Search Results (447)

Apples are one of the most popular fruits in Germany, valued for their regional availability and health benefits. When deciding which apple to buy, several characteristics are important to consumers, including the taxonomic variety, organic cultivation and regional production. To verify that these characteristics are correctly declared, powerful analytical methods are required. In this study, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-ToF-MS) is applied in combination with random forest to 193 apple samples for the analysis of various authentication issues. Accuracies of 93.3, 85.5, 85.6 and 90% were achieved for distinguishing between German and non-German, North and South German, organic and conventional apples and for six different taxonomic varieties. Since the classification models largely use different parts of the data, which is shown by variable selection, this method is very well suited to answer different authentication issues with one analytical approach. Full article

The impact of five different nets—conventional black, grey, white, and photoselective red and yellow—on the performance of “Gala Redlum” apples was evaluated over a five-year period (2020–2024) and compared to an uncovered control. The cumulative production over this period, ranked from highest to lowest, was as follows: white net (182.4 t/ha), grey net (178.5 t/ha), yellow net (175.8 t/ha), black net (175.5 t/ha), red net (169.5 t/ha), and uncovered control (138.8 t/ha). Vegetative growth results were inconsistent among the studied years. The cumulative photosynthetic rate (An) was slightly higher under the white net (57.9 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Fv/Fm values remained closest to optimal levels under the black and grey nets. Netting effectively protected fruits from elevated temperatures, particularly under the grey net, and reduced sunburn damage, with the grey, black, and yellow nets performing best in this regard. Overall profitability was increased by netting: the black net provided the highest cumulative income per hectare over a five-year period (EUR 72,315) alongside the second-lowest sunburn loss (0.69%), while the yellow net also showed strong economic performance (€64,742) with a moderate sunburn loss (1.26%) compared to the red net. Fruit dry matter and soluble solids content (SSC) were generally higher in the uncovered control, whereas °Hue values tended to be higher under the red and yellow nets. In summary, the black and yellow nets provided more balanced microclimatic conditions that enhanced tree performance, particularly under heat stress, leading to improved yield and profitability. However, the economic feasibility of each net type should be evaluated in relation to its installation and maintenance costs. Full article

Droughts are predicted to intensify with climate change, posing a serious threat to global crop production. Increasing drought tolerance in plants requires an understanding of the underlying mechanisms. This study measured the physiological, phytohormonal and transcriptomic responses to drought in two apple rootstocks to identify drought ‘biomarkers’ and investigated whether the application of acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) to the roots could enhance drought tolerance. Two potted-plant trials were conducted on dwarfing (M9) and semi-dwarfing (CG202) apple rootstocks. In both trials, the response patterns in the roots and leaves were compared between irrigated and non-irrigated plants over a 14-day period. In trial 2, ASM was applied 14 days before and immediately before withdrawing irrigation. Drought induced significant decreases in transpiration, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance in both trials. This was accompanied by the accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA) metabolites and the upregulation of ABA pathway transcripts (CYP707A1/A2 and NCED3), a decrease in 12-oxophytodienoic acid (cis-OPDA) and the downregulation of ABA receptor genes (PYL4). The responses to drought were greater in the roots than the leaves, broadly similar across both rootstocks, but differed in strength and timing between the rootstocks. The application of ASM to the roots did not significantly affect the responsiveness to drought in either rootstock. The identified phytohormonal and transcriptomic biomarkers require further validation across a broader range of genotypes. Full article

