electrophysiologically active compounds in C. arabica volatiles. These were identified by using GC and GC-MS as methylcyclohexane, ethylbenzene, nonane, 1-octen-3-ol, (R)-limonene, and (R)-3-ethyl-4-methylpentanol. In the olfactometer bioassay, H. hampei showed a significant response to 3-ethyl-4-methylpentanol, methylcyclohexane, nonane, ethylbenzene, and a synthetic blend of these four compounds. Attraction to the synthetic blend was comparable to that for the natural sample. The significance of the study is discussed in terms of semiochemical based pest management methods of the coffee berry borer.

EFFECT OF STORAGE CONDITION ON SOME QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS AND VOLATILE COMPONENTS OF CASIMIROA (WHITE SAPOTE)

This work was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2007, 2008 on white sapote casimiroa edulis, Llave&Lex. The Fruits were obtained from El –kanater horticulture Research station, to determine the optimum maturity stage of fruits alongside assessment of fruit quality under various circumstances of storage. The obtained data revealed that fruit reached maturity stage after 117-121days from full bloom, rind color changed from dark green to light green and pulp color became white cream and TSS reached to 13.3-13.8 in both seasons of study .There was obvious relation between storage temperatures and ripening process .The fruits held at room temperatures 35°C and 65%RH ripened after 5 days, however fruits held at 10°C &5°c and 90%RH, this period reached 15 and 25 days respectively. Fruits held at 0°C did not ripen till 30days at cold storage and could be transfer to room temperature 35°C to reach ripening stage. The headspace volatiles of fresh white sapote Casimiroa edulis and of those exhibited the best quality after storage at different temperature were isolated and subjected to gas chromatography – mass analysis. A total of 23 component were identified in casimiroa aroma including esters (8), alcohols (7), aldehydes (3), terpenes (4), and (1) ketone. Esters and alcohols comprised more than 85% of the total volatiles in casimiroa fruits at mature and in all stored samples .The major esters were ethyl butyrate, ethyl acetate and hexyl acetate while the major alcohols were ethanol and 3-methyl butanol. The results revealed no remarkable changes between volatiles of mature and stored samples. However, sample 3 that stored at 10°C for 15 days comprised the highest yield of ethyl butanoate (43.4%) which possessed sweet and furity aroma and considered as index of good quality. In general storage of casimiroa fruits at different temperatures 5&10 and 35 °C caused their ripening which lead to high concentrations of ethyl butyrate and ethanol. These compounds are responsible for the consumer acceptability of casimiroa fruits.