First report of Xanthomonas citri Subsp. Citri causing citrus canker on grape fruit (Citrus paradisi), washington naval (Citrus sinensis), kaghzi limon (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle), lemon (Citrus lim

Citrus fruit production is largely affected by different bacterial and fungal pathogens. In Pakistan bacterial diseases like citrus bacterial canker (CBC) pose severe risk to citrus economy. Diagnoses of such diseases could be helpful to avoid the epidemics in nurseries or orchids. In 2011-12, citrus canker symptoms i.e., callus-like outgrowths on leaves and fruits of grape fruit (Citrus paradisi), Washington naval (Citrus sinensis), Kaghzi Limon (Citrus aurantifolia swingle), lemon (Citrus Limon) and pomelo (Citrus maxima) were noticed in Sargodha district of Punjab, Pakistan. Bacteria i.e., yellow mucoid, Xanthomonas- like isolates, were isolated from these lesions. Bacteria isolated from these lesions were cultured and total DNA was isolated. A diagnostic fragment of 581 bp based on rpf genes of Xanthomonas citri pv. citri was amplified, cloned and completely sequenced. BLAST and evolutionary analysis revealed that these isolates show 100% sequence similarity and group with Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri from Argentina (CP023285) and Reunion (CP018858), (CP018854). To our knowledge, this is the first formal report of X. campestris pv. citri pathotypes A on Citrus paradise, Citrus sinensis, Citrus maxima, Citrus Limon and Citrus aurantifolia swingle in Pakistan

Green Synthesis of SnO2/Carbon Quantum Dots Nanocomposite for Gas Sensing Application

SnO2/Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) were synthesized by a hydrothermal method using grape fruit juice. The nanocomposites (NC) were characterized by means of XRD and Gas sensing properties. The sensor devices were fabricated using SnO2/CQDs NC as sensing materials. The effect of the CQDs content on the gas-sensing responses and the gas-sensing selectivity was investigated. In this work, the gas sensor developed is exposed to carbon monoxide polluting gas like at different temperatures to determine the optimum operating temperatures which allow obtaining the highest sensitivity for gas. Keywords: Green synthesis, Grape fruit, SnO2 nanoparticles, CQDs, Gas sensor.

Neuroprotective, antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of grapefruit IntegroPectin on SH-SY5Y cells

Tested in vitro on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, grapefruit IntegroPectin is a powerful neuro-protective, antioxidant and antiproliferative agent. The strong antioxidant properties of grape-fruit IntegroPectin, and its ability to preserve mitochondrial membrane potential and mor-phology, severely impaired in neurodegenerative disorders, make this new biopolymer highly soluble in water an attractive therapeutic agent for oxidative stress-associated brain disorders. Similarly, the ability of this new citrus pectin rich in naringin, linalool, linalool oxide and lim-onene adsorbed at the outer surface to inhibit cell proliferation or even kill, at high doses, neo-plastic cells, coupled to its excellent health and safety profile, opens up new therapeutic strate-gies in cancer research. In order to take full advantage of its vast therapeutic and preventive po-tential, detailed studies of molecular mechanism involved in the antiproliferative and neuro-protective of IntegroPectin are urgently needed.

Genome-Wide Analysis and Functional Characterization of the UDP-Glycosyltransferase Family in Grapes

Grape (Vitis vinifera) produces a variety of secondary metabolites, which can enhance nutrients and flavor in fruit and wine. Uridine diphosphate-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) are primarily responsible for the availability of secondary metabolites by glycosylation modification. Here, a total of 228 putative UGTs were identified in V. vinifera, and VvUGTs were clustered into 15 groups (A to O) and unevenly distributed on 18 chromosomes. Diverse VvUGT members from 12 groups were transcribed, and they responded to different external stresses. More than 72% of VvUGT members were expressed at one or more stages of grape fruit development, and the expression levels of 34 VvUGT members increased gradually with fruit ripening. The VvUGT members of different groups may be involved in the synthesis and accumulation of flavonoid glycosides, glycosidically bound volatiles, and stilbenes. These results will provide guidance for further research on the functions and regulating mechanisms of UGT genes.

Pectinolytic activity of aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus grown on grapefruit (citrus Parasidis) peel in solid state fermentation

The present study was aimed at studying pectinolytic activity of resident fungi isolated from decomposing grapefruit (Citrus parasidis) peels in solid state fermentation. Grape fruit peel was subjected to natural fermentation and the fermenting fungi were isolated, characterized and identified using standard microbiological methods. The isolated fungi were in turn used for fermentation to determine their pectinolytic activity through solid state fermentation technique. Culture parameters such as incubation period, temperature, moisture content and addition of salts supplements were optimized during the research for five days. The identified fungi were Aspergillus Niger and Aspergillus flavus. The peak of pectinolytic activity was at day three of fermentation when the highest pectinase activity of 13.32 μmol/mg/min was recorded for A. Niger and 11.32 μmol/mg/min for A. flavus. Optimum temperature and pH for pectinase activity by A. Niger and A. flavus was at 40 0C and pH 7.5 and 7.7 respectively. The use of salt supplemented substrate did not alter enzyme activity. In conclusion, the isolated fungi could be promising organisms for pectinolytic enzyme production on grape peel as substrate. Keywords: Grapefruit, Pectinolytic Activity, Fungi, Fermentation, Aspergillus

Expressional diversity of grapevine 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (VvHMGR) in different grapes genotypes

Background 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) is a key enzyme in the mevalonate (MVA) pathway, which regulates the metabolism of terpenoids in the cytoplasm and determines the type and content of downstream terpenoid metabolites. Results Results showed that grapevine HMGR family has three members, such as VvHMGR1, VvHMGR2, and VvHMGR3. The expression of VvHMGRs in 'Kyoho' has tissue specificity, for example, VvHMGR1 keeps a higher expression, VvHMGR2 is the lowest, and VvHMGR3 gradually decreases as the fruit development. VvHMGR3 is closely related to CsHMGR1 and GmHMGR9 and has collinearity with CsHMGR2 and GmHMGR4. By the prediction of interaction protein, it can interact with HMG-CoA synthase, MVA kinase, FPP/GGPP synthase, diphosphate mevalonate decarboxylase, and participates in the synthesis and metabolism of terpenoids. VvHMGR3 have similar trends in expression with some of the genes of carotenoid biosynthesis and MEP pathways. VvHMGR3 responds to various environmental and phytohormone stimuli, especially salt stress and ultraviolet (UV) treatment. The expression level of VvHMGRs is diverse in grapes of different colors and aroma. VvHMGRs are significantly higher in yellow varieties than that in red varieties, whereas rose-scented varieties showed significantly higher expression than that of strawberry aroma. The expression level is highest in yellow rose-scented varieties, and the lowest in red strawberry scent varieties, especially ‘Summer Black’ and ‘Fujiminori’. Conclusion This study confirms the important role of VvHMGR3 in the process of grape fruit coloring and aroma formation, and provided a new idea to explain the loss of grape aroma and poor coloring during production. There may be an additive effect between color and aroma in the HMGR expression aspect.