Review
Horticulture
Gang Ma, Lancui Zhang, Masaya Kato
Summary: Citrus juice sacs, as a major part of fruit, are rich in carotenoids for human nutrition, and their contents vary among different citrus varieties. In the past decades, significant progress has been made in understanding the carotenoid accumulation in citrus fruit. This review summarizes the current information on carotenoid accumulation in citrus fruit, reviews the molecular mechanisms of carotenoid biosynthesis, and evaluates the effects of plant growth regulators and environmental conditions on carotenoid content and composition.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Kangqi Sang, Junjie Li, Xiangjie Qian, Jingquan Yu, Yanhong Zhou, Xiaojian Xia
Summary: Brassinosteroids play critical roles in fruit ripening, and ethylene signaling regulates BR synthesis and signaling through AP2a mediation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Suwen Lu, Junli Ye, Kaijie Zhu, Yin Zhang, Mengwei Zhang, Qiang Xu, Xiuxin Deng
Summary: CsPHL3 is identified as a Pi starvation response factor that negatively regulates carotenoid metabolism by modulating the expression of carotenogenic genes. Overexpression of CsPHL3 results in abnormal growth of plants, suggesting its involvement in regulating plant growth and phosphate signaling.
PLANT AND CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pengtao Yue, Zhenghua Jiang, Quan Sun, Ranran Wei, Yingzi Yin, Zongzhou Xie, Robert M. Larkin, Junli Ye, Lijun Chai, Xiuxin Deng
Summary: Carotenoids are natural pigments that influence the color of citrus fruit. Treatment with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) significantly promotes fruit coloration and beta-citraurin production in Newhall orange by activating the CsMPK6-CsMYC2 cascade.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rahimeh Jahani, Mahdi Behnamian, Sara Dezhsetan, Roghayeh Karimirad, Esmaeil Chamani
Summary: Grapefruit peel essential oil (CpEO) was loaded onto chitosan (Cs) nano-biopolymer using ionic gelation method and its effect on cherry tomatoes' physicochemical properties during storage were evaluated. The highest loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency were achieved with a Cs to oil weight ratio of 1:0.25. The release of the oil from the nanoparticles followed the Fickian diffusion model. The treatments of CpEO-CsNPs-CO and CpEO-CsNPs-RE showed promising effects in reducing ethylene production, respiration rate, and increasing antioxidant enzymes, while maintaining the quality of the tomatoes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Kaijie Zhu, Xiongjie Zheng, Junli Ye, Yue Huang, Hongyan Chen, Xuehan Mei, Zongzhou Xie, Lixin Cao, Yunliu Zeng, Robert M. Larkin, Qiang Xu, Estela Perez-Roman, Manuel Talon, Cecilia Zumajo-Cardona, Eleanore T. Wurtzel, Xiuxin Deng
Summary: Researchers investigated the molecular basis of a brown flavedo mutation in navel oranges and developed a multi-omics strategy to elucidate the underlying genetic lesion. This approach could drive future gene discovery efforts in citrus and other woody perennial plants, providing valuable insights for crop improvement.
