Heterosis and Combining Ability for Fruit Yield, Sweetness, β-Carotene, Ascorbic Acid, Firmness and Fusarium Wilt Resistance in Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) Involving Genetic Male Sterile Lines

Ten genetically diverse inbred lines, including two genic male sterile lines, of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) were crossed in a half-diallel to generate 45 F1 hybrids. These hybrids, along with the parental lines and commercial check, were evaluated for their fruit yield, level of phytochemicals and Fusarium wilt resistance. Both additive and non-additive genetic variances were important in governing the expression of all of the traits; however, the additive gene action for the fruit weight (g), flesh thickness (cm), rind thickness (mm), firmness (lb inch−2), β-carotene content (mg/100 g), non-additive variance for fruit yield (t ha−1), fruit number, total soluble solids (TSS, °Brix), ascorbic acid (mg/100 g) and reaction to Fusarium wilt were comparatively more important. The parental line MM-625 was the best general combiner for fruit yield, rind thickness and β-carotene content (mg/100 g). The exotic line Riogold was the best combiner for flesh thickness and firmness. The netted inbred line MM-610 was the best general combiner for fruit weight, ascorbic acid and reaction to Fusarium wilt. The inbred lines KP4HM-15 and MM-916 were the best general combiners for the number of fruits per vine and TSS. The best cross-combinations for fruit yield ha−1 and TSS were MS-1×M-610 and Kajri×MM-904, respectively. The hybrids KP4HM-15×MM Sel-103 and KP4HM-15×MM-1831 recorded the highest standard heterosis for fruit yield and TSS. The landrace-derived inbred lines Kajri, MM Sel-103 and KP4HM-15 produced moderate-to-highly FW-resistant hybrids. Out of the 121 SSR markers applied, 70 exhibited parental polymorphism. The markers DM0561, CMAAAGN14, TJ147, CMMS35_3, CMAGN45 and DE1337 identified specific/unique alleles in certain parental genotypes. Thus, the findings of this study revealed that the novel inbred lines can effectively be combined to generate heterotic F1 hybrids for yield and other traits, such as rind and flesh thickness, TSS, β-carotene content and firmness. Furthermore, SSR markers can potentially be utilized to confirm the genetic diversity among the parental lines, and for the DNA fingerprinting of F1 hybrids.

Genotype influence on shelf life behaviour of minimal processed loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.) fruit: the role of sugar, acid organics and phenolic compounds

Background Loquat cultivars cultivated in Southern Italy are very appreciated by consumers for their sensorial characteristics, such as persistent aroma and taste. Apposite maturity indexes for peeling and processing loquat fruit were investigated to increase diffusion of minimally processed loquat. The genotype’s effect on the minimally processed loquat fruit shelf life and quality harvested at commercial maturity (80% yellow color) was investigated on peeled fruit stored at 5 °C for 10 days. The role of sugars, organic acids and phenols composition was observed through in depth qualitative analysis. In addition, several qualitative analyses were carried out to determine the quality of minimal processed fruit. Results Loquat fruits harvested at commercial ripening stage performed very good palatability and flesh color persistency. Late ripening fruits genotypes shown a low rate of pulp oxidation and quality decay, while early ripening fruits were not suitable for fresh-cut. Genotype had a great influence on weight loss, β-carotene content, fruit respiration, ascorbic acid and total phenols content during the shelf life. Conclusions This work shows how the amount of the composition of sugars and organic acids as an intrinsic characteristic of genotype influences the quality of loquat fruits minimal processed. The higher values of glucose, sorbitol and ascorbic acid accumulated in the cv ‘Nespolone Trabia’ contributed to a reduction in chilling injury and oxidative stress after cutting. Graphical Abstract

