Search Results (240)

Chilling injury (CI) frequently occurs in postharvest flat peach fruit during cold storage, leading to quality deterioration and a reduced shelf life. Therefore, investigating the key factors involved in alleviating CI and developing effective preservatives are vital scientific issues for the industry. 2,4-Epibrassinolide (EBR) is a crucial endogenous hormone involved in plant response to both biological and environmental stressors. At present, most studies focus on the mechanisms of mitigating CI using a single concentration of EBR treatment, while few studies focus on the effects varying EBR concentrations have on CI. The purpose of this research is to explore the effects of varying concentrations of EBR on the postharvest quality and cold resistance of peach fruit, thereby establishing a basis for refining a technical framework of environmentally sustainable strategies to mitigate postharvest CI. The results show that EBR treatment effectively inhibits the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) by maintaining the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), thereby delaying the internal browning process of postharvest peaches. In addition, EBR treatment reduced the consumption of total phenolics by inhibiting the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL). Experimental results identify that 5 μmol L⁻¹ EBR treatment emerged as the most effective concentration for maintaining core postharvest quality attributes. It significantly delayed the decrease in firmness, reduced weight loss, effectively inhibited the production of H₂O₂ and O₂⁻·, particularly during the early storage period, strongly restrained the activity of PAL, and maintained lower rot rates and internal browning indexes. While the 15 μmol L⁻¹ EBR treatment enhanced antioxidant activity, increased total phenolic content at certain stages, and maintained higher soluble solids and acid content, its effects on key physical quality parameters, like firmness and weight loss, were less pronounced compared to the 5 μmol L⁻¹ treatment. Full article

Quality and mechanical resilience are crucial for reducing losses in fruit production and for supporting food chains. Indeed, integrating empirical data with rheological models bridges gaps in fruit processing equipment design. Therefore, the objective of this research is to analyze the relationship between the mechanical and physical properties of seven economically important fruits—nectarine, kiwi, cherry, apple, peach, pear, and apricot—to assess their mechanical behavior and post-harvest quality. Standardized compression, creep, and puncture tests were conducted to establish mechanical parameters, such as rupture force, elasticity, and deformation energy. Physical characteristics including size, weight, density, and moisture content were also measured. The results indicated significant differences among the various categories of fruits; apples and pears were most suitable for mechanical harvesting and long storage periods, whereas cherries and apricots were least resistant and susceptible to injury. Correlations were high among the physical measurements, tissue firmness, and viscoelastic properties, thereby confirming structural properties’ contribution in influencing fruit quality and handling efficiency. The originality of this research is in its holistic examination of physical and mechanical properties under standardized testing conditions, thus offering an integrated framework for enhancing post-harvest operations. These findings offer practical insights for optimizing harvesting, packaging, transportation, and quality monitoring strategies based on fruit-specific mechanical profiles. Full article

Peach fruit flesh spongy tissue disorder causes dry, porous, and brown areas in the flesh, severely compromising fruit quality and market value. While soil properties and calcium nutrition have been linked to the disorder, the role of rhizosphere microbial communities in disorder resistance remains unclear. This study investigated both the physicochemical properties and the root-associated microbiomes of disordered (CK) and healthy (TT) peach orchards to explore microbial mechanisms underlying disorder suppression. TT soils exhibited higher pH, greater organic matter, increased exchangeable calcium, and more balanced trace elements compared to CK. Microbial analysis revealed significantly higher diversity and enrichment of beneficial taxa in TT associated with plant growth and disorder resistance. Functional gene prediction showed TT was enriched in siderophore production, auxin biosynthesis, phosphate solubilization, and acetoin–butanediol synthesis pathways. Co-occurrence network analysis demonstrated that TT harbored a more complex and cooperative microbial community structure, with 274 nodes and 6013 links. Metagenomic binning recovered high-quality MAGs encoding diverse resistance and growth-promoting traits, emphasizing the ecological roles of Gemmatimonadaceae, Reyranella, Nitrospira, Bacillus megaterium, and Bryobacteraceae. These findings highlight the combined importance of soil chemistry and microbiome structure in disorder suppression and provide a foundation for microbiome-informed soil management to enhance fruit quality and promote sustainable orchard practices. Full article

