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Advances in Jujube Research, Second Edition
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Advances in Jujube Research, Second Edition

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Horticultural Science and Ornamental Plants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 6395

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Shengrui Yao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
Interests: jujube cultivar trials; cultivar selection; genotyping; nutrition; metabolomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Zhihui Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chinese Jujube Research Center, College of Horticulture, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China
Interests: nutrition and processing of jujube
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, entitled “Advances in Jujube Research, Second Edition”, is dedicated to research on the biology, genetics and breeding, ecology, post-harvest treatment, and nutritional status of jujube, but will also cover other aspects of the life of these plants.

Jujube (Ziziphus) is an outstanding multipurpose economic plant with great potential in drought-prone and marginal districts. Chinese jujube (Z. jujuba Mill.) and Indian jujube or ber (Z. mauritiana Lam.) are the two main economically valuable species. The commercial and experimental cultivation of jujube takes place mostly in China, Pakistan, India, Iran, Korea, Japan, Australia, the USA, Italy, Romania, and Israel. However, jujube is still a relatively unknown and underutilized horticultural plant.

This Special Issue aims to gather current knowledge on various aspects of jujube research. We invite researchers to submit review articles, full-length original papers, communications, short overviews, or comments that cover various aspects of jujube’s biology, genetics and breeding, ecology and post-harvest treatment, nutrition, and so on.

Dr. Shengrui Yao
Dr. Zhihui Zhao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • jujube
  • biology
  • breeding
  • genotyping
  • metabolomics
  • nutrition
  • post-harvest treatment