The increasing interest in fibre-enriched and functional bakery products has led to the exploration of novel plant-based ingredients with both technological functionality and consumer acceptance. This study evaluates the effects of incorporating flours derived from apple (Malus domestica cv. Oberländer Himbeerapfel), sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), and red, sessile, and pedunculate oak (Quercus rubra, Q. petraea, and Q. robur) into wheat bread at 5%, 10%, and 15% substitution levels. The impact on crumb structure, crust colour, textural parameters (hardness, adhesiveness, springiness), and sensory attributes was assessed. The inclusion of apple and sweet chestnut flours resulted in a softer crumb, lower adhesiveness, and higher sensory scores related to flavour, aroma, and crust appearance. In contrast, higher levels of oak- and horse-chestnut-derived flours increased crumb hardness and reduced overall acceptability due to bitterness or excessive density. Apple flour preserved crumb brightness and contributed to warm tones, while oak flours caused more intense crust darkening. These findings suggest that selected non-traditional flours, especially apple and sweet chestnut, can enhance the sensory and physical properties of wheat bread, supporting the development of fibre-rich, clean-label formulations aligned with consumer trends in sustainable and functional baking. Full article

Apples (Malus domestica), one of Iran’s oldest cultivated fruit crops, hold considerable economic importance. In this study, 170 apple leaf samples representing various commercial cultivars were collected across the country. RT-PCR screening targeted five common apple-infecting viruses and two viroids: apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), apple stem pitting virus (ASPV), apple stem grooving virus (ASGV), apple green crinkle-associated virus (AGCaV), apple mosaic virus (ApMV), apple scar skin viroid (ASSVd), and hop stunt viroid (HSVd). To identify additional or novel agents, 40 RT-PCR-negative samples were pooled into two composite groups and analyzed using next-generation sequencing (NGS). NGS was also performed on individual samples with mixed infections to retrieve full genomes. RT-PCR confirmed the presence of ACLSV, ASPV, ASGV, AGCaV, ApMV, and HSVd. NGS further revealed three additional pathogens: citrus concave gum-associated virus (CCGaV), apple hammerhead viroid (AHVd), and apricot vein clearing-associated virus (AVCaV), which were subsequently detected across the collection by RT-PCR. AGCaV was most prevalent (47.6%), followed by ACLSV (45.8%), HSVd (27.6%), AVCaV (20.5%), ASGV (17%), AHVd (15.2%), ASPV (14.1%), CCGaV (4.7%), and ApMV (3.5%). Mixed infections occurred in 67% of samples. Phylogenetic analysis based on CP genes (ACLSV, ASGV, AGCaV) and full genomes (AVCaV, AHVd) clustered Iranian isolates together, suggesting a common origin. This is the first report in Iran of AGCaV, CCGaV, ApMV, and AVCaV in apple, and notably, the first global report of AVCaV in a non-Prunus host. The findings provide the first comprehensive assessment of the sanitary status of apple trees in Iran. Full article

Although it is one of the most important methods of fruit and vegetable preservation, pickling provides multiple interesting vistas for study, from the variety of the raw vegetal material and the composition of pickling media to the diversity of the microorganisms involved in the process or the quality of the final product. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of sodium chloride substitution with potassium or magnesium chloride on the pickling process of apples. Physical (mass, color, texture), chemical (dry matter, acidity, salinity, reducing sugars) and phytochemical parameters of the apples were analyzed during 35 days of fermentation, with a frequency of 7 days. The results show a decrease in dry matter from 14.94 ± 0.25% for all the samples and a continuous increase of lactic acid concentration to a maximum of 0.248 ± 0.032 g lactic acid/100 g product for the magnesium samples. At the same time, the phytochemical profile is enhanced, while the texture becomes softer (a decrease in firmness from 2.53 ± 0.08 N to 0.72 ± 0.02 N was registered for potassium samples). The main conclusion of the study is that sodium chloride could be successfully replaced by potassium or magnesium chloride in the fermentation process of apples. Full article