Dual regulation of lipid droplet-triacylglycerol metabolism and ERG9 expression for improved β-carotene production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Background The limitation of storage space, product cytotoxicity and the competition for precursor are the major challenges for efficiently overproducing carotenoid in engineered non-carotenogenic microorganisms. In this work, to improve β-carotene accumulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a strategy that simultaneous increases cell storage capability and strengthens metabolic flux to carotenoid pathway was developed using exogenous oleic acid (OA) combined with metabolic engineering approaches. Results The direct separation of lipid droplets (LDs), quantitative analysis and genes disruption trial indicated that LDs are major storage locations of β-carotene in S. cerevisiae. However, due to the competition for precursor between β-carotene and LDs-triacylglycerol biosynthesis, enlarging storage space by engineering LDs related genes has minor promotion on β-carotene accumulation. Adding 2 mM OA significantly improved LDs-triacylglycerol metabolism and resulted in 36.4% increase in β-carotene content. The transcriptome analysis was adopted to mine OA-repressible promoters and IZH1 promoter was used to replace native ERG9 promoter to dynamically down-regulate ERG9 expression, which diverted the metabolic flux to β-carotene pathway and achieved additional 31.7% increase in β-carotene content without adversely affecting cell growth. By inducing an extra constitutive β-carotene synthesis pathway for further conversion precursor farnesol to β-carotene, the final strain produced 11.4 mg/g DCW and 142 mg/L of β-carotene, which is 107.3% and 49.5% increase respectively over the parent strain. Conclusions This strategy can be applied in the overproduction of other heterogeneous FPP-derived hydrophobic compounds with similar synthesis and storage mechanisms in S. cerevisiae. Graphical Abstract

Development of Carrot Nutraceutical Products as an Alternative Supplement for the Prevention of Nutritional Diseases

Nutraceuticals can serve as an alternative supplement to overcome nutritional deficiency for a healthy lifestyle. They can also play a key role in disease management. To develop carrot nutraceutical products, 64 genotypes from four different continents were evaluated for a range of morpho-nutrition variables. Genetic variability, heritability, strength and direction of association among variables, and direct and indirect relationships among physiochemical and nutritional traits with β-carotene content were evaluated. Core diameter, foliage weight, root weight and shoulder weight showed significant association with β-carotene accumulation. Principal component analysis for physiochemical and nutritional assessment divided these genotypes into two distinctive groups, Eastern carrots and Western carrots. Caloric and moisture content had high positive associations with β-carotene content while carbohydrate content was negatively associated. Five genotypes (T-29, PI 634658, PI 288765, PI 164798, and Ames 25043) with the highest β-carotene contents were selected for making three nutraceutical supplements (carrot-orange juice, carrot jam and carrot candies). These nutraceutical supplements retained high β-carotene content coupled with antioxidant properties. Carrot jam (6.5 mg/100 g) and carrot candies (4.8 mg/100 g) had greater concentrations of β-carotene than carrot-orange juice (1.017 mg/100 g). Carrot jam presented high antioxidant activity with the highest values in T-29 (39% inhibition of oxidation) followed by PI 634658 (37%), PI 164798 (36.5%), Ames 25043 (36%) and PI 288765 (35.5%). These nutraceutical products, with 4–6.5 mg/100 g β-carotene content, had higher values than the USDA recommended dietary intake of 3–6 mg β-carotene/day can be recommended for daily use to lower the risk of chronic disease.

Teknologi Produksi Abon Daging Rusa Dengan Penambahan Herbal Sebagai Pangan Unggulan Pada Era Normal Baru

This study aims to improve the nutritional quality of venison floss by modifying the the technology process of floss making with adding red fruit oil (Pandanus conoideus L) and kebar grass extract (Biophytum petersianum) as a source of natural antioxidants. The results showed that the nutritional value of floss was influenced by the use of these herbal. Supplementation of antioxidant is to potentially extend the shelf-life of floss as indicated in decreasing the value of water activity (Aw) and thiobarburic acid (TBA). The Aw value decreased from 0.756 to 0.701, and TBA decreased from 0.139 to 0.055 mg/kg. The protein of floss increased from 33.20 to 35.60%. The result also showed that the content of antioxidant increased which is indicated by the increasing of beta-carotene content from 0.0087 mg /100 gram to 0.81 mg/100 gram. Results also showed that the use of red fruit oil extract and kebar grass extract decreased the content of saturated fatty acids, meanwhile in unsaturated fatty acids it increased arachidonic fatty acids. Keywords: Antioxidant; Beta-caroten; Kebar grass; Red-fruit oil; Venison floss. Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan meningkatkan kualitas nutrisi abon daging rusa dengan memodifikasi proses teknologi produksinya dengan penambahan ekstrak minyak buah merah (Pandanus conoideus L) dan ekstrak rumput kebar (Biophytum petersianum) sebagai sumber antioksidan alami. Hasil penelitian memperlihatkan bahwa nilai nutrisi produk olahan daging dipengaruhi oleh adanya penambahan senyawa antioksidan. Pemberian suplementasi bahan sumber antioksidan meningkatkan daya awet pada abon yang ditunjukkan dengan penurunan nilai aktivitas air (Aw) dan nilai thiobarburic acid (TBA). Nilai Aw abon menurun dari 0,756 menjadi 0,701, dan nilai TBA-nya menurun dari 0,139 menjadi 0,055 mg/kg. Nilai nutrisi terjadi pada nilai protein yang meningkat dari 33,20 menjadi 35,60%. Sebagai sumber antioksidan terlihat pada peningkatan kandungan beta-karoten dari 0,0087 mg/100 gram menjadi 0,81 mg/100 gram. Faktor penting lainnya dengan penggunaan ekstrak minyak buah merah dan ekstrak rumput kebar yakni adanya penurunan yang signifikan pada kandungan asam-asam lemak jenuh, akan tetapi pada asam-asam lemak tidak jenuh terjadi peningkatan pada asam lemak arakidonat. Kata kunci: Abon rusa; Beta-karoten; Herbal antioksidant; Minyak buah-merah; Rumput kebar.