Excessive fertilizer input and low output are currently problems for peach production in China. Sugar alcohols such as sorbitol and mannitol represent promising eco-friendly fertilization strategies to improve fruit quality and optimize nutrient management. Our research explored the effect of sorbitol and mannitol on the rhizosphere environment and peach growth from the rhizosphere micro-ecology perspective. Potted peach seedlings were used as materials. Without adding or adding different sorbitol and mannitol concentration gradients (100, 200, 400) combined with potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄), the physicochemical properties of rhizosphere soil, leaf nutrition, photosynthetic and growth index were determined, and the rhizosphere bacterial community was analyzed via Illumina Miseq high-throughput sequencing. Both sorbitol and mannitol altered the rhizosphere environment, effectively improved leaf photosynthesis, and promoted peach seedling growth; particularly, M100 had optimal affection. Sorbitol and mannitol altered the bacterial structure and reduced bacterial diversity, which observably correlated with soil organic matter and available potassium. For the rhizosphere bacterial composition, sorbitol and mannitol increased specific bacterial OTUs and induced changes in bacterial composition, among which chemoheterotrophic and nitrogen-transforming bacteria increased with the addition of sorbitol and mannitol. Association network analysis and a structural equation model showed that S100 and M100 mainly enriched Vicinamibacteraceae to regulate peach seedling growth. Overall, low-concentration sorbitol and mannitol showed the best effect in peach seedling growth through regulating the rhizosphere environment. Full article

The processing of peaches generates large quantities of by-products, including peels, pomace, and seeds. Despite containing high levels of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties, these by-products are often discarded as waste, thereby contributing to increased food waste. The present paper aimed to evaluate the total bioactive compound content in peach pomace and biscuits fortified with various concentrations of peach pomace (5%, 10%, and 15%), with a view to utilizing this valuable by-product in functional foods. Compositional analysis revealed that peach pomace is a significant source of polyphenols (1771.64 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹), flavonoids (478.99 mg RE 100 g⁻¹), and anthocyanins (21.18 mg C3GE 100 g⁻¹), and has a radical scavenging capacity of 40.41%. The FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of multiple functional groups in peach pomace that can be associated with polyphenols, polysaccharides, organic acids, esters, monosaccharides, and structurally bound water. Among the individual phenolic compounds, high concentrations of rutin (8.12 mg 100 g⁻¹), chlorogenic acid (3.77 mg 100 g⁻¹), and sinapic acid (2.70 mg 100 g⁻¹) were recorded. Following the replacement of wheat flour with peach pomace, increases in the content of bioactive compounds were observed. At the maximum level of 15% pomace, the biscuits presented the highest concentrations of polyphenols (444.04 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹), flavonoids (211.11 mg RE 100 g⁻¹), anthocyanins (25.43 mg C3GE 100 g⁻¹), sugars (46.48 g GluE 100 g⁻¹), and radical scavenging activity (27.21%). Similar bands were found in the FTIR spectra of the biscuits, indicating the presence of phenolic compounds and glycosides. The 1366 cm⁻¹ band, which is associated with C–O stretching and C–H and N–H deformation in peach pomace, appeared in the enriched biscuit samples at 1340–1374 cm⁻¹ but not in the control sample. These results suggest that peach pomace represents an ingredient with significant potential for use in the food industry, having the ability to improve the nutritional value of biscuits. Full article

