Review
Plant Sciences
Leepica Kapoor, Andrew J. Simkin, C. George Priya Doss, Ramamoorthy Siva
Summary: The synthesis, degradation, and retention of fruit pigments are regulated by multiple factors. Manipulating these regulatory mechanisms can enhance the desired pigments in fruits. Pigments are assets to ripened fruits, augmenting their nutritive value, antioxidant levels, and industrial potential, while also serving as a tool for harvest prediction.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Fengjie Zhang, Xueyin Li, Qiangqiang Wu, Ping Lu, Qingfang Kang, Mengyao Zhao, Aiping Wang, Qi Dong, Min Sun, Zhenping Yang, Zhiqiang Gao
Summary: The application of selenium fertilizer in wheat increases the concentration of selenium, anthocyanins, and flavonoids in grains. Moreover, selenium enhances the biosynthesis of flavonoids, anthocyanins, and catechins by upregulating the expression levels of key structural genes.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Qing Xia, Yang Shui, Hui Zhi, Aamir Ali, Zhenping Yang, Zhiqiang Gao
Summary: Through transcriptomics and metabolomics, it was found that selenium biofortification increases the concentrations of selenium, anthocyanins, chlorophyll a and b, and carotenoids in colored-grain wheat. Upregulation of genes related to the biosynthesis of anthocyanins, phenylpropanoids, and flavonoids after selenium treatment leads to the accumulation of anthocyanin metabolites in colored-grain wheat.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lei Yu, Jinjun Yue, Yaxing Dai, Ling Zhang, Qiu Wang, Jinling Yuan
Summary: This study elucidated the molecular mechanism behind the color variation in Chimonobambusa hejiangensis shoot sheaths using metabolomics and transcriptomics approaches. Flavonoids were identified as the major metabolites that determine the sheath color, and key genes involved in anthocyanin synthesis pathway were identified.
Article
Plant Sciences
Boas Pucker, Nathanael Walker-Hale, Jasmina Dzurlic, Won C. Yim, John C. Cushman, Alexandra Crum, Ya Yang, Samuel F. Brockington
Summary: In this study, the genetic mechanisms responsible for the loss of anthocyanins in betalain-pigmented Caryophyllales were investigated. The analysis of transcriptomic and genomic datasets revealed that most flavonoid synthesis genes remain conserved in betalain-pigmented lineages, but TT19 orthologs, crucial for the final step in anthocyanidin synthesis, were repeatedly lost. Furthermore, there were observed losses and alterations in the MBW transcription complex essential for canonical anthocyanin synthesis. These findings suggest that the loss and exclusion of anthocyanins in betalain-pigmented species are orchestrated through multiple mechanisms.
Article
Plant Sciences
Suksan Fongfon, Chanakan Prom-u-thai, Tonapha Pusadee, Sansanee Jamjod
Summary: Purple rice is a staple food rich in anthocyanins and micronutrients like zinc. This study showed that increasing nitrogen fertilizer can boost grain yield, while applying zinc can improve grain quality in specific genotypes of purple rice.
Article
Agronomy
Linyuan Duan, Bo Zhang, Guoli Dai, Xinru He, Xuan Zhou, Ting Huang, Xiaojie Liang, Jianhua Zhao, Ken Qin
Summary: Wolfberry is a small shrub with medicinal and edible properties, mainly available in red, purple, and yellow phenotypes. It is rich in flavonoids, which contribute to the diverse colors of plants. This study analyzed the metabolite and gene expression profiles of different colored wolfberries and identified the molecular mechanism underlying their color differences. The accumulation of bluish anthocyanins was found in purple wolfberries, while red and yellow wolfberries accumulated more yellowish flavonoids. Additionally, differentially expressed genes related to flavonoid synthesis and transcription factors were identified among wolfberries of different colors. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of fruit color differences in wolfberry and offer new ideas for molecular breeding.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Seok-Kyu Jung, Hyun-Sug Choi
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the morphological characteristics, fruit quality, and antioxidant levels in sucrose ester-coated 'Harmony' plumcots. The coating treatment significantly reduced fruit respiration during storage time in the 0 d CS samples, delayed fruit softening and discoloration, extending the shelf-life of the fruits, but reduced total flavonoid and anthocyanin content at 6 DAS and 12 DAS.