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 14979 KB  
Article
A Fruit-Pulp-Derived Callus-Level Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation Platform for Ziziphus jujuba
by Junyu Song, Zhong Zhang, Jingnan Shi, Kexin Wei, Peilin Han, Zhongwu Wan and Xingang Li
Plants 2026, 15(5), 843; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15050843 - 9 Mar 2026
Viewed by 536
Abstract
The jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is a significant economic fruit tree, valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. However, advances in functional genomics are hindered by the lack of an efficient transformation system. To overcome the limitations of conventional explant, we established [...] Read more.
The jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is a significant economic fruit tree, valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. However, advances in functional genomics are hindered by the lack of an efficient transformation system. To overcome the limitations of conventional explant, we established a fruit-pulp-derived, callus-based Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system using fruit-pulp harvested 50 days after pollination. Through orthogonal experimental design, 6-benzylaminopurine and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid were identified as key regulators for inducing high-quality, friable callus in two jujube genotypes, ‘JZ60’ and ‘LWCZ’. This system revealed significant genotype-specific variation in auxin requirements for callus proliferation and in differential antibiotic sensitivity. Transformation efficiency, as evaluated by fluorescence screening, was primarily determined by acetosyringone concentration and the binary vector architecture. The results revealed that the compact pCY (kanamycin resistance) vector achieved higher transformation efficiency (up to 77.8%) than pCAMBIA1301, whereas the pCAMBIA1301 (hygromycin resistance) vector enabled more uniform transgene expression. Integration and expression of the ZjCBF3 transgene were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcription quantitative PCR, and green fluorescent protein fluorescence assays. This study established a fruit-pulp-based callus transformation system for jujube, providing a rapid platform for its functional genomic studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Jujube Research, Second Edition)
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19 pages, 4455 KB  
Article
Structural Elucidation of a Novel Pectic Polysaccharide from Zizyphus jujuba cv. Muzao, a Potential Natural Stabiliser
by Zheng Ye, Wenjing Wang, Yumei Li, Chun Yang and Kai Mao
Plants 2026, 15(1), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15010059 - 24 Dec 2025
Viewed by 614
Abstract
The pH of fruit and vegetable juices is usually around 4.0. To adapt to the pH of fruit and vegetable juices, we developed a highly branched pectin as a natural stabiliser, whose polarity is well suited to conditions under weakly acidic conditions. The [...] Read more.
The pH of fruit and vegetable juices is usually around 4.0. To adapt to the pH of fruit and vegetable juices, we developed a highly branched pectin as a natural stabiliser, whose polarity is well suited to conditions under weakly acidic conditions. The pectin content of jujube is high (about 2.0%), in which the polysaccharide content of Muzao (2.0–4.8%) is generally higher than the average value of the jujube. To separate the weak polar pectin in jujube, we extracted the crude polysaccharide (ZMP) with 4 times the volume of alcohol. Then we used Diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose (DEAE-52) ion-exchange chromatography to separate ZMP, and selected the fraction eluted with 0.2 M NaCl for gel purification to obtain ZMP2. After the hydrolysis of ZMP2 with TFA, four fractions, namely ZMP2n5, ZMP2y5, ZMP2n1, and ZMP2y1, were obtained. The purity, molecular weight, and monosaccharide composition of the above four fractions were determined. It was found that each fraction of ZMP2 contained large amounts of galacturonic acid (GalA) and glucuronic acid (GlcA), indicating that ZMP2 was most likely pectin, making it the natural, polar stabiliser we sought. To further determine the primary structure of ZMP2, we also performed FT-IR spectroscopy; methylation; one-dimensional mapping, including Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR), Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13C NMR) and Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer 135 (DEPT 135); and two-dimensional mapping, including Correlation Spectroscopy (1H-1H COSY), Heteronuclear Single Quantum Coherence (HSQC), Heteronuclear Multiple-Bond Correlation (HMBC), and Nuclear Overhauser Effect Spectroscopy (NOESY). In summary, the primary structure of ZMP2 should be as follows: the main chain is connected as →4)-α-D-GalAp-(1→3)-β-D-Galp-(1→, while the end glycosidic bonds of α-D-Galp-(1→ and α-L-Araf-(1→5)-α-L-Araf-(1→ are attached to the main chain by O-3 and O-6 bonds from →3,4)-α-D-GalAp-(1→ and →3,6)-β-D-GalAp-(1→, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Jujube Research, Second Edition)
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21 pages, 4952 KB  
Article
Phenotypic and Metabolic Variations Induced by Autopolyploidization in Chinese Jujube Cultivars
by Yan Han, Jing Sui, Tong Yao, Shuting Chen, Meng Yang, Miao He, Tingting Ye, Xiaoshan Li, Taoliang Song, Mengjun Liu and Ping Liu
Plants 2025, 14(23), 3588; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14233588 - 25 Nov 2025
Viewed by 797
Abstract
Autopolyploidization is critical to plant evolution and breeding, but systematic studies on its effects in woody plants remain limited. To address this gap, a systematic investigation covering autopolyploidization-induced variations in two autotetraploid jujube cultivars and their diploid counterparts across morphological, cytological, and metabolic [...] Read more.
Autopolyploidization is critical to plant evolution and breeding, but systematic studies on its effects in woody plants remain limited. To address this gap, a systematic investigation covering autopolyploidization-induced variations in two autotetraploid jujube cultivars and their diploid counterparts across morphological, cytological, and metabolic levels was conducted in the present study. Compared with the diploids, the autotetraploid jujubes exhibited larger leaves, flowers, and fruits, but a dwarfing phenotype with reduced fruit set. Additionally, decreased leaf stomatal density and weakened pollen viability were observed in the autotetraploid jujubes. Metabolomic analysis further revealed that autotetraploid fruits accumulated higher contents of soluble sugars, flavonoids, phenolics, and alkaloids but contained lower contents of amino acids. Based on LC-MS/MS quantification of leaf phytohormones, we identified six common hormones that were differentially accumulated in both cultivar comparisons. Notably, all six showed consistent alteration patterns between the two autotetraploid–diploid pairs. Together, these findings enhance our understanding of how autopolyploidy influences secondary metabolism, plant architecture, and hormone homeostasis in woody plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Jujube Research, Second Edition)
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14 pages, 8583 KB  
Article
Geospatial Metabolomics Unravel Regional Disparities in Sedative Compounds and Volatile Profiles of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen Across Chinese Production Areas
by Jia Tian, Shujuan Hou, Hanbing Zhu, Ruirui Dao, Junguang Ning, Peixing Ren, Fuxu Pan, Mengjun Liu and Zhihui Zhao
Plants 2025, 14(17), 2739; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14172739 - 2 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1638
Abstract
Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (ZSS) has significant medicinal value, and its growing environment critically influences medicinal component accumulation. We analyzed 10 ZSS samples from six major Chinese production areas, identifying 2994 metabolites while exploring tranquilizing constituents and volatiles. Lipids and amino acids were the [...] Read more.
Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (ZSS) has significant medicinal value, and its growing environment critically influences medicinal component accumulation. We analyzed 10 ZSS samples from six major Chinese production areas, identifying 2994 metabolites while exploring tranquilizing constituents and volatiles. Lipids and amino acids were the primary nutrients, while terpenoids were the most abundant class of secondary metabolites. Volatile profiling revealed characteristic sour-fruity-herbaceous flavors, with GS-QY samples showing the highest volatile content. HB-XT and LN-CY samples accumulated the most sedative compounds (jujubosides A/B, spinosin). These findings demonstrate production regions significantly influence ZSS’s medicinal/aromatic profiles, supporting targeted product development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Jujube Research, Second Edition)
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Review