This study aimed to develop innovative fruit leather with programmed health-promoting properties, enriched with fructooligosaccharides (FOS) from chicory and Jerusalem artichoke. Their physicochemical properties were assessed, including the profile of polyphenolic compounds, pro-health effects, and sensory characteristics. The products contained various fruits (including pear, red currant, peach, and haskap berry) and 10% FOS powders. It was shown that the addition of FOS reduced acidity and total sugar content while increasing fiber content—especially fructans—and selected minerals (K, Mg, Zn). The addition of FOS also modulated the profile of polyphenolic compounds, whereas fruit leather without FOS was characterized by a higher concentration of these compounds. It was shown that the addition of chicory significantly modulates the ability to inhibit α-glucosidase. At the same time, in the case of the Jerusalem artichoke, the inhibition efficiency depends on the type of fruit matrix. Sensory-wise, the highest scores were given to recipes without FOS additives, with Jerusalem artichoke being better accepted than chicory. The results indicate the potential of using FOS as a functional additive, but their effects on taste and texture require further optimization. Full article

Late frost damage in spring is a significant limiting factor in peach industry development, with the flowering period being the most vulnerable to late frost. This study aimed to observe the flower organ state and physiological changes of two peach varieties under various temperature treatments and to provide a theoretical basis for selecting frost-resistant varieties. By analyzing the supercooling points of ‘Longyoutao 1’ (Y1) and ‘Longmi 15’ (L15), we simulated late frost at five temperatures, 4 °C, 2 °C, 0 °C, −2 °C, and −4 °C, and observed the flower organ changes at these five temperature stages during the flowering period. The contents of flower hormones (IAA, GA, ABA), membrane lipid peroxidation products (MDA), antioxidant enzymes (POD, SOD, CAT), and osmoregulatory substances (Pro, SS) were analyzed under various low-temperature stress conditions. The results showed no significant difference in flower morphology between Y1 and L15 at 4 °C, 2 °C, and 0 °C. At −2 °C, the anthers of Y1 turned brown and dried, the ovary froze, and water stains appeared on the sepals and the center. At −4 °C, the water stain on the ovary intensified, and the ovule froze. Moreover, by integrating the differences in the contents of IAA, GA, ABA, MDA, POD, SOD, and SS of the two varieties at the critical temperature of 0 °C, L15 showed the strongest ability to resist late frost. This study provides a physiological foundation for researching frost resistance during the flowering period. Full article

Peach (Prunus persica) is a fruit crop of significant economic and cultural value, particularly in Japan, where it is cherished for its symbolism of summer and high quality. However, its production is threatened by bacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap), a pathogen that also affects other Prunus species such as nectarines, plums, apricots, and almonds. Xap thrives in warm, humid environments and causes symptoms such as water-soaked lesions, necrotic spots, premature defoliation, and fruit blemishes, leading to reduced yield and marketability. Traditional control methods, including copper-based bactericides and antibiotics, are increasingly ineffective due to resistance development and environmental concerns. This review focuses on the biology, epidemiology, and pathogenic mechanisms of Xap, with particular emphasis on its impact on peach production in Japan. We discuss various disease management strategies, such as integrated disease management, biostimulants, cellulose nanofibers, plant defense activators, and biological control agents, alongside novel molecular approaches targeting bacterial virulence factors. By incorporating these innovative and eco-friendly methods with traditional practices, this review offers insights into the potential for sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions to manage bacterial spot and mitigate its impact on peach production. Full article

Lactic acid fermentation has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the functional and health-promoting qualities of plant-based foods. This study evaluates the impact of lactic acid fermentation on the antioxidant capacity, microbial viability, and chemical stability of freeze-dried peaches, aiming to develop a functional food with probiotic potential. Two bacterial strains—Fructilactobacillus fructivorans (P_FF) and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (P_LP)—were used to assess strain-dependent effects on microbial and bioactive compound profiles. Microbiological analyses included total viable count (TVC), fungal count (TFC), and total lactic acid bacteria (TCLAB). Chemical analyses comprised polyphenol, flavonoid, anthocyanin, carotenoid, sugar, and vitamin C content, as well as antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, reducing power). Thermal and structural stability were examined via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Fermentation significantly increased the counts of lactic acid bacteria, achieving 8.38 and 7.86 log CFU/g after freeze-drying, respectively. While total polyphenols slightly decreased (by 9.5% and 1.1% for L. plantarum and F. fructivorans, respectively), flavonoid content increased notably by 16.1% in F. fructivorans-fermented samples. Antioxidant activities, assessed by ABTS and DPPH assays, were largely maintained, although a reduction in reducing power was observed. Additionally, fermentation led to sucrose hydrolysis, resulting in higher glucose and fructose contents, and increased water content in the final products. Minor increases in total fungal counts were noted after freeze-drying but remained within acceptable limits. Overall, the combination of fermentation and freeze-drying processes preserved key antioxidant properties, enhanced microbial safety, and produced functional peach-based products with improved bioactivity and extended shelf life. These findings highlight the potential of fermented freeze-dried peaches as innovative, health-oriented alternatives to traditional fruit snacks. Full article