Article
Plant Sciences
Suwen Lu, Junli Ye, Kaijie Zhu, Yin Zhang, Mengwei Zhang, Qiang Xu, Xiuxin Deng
Summary: The study revealed that a MADS gene CsMADS5 in citrus positively regulates carotenoid biosynthesis by directly activating carotenogenic genes, leading to enhanced fruit coloration and carotenoid concentrations. Additionally, CsMADS5 physically interacts with another positive regulator CsMADS6, suggesting a collaborative role in promoting carotenoid accumulation. These findings expand our knowledge of the complex transcriptional regulatory network governing carotenoid biosynthesis during fruit ripening.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Imane Hammad, Manuel Dornier, Adrien Servent, Patrick Poucheret, Claudie Dhuique-Mayer
Summary: Crossflow microfiltration was used to enrich clementine/pink grapefruit juice in carotenoids, flavonoids and pectins, while modulating its sugar content with a diafiltration step. The process resulted in significant increases in bioactive compounds content and reduced sugar content, making it suitable for diabetic individuals. Modelling showed the ability to adjust the concentrate's sugar, flavonoids, carotenoids and pectin contents, which could be crucial for the biological activity of the citrus-based food.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Gang Ma, Lancui Zhang, Rin Kudaka, Hayato Inaba, Kan Murakami, Masashi Yamamoto, Nami Kojima, Masaki Yahata, Hikaru Matsumoto, Masaya Kato
Summary: The combined spraying of gibberellin and prohydrojasmon is effective in preventing peel puffing disorder in citrus fruit, although it inhibits carotenoid biosynthesis leading to poor fruit coloration. Postharvest treatments of auxins, indole-3-acetic acid and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid, can enhance carotenoid accumulation in fruit, improve coloration, and stimulate carotenoid biosynthesis by up-regulating biosynthetic genes and down-regulating catabolic gene. Ethylene production is also induced by the treatments, further promoting carotenoid biosynthesis.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qiannan Diao, Shoubo Tian, Yanyan Cao, Dongwei Yao, Hongwei Fan, Yongping Zhang
Summary: This study analyzed the transcriptome of two different-colored melon varieties and identified 33 genes related to carotenoid metabolism that are important for flesh color formation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Li Zhang, Yang Xu, Yanting Li, Saisai Zheng, Zhenmei Zhao, Meiling Chen, Haijian Yang, Hualin Yi, Juxun Wu
Summary: The study reveals that the transcription factor CsMYB77 negatively regulates fruit ripening and size in citrus by modulating abscisic acid and auxin-signaling pathways. This finding provides a better understanding of the molecular regulatory network underlying fruit ripening and size.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yun Liu, Junli Ye, Man Zhu, Ross G. Atkinson, Yingzi Zhang, Xiongjie Zheng, Jiao Lu, Zhen Cao, Jun Peng, Chunmei Shi, Zongzhou Xie, Robert M. Larkin, Niels J. Nieuwenhuizen, Charles Ampomah-Dwamena, Chuanwu Chen, Rui Wang, Xiaozhou Luo, Yunjiang Cheng, Xiuxin Deng, Yunliu Zeng
Summary: This study identified the core proteome of chromoplast plastoglobules (CPGs) and revealed the role of the nonpolar microenvironment in carotenoid accumulation and storage in citrus chromoplasts.
Article
Horticulture
Yingwei Qi, Hanxiao Wu, Jia Liu, Lijuan Chen, Zitao Jiang, Yujie Zhang, Xueting Tian, Rui Li, Yong Yang, Xiaolin Ren
Summary: The study aimed to characterize the functional role of DkLCYb in carotenoid biosynthesis in persimmon fruit. DkLCYb was found to play an essential role in the accumulation of carotenoids during fruit development and postharvest ripening, with more carotenoids accumulating during postharvest storage. The gene showed a high correlation with the accumulation of beta-carotene in persimmon fruit.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fanliang Meng, Haoran Liu, Songshen Hu, Chengguo Jia, Min Zhang, Songwen Li, Yuanyuan Li, Jiayao Lin, Yue Jian, Mengyu Wang, Zhiyong Shao, Yuanyu Mao, Lihong Liu, Qiaomei Wang
Summary: The study investigates how brassinosteroids (BRs) regulate fruit ripening in tomato and their interactions with ethylene. It is found that BR treatment and increased endogenous BR contents promote ethylene production and fruit ripening. The BR signaling regulators SlBZR1 and SlBES1 redundantly act in fruit softening. Knocking out SlBZR1 inhibits ripening through transcriptional reprogramming. SlBZR1 directly targets ethylene and carotenoid biosynthetic genes, contributing to ethylene burst and carotenoid accumulation for normal ripening and quality formation. Overall, SlBZR1 is highlighted as a master regulator of tomato fruit ripening with potential for quality improvement and carotenoid fortification.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Danling Cai, Hong Xu, Zongli Liu, Nanhui Chen, Lisha Zhu, Zengxiang Lin, Chaojie Wu, Wei Shan, Jianye Chen, Wangjin Lu, Lin Chen, Jianfei Kuang
Summary: This study identified MaERF124 as a negative transcriptional regulator of carotenogenesis genes in banana fruit, which suppresses carotenoid production by repressing key genes involved in carotenoid synthesis. This finding provides a regulatory mechanism for improving carotenoid content in banana fruit.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jaime Zacarias-Garcia, Florencia Rey, Jose-Vicente Gil, Maria J. Rodrigo, Lorenzo Zacarias
Summary: The study evaluated the contribution of carotenoids and vitamin C to the antioxidant capacity of citrus fruit pulp, finding that vitamin C had a significant contribution to hydrophilic antioxidant capacity, while the contribution of carotenoids to lipophilic antioxidant capacity varied widely. Valencia Ruby orange had the highest lipophilic antioxidant capacity due to high concentrations of lycopene and phytoene, followed by Nadorcott mandarin with high beta-cryptoxanthin content.
FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Florencia Rey, Maria Jesus Rodrigo, Lorenzo Zacarias
Summary: This study found that the tocopherol content at harvest is directly related to the tolerance of mandarin fruit to postharvest chilling injury, with fruits that are more tolerant to CI accumulating the highest tocopherol content. During cold storage, most genes related to tocopherol precursors were up-regulated, while genes involved in the tocopherol-core pathway were generally repressed.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Horticulture
Sara Bernardo, Maria Jesus Rodrigo, Vicente Vives-Peris, Aurelio Gomez-Cadenas, Lorenzo Zacarias, Nelson Machado, Jose Moutinho-Pereira, Lia-Tania Dinis
Summary: Kaolin-particle film is considered a low-cost technology to mitigate the adverse effects of high light and temperature, and drought in crops. This study found that kaolin treatment plays a protective role in chlorophyll and carotenoid accumulation in grapevines, especially in the TF variety, while also reducing NPQ processes.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Florencia Rey, Lorenzo Zacarias, Maria Jesus Rodrigo
Summary: Tocopherols, plant-derived isoprenoids with vitamin E activity, play important roles in physiological processes in plants. This study investigated tocopherol synthesis and accumulation in Citrus fruits during maturation, revealing differences between genotypes, tissues, and maturation stages. Lemon had the highest tocopherol content among the species studied. Genes involved in tocopherol synthesis showed tissue-specific and developmentally modulated expression patterns.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Enriqueta Alos, Florencia Rey, Jose Vicente Gil, Maria Jesus Rodrigo, Lorenzo Zacarias
Summary: Citrus fruit, particularly Valencia Late oranges, are important sources of ascorbic acid (AsA) for human consumption. This study analyzed the AsA content and gene expression related to its metabolism during development of petals, leaves, and fruits, revealing a tissue-specific regulation of AsA biosynthesis and recycling pathways. Promoters of AsA metabolism genes contain cis-acting elements related to developmental signals, warranting further investigation of their functionality.
Article
Horticulture
Matias Manzi, Fabiana Hernandez-Mazzini, Pedro Pintos, Joanna Lado
Summary: This study investigated the effect of preharvest application of abscisic acid (ABA) on alleviating chilling injury (CI) during cold storage of citrus fruit. The results demonstrated that ABA reduced the incidence and severity of CI in different citrus cultivars, without affecting fruit quality.
