Vermikompost Uygulamalarının San Andreas (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) Çilek Çeşidinin Bazı Verim ve Kalite Değerlerine Etkisi

In this study, in which the effects of different applications of vermicompost on the yield and quality of San Andreas strawberry variety were investigated 15, 30, 45, 60 g vermicompost was applied per plant. First flowering, first and last harvest dates, number of fruits per plant, yield per plant (g/plant), fruit weight (g), fruit flavor, macro and micro nutrient content, organic acid amounts were examined. The results showed that the differences between treatments in yield per plant were statistically significant. The highest total yield per plant was obtained from V45 and V30 applications with 972.8 g and 878.9 g respectively and the lowest yield was obtained from the control application with 384.2 g per plant. The largest fruits were obtained from the V60 (19.5 g) application. It was determined that nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, manganese, iron, zinc and boron concentrations in the leaves of strawberry plants fertilized with vermicompost were higher than the control. The highest values in organic acid values were determined in oxalic, propionic, malonic, lactic, fumaric and succinic acids in V60 application (5.62, 11.16, 49.00, 104.98 µg/100 g respectively). It seems that the application of vermicompost fertilizer in strawberry cultivation has a positive effect on yield and quality characteristics.

Natural Bioactive Compounds of Sechium spp. for Therapeutic and Nutraceutical Supplements

Natural products are in great demand because certain secondary metabolites (SMs) are sources of antioxidants, flavorings, active substances, or anticancer agents with less aggressiveness and selectivity, among which triterpenes and flavonoids are of importance because they inhibit carcinogenesis. For Sechium spp. P. Br. (chayotes), there is scientific evidence of antiproliferative activity that has occurred when cancer cell lines have been treated with this fruit. In order to compare future therapeutic designs and identify new and ancestral characteristics, triterpenes and flavonoids were determined in contrasting Sechium genotypes. The obtained data were analyzed via a cladistics approach, with the aim of identifying the characteristics and state of phytochemicals and genetic variables. The concentrations of flavonoids and triterpenes were determined, and a more complex composition of secondary metabolites was found in the wild types as compared to their domesticated genotypes. Bitter fruits contained a higher number of SMs, followed by those with a neutral and sweet flavor. A cladogram showed the differentiation of the three groups based on the flavor of the fruits. The diversity of SMs decreases in evolutionary terms, in response to domestication and environmental adaptation. Therefore, genotypes can be feasibly selected based on fruit flavor for gross-breeding, and cytotoxicity can be reduced without losing possible therapeutic effects.

Chromosome-Scale Genome Assembly for Chinese Sour Jujube and Insights Into Its Genome Evolution and Domestication Signature

Sour or wild jujube fruits and dried seeds are popular food all over the world. In this study, we reported a high-quality genome assembly of sour jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa), with a size of 406 Mbp and scaffold N50 of 30.3 Mbp, which experienced only γ hexaploidization event, without recent genome duplication. Population structure analysis identified four jujube subgroups (two domesticated ones, i.e., D1 in West China and D2 in East/SouthEast China, semi-wild, and wild), which underwent an evolutionary history of a significant decline of effective population size during the Last Glacial Period. The respective selection signatures of three subgroups were discovered, such as strong peaks on chromosomes #3 in D1, #1 in D2, and #4 in wild. Genes under the most significant selection on chromosomes #4 in wild were confirmed to be involved in fruit variations among jujube accessions, in transcriptomic analysis. Our study offered novel insights into the jujube population structure and domestication and provided valuable genomic resources for jujube improvement in stress response and fruit flavor in the future.

