Search Results (120)

Peach (Prunus persica (L.)) fruits are abundant in nutrients, with fruit shape and sugar content serving as critical indicators of fruit quality. Melatonin plays a pivotal role in peach fruit development; however, the mechanisms by which it regulates fruit shape development, sugar metabolism, and secondary metabolites remain largely unknown. In this study, peach trees were sprayed with 150 µM melatonin 20 days after pollination. Traditional methods were used to investigate fruit morphology, total soluble solids (TSSs), and titratable acidity content (TAC), while liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was employed to analyze sugar metabolites during fruit development. The results indicated that melatonin treatment augmented the transverse and longitudinal diameters of peach fruits by 12% and 6%, respectively, and elevated the contents of soluble solids and titratable acid by 7% and 6%, respectively. The single fruit weight experienced a significant increase of 29.4%, whereas fruit firmness at maturity remained unchanged. Metabolite analysis demonstrated that melatonin decreased the levels of sucrose and D-sorbitol in mature fruits but enhanced the accumulation of D-fructose, L-rhamnose, and xylose. Significantly, melatonin expedited the degradation of galactose, D-mannose, and methyl-D-pyranogalactoside prior to maturity (all three substances naturally decline with fruit ripening), highlighting its role in promoting fruit ripening. In conclusion, exogenous melatonin improves the internal nutrition and flavor quality of fruit by regulating the accumulation of primary and secondary metabolites during fruit ripening. Specifically, the increase in D-fructose (a major contributor to sweetness) and L-rhamnose (a potential precursor for aroma compounds) enhances fruit flavor profile. The accelerated degradation of galactose, D-mannose, and methyl-D-pyranogalactoside (components of cell wall polysaccharides) prior to maturity, alongside the metabolic shift favoring fructose accumulation over sucrose, highlights melatonin’s role in promoting fruit ripening and softening processes. It also promotes fruit enlargement and single fruit weight without affecting fruit firmness. This study establishes a theoretical basis for the further investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying melatonin’s role in peach fruits and for enhancing quality-focused breeding practices. Full article

Soil phosphorus (P) availability is a critical factor affecting the productivity of Phyllostachys edulis (moso bamboo) forests. However, the mechanisms underlying the physiological and growth responses of moso bamboo to varying soil P conditions remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to elucidate the adaptive mechanisms of moso bamboo to different soil P levels from the perspectives of root morphological and architectural plasticity, as well as the allocation strategies of nutrient elements and photosynthates. One-year-old potted seedlings of moso bamboo were subjected to four P addition treatments (P1: 0, P2: 25 mg·kg⁻¹, P3: 50 mg·kg⁻¹, P4: 100 mg·kg⁻¹) for one year. The biomass of different seedling organs, root morphological and architectural indices, and the contents of nitrogen (N), P, and non-structural carbohydrates in the roots, stems, and leaves were measured in July and December. P addition increased the root length (by 113.8%), root surface area (by 146.5%), root average diameter (by 14.8%), root length ratio of thicker roots (diameter > 0.9 mm), number of root tips (by 31.9%), fractal dimension (by 5.6%), P accumulation (by 235.8%), and contents of starch (ST) and soluble sugars (SS), while it decreased the specific root length (by 31.7%), root branching angle (by 1.9%), root topological index (by 4.8%), root length ratio of finer roots (diameter ≤ 0.3 mm), SS/ST, and N/P. The root–shoot ratio showed a downward trend in July and an upward trend in December. Our results indicated that moso bamboo seedlings tended to form roots with a small diameter, high absorption efficiency, and minimal internal competition to adapt to soil P deficiency and carbon limitation caused by low P. Under low-P conditions, moso bamboo prioritized allocating photosynthates and P to roots, promoting the conversion of starch to soluble sugars to support root morphological and architectural plasticity and maintain root growth and physiological functions. Sole P addition eliminated the constraints of low P on moso bamboo growth and nutrient accumulation but caused imbalances in the N/P. Full article

Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Bupleurum in the Apiaceae family. Also known as red Bupleurum, it is mainly distributed in Northeast China, North China and other regions and is a commonly used medicinal plant. It is difficult for the wild plant resources of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. to meet the market demand. In artificial cultivation, there are problems such as a low yield per plant, low quality, weakened stress resistance and variety degradation. The contents of bioactive components and metabolites in traditional Chinese medicinal materials vary significantly across different growth years. The growth duration directly impacts their quality and clinical efficacy. Therefore, determining the optimal growth period is one of the crucial factors in ensuring the quality of traditional Chinese medicinal materials. In this study, Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were comprehensively applied to analyze the metabolically differential substances in different parts of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. By comparing the compositions and content differences of chemical components in different growth years and different parts, the chemical components with significant differences were accurately screened out. In order to further explore the dynamic change characteristics and internal laws of metabolites, a metabolic network was constructed for a visual analysis and, finally, to see the optimal growth years of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. This result showed that with the accumulation of the growth cycle, the height, root width, fresh mass and saikosaponins content of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. increased year by year. Except for sodium and calcium elements in the main shoot, the other elements were significantly reduced. In addition, 59 primary metabolites were identified by GC-MS, with the accumulation of the growth cycle, the contents of organic acids, sugars, alcohols and amino acids gradually decreased, while the contents of alkyl, glycosides and other substances gradually increased. There were 53 positive correlations and 18 negative correlations in the triennial Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. grid, all of which were positively correlated with saikosaponins. Therefore, the triennial Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. was considered to be the suitable growth year. It not only provided a new idea and method for the quality evaluation of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd., but also provided a scientific basis for the quality control of Chinese herbs. Full article

The quest to establish permanent outposts in space, the Moon, and Mars requires growing plants for nutrition, water purification, and carbon/nutrient recycling, as well as the psychological well-being of crews and personnel on extra-terrestrial platforms/outposts. To achieve these essential goals, the safety, quality, and sustainability of plant material grown in space should be comparable to Earth-grown crops. In this study, radish plants were grown at 2500 ppm CO₂ in two successive grow-outs on the International Space Station and at similar CO₂ partial pressure at the Kennedy Space Center. An additional control experiment was performed at the University of Louisiana Lafayette laboratory, at ambient CO₂. Subsequent analyses of glucosinolate and sugar species and content showed that regardless of growth condition, glucoraphasatin, glucoraphenin, glucoerucin, glucobrassicin, 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, 4-methoxyglucobrassicin, and three aliphatic GSLs tentatively assigned to 3-methylpentyl GSL, 4-methylpentyl GSL, and n-hexyl GSL were present in all examined plants. The most common sugars were fructose, glucose, and sucrose, but some plants also contained galactose, maltose, rhamnose, and trehalose. The variability of individual secondary metabolite abundances was not related to gravity conditions but appeared more sensitive to CO₂ concentration. No indication was found that radish cultivation in space resulted in stress(es) that increased glucosinolate secondary metabolism. Flavor and nutrient components in space-grown plants were comparable to cultivation on Earth. Full article

