Search Results (114)

Banana fruits are harvested and then undergo rapid ripening and senescence, sharply limiting their shelf-life and marketability. Myo-inositol (MI) is an important regulator in ethylene production and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation; however, its involvement in the postharvest ripening process of banana remains to be determined. This study found that postharvest application of MI could efficiently delay the fruit ripening and extend the time in which the luster, color, and hardness were maintained in two cultivars with contrasting storage characteristics, storable ‘Brazil’ and unstorable ‘Fenza No. 1’, when stored at room temperature (23 °C ± 2 °C). Moreover, physiological, metabolic, and gene expression analyses indicated that MI application improved MI metabolism and postponed ethylene biosynthesis and cell wall loosening. The decrease in ethylene production was associated with a reduction in the expression of ACS1 and ACO1 genes. MI treatment decreased the expressions of PL1/2, PG, and EXP1/7/8, which may account for the delay in softening. In addition, the application of MI could alleviate ROS-mediated senescence and cell membrane damage by promoting the activities of SOD, POD, and anti-O₂⁻ and decreasing PPO activity. This study shed light on the function of MI in regulating the postharvest ripening and senescence of bananas and provided an efficient strategy for extending shelf-life and reduce losses. Full article

Persea americana (avocado) is a healthy fruit, rich in unsaturated fatty acids, various minerals, and vitamins. As avocado cultivation continues to expand globally, its development is increasingly constrained by concomitant diseases, among which fruit rot and anthracnose have emerged as significant threats to fruit quality. Menglian in Yunnan Province is the largest avocado production area in China. In November 2024, fruit rot was observed on avocado fruits in Yunnan, China, characterized by reddish-brown discoloration, premature ripening, softening, and pericarp decay, with a field infection rate of 22%. Concurrently, anthracnose was detected in avocado fruits, presenting as small dark brown spots that developed into irregular rust-colored lesions, followed by dry rot depressions, ultimately leading to soft rot, peeling, or hardened dry rot, with a field infection rate of 15%. Infected fruit samples were collected, and fungal strains were isolated, purified, and inoculated via spore suspension, followed by re-isolation. The strains were conclusively identified as Diaporthe phaseolorum (SWFU20, SWFU21) and Colletotrichum fructicola (SWFU12, SWFU13) through an integrated approach combining DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, phylogenetic reconstruction, and morphological characterization. This is the first report of D. phaseolorum causing fruit rot and C. fructicola causing anthracnose on avocado in China. In future research, we will test methods for the control of D. phaseolorum and C. fructicola. The identification of these pathogens provides a foundation for future disease management research, supporting the sustainable development of the avocado industry. Full article

Potassium is the most abundant macronutrient in plants, participating in essential physiological processes such as turgor maintenance. A reduction in cell turgor is a hallmark of the ripening process associated with fruit softening. The dynamic of K⁺ fluxes in fleshy fruits is largely unknown; however, the reallocation of K⁺ into the apoplast has been proposed as a contributing factor to the decrease in fruit turgor, contributing to fruit softening. High-affinity K⁺ transporters belonging to the KUP/HT/HAK transporter family have been implicated in this process in some fruits. In this study, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the KUP/KT/HAK family of high-affinity K⁺ transporters in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) was conducted, identifying 60 putative transporter genes. The chromosomal distribution of the FaKUP gene family and phylogenetic relationship and structure of predicted proteins were thoroughly examined. Transcriptomic profiling revealed the expression of 19 FaKUP genes within the fruit receptacle, with a predominant downregulation observed during ripening, particularly in FaKUP14, 24 and 47. This pattern suggests their functional relevance in early fruit development and turgor maintenance. Mineral composition analyses confirmed that K⁺ is the most abundant macronutrient in strawberry fruits, exhibiting a slight decrease as ripening progressed. Membrane potential (E_m) and diffusion potentials (E_D) at increasing external K⁺ concentrations were measured by electrophysiology in parenchymal cells of green and white fruits. The results obtained suggest a significant diminution in cytosolic K⁺ levels in white compared to green fruits. Furthermore, the slope of change in E_D at increasing external K⁺ concentration indicated a lower K⁺ permeability of the plasma membrane in white fruits, aligning with transcriptomic data. This study provides critical insights into the regulatory mechanisms of K⁺ transport during strawberry ripening and identifies potential targets for genetic modifications aimed at enhancing fruit firmness and shelf life. Full article

