Inheritance of seedlessness and the molecular characterization of the INO gene in Annonaceae

The inheritance of the seedless fruit characteristic of Annona squamosa has not yet been explained. Molecular techniques may aid breeding programs, mainly in the assisted selection of the target gene. The INO gene may be related to seed development in these fruits. The objective of the present paper was to investigate the inheritance of seedlessness in the 'Brazilian seedless' sugar apple and INO gene conservation in Annona squamosa and Annona cherimola x Annona squamosa genotypes by assessing their homology with the INO database genes. The F1 generation was obtained by crossing the mutant 'Brazilian seedless' (male genitor) (P1) with the wild-type A. squamosa with seeds (M1 and M2, female genitors). The INO gene was studied in mutant and wild-type A. squamosa (P1, M1, M2 and M3) and in the Gefner atemoya (A. cherimola x A. squamosa) (M4) cultivar. The DNA was extracted from young leaves, and four sets of specific primers flanking the INO gene were amplified. The seedless characteristic was identified as stenospermatic in the fruits of parental P1, suggesting monogenic inheritance with complete dominance. High sequence similarity of the INO gene amplifications in the sugar apple accessions (M1, M2, M3) and the atemoya cultivar Gefner (M4) reinforces the hypothesis of their conservation.

Bioatividade de frações de sementes e pericarpo de Annona squamosa (Annonaceae) em Aspergillus nidulans

As plantas são amplamente utilizadas na medicina popular e apresentam os chamados constituintes bioativos, produzidos sob a forma de metabólitos secundários, capazes de desencadear efeitos farmacológico ou toxicológico no homem e nos animais. Annona squamosa, conhecida popularmente como fruta-do-conde, é empregada pela população na cura de doenças; possui amplo espectro nutricional e representa uma excelente fonte de diversas classes de constituintes bioativos, como alcaloides, terpenos, taninos, compostos fenólicos e acetogeninas. Apesar das atividades biológicas já descritas para essa planta, é necessária a investigação de extratos e/ou isolados a fim de verificar a genotoxicidade de extratos de frações obtidas a partir de sementes e pericarpo de A. squamosa na germinação de conídios de Aspergillus nidulans, utilizando como parâmetro a estimativa de mortos e malformados. Os resultados indicaram que a fração acetato de etila do pericarpo apresentou, em menores concentrações (2,5 e 25 μg.mL-1) efeitos pró-reparo, e antiapoptótico na maior concentração (250 μg.mL-1). A fração metanólica do extrato do pericarpo demonstrou efeito apoptótico, também em menores concentrações e efeito genotóxico na maior concentração. Quanto ao extrato das sementes, a fração acetato de etila também indicou ativação de apoptose em todas as concentrações, enquanto a fração metanólica apresentou efeito pró-reparo. A diversidade de bioatividades de frações dessa planta reflete a presença de inúmeras classes de metabólitos secundários que poderão atuar beneficamente na saúde humana. Portanto, o presente trabalho contribui na escolha de frações para futuro isolamento e identificação química de metabólitos com potencial medicinal.

Identification of Suitable Plant Species for Vegetation Restoration at Manthali, Nepal

The present study aims to find out the suitable native plant species for restoring degraded land in the mountain from 450 m asl to 819 m asl in Khurkot of Manthali. Altogether thirty quadrats were laid to observe frequency, density and coverage of plant species present there, and ultimately, IVI was calculated. Eight plant species – 3 trees like Acacia catechu, Aegle marmelos and Annona squamosa; 3 shrubs like Rhus parviflora, Cipadessa baccifera and Abrus precatorius (woody climber), and 2 herbs like Uraria lagopodiodes and Polypogon monospeliensis were considered for the detailed study based on their high IVI values. Altogether fourteen traits (growth form, life-span, phenology, Raunkiaer’s life-form, canopy height, stem density, mean ramet distance, leaf size, specific leaf area, leaf thickness, seed mass, propagules mass, seed shape and nitrogen fixation) were studied in those eight species. Based on these traits, through this protocol, the plants were again categorized into five syndromes, i.e., establishment syndrome, dispersal syndrome, biomass producing syndrome, persistence syndrome and effect on environment syndrome. From this study, Annona squamosa and Abrus precatorius can be suggested as candidate species for early succession. Similarly, Aegle marmelos, Acacia catechu, Annona squamosa, Rhus parviflora and Abrus precatorius can be recommended to plant for restoration of degraded bushy lands, which are in the phase of secondary succession.

Quality Assessment of Chicken Breast Fillets Treated with Custard Apple (Annona squamosa) Leaves Extract

Background: Meat and meat products are perishable due to high content of moisture and easy availability of other nutrients. Oxidative rancidity and microbial growth are the major causes of their spoilage. Synthetic antioxidants viz. BHA, BHT, TBHQ etc. are used in the chicken processing industry for maintaining quality of chicken products. However, due to evidence of their toxic effects on human health there is interest in the scientists and manufacturers to use natural preservatives with antioxidants and antimicrobials properties. Hence, the study was undertaken to assess the effect of custard apple (Annona squamosa) leaves extract (CLE), on the quality of chicken breast fillets. Methods: Chicken breast fillets were treated separately by dipping in 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5% aqueous solutions of CLE, distilled water and 100 ppm solution of BHT. Samples were stored under refrigeration (4±1oC) conditions and analyzed on 0th, 3rd, 6th and 9th day of storage. Result: Total phenolic content, ascorbic acid content, DPPH radical scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power of CLE were 57.13±0.22 µgGAE/mg, 163.23±0.40 µgAA/mg, 32.20±0.42% and 132.43±0.50 µMFe (II) equi/g respectively. The fillets treated with 0.5% solution of CLE were acceptable till sixth day with significantly (p less than 0.01) higher sensory scores than the controls. The pH, WHC, ERV, tyrosine value, TBARS value, total plate count and psychrophilic count of the sixth day samples treated with 0.5% CLE were 5.72±0.01, 65.32±0.31%, 19.40±0.59ml, 9.50±0.37 mg/100g, 0.316±0.002 mgMDA/Kg, 4.90±0.01 log10CFU/g and 3.68±0.02 log10CFU/g respectively. It can be concluded that 0.5% aqueous solution of CLE can be used for extension of shelf life of chicken breast fillets up to 6 days at refrigeration (4±1oC).

A Comprehensive Study of Hexanal Formulation on Extending Shelf Life of Custard Apple (Annona squamosa L.)

Shelf life of custard apple is limited due to climacteric nature. In the present study, two application methods along with different concentration of hexanal formulations were used, first hexanal vapour at different concentrations (0.005, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05% v/v) and second hexanal dip (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2% v/v) along with control were evaluated on custard apple dipping fruits for 2 min and 4 min and store at ambient temperature (27±2ºC). Hexanal filter paper dip in 0.05% concentration effectively maintained the firmness, total sugar, reducing sugar, preserved L*, a*, b* value, extend shelf life and maximum BC ratio during storage from day 1 to days 14 as compare to control. Therefore, we concluded that hexanl vapour(0.05%) was effective to use post harvest technology for custard apple.