Kazakhstan is recognized as one of the primary centers of origin of the wild apple Malus sieversii, concentrated mainly in the mountains like Trans-Ile and Zhongar Alatau, as well as parts of the Tarbagatay, Talas Alatau, and Karatau ranges. As the wild progenitor of Malus domestica, M. sieversii harbors a critical genetic diversity essential for apple breeding and conservation efforts. However, its natural populations are increasingly threatened by latent viral infection, which weakens trees, reduces reproduction, and hinders regeneration. In this study, the spread of apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) and apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) was documented in four wild apple populations, with detection rates of 50.2% and 42.2%, respectively. Mixed infections were observed in 28.8% of sampled trees. Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) was detected exclusively in cultivated orchards, whereas apple mosaic virus (ApMV) and apple necrotic mosaic virus (ApNMV) were not found in either wild forests or cultivated orchards. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, we developed the first spatial distribution maps of these viruses in wild apple forests in the Tian Shan region, revealing site-specific variation and infection rates. These results underscore the importance of monitoring viral infections in wild M. sieversii populations to preserve genetically valuable, virus-free germplasm critical for apple breeding, crop improvement, and sustainable orchard management. Full article

Local apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) cultivars with tolerance to environmental stress factors must be re-evaluated. While the cultivation of apple trees has a long-standing tradition in Hungary, only a handful of cultivars are produced on a large scale, reflecting a trend in global apple production. The most commonly cultivated apple cultivars worldwide include ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Red Delicious’, ‘Gala’, ‘Fuji’, and ‘Granny Smith’ (with ‘Jonagold’ and ‘Idared’ being significant in Europe). As a result, genetic diversity among apple cultivars has decreased significantly, which has increased the risk of epidemics if a new pathogen appears. Nonetheless, old and local apple cultivars of the Carpathian Basin have adapted well to Hungarian environmental stress factors and pathogens and seem tolerant to them. In this study, fruit analyses and consumer evaluations of eighteen old, local apple cultivars were conducted. Various physicochemical parameters, such as fruit mass, firmness, total soluble solid content, and total acid content, as well as the content of some biological active compounds, including polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity (FRAP), and pectin content, were determined. Additionally, a consumer evaluation was carried out. Based on the results, most of the old, local apple cultivars exhibit high fruit quality and offer considerable health benefits. The proportion of biologically active compounds in these cultivars is equal to or higher than that in the reference cultivar ‘Watson Jonathan’. Based on the excellent fruit quality and consumer preferences, the ‘Harang alma’ (an attractive fruit exhibiting high FRAP values) and ‘Marosszéki piros’ (with firm flesh and a high pectin content and being particularly tasty) cultivars are recommended for backyard gardens. Full article

The apple tree (Malus domestica), a member of the Rosaceae family, holds significant economic value but faces postharvest challenges, like blue mold caused by Penicillium expansum and gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea. While synthetic fungicides are widely used, their limitations highlight the need for sustainable alternatives. This study explores the antifungal properties of extracts from Celtis australis, Olea europea var. sylvestris, Chamaerops humilis, and Asparagus albus against these pathogens. In vitro tests assessed mycelial growth inhibition, whereas in vivo trials consisted of measurement of weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and maturity index. Moreover, the phytochemical traits of the extracts were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and HPLC. The results revealed notable antifungal activity, particularly for Celtis australis extract at a concentration of 300 g L⁻¹, which led to significant mycelial growth inhibition (61% for P. expansum and 41% for B. cinerea), a reduction in diseases’ severity (39% and 50%), and a notable decrease in diseases’ incidence (43% and 48%), respectively. Phytochemical analysis reflected the presence of phenols and flavonoids in the tested extracts. Importantly, the natural treatments helped preserve the apples’ quality during storage. Molecular docking studies further revealed that major compounds in Celtis australis extract inhibit the 14α-demethylase enzyme, a key target in fungal sterols biosynthesis. Full article

Lagrein grape (Vitis vinifera L.) pomace and Scilate apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) skin are polyphenol- and antioxidant-rich by-products with promising applications in the food industry. This study investigated the impact of drying and grinding on their antioxidant properties for use in gluten-free baked goods. Regardless of the by-product analysis, the results showed that processing conditions effectively preserved most of the polyphenols. Furthermore, the grape pomace and apple skin flours produced retained approximately 86% and 66% of anthocyanins, respectively. Incorporating these flours into breadsticks, focaccia, and cookies significantly enhanced their polyphenol content (300–727%), anthocyanin content (600–1718%), and antioxidant capacity (280–1200%). The addition of these by-products to baked goods led to a slight decrease in texture and sensory properties. However, adding both grape pomace and apple skin flours significantly improved consumer acceptance compared to products containing only grape pomace flour. This study highlights the potential of upcycling by-products from grapes and apples to enhance the nutritional profile of gluten-free products while supporting a circular economy approach. Full article