Orange fleshed sweet potato a nutrition sensitive functional food for possible dietary approach to vitamin A deficiency and undernutrition

Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSPs) is an excellent nutrition sensitive function food. It contains dense amount of carotene and is also rich in proximate nutrients. A wide number of cultivars of OFSPs has been developed worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. In Bangladesh, sixteen cultivars have been developed. Carotene content in the OFSPs surpasses all of the plant food carotene. OFSPs also contains good content of energy yielding nutrients. The Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes could, therefore, be a potential dietary approach to address the vitamin A deficiency for undernourished indigent people.

Relationship between β-Carotene Accumulation and Geranylgeranyl Pyrophosphate Synthase in Different Species of Dunaliella

To study the relationship between β-carotene synthesis and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPS) activity, 15 species of Dunaliella were used to determine the changes in photosynthetic pigment contents, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, β-carotene content, and GGPS activity. By observing the morphology and size of 15 species of Dunaliella, D8 has the largest individual algal cell and D9 has the smallest individual. Growth was relatively slow during days one through seven. After about eight days, the cells entered the logarithmic growth period and grew rapidly to a high density. After about 45 days, they entered a mature period, and growth slowed down. The contents of chlorophyll, carotenoids, and β-carotene increased during growth. D1 has the highest accumulation of β-carotene, and GGPS enzyme activity has a positive linear relationship with the β-carotene synthesis content. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the GGPS proteins of the 15 species were highly homologous, and the GGPS protein was not part of the membrane.

Penetapan Kadar β-karoten dalam Buah Tomat (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) Berdasarkan Ketinggian Tempat Tumbuhnya dengan Metode Spektrofotometri UV-Vis