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20 pages, 2350 KB  
Review
Phenolic Compounds in Ziziphus jujuba Mill.: Advances in Distribution, Biosynthesis, and Pharmacological Activities
by Yuting Hu, Jiangtao Du, Yingying Fan, Fengjuan Liu, Weizhong He, Binbin Li, Xing Cui and Cheng Wang
Plants 2026, 15(8), 1160; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15081160 - 9 Apr 2026
Viewed by 555
Abstract
Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is a functional food with both edible and medicinal properties. It is rich in various bioactive compounds and holds significant development value and application prospects in food nutrition, medicine, and health. This review systematically summarizes the research progress [...] Read more.
Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is a functional food with both edible and medicinal properties. It is rich in various bioactive compounds and holds significant development value and application prospects in food nutrition, medicine, and health. This review systematically summarizes the research progress on the synthesis mechanism and pharmacological activities of phenolic compounds in jujube fruits, clarifies the composition of their main components, sorts out the research advances in extraction technologies of jujube phenolic compounds, and focuses on analyzing the content differences and distribution patterns across cultivars and tissue parts. On this basis, it examines the regulatory mechanisms of phenolic compound synthesis in depth, with a particular focus on elucidating the regulatory networks of genes and transcription factors involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. Meanwhile, this review comprehensively summarizes the pharmacological activities of phenolic compounds in jujube fruits, including antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic effects. It also elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying these bioactivities, such as regulating signaling pathways and scavenging free radicals. Finally, it analyzes the limitations of current research and proposes key directions for future development. This review provides theoretical support and a scientific basis for the in-depth development and utilization of jujube phenolic compounds as well as for the research and development of related functional foods and drugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Jujube Research, Second Edition)
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15 pages, 436 KB  
Review
Research Progress on the Application of Plant Growth Regulators in the Rapid Propagation of Jujube by In Vitro Culture
by Bochao Yang, Zhi Luo, Xingyu Zhu, Yinzhong Ji, Quanhui Ma and Fenfen Yan
Plants 2025, 14(19), 3012; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14193012 - 29 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1636
Abstract
Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is an important economic fruit tree in China, and its in vitro culture technology is the key to achieving large-scale seedling cultivation. PGRs (Plant growth regulators) play a central regulatory role in all stages of jujube micropropagation, including [...] Read more.
Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is an important economic fruit tree in China, and its in vitro culture technology is the key to achieving large-scale seedling cultivation. PGRs (Plant growth regulators) play a central regulatory role in all stages of jujube micropropagation, including explant initiation, proliferation, and rooting. This article provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in in vitro culture of jujube, with a focus on the recommended exogenous phytohormone ratios, their effects, and underlying regulatory mechanisms across distinct varieties during the key stages such as in vitro culture, shoot proliferation, and root formation. The primary culture of most jujube varieties usually employs the MS medium, and it is recommended that auxin and cytokinin be used in combination. During the initial cultivation stage, the use of NAA (1-naphthaleneacetic acid) or IBA (indole butyric acid) is recommended at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mg/L. At the same time, 6-BA (6-benzylaminopurine) is suggested, with a concentration range of 0.5 to 2.5 mg/L. In the subculture multiplication of most jujube varieties, MS medium is used, and auxin (such as NAA, IBA), and TDZ (thidiazuron) and cytokinin (e.g., 6-BA) are used in combination. The recommended concentration range for auxin remains between 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L, and for cytokinin 6-BA between 0.5 and 2.5 mg/L, while the recommended concentration of TDZ is suggested to be below 0.01 mg/L. Rooting induction for most jujube varieties has predominantly been achieved using 1/2 MS medium, with growth regulator concentrations typically ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 mg/L. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Jujube Research, Second Edition)
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