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) fruit can accumulate proanthocyanidins (tannins) during development, which causes astringency and affects consumption. The hormone abscisic acid (ABA) has been reported to play a key role in fruit ripening and softening. However, the effect of ABA on postharvest persimmon fruit deastringency remains unclear. In this study, we found that 300 mg/L ABA treatment could decrease the content of soluble tannins, thus leading removal of persimmon fruit astringency. The contents of acetaldehyde and ethanol did not increase during the storage time, indicating that ABA treatment-promoted persimmon fruit deastringency was not due to the acetaldehyde interaction with soluble tannins. Furthermore, the transcriptome analysis showed that 6713 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and the WGCNA (weighted gene co-expression network analysis) showed that one module, which comprises 575 DEGs, significantly correlated with the contents of soluble and resoluble tannins. The analysis based on the carbohydrate metabolism pathway indicated that 37 differentially expressed structural genes involved in acetaldehyde metabolism were upregulated by ABA. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the previously reported key genes, including structural genes and transcription factors, were all upregulated by ABA treatment. The obtained results indicate that ABA treatment, promoting persimmon fruit astringency removal, may occur through gel polymerization of cell wall materials with soluble tannins. Full article

Kiwifruit is a climacteric fruit that undergoes significant physiological and biochemical changes during ripening, with ethylene playing a central regulatory role. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying ethylene-induced ripening is crucial for improving the postharvest handling and quality of ready-to-eat kiwifruit. The primary objective of the present study was to comprehensively analyze the transcriptome to investigate the ripening mechanism of ethylene-induced ready-to-eat kiwifruit. During the rapid maturation phase, it was observed that the gene Acc26812, responsible for regulating malate synthase activity, showed a significant upregulation at 84 h. Similarly, the gene Acc07097, which encodes arginine decarboxylase, also showed a significant upregulation during this period. A canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was performed to ascertain the relevance of genes associated with fruit firmness. Through transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, approximately 2000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. These genes were primarily involved in various pathways such as pentose and glucuronic acid interconversion, DNA replication, and others. A further investigation of these DEGs provided insights into several biological processes and molecular activities that contribute to the regulation of kiwifruit firmness. Notably, genes associated with fruit softening, including pectinesterase and cellulase, demonstrated significant upregulation, thereby indicating the degradation and remodeling of cell wall components during ripening. Additionally, highly expressed genes involved in glucose synthesis and transport highlighted the crucial role of sugar synthesis in the maturation process of ready-to-eat kiwifruit. Consequently, this study offers valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the maturation of ready-to-eat kiwifruit. Full article

The physico-mechanical properties of date fruit varieties can indicate their quality and freshness. These properties, which include firmness, moisture content, and mechanical resistance, are closely linked to the fruit’s overall quality and can be used to assess its ripeness and suitability for consumption. Therefore, the current study evaluated the physico-mechanical properties of three date varieties—Sukkari, Khalas, and Saqie—across different ripening stages to enhance food quality and optimize postharvest handling. The study uniquely focused on how ripening stages affect the stress–strain behavior of dates, offering new insights into their mechanical resistance, deformability, and structural stability, all of which are critical parameters for maintaining food quality during storage, transportation, and processing. Significant changes in physical characteristics, including size, mass, moisture content, and density, were observed as the fruit progressed through ripening stages. Sukkari showed the most notable decrease in moisture content, from 61.8% at the Khalal stage to 17.3% at the Tamar stage, resulting in softening and reduced mechanical resistance, potentially impacting shelf life and consumer acceptance. Khalas exhibited a more gradual decline in mechanical properties, with moisture content dropping to 24.6%. At the same time, Saqie demonstrated minimal changes in mechanical properties and moisture content, suggesting better structural and nutritional quality retention. Additionally, the dynamic coefficient of friction increased with temperature and pressure at the Tamr stage, with Sukkari showing the highest values (up to 0.496), followed by Khalas (up to 0.451) and Saqie (up to 0.406). This study introduced the concept of variety-specific differences in frictional behavior, providing valuable insights for improving mechanical processing, reducing physical damage, and preserving date fruits’ nutritional and sensory quality. In conclusion, findings highlight the importance of variety-specific mechanical profiling in improving processing protocols, reducing postharvest losses, and maintaining the nutritional and sensory quality of date fruits for industrial-scale operations. Full article