Article
Forestry
Ling Su, Meng Qi, Dong Meng, Qing Yang, Yongmei Wang, Fengshan Ren, Liying Yang, Yingchun Chen, Liyuan Liu, Meiling Tang, Yangbo Song, Lei Gong
Summary: In order to cultivate different grape varieties according to market needs, it is important to study the regulation mechanism of color changes in grapes at different development stages. This study used RNA-sequencing technology to compare and analyze the transcriptome data of four grape varieties at the same development stage. The anthocyanin synthesis pathway in the flavonoid pathway was mainly studied among the annotated differential genes. The role of the MYB transcription factor MYB2 in anthocyanin regulation was confirmed through subcellular localization and gene function verification.
Article
Plant Sciences
Tally I. C. Wright, Keith A. Gardner, Raymond P. Glahn, Matthew J. Milner
Summary: Research found that increasing Fe concentrations in wheat grains did not lead to higher Fe absorption, and the genetic regions controlling grain Fe concentrations were not associated with increased Fe absorption. Additionally, phytate concentrations did not correlate with Fe bioavailability in the wheat population, indicating that phytate-binding alone cannot explain the lack of correlation between Fe bioavailability and Fe concentrations in the wheat grain. This suggests that breeders will need to select for both Fe concentrations directly in grains and increased bioavailability.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Samantha L. L. Huey, Neel H. H. Mehta, Elsa M. M. Konieczynski, Arini Bhargava, Valerie M. M. Friesen, Jesse T. T. Krisher, Mduduzi N. N. Mbuya, Eva Monterrosa, Annette M. M. Nyangaresi, Erick Boy, Saurabh Mehta
Summary: This study examined the bioavailability of target micronutrients enriched in conventionally biofortified crops post-harvest storage and/or processing. Conventional biofortified crops generally had higher bioaccessibility and bioavailability compared to conventional counterparts, though the estimates varied depending on cultivar, processing method, context, and experimental method used.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jun Li, Lila Otero-Gonzalez, Piet N. L. Lens, Ivet Ferrer, Gijs Du Laing
Summary: Selenium and zinc are essential micronutrients often lacking in human and animal diets. SeZn-enriched duckweed and sludge can be used as slow-release biofertilizers, significantly increasing selenium concentrations in plants, particularly organic selenium-methionine in seeds, without negative effects on plant growth.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Zikang Guo, Xuemei Zhang, Li Wang, Xingshu Wang, Runze Wang, Xiaoli Hui, Sen Wang, Zhaohui Wang, Mei Shi
Summary: The study using synchrotron techniques revealed specific patterns of zinc distribution in different parts of high-Zn wheat cultivars, as well as its associations with phosphorus and sulfur, providing a new direction for genetic zinc biofortification.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Andrew G. Hall, Janet C. King
Summary: Zinc plays important roles in various physiological functions and zinc deficiency is widespread worldwide. Current zinc fortification strategies face challenges due to the influence of phytate and protein on zinc absorption. Therefore, considerations on zinc bioavailability in the whole diet are crucial in successful zinc fortification strategies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Betina Luiza Koop, Emerson Zenin, Karina Cesca, German Ayala Valencia, Alcilene Rodrigues Monteiro
Summary: Intelligent labels based on cassava starch and biohybrid pigments have been developed by thermo-compression. The addition of biohybrid pigments improved the stability and solubility of the labels in water, as well as increasing their thermal stability. Furthermore, the labels showed visible color changes when exposed to ammonia vapor, which can be used to control meat deterioration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tiyu Ding, Sumathi Tomes, Andrew P. Gleave, Hengtao Zhang, Andrew P. Dare, Blue Plunkett, Richard Espley, Zhiwei Luo, Ruiping Zhang, Andrew C. Allan, Zhe Zhou, Huan Wang, Mengmeng Wu, Haiqing Dong, Chonghuai Liu, Jihong Liu, Zhenli Yan, Jia-Long Yao
Summary: MicroRNA172 (miR172) inhibits flavonoid biosynthesis by suppressing the expression of an AP2 transcription factor that positively regulates MdMYB10, leading to a reduction in red coloration and anthocyanin accumulation in fruits and petals.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Andrew P. Dare, Catrin S. Gunther, Angus C. Grey, George Guo, Nicholas J. Demarais, Sarah Cordiner, Tony K. McGhie, Helen Boldingh, Martin Hunt, Cecilia Deng, Katja Karppinen, Laura Jaakola, Richard Espley
Summary: Bilberry is a wild berry species with high amounts of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins. Research shows that certain sugars are positively correlated with anthocyanin accumulation in the fruit, while amino acids are negatively correlated. The accumulation patterns of polyphenols in the fruit skin and flesh are related and change as the fruit develops.