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is an economically important fruit. The use of nitrate by plants plays a crucial role in their growth and development, and its absorption and dispersal are controlled by nitrate transport proteins (NRTs). In this study, we investigated the potential function of MdNRT2.4 under low-nitrogen (N) stress by overexpressing it in tobacco. Compared with plants treated with a normal nitrogen level (5 mM), the MdNRT2.4 overexpression lines under low-N stress (0.25 mM) exhibited significantly greater plant height and width, as well as larger leaves and a higher leaf density, than wild-type plants, suggesting that the overexpression of MdNRT2.4 enhances the low-N tolerance of tobacco. Enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities in the MdNRT2.4 overexpression plant lines promoted the scavenging of reactive oxygen species, which reduced damage to their cell membranes. GUS staining of pMdNRT2.4::GUS-transformed Arabidopsis thaliana lines showed that MdNRT2.4 was expressed in the roots, vascular bundles, seeds in fruit pods, and young anther sites, suggesting that MdNRT2.4 mediates the transport of nitrate to these tissues, indicating that MdNRT2.4 might promote nitrate utilization in apple and improve its tolerance to low-N stress. Experiments using yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays revealed that MdbHLH3 binds to the MdNRT2.4 promoter and activates its expression. MdbHLH3 belongs to the basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factor (TF). It is speculated that MdbHLH3 may interact with the promoter of MdNRT2.4 to regulate N metabolism in plants and enhance their low-N tolerance. This study establishes a theoretical framework for investigating the regulatory mechanisms of low-N responsive molecules in apple, while simultaneously providing valuable genetic resources for molecular breeding programs targeting low-N tolerance. Full article

Cysteine-rich polycomb-like protein (CPP) transcription factors play critical roles in plant growth, development, and responses to stresses and hormone signaling. However, the research on the CPP gene family remains unexplored in apple. In this study, a total of 10 CPP genes (MdCPP1–MdCPP10) were identified and unevenly distributed across seven scaffolds. Phylogenetic and conserved motif analyses revealed that these 10 CXC domain-containing MdCPPs could be classified into three subfamilies. Evolutionary tree and synteny analyses demonstrated that apple shared the highest number of orthologous gene pairs with white pear compared to Arabidopsis. By analyzing the MdCPP gene promoter, a large number of cis-acting elements related to hormone and stress response were discovered. In addition, transcriptomic data demonstrated tissue-specific expression patterns of MdCPP genes, with MdCPP5 and MdCPP8 showing the highest expression in buds and leaves. The qRT-PCR results indicated that MdCPP genes have different expression responses to SA, GA, JA, and IAA treatments. Notably, MdCPP4, MdCPP6, MdCPP8, and MdCPP9 were significantly upregulated under different hormone treatments. Among them, the upregulation of MdCPP6 was the most significant. These findings establish a foundation for further functional characterization of MdCPPs and provide theoretical support for their potential applications in apple genetic improvement and agricultural production. Full article