Nanoemulsions are significant for cosmetic products intended for skin care and for health products due to the reduced size (range 20 to 500 nm) of the globules, which avoids processes of instability. They present transparency, fluidity, wettability, and spreadability; increase skin penetration; and have good sensation. The main instability mechanism of nanoemulsions is called Ostwald ripening, responsible for increasing the average diameter of emulsion globules. Sesame Seed Oil (SO) and Raspberry Seed Oil (RO) are indicated as moisturizing agents recently used in the cosmetic industry and for reducing transepidermal water loss, preventing damage to the skin barrier. They contain specific compounds with common properties such as antioxidant, moisturizing, emollient, and photoprotective actions, making them attractive alternative and complementary treatments to soften the process of skin aging. Below, we present the results of this research on the development of nanoemulsions containing Sesame Seed Oil added with Raspberry Seed Oil by the low-energy method. SO nanoemulsions at HLB = 8.0 were obtained with PEG 15 castor oil (A) and PEG 30 castor oil (F.80) and had globule sizes of 50 nm and 200 nm, respectively, along with pH values considered suitable for skin care products and lower viscosity values allowing for the easy application of nanoemulsions to the skin. Nanoemulsions A and F.80 showed antioxidant activities of 68.71% and 67.75%, respectively. SO nanoemulsions with PEG 15 and PEG 30 castor oil were obtained at 85 °C and 75 °C, respectively, and have the lowest Ostwald ripening index (1.33 × 10²² m³ s⁻¹). The in vitro evaluation conducted using the HET-CAM method for nanoemulsions and PEG 15 and PEG 30 castor oils showed that they were slightly irritating and could be used in cosmetic products. Full article

Raspberry is a berry whose fruit is not tolerant to storage; breeding varieties with extended storage time and high comprehensive quality are significant for raspberries in cold regions. 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase (ACS) is a limiting enzyme in the ethylene synthesis process, which plays essential roles in fruit ripening and softening in plants. In this study, the RiACS1 gene in raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) variety ‘Polka’ was cloned. The RiACS1 gene overexpression vector was constructed and transformed into tomato plants using the Agrobacterium tumefaciens infection method to verify its function in their reproductive development. The RiACS1 gene, with a total length of 1476 bp, encoded a protein with 491 amino acids. The subcellular localization analysis of the RiACS1 protein in the tobacco transient expression system revealed that the RiACS1-GFP fusion protein was mainly located in the nucleus. Compared with the control, the flowering time and fruit color turning time of transgenic strains were advanced, and the fruit hardness was reduced. Overexpression of RiACS1 increased the activity of ACC synthase, ethylene release rate, and respiration rate during the transchromic phase. It changed the substance content, increased the content of vitamin C and anthocyanin in the fruit ripening process, and decreased the content of chlorophyll and titrable acid at the maturity stage. In addition, RiACS1 increased the relative expression levels of ethylene synthesis-related genes such as SlACS4, SlACO3, and SlACO1 in the fruit ripening process, while it decreased the expression levels of SlACS2 at the maturity stage. These results suggested that the RiACS1 gene could promote early flowering and fruit ripening in tomato plants. This study provided a basis for further modifying raspberry varieties using molecular biology techniques. Full article

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of carvacrol on the postharvest storage quality and cell wall metabolism of the ’Guichang’ kiwifruit. For this purpose, the ’Guichang’ kiwifruit is selected as the test material and treated with 0.03 mg/mL of a carvacrol solution for dipping. The storage quality and cell wall metabolism of the fruit are then evaluated under ambient conditions (20 ± 1 °C). The results indicate that treatment with carvacrol effectively reduces the postharvest respiration rate and weight loss in the kiwifruit, while preserving the levels of vitamin C (VC), soluble protein, total phenols, flavonoids, soluble solids, solid–acid ratio, and soluble pectin. Additionally, it delays the decline in the starch content and mitigates the increase in soluble sugars. Furthermore, carvacrol significantly decreases amylase activity and inhibits the elevation of polygalacturonase (PG), pectin methylesterase (PME), β-galactosidase (β-Gal), and cellulase (Cx) activity. Consequently, this treatment effectively maintains fruit firmness as well as protopectin (PP) and cellulose content at elevated levels. A correlation analysis shows that firmness is highly and negatively correlated with the cell wall degrading enzymes PG, PME, β-Gal, Cx, and α-L-Af, with R values of −0.88, −0.83, −0.98, −0.94, and −0.93, respectively. The negative correlation values for the control group are all lower than 0. In conclusion, treatment with carvacrol effectively preserves a high level of postharvest ripening quality in the kiwifruit, attenuates the metabolic processes of the cell wall, and delays fruit softening and senescence. Full article