Milk jujube has become an increasingly popular tropical fruit. The sugar content, which is commonly represented by the soluble solid content (SSC), is a key indicator of the flavor, internal quality, and market value of milk jujubes. Traditional methods for assessing SSC are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and destructive. These methods fail to meet the practical demands of the fruit market. A rapid, stable, and effective non-destructive detection method based on visible/near-infrared (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy is proposed here. A Vis/NIR reflectance spectroscopy system covering 340–1031 nm was constructed to detect SSC in milk jujubes. A structured spectral modeling framework was adopted, consisting of outlier elimination, dataset partitioning, spectral preprocessing, feature selection, and model construction. Comparative experiments were conducted at each step of the framework. Special emphasis was placed on the impact of outlier detection and dataset partitioning strategies on modeling accuracy. A data-augmentation-based unsupervised anomaly sample elimination (DAUASE) strategy was proposed to enhance the data validity. Multiple data partitioning strategies were evaluated, including random selection (RS), Kennard–Stone (KS), and SPXY methods. The KS method achieved the best preservation of the original data distribution, improving the model generalization. Several spectral preprocessing and feature selection methods were used to enhance the modeling performance. Regression models, including support vector regression (SVR), partial least squares regression (PLSR), multiple linear regression (MLR), and backpropagation neural network (BP), were compared. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the above results, the DAUASE + KS + SG + SNV + CARS + SVR model exhibited the highest prediction performance. Specifically, it achieved an average precision (AP_p) of 99.042% on the prediction set, a high coefficient of determination (R_P²) of 0.976, and a low root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.153. These results indicate that Vis/NIR spectroscopy is highly effective and reliable for the rapid and non-destructive detection of SSC in milk jujubes, and it may also provide a theoretical basis for the practical application of rapid and non-destructive detection in milk jujubes and other jujube varieties. Full article

Background: The rising consumption of ultra-processed foods, especially those high in added sugars, poses a growing public health concern. Although several tools exist to assess food addiction, there is a lack of validated instruments specifically designed to measure addiction-like behaviors related to sweet food intake. Objectives: This study evaluates the psychometric properties of the FitMIND Foundation Sweets Addiction Scale (FFSAS), adapted from the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS 2.0), using data from Polish adults recruited through the FitMIND Foundation. Methods: The FFSAS was evaluated by 11 expert judges on four criteria: clarity, content validity, linguistic appropriateness, and construct representativeness. Afterwards, 344 adult volunteers (mean age 40.6 ± 10.7 years, 78% female, mean body mass index (BMI) 27.86 kg/m²) completed online FFSAS and provided demographic data, BMI, and self-reported sweets consumption. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha and external validity was examined through Spearman’s correlations. Moreover, we conducted Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses (EFA and CFA). Results: Content validity of the FFSAS was supported by expert validation. The scale demonstrated good overall internal consistency (α = 0.85), with specific criteria such as tolerance (α = 0.916) and withdrawal (α = 0.914) showing particularly high reliability. The FFSAS total score was moderately correlated with sweets consumption frequency (ρ = 0.39, p < 0.05) and feelings of guilt (ρ = 0.35, p < 0.05). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed a robust three-factor structure, explaining 68.6% of the variance; the individual factors (subscales) derived from this structure demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α ranging from 0.951 to 0.962). Sampling adequacy was high based on Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure (KMO = 0.956). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated suboptimal model fit (Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.74, Tucker–Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.69, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.14), with a significant chi-square test (χ² = 3761.76, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated that the FFSAS may be a promising tool for assessing sweet food addiction in adults. Future research should focus on assessing the FFSAS’ suitability on more diverse populations in other countries for further validation. Full article

Due to the frequent use of fungicides in viticulture, resistant plant pathogens have emerged, necessitating environmentally friendly alternatives. This research aimed to determine the effect of ozonated water (OW) spraying on fungal colonies present on grapevine leaves and berries, as well as on the biochemical composition of the berries. ‘Regent’ grapevines were grown in a high plastic tunnel and sprayed with OW from post-flowering to harvest. The fungal population on the phyllosphere of grapevine leaves and berries was evaluated using the serial dilution plating method. The taxonomic composition of the predominant fungal colonies was characterized using internal transcribed spacer amplicon sequencing. OW treatment significantly decreased fungal colonies on grapes but had no significant effect on grapevine leaves. The fungal colonies were dominated by Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium brevicompactum, and Fusarium sp. OW treatment significantly reduced the total sugar content in grapes (from 160 to 154 g L⁻¹) and increased the total acid content (from 7.2 to 8.6 g L⁻¹). The fruit polyphenol content increased from 431 to 508 mg 100 g⁻¹, and antioxidant activity was significantly enhanced. It can be concluded that OW treatment is effective in reducing fungal colony forming units on grapes in vineyards. OW treatment affected the sugar, acid, and polyphenol content in grapes, but not to a degree that would present specific challenges for winemakers. Full article