The relationship between the chemical composition and taste of strawberries

The results of the evaluation of promising 24 cultivars and 6 forms of garden strawberries by their chemical composition (contents of ascorbic acid, titrated acid, sugars, dry substances, monosaccharides, the level of the sugar-acid coefficient) and the taste qualities of the fruits are presented to identify sources of high taste qualities and high content of biologically active substances. Seven cultivars and forms (Aidarina, Assol, Zarina, Efsane 3-15 Atlantida × Uniol, 12-15 Sunrise × Hercules, 25-15 Jantarnaja × Zenga Zengana) with a high fruit flavor (4.8-5.0 points); six cultivars (Aidarina, Assol, Atlantida, Bagryana, Zarina, Present) with an increased content of ascorbic acid (76.1-85.4 mg/100 g); eight cultivars and forms (Bagryana, Hercules, Krymskaya Remontantnaya, Luiza, Sanika, Honey, 3-15 Atlantida × Uniol, 14-15 Sunrise × Clery) with high titratable acidity (1.1-1.2%); five cultivars (Aidarina, Albion, Bagryana, Zarina, Rusanovka) with optimal total sugar content (7.5-9.8%); four cultivars (Albion, Bagryana, Krymskaya Remontantnaya, Uniol) with a high amount of dry matter (10.6-17.3 %); seven cultivars and forms (Assol, Albion, Zarina, Krymskaya Rannaya, Rusanovka, 13-15 Sunrise × Zenga Zengana, 14-15 Sunrise × Clery, 25-15 Jantarnaja × Zenga Zengana) with a high sugar-acid index (8.0-11.9). The lowest variability (8.2-16.7%) was characterized by such signs as the taste of fruits and the content of total sugar, titrated acidity, and the highest (18.3-25.0%) - the content of ascorbic acid, solids, and the sugar-acid index. The most significant correlation between the sugar-acid coefficient and the biochemical parameters of strawberry fruits was revealed.

Effects of mode and timing of calcium chloride application on tissue calcium concentration and acceptability of mango fruits

Mango (Mangifera indica L) production in Kenya directly supports approximately 200,000 farmers and many other beneficiaries. Despite this, its production suffers from post-harvest losses due to the fruits' short shelf life in ambient conditions. Calcium maintains cell integrity, strengthens the cell wall, membrane structure, and thus increases shelf life. A completely randomized block design with a split plot arrangement was used to compare the effect of spraying and immersion of ‘Van Dyke' mango fruits at maturity or 15 days later in calcium chloride at different concentrations (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, or 0%) and times on the fruit ripening rate and organoleptic acceptance. The peel firmness (N), total soluble solids (0Brix), flesh color (Ho), beta carotene (mg/100ml), and carbon dioxide evolution (ml/kg/hr) of fruits were determined at time 0 and every two days for up to eight days in ambient conditions. Additionally, organoleptic characteristics, flesh firmness, calcium concentration (g/mg), and their correlations were determined. Fruits immersed in calcium chloride at maturity had higher retained peel firmness (10.6 N, 10.3 N), deeper flesh color (37.45, 36.78), lower total soluble solids (14, 13.8), a lower carbon dioxide evolution (30.7 ml/kg/hr), higher beta carotene and higher flesh calcium concentration than fruits exposed to other treatments. Fruits sprayed at maturity outperformed those sprayed 15 days later in the studied parameters. Flesh calcium content correlated positively with flesh firmness (r= 0.913, r= 0.852), flesh color (r= 0.828, r= 0.841), fruit aroma (r=0.8199, r=0.841), and negatively with skin shriveling (r=-0.778, r=-0.806) and fruit flavor (r=-0.811, r=-0.829). Flesh firmness correlated negatively with skin shriveling (r=-0.868, r=-0.788) and fruit flavor (r=-0.8869, r=-0.821), but positively with peel color (r=0.9115, r=0.856) and aroma (r=0.907, r=0.848). Skin shriveling was found to have a negative relationship with peel color (r=-0.944, r=-0.93) and aroma (r=-0.944, r=-0.938), but a positive relationship with fruit flavor (r=0.933, r=0.947). Peel color correlated positively with aroma (r=0.979, r=0.977) and negatively with fruit flavor (r=-0.962, r=-0.950), respectively. Despite the effectiveness of post-harvest calcium chloride immersion in extending fruit shelf life, optimal use is advised to avoid deteriorated pulp flavor and increased shriveling. More research is needed to determine how calcium chloride can be made available to the fruit while it is still attached to the tree.

