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Applied Sciences
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Fruit Breeding, Nutrition and Processing Technologies
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Fruit Breeding, Nutrition and Processing Technologies

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 3353

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Harlene M. Hatterman-Valenti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA
Interests: viticulture; functional foods; small fruit production; hybridization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Breeding, production, and processing technologies have the potential to enhance the shape, size, color, flavor, and health benefits of fruit. This Special Issue covers the technological advancements in fruit breeding for increased nutritional and nutraceutical quality, among other phenotypic parameters. The advancements in production practices may include mechanization, monitorization, and robotics, as well as other cost-reducing production practices. The scientific efforts and novel processing as well as preservation practices will retain initial quality and nutritional characteristics while limiting microbial decay.

Prof. Dr. Harlene M. Hatterman-Valenti
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • marker-assisted
  • mutations
  • genome editing
  • transgenics
  • automation
  • soil-less cultivation
  • canopy management
  • antimicrobial compounds
  • biocontrol
  • nanoparticle coatings
  • preservatives

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 586 KiB  
Article
A Preliminary Study on the Potential of the New Red-Fleshed ‘JB’ Clone Apple for Cider Production
by Zuzanna Lis, Edyta Lipińska, Dawid Olewnicki, Katarzyna Pobiega, Katarzyna Rybak, Sebastian Przybyłko and Piotr Latocha
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 2632; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15052632 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 449
Abstract
Apples are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world, resulting in the continuous creation of new cultivars with different properties, both in terms of breeding as well as extended shelf lives and increased bioactive substance contents. This study aimed to [...] Read more.
Apples are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world, resulting in the continuous creation of new cultivars with different properties, both in terms of breeding as well as extended shelf lives and increased bioactive substance contents. This study aimed to determine the potential of a new red-fleshed apple ‘JB’ clone developed at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences to produce high-sensory-quality cider. Fermentation was carried out using the Saccharomyces cerevisiae UCLM S325 yeast strain, commonly used for quality white wines (Fermentis, Lesaffre Polska SA, Warsaw, Poland), at 15 °C for 21 days. The must and the cider were subjected to physicochemical analysis to determine their color, sugar content, total acidity, and polyphenol levels. Additionally, volatile acidity and alcohol content were measured in the cider, followed by an organoleptic evaluation. A red color characterized both the must and the cider, which had total acidities of 8.78 ± 0.05 and 6.61 ± 0.03 g malic acid/L, respectively, as well as polyphenol contents of 307.28 ± 1.29 and 240 ± 7.00 mg chlorogenic acid/L, respectively. Trained panelists evaluated the cider obtained from fermentation. The study’s results indicate that the new ‘JB’ apple clone has strong potential for producing juice and cider with a unique red color and high sensory attributes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fruit Breeding, Nutrition and Processing Technologies)
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16 pages, 2577 KiB  
Article
Genetic Diversity in Apricot Orchards Across Key Growing Regions in Slovakia and Austria, Along with Cultivar Authentication of Apricot Genotypes Found in the Market
by Martina Hudcovicová, Lenka Klčová, Marcela Gubišová, Jozef Gubiš, Erika Zetochová, Micha Horacek, Ján Kraic, Michaela Havrlentová and Katarína Ondreičková
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 2444; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15052444 - 25 Feb 2025
Viewed by 461
Abstract
This study was aimed at evaluating the genetic diversity and authentication of apricot cultivars from Slovak and Austrian orchards. Eleven highly polymorphic SSR markers were used to analyse 53 apricot genotypes. A high level of genetic diversity was observed, with a mean of [...] Read more.
This study was aimed at evaluating the genetic diversity and authentication of apricot cultivars from Slovak and Austrian orchards. Eleven highly polymorphic SSR markers were used to analyse 53 apricot genotypes. A high level of genetic diversity was observed, with a mean of 13 alleles per locus and a mean expected heterozygosity of 0.811. The most polymorphic locus, UDP97-402, exhibited a probability of identity of 0.025, indicating a high discriminatory power. Differentiation analyses revealed distinct groupings of cultivars based on geographical origin and pedigree. Central European cultivars, particularly those related to the landrace ‘Hungarian Best’, formed a distinct cluster. Modern Slovakian cultivars, influenced by the genetic background of cultivars from China and Central Asia, showed a higher level of genetic diversity. The Western European and North American cultivars formed a separate cluster. The developed SSR database proved to be effective in identifying apricot cultivars and detecting mislabelled or misidentified samples. A significant proportion (74%) of samples from commercial orchards were properly and correctly labelled, while 26% were mislabelled. Fifty-three per cent of samples from shops without a cultivar name were successfully identified, and their labels were verified. These results highlight the potential of SSR markers for genetic diversity assessment and cultivar identification in apricots. The results contribute to a better understanding of apricot genetic resources and provide valuable information for breeding programmes, germplasm conservation, and cultivar authentication. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fruit Breeding, Nutrition and Processing Technologies)