Article
Plant Sciences
Wen-qiu Wang, Sarah M. A. Moss, Lihui Zeng, Richard Espley, Tianchi Wang, Kui Lin-Wang, Bei-ling Fu, Kathy E. Schwinn, Andrew C. Allan, Xue-ren Yin
Summary: Anthocyanins play a role as visual signals for pollination and seed dispersal, and fruits containing anthocyanins are attractive to consumers due to their appearance and health benefits. This study comprehensively identified contributors to anthocyanin accumulation in kiwifruit using transcriptome and small RNA high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that the differential expression and subsequent repression of MYB activators, as well as the regulation by miRNA, are responsible for the variation in anthocyanin accumulation in kiwifruit species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Amos Samkumar, Katja Karppinen, Tony K. K. McGhie, Richard V. V. Espley, Inger Martinussen, Laura Jaakola
Summary: Light quality affects flavonoid biosynthesis during fruit ripening. The effect of light conditions on detached and naturally ripening non-climacteric wild bilberry fruits was analyzed. The results showed contrasting responses in phenolic compound accumulation to red and blue light treatments. Both red and blue light increased the expression of major structural genes in the flavonoid pathway. Key regulatory gene VmMYBA1 expressed significantly higher under blue light treatment in detached berries. Red light selectively increased the delphinidin branch of anthocyanins in naturally ripening berries, while blue light increased other anthocyanin classes in detached berries. Red and far-red light had a positive influence on the accumulation of flavonols in both ripening conditions. The study provides new insights into the light-mediated regulatory mechanisms in non-climacteric fruit ripening.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Declan J. Lafferty, Richard Espley, Cecilia H. Deng, Andrew P. Dare, Catrin S. Guenther, Laura Jaakola, Katja Karppinen, Murray R. Boase, Lei Wang, Henry Luo, Andrew C. Allan, Nick W. Albert
Summary: This study identified activator and repressor transcription factors (TFs) that regulate the production of anthocyanins, pigment compounds that positively affect human health, in blueberry and bilberry fruits. MYBA1 activates the pathway while MYBC2.1 represses it. These TFs operate within a hierarchical regulatory network, and the absence of this module in blueberry flesh results in a lack of anthocyanins.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Kevin M. Davies, Marco Landi, John W. van Klink, Kathy E. Schwinn, David A. Brummell, Nick W. Albert, David Chagne, Rubina Jibran, Samarth Kulshrestha, Yanfei Zhou, John L. Bowman
Summary: Land plants commonly produce red pigmentation in response to environmental stressors, with different types of pigments in different lineages. Some plants have lost the ability to produce anthocyanins and instead produce betalain pigments, while some terrestrial algae also produce red pigmentation under stress.
Article
Plant Sciences
Catrin S. Gunther, Blue J. Plunkett, Janine M. Cooney, Dwayne J. J. Jensen, Tania M. Trower, Caitlin Elborough, Han M. Nguyen, Cecilia H. Deng, Declan J. Lafferty, Nick W. Albert, Andrew P. Dare, Richard V. Espley
Summary: During ripening, ABA regulates anthocyanin accumulation in fruit at the onset of ripening, while SA plays a role in stress-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in response to biotic stress. The higher concentration of ABA in fruit skin is crucial for tissue-specific pigmentation during fruit development.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
John L. Bowman, Mario Arteaga-Vazquez, Frederic Berger, Liam N. Briginshaw, Philip Carella, Adolfo Aguilar-Cruz, Kevin M. Davies, Tom Dierschke, Liam Dolan, Ana E. Dorantes-Acosta, Tom J. Fisher, Eduardo Flores-Sandoval, Kazutaka Futagami, Kimitsune Ishizaki, Rubina Jibran, Takehiko Kanazawa, Hirotaka Kato, Takayuki Kohchi, Jonathan Levins, Shih-Shun Lin, Hirofumi Nakagami, Ryuichi Nishihama, Facundo Romani, Sebastian Schornack, Yasuhiro Tanizawa, Masayuki Tsuzuki, Takashi Ueda, Yuichiro Watanabe, Katsuyuki T. Yamato, Sabine Zachgo
Summary: The liverwort Marchantia polymorpha has been a model plant in biological studies since the 18th century and is currently experiencing a Renaissance in genomic and genetic research. Its simple cultivation, worldwide distribution, ease of crossing, and availability of genetic tools make it an ideal model organism for studying physiological, developmental, and evolutionary aspects of land plants.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sara Montanari, Susan Thomson, Sarah Cordiner, Catrin S. Guenther, Poppy Miller, Cecilia H. Deng, Tony McGhie, Mareike Knaebel, Toshi Foster, Janice Turner, David Chagne, Richard Espley