Changes in physicochemical parameters, fruit softening enzymes and cell wall polysaccharides at four different maturation stages were investigated in two jackfruit genotypes (‘Accession 242’, ‘Accession 341’). For the first three maturity stages, fruit were harvested at 90, 110, and 130 days after flowering (Stage I, II and III, respectively), while Stage IV was determined based on the presence of a dull hollow tapping sound. The fruit edible portion and seed percentage increased, whilst the core and rag percentage decreased with advancement in fruit maturation and ripening. The fruit harvested at Stage IV had comparatively higher soluble solids content (SSC), ascorbic acid and flavonoids, along with lower titratable acidity (TA) and phenolics, than other maturity stages. Bulb firmness was higher at Stage I in both genotypes, along with higher total pectin, protopectin and cellulose compared to other maturity stages. The activity of cell wall hydrolases was higher during later maturity stages. Fruit harvested at Stage IV had higher edible portions, carotenoids, flavonoids and SSC, as well as better colour attributes, while those harvested at Stage I exhibited higher phenolics, TA, pectin and cellulose. These findings could serve as a baseline for future research related to the intended use and maturity standardisation of jackfruit. Full article

The tomato plant is one of the most important vegetable crops, with a global production of around 188 million tones. The greatest losses in quantity and quality occur during storage, transport, and sale. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of irradiation on the quality and storability of the tomato ‘Tomimaru Muchoo’. Fruit harvested at the turning ripening stage were illuminated for the first two weeks at 15 °C with four visible LED light spectra, with different percentages of blue, green, and red light (BGR). The illumination times were 4 and 8 h per day (hpd). After illumination, the tomatoes were stored at 20 °C in the dark for 4 weeks. Immediately after 14 d of illumination, all tomatoes were fully ripe, although they showed varying red color intensity. In addition, all fruit retained very good quality and freshness. During further storage at 20 °C, there was a gradual decrease in tomato quality. However, LED lighting helped delay softening, reduce rotting, and thus maintain better tomato quality. Longer daily irradiation (8 h) delayed tomato senescence to a greater extent than shorter irradiation (4 hpd). Comparing the spectra, the greatest reduction in softening and rotting occurred in tomatoes illuminated with the spectrum containing the highest amount of blue light (56%). These tomatoes also maintained the lowest color index (a*/b*) throughout storage at 20 °C, which was especially evident in tomatoes that had been illuminated for 8 hpd. The light treatment influenced the maintenance of higher levels of ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity in tomatoes. However, irradiation did not increase the polyphenol content of tomatoes or reduce the lycopene levels in the fruit. Overall, the results showed that LED irradiation during storage improves storability and affects the health-promoting components of tomato fruit. It is a promising tool for reducing losses of horticultural produce. Full article

Kiwifruit, as a climacteric fruit, undergoes rapid ripening and senescence after harvest, making it highly susceptible to softening, rotting, and spoilage. Therefore, monitoring the key quality parameters of kiwifruit, particularly the accurate detection of soluble solids content (SSC), is considered crucial. The performance of two spectral acquisition methods—diffuse reflectance and diffuse transmission—in detecting SSC in kiwifruit was compared. Various preprocessing methods and feature wavelength selection techniques were employed, and regression models were constructed using partial least squares (PLS) analysis. The stability and accuracy of the models were validated through an independent validation set. The results indicated that the spectral data acquired by the diffuse reflectance method, preprocessed using Savitzky–Golay smoothing and combined with competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), yielded a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.98 for the prediction set, with a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.66. In contrast, the spectral data obtained by the diffuse transmission method, preprocessed using multiplicative scatter correction and combined with CARS, achieved an R² of 0.95 and an RMSE of 0.93 for the prediction set. This study demonstrated that both methods were effective for detecting SSC in kiwifruit, with the diffuse reflectance method showing the greater advantage. Full article