Jaboticaba (Plinia jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg) peel flour as an anthocyanin-rich ingredient for the elaboration of sequilho biscuits: Effects on sensory and technological properties

Jaboticaba (Plinia spp.) peel is an emerging co-product with high levels of flavonoids, anthocyanins, and differentiated sensory characteristics. During the industrial processing of jaboticaba, as in the production of juices, only the pulp is used, and the peel is discarded. This work aimed to produce sequilho biscuits with different concentrations of jaboticaba peel flour (JPF) and evaluate the technological and sensory properties of the products. Biscuits with four concentrations of JPF (B1= 0.75%, B2= 1.5% B3= 2.25% and B4= 3.0%) were prepared. The physicochemical analysis, instrumental texture, color, total flavonoids, and total anthocyanins were evaluated. Sensory perceptions were investigated using the check-all-that-apply (CATA) questionnaire, hedonic scale, and purchase intention scale. Jaboticaba peel flour had high levels of total flavonoids (227.9±14.6 mg 100 g-1) and total anthocyanins (114.2±4.2 mg cyanidin-3-glycoside 100 g-1). Specific volume and bite force were not affected by the addition of JPF. The global impression for all biscuits elaborated with JPF ranged from approximately 6.5 to 7.5. It positively influenced the global impression of the biscuits, with associations with the CATA terms of fruit flavor, jaboticaba flavor, and fruit aroma. However, terms related to the texture, such as fibrous and hard, negatively influenced the global impression. It is recommended to produce sequilho biscuits with JPF addition up to 1.5%. This study demonstrated that the food industry could better exploit the jaboticaba peel, meeting consumer demand for products with differentiated sensory characteristics

Transcriptome and Resequencing Analyses Provide Insight into Differences in Organic Acid Accumulation in Two Pear Varieties

Fruit acidity is one of the main determinants of fruit flavor and a target trait in fruit breeding. However, the genomic mechanisms governing acidity variation among different pear varieties remain poorly understood. In this study, two pear varieties with contrasting organic acid levels, ‘Dangshansuli’ (low-acidity) and ‘Amute’ (high-acidity), were selected, and a combination of transcriptome and population genomics analyses were applied to characterize their patterns of gene expression and genetic variation. Based on RNA-seq data analysis, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in organic acid metabolism and accumulation were identified. Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that nine candidate TCA (tricarboxylic acid)-related DEGs and three acid transporter-related DEGs were located in three key modules. The regulatory networks of the above candidate genes were also predicted. By integrating pear resequencing data, two domestication-related genes were found to be upregulated in ‘Amute’, and this trend was further validated for other pear varieties with high levels of organic acid, suggesting distinct selective sweeps during pear dissemination and domestication. Collectively, this study provides insight into organic acid differences related to expression divergence and domestication in two pear varieties, pinpointing several candidate genes for the genetic manipulation of acidity in pears.

Encapsulation of Fruit Flavor Compounds through Interaction with Polysaccharides

Production and storage, the influence of packaging materials and the presence of other ingredients in fruit products can cause changes in flavor compounds or even their loss. Due to these issues, there is a need to encapsulate flavor compounds, and polysaccharides are often used as efficient carriers. In order to achieve effective encapsulation, satisfactory retention and/or controlled release of flavor compounds, it is necessary to understand the nature of the coated and coating materials. Interactions that occur between these compounds are mostly non-covalent interactions (hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions and van der Waals forces); additionally, the formation of the inclusion complexes of flavor compounds and polysaccharides can also occur. This review provides insight into studies about the encapsulation of flavor compounds, as well as basic characteristics of encapsulation such as the choice of coating material, the effect of various factors on the encapsulation efficiency and an explanation of the nature of binding.

Effects of Fruit Load on Sugar/Acid Quality and Puffiness of Delayed-Harvest Citrus

Delayed harvesting technology is believed to improve the citrus fruit flavor, but improper tree fruit load under delayed harvest might cause puffiness and reduce fruit quality. In order to find out an optimum tree fruit load level to obtain better flavor quality as well as reduce puffiness in delayed-harvest citrus under protected cultivation, experiments were conducted in the present study between 2019 and 2020 to determine the effect of different fruit loads and fruit-bearing per single branch on the soluble sugars and organic acids metabolism in the peel and flesh, the anatomical structure of the matured fruit peel, and fruit texture-related indexes. The results suggested significant negative correlations between leaf N level and flesh sucrose and glucose contents, and between branch P level and flesh citric acid contents; no significant correlation between NPK levels and flesh texture; relatively lower leaf N and branch P under relatively higher load can increase flesh sucrose and glucose accumulation and slow down citric acid degradation to the greater extent, thus optimizing the sugar/acid ratio of fruits during delayed harvest. The lignification of parenchyma cells closely around peel secretory cavities due to ascorbic acid deficiency might be the primary cause for puffiness under low-load treatments.