Summary: This study constructed a high-density linkage map in highbush blueberry using genetic mapping in autotetraploids and identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for fruit anthocyanin content. Two major stable QTLs were discovered, one on LG2 and one on LG4, and the candidate genes underlying these QTLs were identified. The study also found that the genetic control of anthocyanins containing acylated sugars is strong. The information gained from this study will facilitate marker-assisted selection and enhance our understanding of the genetic control of anthocyanin biosynthesis in highbush blueberry.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Charles Ampomah-Dwamena, Sumathi Tomes, Amali H. Thrimawithana, Caitlin Elborough, Nitisha Bhargava, Ria Rebstock, Paul Sutherland, Hilary Ireland, Andrew C. Allan, Richard V. Espley
Summary: This study investigates the transcriptional regulation of the carotenoid metabolic pathway in apple. The authors overexpressed a key biosynthetic gene and found that it increased carotenoid content in transgenic fruit. They also discovered that the expression of other carotenoid pathway genes was elevated, suggesting a feed-forward regulation of carotenogenesis. Transcriptome profiling identified several transcription factors that were co-expressed with carotenoid pathway genes. Overall, this study sheds new light on plant carotenogenesis and provides insights into the transcriptional regulation of apple carotenoid biosynthesis.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Kevin M. M. Davies, Christelle M. M. Andre
Article
Plant Sciences
Simon Miranda, Stefano Piazza, Floriana Nuzzo, Mingai Li, Jorge Lagreze, Axel Mithoefer, Alessandro Cestaro, Danuse Tarkowska, Richard Espley, Andrew Dare, Mickael Malnoy, Stefan Martens
Summary: The effects of targeting the key gene MdPGT1 involved in phloridzin biosynthesis in apple using conventional transgenesis and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing were simultaneously assessed. Knockdown lines showed impaired growth and leaf morphology, while genome-edited lines exhibited normal growth despite reduced phloridzin levels. Transcriptomic and metabolic analyses revealed regulated genes involved in phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways. Phytohormone profiling demonstrated differential modulation, with increased salicylic and jasmonic acid levels in dwarf lines and no correlation between auxin and ABA with growth phenotype.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hai-Nan Liu, Qun Shu, Lin-Wang Kui, Richard V. Espley, Andrew C. Allan, Mao-Song Pei, Xiao-Long Li, Jun Su, Jun Wu
Summary: In this study, we investigated the DNA methylome landscape during pear skin coloration and found that light exposure can lead to re-distribution of DNA methylation regions, thereby affecting anthocyanin biosynthesis. We also discovered the involvement of DNA demethylase homologs and the RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway in this re-distribution process. Furthermore, we identified DNA methylation changes in the promoter regions of certain differentially expressed genes that contribute to light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis.
Article
Plant Sciences
Simon Miranda, Jorge Lagreze, Anne-Sophie Knoll, Andrea Angeli, Richard Espley, Andrew P. Dare, Mickael Malnoy, Stefan Martens
Summary: In this study, researchers identified putative 3-hydroxylases in two wild Malus species that are capable of producing sieboldin, a specialised secondary metabolite of the dihydrochalcone group. They also discovered key residues mutations in the CYP98A protein of wild accessions that allow it to accept the substrate phloretin, leading to sieboldin accumulation. These findings provide important insights into the biosynthesis of sieboldin in Malus species.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Han M. Nguyen, Joanna Putterill, Andrew P. Dare, Blue J. Plunkett, Janine Cooney, Yongyan Peng, Edwige J. F. Souleyre, Nick W. Albert, Richard V. Espley, Catrin S. Gunther
Summary: Anthocyanins are important plant pigments with consumer health benefits. They are derived from the flavonoid pathway and their concentration and composition can be modulated by specific enzymes. Strawberry and blueberry are regarded as 'superfruits' due to their high content of anthocyanins. The study identified specific genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in Vaccinium and showed that overexpression of these genes can increase anthocyanin concentration and modify anthocyanin composition. These findings have implications for the targeted breeding of new cultivars with improved nutritional properties.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