Papaya is widely grown in tropical and subtropical climates due to its high yield potential and high returns. The vital hormone melatonin, regulating various biological processes in plants, is eco-friendly and less harmful to humans than other chemicals. This study aims to enhance the quality and antioxidant enzyme activities and lessen postharvest senescence in papaya cv. CO 8 fruits during both ambient (32 ± 2 °C and 55 ± 5% RH) and cold storage (10 ± 2 °C and 90–95% RH) as exogenous melatonin (EMT) is applied in varying concentrations. An optimum melatonin dose of 1.5 mM was applied as a pre-harvest spray 15 days before harvest and a postharvest dip proved effective in prolonging shelf life (under ambient it prolonged to day 9 and under cold storage up to 28 days) and delaying ripening and softening. Exogenous melatonin application enhanced antioxidant activity, reduced weight loss, maintained firmness, delayed ripening enzymes, and lowered ethylene and CO₂ levels. For instance, control fruits had weight losses between 7.42% and 10.09%, while fruits treated with 1.5 mM melatonin showed 5.74% and 9.06% weight loss under ambient and cold storage, respectively. In conclusion, applying EMT (1.5 mM) could be an economically viable and environmentally benign way to lessen senescence after harvest and preserve the qualities of the papaya fruit during ambient and cold storage. Full article

Fruit softening is a prominent attribute governing both longevity on shelves and commercial worth. Polygalacturonase (PG) plays a major role in strawberry fruit softening. However, the PG gene family in strawberry has not been comprehensively analyzed. In this study, 75 FaPG genes were identified in the octoploid strawberry genome, which were classified into three groups according to phylogenetic analysis. Subcellular localization prediction indicated that FaPGs are mostly localized to the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and chloroplasts. Moreover, the expression of FaPGs during strawberry development and ripening of ‘Benihoppe’ and its softer mutant was estimated. The results showed that among all 75 FaPGs, most genes exhibited low expression across developmental stages, while two group c members (FxaC_21g15770 and FxaC_20g05360) and one group b member, FxaC_19g05040, displayed relatively higher and gradual increases in their expression trends during strawberry ripening and softening. FxaC_21g15770 was selected for subsequent silencing to validate its role in strawberry softening due to the fact that it exhibited the highest and most changed expression level across different developmental stages in ‘Benihoppe’ and its mutant. Silencing FxaC_21g15770 could significantly improve strawberry fruit firmness without affecting fruit color, soluble solids, cellulose, and hemicellulose. Conversely, silencing FxaC_21g15770 could significantly suppress the expression of other genes related to pectin degradation such as FaPG-like, FaPL, FaPME, FaCX, FaCel, FaGlu, FaXET, and FaEG. These findings provide basic information on the FaPG gene family for further functional research and indicate that FxaC_21g15770 plays a vital role in strawberry fruit softening. Full article

Exoglycosidase enzymes hydrolyze the N-glycosylations of cell wall enzymes, releasing N-glycans that act as signal molecules and promote fruit ripening. Vesicular exoglycosidase α-mannosidase enzymes of the GH38 family (EC 3.2.1.24; α-man) hydrolyze N-glycans in non-reduced termini. Strawberry fruit (Fragaria × ananassa) is characterized by rapid softening as a result of cell wall modifications during the fruit ripening process. Enzymes acting on cell wall polysaccharides explain the changes in fruit firmness, but α-man has not yet been described in F. × ananassa, meaning that the indirect effects of N-glycan removal on its fruit ripening process are unknown. The present study identified 10 GH38 α-man sequences in the F. × ananassa genome with characteristic conserved domains and key residues. A phylogenetic tree built with the neighbor-joining method and three groups of α-man established, of which group I was classified into three subgroups and group III contained only Poaceae spp. sequences. The real-time qPCR results demonstrated that FaMAN genes decreased during fruit ripening, a trend mirrored by the total enzyme activity from the white to ripe stages. The analysis of the promoter regions of these FaMAN genes was enriched with ripening and phytohormone response elements, and contained cis-regulatory elements related to stress responses to low temperature, drought, defense, and salt stress. This study discusses the relevance of α-man in fruit ripening and how it can be a useful target to prolong fruit shelf life. Full article