Tea saponins are excellent natural surfactants, and previous studies on their extraction from C. oleifera seed meals in subcritical water have mainly focused on the optimization of external extraction conditions. In order to achieve the efficient extraction of tea saponins in subcritical water, this study explores the influence of the composition-internal factors on the extraction rate of tea saponins. In this study, the composition of three C. oleifera seed meals purchased from Hubei, Hunan and Guizhou province and extraction rates of tea saponins, dissolution rates of reducing sugars and proteins from these C. oleifera seed meals were compared, and the results showed that reducing sugars and proteins were intrinsic components affecting extraction rates of tea saponins in subcritical water. The simulation system involving tea saponins, whey protein isolate (WPI), and glucose in subcritical water showed that WPI reduced the content of tea saponins through the Maillard reaction, and glucose inhibited the participation of tea saponins in the Maillard reaction. The above mechanism was verified using alkaline protease, which changed the content of reducing sugars and proteins in the C. oleifera seed meal purchased from Hubei province, and provided guidance for achieving the efficient extraction of tea saponins. Full article

Processed brown sugar is produced by combining non-centrifugal cane sugar (NCS), raw sugar, and molasses. The present study aimed to examine the effects of NCS and raw sugar blending (10%:90%, 50%:50%, 75%:25%, and 90%:10%) on color traits, non-volatile and volatile compounds, retronasal aroma release, and sensory profiles of processed brown sugar, and hence, its flavor quality. The International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis (ICUMSA) color index and the +L* (brightness) and +b* (yellowness) color spaces were gradually altered upon the addition of raw sugar, with strong Pearson’s negative correlations between the ICUMSA value and both color space indices (r = −0.9554 and r = −0.9739, respectively), causing a lighter color of the final product. Raw sugar addition also significantly reduced the concentration of non-volatile compounds, such as glucose and organic acids (p < 0.05). As the raw sugar proportion increased from 10 to 90%, the concentrations of total volatile compounds and Maillard reaction products (MRPs), such as pyrazines, furans, and furanones, also decreased significantly from 62.58 to 22.73 µg/100 g and 34.75 to 6.80 µg/100 g, respectively. Reduced intensities of ion masses of in-mouth and in-nose retronasal odors from volatile MRPs, as well as roasted aroma and richness properties, were observed in processed brown sugars with greater raw sugar content. Taken together, a higher proportion of raw sugar in processed brown sugar manufacturing enhances brightness while reducing acidity and aftertaste; however, increased NCS content results in darker products with greater roasted aroma and richness, affecting flavor quality. Full article

This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the internal quality changes in apples during storage via near-infrared spectroscopy. Specifically, we focus on the performance differences in different apple varieties under diverse storage conditions and construct predictive models to determine the optimal storage period. By using near-infrared spectroscopy technology, 384 samples of four apple varieties (Xinjiang Akesu, Wafangdian Huangyuanshuai, Shandong Fuji, and Luochuan Fuji) were analyzed to monitor the changes in their soluble solid content (SSC) and fruit firmness within 7 weeks. The results indicated that, under cold storage conditions, SSC and firmness gradually decreased after peaking between the third and fifth weeks, while the opposite trend was observed at room temperature. To enhance the predictive accuracy of the model, several pretreatment methods were employed, including standardization, multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), and standard normal variate transformation (SNV). Additionally, competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) and uninformative variable elimination (UVE) were utilized for band selection. These pretreatment and selection processes significantly reduced noise and improved model reliability. The best results were achieved with the Normalization-CARS-PLS model for the sugar content at 1 °C, which demonstrated an optimal predictive correlation coefficient (Rp) of 0.904 and a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.67. For firmness at room temperature, the Normalization-CARS-PLS model also showed an excellent performance, with an Rp of 0.823 and an RMSEP of 0.809. The study of the quality of four varieties of apples under three storage conditions in this paper was able to analyze the changes in the internal quality of apples and predict the optimal storage period of different varieties of apples, which is important for guiding the optimal storage period of apples before ripening. Full article