The quality of secondary metabolites in plants is determined by the altitude where they grow, in tomato plants secondary metabolites that have the potential as antioxidant activity are caused by β-carotene. β-carotene is a red-orange pigment that is very abundant in plants and fruits. β-carotene is an organic compound and is classified as a terpenoid, β-carotene is also one of the antioxidants that can prevent disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of β-carotene in tomatoes based on the altitude where they grew. The sample used in this study was Tomato Fruit (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) which was taken at an altitude of ±1206, ±845, ±548 and ±76 masl. Qualitative testing using Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), the mobile phases used are chloroform and ethyl acetate (7:3), the Rf values of the samples and comparisons are not much different. Quantitative testing using UV-Vis Spectrophotometry method at a wavelength of 461 nm. The results showed that the four positive samples contained β-carotene. The levels of β-carotene in the samples studied were sample A (±1206 masl) as much as 5.642 mg/100 gr, sample B (±845 masl) as much as 7.986 mg/100 gr, sample C (±548 masl) as much as 11.128 mg/100 gr and sample D (±76 masl) as much as 3.792 mg/100 gr. From this study, it was found that the highest β-carotene content was found in sample C (±548 masl) and the lowest β-carotene level was found in sample D (±76 masl). Environmental factors such as light, temperature, pH, altitude, and temperature greatly affect the content of β-carotene.Keywords: Determination of rates; β-carotene; tomatoes; UV-Vis spectrophotometry AbstrakKualitas metabolit sekunder dalam tumbuhan salah satunya ditentukan oleh ketinggian tempat tumbuhnya, dalam tanaman tomat metabolit sekunder yang berpotensi sebagai aktivitas antioksidan salah satunya disebabkan oleh β-karoten. β-karoten adalah pigmen berwarna merah-orange yang sangat berlimpah pada tanaman dan buah-buahan. β-karoten merupakan senyawa organik dan diklasifikasikan sebagai suatu terpenoid, β-karoten juga merupakan salah satu antioksidan yang dapat mencegah penyakit. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui kadar β-karoten dalam buah tomat berdasarkan ketinggian tempat tumbuhnya. Sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Buah Tomat (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) yang diambil pada ketinggian ±1206, ±845, ±548 dan ±76 mdpl. Pengujian secara kualitatif menggunakan metode Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) dan Kromatografi Lapis Tipis (KLT), fase gerak yang digunakan yaitu berupa kloroform dan etil asetat (7:3) diperoleh nilai Rf sampel dan pembanding yang tidak jauh berbeda. Pengujian secara kuantitatif menggunakan metode Spektrofotometri UV-Vis pada panjang gelombang 461 nm. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dari keempat sampel positif mengandung β-karoten. Kadar β-karoten dalam sampel yang diteliti yaitu sampel A (±1206 mdpl) sebanyak 5,642 mg/100 gr, sampel B (±845 mdpl) sebanyak 7,986 mg/100 gr, sampel C (±548 mdpl) sebanyak 11,128 mg/100 gr dan sampel D (±76 mdpl) sebanyak 3,792 mg/100 gr. Dari penelitian ini diketahui bahwa kadar β-karoten tertinggi terdapat pada sampel C (±548 mdpl) dan kadar β-karoten terendah terdapat pada sampel D (±76 mdpl). Faktor lingkungan seperti cahaya, suhu, pH, ketinggian tempat, dan temperature sangat berpengaruh terhadap kandungan β-karoten.Kata kunci: Penetapan kadar; β-karoten; buah tomat; spektrofotometri UV-Vis

Penetapan Kadar Senyawa β-Karoten Dalam Buah Semangka Kuning (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad) Dengan Metode Spektrofotometri UV-Vis

Watermelon is a fruit that favored by the peoples because it tastes sweet and is good for health, watermelon also contains β-carotene. β-carotene is a natural pigment that is found in large amounts in red-orange fruits, including yellow watermelons. The purpose of this study was to determine β-carotene compounds and β-carotene levels in yellow watermelon flesh. The method used in this study for qualitative analysis using TLC method with chloroform: ethyl acetate (5: 5) mobile phase and for quantitative analysis using UV-Vis Spectrophotometry method. The test results showed that the yellow watermelon flesh sample contained β-carotene with a maximum wavelength of 458 nm and the β-carotene content of the yellow watermelon flesh was 146,253 µg/100 grams. Levels of β-carotene compounds in yellow watermelon flesh are included in the low category.Keywords: Yellow watermelon, β-carotene, TLC, UV-Vis spectrophotometry AbstrakSemangka merupakan buah yang banyak digemari oleh masyarakat karena rasanya manis dan baik bagi kesehatan, juga memiliki kandungan β-karoten. β-karoten adalah pigmen alami yang terdapat dalam jumlah besar pada buah-buahan yang berwarna merah-orange termasuk pada buah semangka kuning. Tujuan peneltian ini adalah untuk mengetahui senyawa β-karoten dan kadar β-karoten pada daging buah semangka kuning. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini untuk analisis kualitatif menggunakan metode KLT dengan fase gerak kloroform : etil asetat (5 : 5) dan untuk analisis kuantitatif menggunakan metode Spektrofotometri UV-Vis. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan sampel daging buah semangka kuning megandung β-karoten dengan Panjang gelombang maksimum yaitu 458 nm dengan kadar β-karoten pada daging buah semangka kuning yaitu 146,253 µg/100 gram. Kadar senyawa β-karoten dalam daging buah semangka kuning termasuk dalam kategori rendah.Kata kunci: Semangka kuning; β-karoten; KLT; spektrofotometri UV-Vis