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jaime Zacarias-Garcia, Laura Perez-Traves, Jose-Vicente Gil, Maria-Jesus Rodrigo, Lorenzo Zacarias
Summary: This study compared red-fleshed oranges with ordinary oranges. The two types of oranges showed similar content and changes in sugars, organic acids, and vitamin C. However, mature Ruby oranges had lower concentrations of sugars, malic and succinic acid, and higher levels of citric acid compared to ordinary Valencia oranges. Additionally, Kirkwood and Ruby oranges exhibited higher lipophilic antioxidant capacity and singlet oxygen absorption capacity than ordinary oranges.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Ines Cabot, Joanna Lado, Neus Sanjuan
Summary: This study assesses the environmental performance of lemon production in Uruguay using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) guidelines. The results show that on-field emissions and input production are critical factors in determining environmental impacts. The study highlights the importance of considering inter-seasonal variability and recommends improved agricultural practices to enhance the environmental profile of Uruguayan lemons.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jaime Zacarias-Garcia, Guiselle Carlos, Jose-Vicente Gil, Jose Luis Navarro, Lorenzo Zacarias, Maria-Jesus Rodrigo
Summary: The nutrient content, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity of red-fleshed orange juices were evaluated and compared with that of standard Navel orange juice. The extraction efficiency of hand and industrial juice squeezing was similar. Red-fleshed orange juices had 3-6 times higher total carotenoids than Navel juices, with phytoene and phytofluene being the main carotenoids. Industrial and treated red-fleshed orange juices had higher tocopherol content but lower vitamin C levels compared to Navel juices. Navel juices showed higher hydrophilic antioxidant capacity, while red-fleshed orange juices showed improved lipophilic antioxidant capacity.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ana Arruabarrena, Joanna Lado, Matias Gonzalez-Arcos, Sabina Vidal
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcelo P. Barros, Jaime Zacarias-Garcia, Florencia Rey, Lorenzo Zacarias, Maria J. Rodrigo
Summary: This study investigated the scavenging and quenching capacities of four different carotenoid extracts from citrus fruits, as well as the effect of ascorbic acid (ASC) on these activities. The results showed that all citrus extracts had balanced antioxidant properties, with the 'Nadorcott' mandarin extract slightly prevailing over the others.
Article
Agronomy
Zeyang Bao, Qihang Zhou, Yan Yu, Wei Chen, Zhenfeng Yang, Shifeng Cao, Liyu Shi
Summary: Exogenous melatonin treatment can alleviate the chilling-induced browning in cold-stored peaches by upregulating gene expression and affecting DNA methylation levels to increase phenolic accumulation.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Guolong Li, Zhishu Tang, Zhongxing Song, Xinbo Shi, Changle Liu, Qiang Chen, Hongbo Liu
Summary: This study investigated the accumulation of flavonoids in Chinese sour jujube fruits from five different harvest times using a combined metabolomics and transcriptomics approach. A total of 1539 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) and 11592 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. The biosynthetic pathways for flavonoids, flavones, and flavanols were significantly enriched. A regulatory network for flavonoids biosynthesis was built and key genes related to flavonoid biosynthesis were identified.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Xuejiao Zhang, Xiaoyuan Zheng, Ruirui Yang, Qihui Wang, Lu Bai, Di Gong, Ye Han, Dov Prusky, Yang Bi
Summary: UV-C radiation promotes flavonoid synthesis in potato tuber wounds during early healing by upregulating the expression and activities of key enzymes and transcription factors involved in the flavonoid synthesis pathway, as well as increasing ABA levels and signaling.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Jiaqi Xiao, Yunyun Xie, Xiangjin Kong, Kuan Peng, Hong Zhu, Yueming Jiang, Hongxia Qu
Summary: The study reveals the positive role of Ca2+ ATPase in litchi energy metabolism and senescence. Higher expression of LcACAs is associated with better storability in litchi cultivars. Additionally, LcACA2 is identified as a target of LcmiR482e and ATP application can downregulate the expression of LcmiR482e, contributing to delayed senescence in litchi.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Asunta Mukami, Bicko Steve Juma, Cecilia Mweu, Richard Oduor, Wilton Mbinda
Summary: This study employed the CRISPR-Cas9 system to mutate genes in cassava, resulting in an extended shelf life of cassava roots and improved yield stability and farmers' income.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Paulo Sergio Gularte, Samara Martins Zanella, Cristiano Andre Steffens, Marceli Buss, Janaiana Catarina da Silva, Willian Coser, Aquidauana Miqueloto, Cassandro Vidal Talamini do Amarante
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of nitric oxide application on fruit quality and anaerobic metabolism products. The results showed that nitric oxide at appropriate concentrations can reduce respiration and ethylene evolution rates, preserve firmness, and reduce metabolite production and decay incidence.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Yiting Li, Sicong You, Shasha Wu, Mengyao Wang, Jin Song, Weijie Lan, Kang Tu, Leiqing Pan