Background/Objectives: The need for the scientific validation of traditional and folk medicine knowledge has emerged lately. Achyrocline satureioides inflorescences have been widely used for the management of mild viral respiratory infection symptoms in South Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. We intended to assess the therapeutic efficacy of a 14-day course with A. satureioides for mild viral respiratory infection symptoms. Methods: We conducted a randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled trial. Before COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnostic tests, participants were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups: A. satureioides or Malus domestica infusions, with instructions to use the infusions twice a day for 14 days. Our primary endpoint was the recovery time for respiratory symptoms in the overall analysis; the secondary outcomes were the recovery time for non-respiratory symptoms and for stratified analysis, taking into account the vaccination status against SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 infection; and the rate of symptom recovery was also evaluated. Results: The A. satureioides infusion significantly accelerated the resolution of sore throat and sneezing compared with the control group. The participants with COVID-19 who had not been vaccinated and received A. satureioides infusion recovered faster from sore throat, body ache, fever and cough, and showed a shorter median survival time for symptom resolution. The SARS-CoV-2-negative group that received A. satureioides had a faster improvement in the survival analysis of sore throat, earache and loss of appetite. Conclusions: Our findings support the hypothesis that Achyrocline satureioides inflorescence infusions may offer therapeutic benefits in the management of mild viral respiratory infections, as its administration was associated with a significantly accelerated resolution of clinical symptoms. This study was registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC; registration number RBR-8g6f2rv) on 27 January 2022. Full article

Grafting is widely used as a breeding method to enhance productivity and resilience. However, the mechanisms of graft healing remain poorly understood. In this study, we performed Malus domestica (‘Hanfu’) homograft and observed morphological and anatomical changes during the healing process in the graft junction within 40 days after grafting (DAG). The results showed that the healing process was divided into two phases: 0–20 days (callus proliferation phase) and 20–40 days (vascular bundle reconnection phase). During the early stage (20 DAG), gene expression exhibited asymmetry between the scion and rootstock, whereas synchronization occurred in the late stage (40 DAG). Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of the scion and rootstock during these two critical phases identified that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in “Carbon fixation by Calvin cycle” and “photosynthesis-related pathways”, while differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were clustered in “Galactose metabolism”, implying a critical role of carbohydrates in grafting. Genes encoding enzymes involved in sugar biosynthesis, such as amylase (MdAMY), invertase (MdINV), galactinol synthase (MdGS), raffinose synthase (MdRS), and stachyose synthase (MdSS), were generally more highly expressed during Phase I than Phase II. In contrast, genes encoding enzymes related to sugar consumption, such as fructose kinases (MdSUS), cellulose synthases (MdCESA), and galacturonosyltransferase (MdGAUT), showed weak expression in Phase I but were strongly activated in Phase II. Glucose, sucrose, galactose, and melibiose levels increased significantly at 20 DAG compared with 0 DAG and subsequently decreased by 40 DAG. Exogenous application of 0.5% sucrose, raffinose, or melibiose significantly enhanced vascular bundle reconnection rates at 7 DAG compared with the control group (p < 0.01), confirming the pivotal role of sugar metabolism in graft healing. Full article

The CorA/MRS2-type transporters represent a crucial family of magnesium ion transporters widely distributed in plants. Through comprehensive screening and alignment using the Phytozome database, we identified seven magnesium-related MdMRS2 Confirm the deletion of the “Chinese Province” column in the address. genes in apple (MdMRS2-1 to MdMRS2-7), which were distributed across seven distinct chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into five distinct clades. Tissue-specific expression profiles revealed the differential expression patterns of MdMRS2 members in different tissues such as the apple roots, stems, leaves, seedlings, seeds, flowers, and fruits. Among them, the expression level of MdMRS2-5 was the highest in fruits, while that of MdMRS2-6 was the lowest in seeds. Analysis of cis-regulatory elements in MdMRS2 promoter regions identified numerous light-responsive elements, MYB binding sites, and hormone-responsive elements, suggesting their transcriptional regulation may be influenced by related metabolic pathways or signaling molecules. qRT-PCR results showed that the relative expression levels of all genes were significantly upregulated compared with CK under M3 treatment, while there were no significant differences in other treatments. Among them, the upregulation of MdMRS2-7 was the most significant, increasing by 142% compared with CK. Notably, all MdMRS2 genes were significantly upregulated under 4 mmol·L⁻¹ MgSO₄ treatment. Subcellular localization experiments conducted in tobacco leaves confirmed the membrane and cytoplasmic distribution of these transporters, consistent with bioinformatic predictions. These genes may become candidate genes for subsequent functional studies. This work will provide a basis for future research on the response mechanism and function of the MRS2 gene family in response to magnesium stress. Full article