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18 pages, 1808 KiB  
Article
Sun-Drying and Melatonin Treatment Effects on Apricot Color, Phytochemical, and Antioxidant Properties
by Rukiye Zengin, Yılmaz Uğur, Yasemin Levent, Selim Erdoğan, Harlene Hatterman-Valenti and Ozkan Kaya
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 508; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020508 - 7 Jan 2025
Viewed by 901
Abstract
Post-harvest deterioration of fruit quality represents a significant challenge in the dried fruit industry, particularly affecting the preservation of nutritional compounds and sensory attributes during the drying process. This research examined the potential protective effects of exogenous melatonin supplementation on the preservation of [...] Read more.
Post-harvest deterioration of fruit quality represents a significant challenge in the dried fruit industry, particularly affecting the preservation of nutritional compounds and sensory attributes during the drying process. This research examined the potential protective effects of exogenous melatonin supplementation on the preservation of selected quality metrics and antioxidant characteristics in sun-dried apricots, utilizing a comparative analysis across disparate melatonin concentrations (10, 100, and 1000 µM). Our research findings demonstrated that melatonin treatment, particularly at 100 µM concentration, significantly enhanced quality preservation in sun-dried apricots. Specifically, the treatment resulted in improved color retention (increased L*, a*, and b* values), reduced oxidative stress markers (MDA and H2O2), and optimized sugar composition (glucose: 18.99 g/100 g, fructose: 12.58 g/100 g, sucrose: 15.52 g/100 g). The melatonin treatment at 100 µM concentration proved particularly effective, revealing the most significant results. Specifically, this concentration resulted in the highest β-carotene levels, reaching 223.07 mg/kg. These findings suggest promising applications for commercial-scale implementation through either dipping or spraying methods. The non-toxic nature of melatonin and its demonstrated efficacy in preserving fruit quality parameters position it as a valuable post-harvest treatment option in the fruit supply chain. This research contributes significantly to advancing sustainable post-harvest preservation strategies, though further investigation into melatonin stability and standardization of application protocols remains necessary for optimal commercial implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fruit Breeding, Nutrition and Processing Technologies)
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25 pages, 1565 KiB  
Article
Cultivar-Dependent Effect of Silicon Foliar Application on Olive Fruit Yield, Morphology, and Olive Oil Quality Parameters
by Mario Franić, Igor Pasković, Smiljana Goreta Ban, Šime Marcelić, Marina Lukić, Sanda Rončević, Ivan Nemet, Urška Kosić, Barbara Soldo and Marija Polić Pasković
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(24), 11500; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142411500 - 10 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1021
Abstract
Silicon is one of the most abundant elements in the Earth’s crust and, although it is not an essential element for plant growth, it is considered beneficial as it can help in defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. Research on the effects of [...] Read more.
Silicon is one of the most abundant elements in the Earth’s crust and, although it is not an essential element for plant growth, it is considered beneficial as it can help in defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. Research on the effects of foliar sprays containing silicon has been well documented for different plants. However, in olive plants there is considerably less research focused on silicon soluble foliar formulations, which differs from the application of inert materials, like kaolin. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of three increasing levels of foliar-applied soluble silicon on the characteristics of olive fruit and olive oil parameters. Fruit morphology, contents of multiple polyphenols, fatty acid profiles and mineral content in olive oil, olive oil quality parameters, fruit yield, and olive oil production parameters were assessed. Results show significant effects of silicon treatments on palmitic, palmitoleic, and linoleic acids and on the content of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Polyphenols were generally more influenced by the cultivar rather than by silicon. Apigenin, phenolic acids, and flavonoids were impacted by silicon treatments. Fruit morphology was affected by silicon treatment and, generally, parameters (fruit and seed length, width, and mass) increased at higher silicon application. This was concomitantly seen in both fruit and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) yield increase, but only for the Leccino cultivar, suggesting specific cultivar x treatment interplay for those traits. Increases in mineral contents in olive oil due to Si treatments were not found, except for silicon, where Si2 and Si3 treatments yielded higher silicon content in olive oil compared to control. Results of this study indicate that Silicon Foliar Application could be used to enhance olive yield and only slightly modifies the fatty acid composition of olive oil and the content of some of the phenols. Although silicon application did affect several parameters, the effect of cultivar was more pronounced in affecting most of the parameters. Further research could be driven towards the effect of foliar silicon on these parameters under environmental stress factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fruit Breeding, Nutrition and Processing Technologies)
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