Summary: This study aimed to compare the discrimination ability and detection limit of visible and short-wave near-infrared hyperspectral imaging features and spectral information on early implicit bruised pears. Physical characteristics were more sensitive than chemical parameters for bruised pears during postharvest storage. The changes in spectral variations at specific wavelengths could explain the bruising changes in pears. Discrimination models based on selected spectral variables could effectively identify bruised pear areas, and the combination of imaging features and spectral variables achieved higher discrimination rates.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Yu Du, Mengyue Wang, Mengting Tong, Dengyun Wu, Jianzhou Chu, Xiaoqin Yao
Summary: This study investigated the effects of sucrose, brassinolide (BR), and their combination on the storage quality of kale sprouts. The results showed that the combined treatment improved the growth and development of sprouts, reduced oxidative stress, and inhibited nutrient loss. Furthermore, the combination treatment maintained the antioxidant capacity and nutrient content of kale sprouts.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Zhiwen Hu, Jing Wei, Weimin Zhang, Long Wu, Di Gong, Yue Xiang, Jialiang Liu, Zhengke Zhang
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the effect of melatonin (Mel) on the phytotoxicity and residues of the fungicide prochloraz (Pcz) in mango fruit during storage. The results showed that pretreatment with Mel reduced Pcz residues and alleviated phytotoxicity in the fruit. Mel also suppressed Pcz-induced oxidative stress and enhanced the detoxification capacity of the fruit.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Bin Duan, Okwong Oketch Reymick, Zhaoguo Liu, Yun Zhou, Xin Wang, Zhao Feng, Nengguo Tao
Summary: The monoterpene citral can enhance disease resistance and reduce fruit decay in postharvest citrus fruit. It increases the activity of certain enzymes and the content of specific compounds, as well as triggers the accumulation of plant hormones and metabolites. Gene expression analysis reveals that citral upregulates genes involved in the jasmonic acid pathway and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Meiqi Li, Xinhua Zhang, Jiaoqi Li, Maratab Ali, Yuting Wang, Xiuling Liu, Fujun Li, Xiaoan Li
Summary: This research aimed to investigate the potential action mechanism of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in controlling Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea) in tomato fruit. The findings showed that GABA treatment effectively reduced the disease incidence and lesion diameter of tomato fruit caused by B. cinerea. GABA triggered defense responses and up-regulated the expression of pathogenesis-related genes, while also inhibiting the expression of ethylene synthesis genes.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Heeduk Oh, Marti Pottorff, Lara Giongo, Charles M. Mainland, Massimo Iorizzo, Penelope Perkins-Veazie
Summary: This study evaluated a large set of blueberry cultivars to understand the relationship between mechanical texture and appearance characteristics at harvest and after storage, and tested multiple statistical models to predict shelf-life. The results showed that fruit characteristics measured at harvest or two weeks post-harvest can predict weight loss, texture change, and fruit wrinkling. These findings provide empirical data that blueberry breeders can use to select cultivars with extended shelf-life.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Haitao Yu, Liuli Song, Jingjing Han, Xiaoyu Yu, Yuzhen Wu, Zhifang Yu
Summary: This study found that H2S treatment can delay the senescence process of postharvest pakchoi by regulating antioxidant system, endogenous H2S and NO metabolism. H2S increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes by up-regulating the expression of enzyme genes, reducing the accumulation of harmful substances. Furthermore, H2S increased the content of cysteine and nitrate in pakchoi by regulating the expression of related genes and enzyme activities, thus slowing down the senescence of pakchoi.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Jasna Mastilovic, Zarko Kevresan, Dragan Kukolj, Renata Kovac, Dragana Ubiparip Samek, Stevan Stankovski, Gordana Ostojic, Marina Deric
Summary: This study analyzes the patent portfolio and trends of sensors in postharvest of fresh produce, providing insights into the development of sensing technologies in this area. China is the leading country in patent applications, and the patent themes include produce sorting and packaging, produce storage, and the development and application of sensors. The findings highlight the significant impact of these technologies on postharvest processes, particularly in quality and safety monitoring. Moreover, they are expected to facilitate the integration of artificial intelligence into postharvest processes, enhancing the coherence and efficiency of supply chains.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Gal Nomberg, Gulab Chand Arya, Ekaterina Manasherova, Ofir Marinov, Oded Yarden, Hagai Cohen
Summary: Certain fleshy fruit species form a polyphenolic suberized peridermal skin to seal wounded skin and prevent invasion by pathogenic fungi.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)