Apigenin and luteolin are products of the phenylpropanoid pathway, where apigenin serves as a substrate for the synthesis of luteolin. Apigenin and luteolin are highly bioactive flavones; therefore, in search of prospective biopesticides, the receptiveness of the polyphagous green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to apigenin and luteolin was studied. The flavones were applied as 0.1% ethanolic solutions to the host plant leaf surface, and aphid probing and feeding activities were monitored using the Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) technique. The structural difference between apigenin and luteolin, which was the number of hydroxyl groups in the molecule, had an impact on the activity of these flavones. On apigenin-treated plants, the duration of the first probe was three times as short as on the control and five times as short as on the luteolin-treated plants; the duration of the time to the first ingestion phase within the successful probe was shorter than on the control and luteolin-treated plants; the mean duration of xylem sap ingestion bouts and the proportion of xylem phase in all probing activities were the highest; and the duration of salivation before phloem sap ingestion was the longest. Aphids’ response to luteolin-treated plants was less distinct as compared to apigenin-treated plants. Full article

Peaches (Prunus persica L. Batsch) and nectarines (Prunus persica L. Batsch var. nectarina [Ait.] Maxim) are economically important stone fruits consumed worldwide, both fresh and processed. Viruses and viroids significantly constrain the cultivation and productivity of peach orchards. Climate change may alter vector populations and lead to shifts in agricultural practices, influencing the spread of these viruses and viroids. Additionally, market globalization further intensifies the pressure on peach crops by facilitating the movement of pathogens, increasing the incidence of virus-induced diseases. In this study, we identified the viral and viroid communities in five peach cultivars from Bulgaria and assessed their impact on symptom development. RNA sequencing of symptomatic leaf samples revealed the presence of common peach viruses, such as plum pox virus and prunus necrotic ringspot virus. Notably, we identified peach latent mosaic viroid and cherry green ring mottle virus in Bulgarian peach orchards for the first time. Furthermore, bioassays of indicator plants, ELISA, and Sanger sequencing were performed for each peach tree to complement the RNA sequencing data. These findings provide valuable insights into the composition of viral and viroid pathogens affecting peaches in Bulgaria and will support the development of targeted strategies for monitoring and managing these pathogens, contributing to the sustainable production of peaches in the region. Full article

This study evaluated six agrobyproducts (oak, jujube, apple, pear, peach, black locust) as alternative substrates for Lentinula edodes cultivation to mitigate oak dependency. Twelve substrate formulations were tested, including individual and mixed sawdust combinations. Results demonstrated successful mycelial colonization across all treatments, with treatment PAS (78% pear sawdust, 20% wheat bran, 1.5% gypsum, and 0.5% lime) exhibiting the fastest mycelial growth (4.70 mm/day) and full colonization in 105 days. Treatment BLS (78% black locust sawdust, 20% wheat bran, 1.5% gypsum, and 0.5% lime) achieved the highest biological efficiency (97.26%) and productivity (0.85 kg/bag). Nutrient analysis revealed substrate-specific enhancements: PAS maximized vitamin C (4.88 mg/100 g) and iron, while PAS + OS (39% peach sawdust, 39% oak sawdust, 20% wheat bran, 1.5% gypsum, and 0.5% lime) elevated protein (3.88%), phosphorus, and zinc. PCA highlighted distinct nutritional profiles for BLS- and jujube-based mushrooms. Correlation analyses identified the third (r = 0.838) and fourth flushes (r = 0.922) as critical for total yield, with selenium and zinc significantly linked to growth rates. Black locust and peach substrates outperformed or complemented oak, offering sustainable alternatives. These findings underscore the potential of agrowaste utilization to reduce ecological strain while maintaining high yields and nutritional quality, aligning with global agricultural sustainability goals. Full article

Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) is valued for its flavor, nutrition, and economic importance, yet as a climacteric fruit, it undergoes rapid postharvest senescence due to respiratory surges and ethylene production, leading to flavor loss and reduced marketability. Recent advances in postharvest physiology, including ethylene regulation, metabolic analysis, and advanced packaging, have improved preservation. Compared with traditional methods, emerging technologies, such as nanotechnology-based coatings and intelligent packaging systems, offer environmentally friendly and highly effective solutions but face high costs, technical barriers, and other constraints. This review examines changes in key flavor components—amino acids, phenolic compounds, sugars, organic acids, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—during ripening and senescence. It evaluates physical, chemical, and biotechnological preservation methods for maintaining quality. For instance, 1-MCP extends shelf life but may reduce aroma, underscoring the need for optimized protocols. Emerging trends, including biocontrol agents and smart packaging, provide a foundation for enhancing peach storage, transportation, and marketability. Full article

Seedlings root and collar rot is an important disease that causes a reduction in plant production. The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo efficiency of powdered preparation of dried Asphodelus microcephalus of fruits (PPDF), leaves (PPDL), and roots (PPDR) against species of Fusarium and Pythiaceaes associated with this disease in Tunisian nurseries. The in vitro tests of methanolic and aqueous extracts of different Asphodelus organs showed their efficacy in reducing the pathogen mycelium growth. The in vivo assay of powdered preparation of this dried plant revealed that its effect depends on the pathogens, Asphodelus organs, and the period duration between the treatment and inoculation of seedlings. This study showed that this plant has some positive effects, such as disease severity reduction and plant growth stimulation. In fact, for Fusarium solani, the powder of different organs of Asphodelus was used one week before the plantation, and inoculation significantly improved the peach plant’s height. The treatments eight weeks before the inoculation enhanced the root weight of the plants. Meanwhile, the PPDL and PPDR were used eight weeks before the plantation, and inoculation induced the plant disease index. However, the A. microcephalus treatments also have some toxic effects on peach and apple seedlings, such as the improvement of root browning induced by some pathogens. Full article

Peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) is a long-lived tropical palm valued for its edible, nutritious fruits. The cultivation area of peach palm, which was introduced to Thailand for fruit production, has been steadily expanding. Small brown spots that expanded into irregular lesions with dark margins were first observed on B. gasipaes seedlings in commercial nurseries in Phetchaburi Province, southern Thailand. To identify the causal pathogens, ten fungal isolates were obtained from symptomatic leaves and subjected to pathogenicity tests, confirming their ability to cause the disease. Morphological and molecular analyses identified five isolates as Colletotrichum fructicola (BGC02.2, BGC03) and C. theobromicola (BGC01, BGC02.1, BGC04) and five isolates as Fusarium pernambucanum (BGF01, BGF02, BGF03, BGF04.1, BGF04.2). Phylogenetic analysis was based on act, cal, gapdh, ITS, and tub2 regions for Colletotrichum spp. and cal, rpb2, and tef1-α for Fusarium spp. In vitro fungicide assays revealed that C. fructicola and C. theobromicola were the most sensitive to carbendazim, mancozeb, and prochloraz, while F. pernambucanum was effectively inhibited by mancozeb and prochloraz. This study represents the first report of C. fructicola, C. theobromicola, and F. pernambucanum causing leaf spot disease on B. gasipaes in Thailand, providing essential insights for disease management strategies in the region. Full article