With the surge in digital farming, real-time quality management of fresh produce has become essential. For apples (Malus domestica Borkh.), consumer demand extends beyond sweetness, texture, and appearance to internal quality factors such as moisture content. Existing non-destructive methods, however, involve costly equipment, complex calibration, and sensitivity to environmental conditions. This study hypothesizes that thermal diffusivity indices derived from surface heating and cooling patterns can accurately predict apple moisture content non-destructively. A total of 823 apples from seven varieties were analyzed using a thermal imaging sensor in a 120-s process comprising 40 s of heating and 80 s of cooling. Key thermal diffusivity indices—minimum, maximum, mean, and max–min values—were extracted and correlated with actual moisture content measured via the drying method. Multiple linear regression and leave-one-out cross-validation confirmed that mean temperature-based models provided the most stable predictions ($R_{CV}^2$ ≥ 0.90 for some varieties). Frame optimization and artificial neural networks further improved prediction accuracy for varieties exhibiting higher variability. The proposed method is cost-effective, requires minimal calibration, and is less affected by surface reflectance, outperforming conventional optical methods (e.g., NIR spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging), especially regarding robustness against surface reflectance variability and calibration complexity. This offers a practical solution for monitoring apple freshness and quality during sorting and distribution processes, with expanded research on sugar content and acidity expected to accelerate commercialization. Full article

The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of location on the composition and quality of wines from the viticultural zone PGI Drama. Grapes from two white (Sauvignon blanc, Assyrtiko) and three red varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Agiorgitiko) were collected from nine locations within the zone during 2022. The vineyards span distances ranging from several hundred meters to 100 km, and their altitudes vary from 90 to nearly 820 m. Vinification was performed following the same protocol according to the type of wine. Wines were analyzed for quality parameters such as pH, total acidity, alcohol, and residual sugar content. In addition, elemental composition, phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and sensory attributes of the wines were assessed. The obtained results suggested that besides the type of wine and variety, the location significantly affects the quality parameters of the wine. PCA analysis revealed that location is an important factor affecting the wine quality. The areas north and northwest proved more suitable for specific varieties, as they produce wines with more distinct organoleptic characteristics. The results provide insights into the behavior of international and native varieties in the face of global warming and assist in decisions concerning the most suitable plant material. Full article

This study aims to explore the feasibility of using pea protein isolate (PPI)/sodium alginate (SA) complex as a sugar substitute to develop low sugar plant fat cream. Firstly, this study analyzed the influence of SA on the structure and physicochemical properties of PPI and evaluated the types of interaction forces between PPI and SA. The addition of SA effectively induces the unfolding and structural rearrangement of PPI, causing structural changes and subunit dissociation of PPI, resulting in the exposure of internal-SH groups. In addition, the addition of SA increased the content of β-folding in PPI, making the structure of PPI more flexible and reducing interfacial tension. The ITC results indicate that the binding between PPI and SA exhibits characteristics of rapid binding and slow dissociation, which is spontaneous and accompanied by heat release. Next, the effect of PPI/SA ratio on the whipping performance and quality of low sugar plant fat creams was studied by using PPI/SA complex instead of 20% sugar in the cream. When using a PPI/SA complex with a mass ratio of 1:0.3 instead of sugar, the stirring performance, texture, and stability of plant fat cream reach their optimum. Finally, the relevant analysis results indicate that the flexibility and interface characteristics of PPI are key factors affecting the quality of cream. This study can provide theoretical support for finding suitable sugar substitute products and developing low sugar plant fat cream. Full article

Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst. has high medicinal and economic value, but in recent years, wild resources of this species have been depleted and the quality of artificially cultivated A. euchroma has been poor. The endophyte community of medicinal plants is rich, serving as an internal resource that promotes the growth of medicinal plants and the accumulation of secondary metabolites, and has important potential application value in improving the quality of medicinal materials. A. euchroma cultivars and wild varieties contain abundant endophyte communities and metabolites in different tissues. However, the relationships between A. euchroma endophytes and metabolites with different growth patterns and different tissue sites remain unclear. In this study, microbiome analysis and metabolomics were used to analyze the diversity of endophytes in the root and leaf tissues of cultivated and wild A. euchroma and their correlations with metabolites. The results revealed that the diversity of endophytes in A. euchroma was different from that in wild A. euchroma and that there was tissue specificity among different tissues. A species composition analysis revealed that the dominant endophytic fungi belonged to Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, and the dominant endophytic bacteria belonged to Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria. A total of 248 metabolites, including quinones, flavonoids, alkaloids, organic acids, sugars, amino acids, coumarins, sterols, terpenoids, polyphenols, fatty ketones, and their derivatives, were identified in positive ion mode via LC–MS/MS. According to their different growth patterns and associated tissue parts, 9 differentially abundant metabolites were screened between AEZ-L (cultivated leaf tissue of A. euchroma) and AEY-L (wild leaf tissue of A. euchroma), 6 differentially abundant metabolites were screened between AEZ-R (cultivated root tissue of A. euchroma) and AEY-R (wild root tissue of A. euchroma), and 104 differentially abundant metabolites were screened between AEZ-R and AEZ-L. Eighty-two differentially abundant metabolites were screened between AEY-R and AEY-L. The contents of eight naphthoquinones in AEZ-R and AEY-R were determined via HPLC. The contents of β,β’-dimethylacrylylakanin in wild A. euchroma were greater than those in cultivated A. euchroma. A correlation analysis revealed that the dominant endophytes in the four groups were significantly correlated with a variety of metabolites, and the eight naphthoquinones in the root tissue were also significantly correlated with the dominant endophytes. The diversity of the A. euchroma endophyte community differed across different growth patterns and different tissue parts. There were significant differences in the relative contents of A. euchroma metabolites in different tissues. A correlation analysis verified the correlation between A. euchroma endophytes and metabolites. Full article

Honey is a sweet substance laboriously collected and crafted from nectar by bees, and since ancient times, it has been deeply cherished by humans for its unique flavor and nutritional value. Litchi honey stands out among various types of honey with its unique flavor and sweet taste, and it is particularly favored by consumers. In accordance with the testing methodologies specified in relevant Chinese national standards, we conducted an exhaustive analysis of the physicochemical properties of six litchi honey samples in Southern China. The results showed that the moisture content fell within a range of 17.18% to 22.7%, while the electrical conductivity remained below 0.28 mS/cm, and amylase activity surpassed 7.7 mL/(g·h). The fructose content varied from 36.5% to 39.6%, with glucose content ranging between 30.57% and 37.63%. The combined total of these two monosaccharides was found to be within the spectrum of 69.63% to 77.23%, and sucrose content was recorded between 0.59% and 1.15%. The F/G was between 1.05 and 1.28, the proportion of fructose in reducing sugars ranged from 51.28% to 56.22%, and the maltose content was between 1.09% and 1.51%. The HMF content was measured between 1.04 and 3.49 mg/kg. Moreover, the presence of C-4 plant sugars was absent in all tested honey samples. These results definitively demonstrate that the physicochemical attributes of all litchi honey samples align with the standards set forth by Chinese national regulations and international authorities such as CODEX. During our in-depth examination of volatile constituents, we identified 26 common compounds, with trans-linalool oxide, linalool, lilac aldehyde B, lilac aldehyde D, α-terpineol, and cedrol emerging as pivotal in crafting the unique flavor and aroma profile of litchi honey. Additionally, the detection of methyl cyclosiloxane in litchi honey has garnered our attention, necessitating a comprehensive investigation into the honey production process. In conclusion, this study not only establishes a robust scientific basis for the quality assurance and product development of litchi honey but also provides valuable reference information for consumers in their selection of honey products. Full article