Article
Food Science & Technology
Youssef Rouphael, Giandomenico Corrado, Giuseppe Colla, Stefania De Pascale, Emilia Dell'Aversana, Luisa Ida D'Amelia, Giovanna Marta Fusco, Petronia Carillo
Summary: The study found that plant biostimulation can increase yield and improve fruit quality of traditional tomato germplasm, although it cannot completely alter their morpho-physiological and nutritional characteristics.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Vincenzo Sicari, Mariarosaria Leporini, Rosa Romeo, Marco Poiana, Rosa Tundis, Monica Rosa Loizzo
Summary: The study demonstrated that storing the preserved vegetables in the dark conditions ensures better preservation of quality and color over a 12-month period. Additionally, the phytochemicals present in the dried tomato slices enriched the EVOO used as preserving liquid, leading to an increase in the antioxidant activity of the oil regardless of light exposure during storage.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ida Di Mola, Eugenio Cozzolino, Lucia Ottaiano, Riccardo Riccardi, Patrizia Spigno, Milena Petriccione, Nunzio Fiorentino, Massimo Fagnano, Mauro Mori
Summary: The study evaluated the effect of a biodegradable mulching film on yield and qualitative traits of San Marzano tomatoes. The results showed that the biodegradable mulching film significantly increased yield and improved quality traits, demonstrating agronomic efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Review
Plant Sciences
Shouchuang Wang, Qi Qiang, Lijun Xiang, Alisdair R. Fernie, Jun Yang
Summary: Tomato is the most valuable fruit and horticultural crop species worldwide, but modern tomato cultivars often lack flavor compared to their progenitors. Tomato flavor is influenced by a complex mix of tastes and volatile metabolites, but different tomato varieties show significant differences in flavor. It is important to understand tomato flavor preferences and its genetic basis.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rida Barraj Barraj, Patricia Segado, Rocio Moreno-Gonzalez, Antonio Heredia, Rafael Fernandez-Munoz, Eva Dominguez
Summary: Genetics of traits related to fruit cuticle deposition and composition were studied in two red-fruited tomato species. A total of 70 QTLs were identified, indicating the complex polygenic nature of cuticle traits. Additive and epistatic interactions were observed for all traits, with co-localization of QTLs for multiple traits uncovering novel genomic regions affecting cuticle changes. Cuticle density plays a crucial role in modulating thickness and strength without compromising palatability.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Dmitry Kechasov, Michel J. Verheul, Martina Paponov, Anush Panosyan, Ivan A. Paponov
Summary: The study investigated the effects of liquid biogas by-products of pig manure digestion on the growth and production of tomato plants. It was found that tomatoes grown with organic waste-based liquid fertilizer had reduced growth rates but increased fruit size, with no significant change in total yield compared with high-mineral cultivation. The organic waste-based fertilizer led to higher chloride concentrations in leaves and fruits, as well as higher levels of starch and soluble carbohydrates but lower concentrations of phosphorous and sulfur. Fruit quality was significantly poorer in plants cultivated with organic waste-based or low-mineral medium.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Horticulture
Silvia Gonzali, Pierdomenico Perata
Summary: Fruit colour is a genetic trait that has ecological and nutritional value. Plants use colour to attract animals for seed dispersion, and factors such as environment and domestication have driven further diversification in fruit colour evolution. The genetic determinants of tomato colours have been identified, showing complex mechanisms of gene expression regulation that provide evolutionary flexibility to this trait.
Article
Agronomy
Pasquale Tripodi, Rosa Pepe, Gianluca Francese, Macellaro Rosaria, Vincenzo Onofaro Sanaja, Carlo Di Cesare, Giovanna Festa, Antonietta D'Alessandro, Giuseppe Mennella
Summary: This study conducted a comprehensive assessment of the morphological and biochemical traits of twenty-one accessions of two landraces, 'Re Fiascone' and 'San Marzano', from the Campania region in Southern Italy. Fruit morphology and content of sugars and flavonoids were identified as the most discriminating parameters among cultivars. The levels of sugars, organic acids, and antioxidants like ascorbic acid, as well as molecular analysis using microsatellite genotyping, were also studied in order to identify unique traits and potential for breeding programs.
Article
Agronomy
Ilias D. Avdikos, Rafail Tagiakas, Pavlos Tsouvaltzis, Ioannis Mylonas, Ioannis N. Xynias, Athanasios G. Mavromatis
Summary: Tomato is a highly consumed fruit vegetable globally, rich in minerals, fiber, carotenoids, and vitamin C. Recent emphasis has been on breeding new tomato cultivars with nutraceutical value to strengthen the human immune system and provide protection against diseases. Inbreeding can reach and even surpass hybrid vigor, leading to the development of recombinant lines with integrated quality characteristics that serve as alternatives to hybrid cultivars with high nutritional values.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kohei Kawaguchi, Rie Takei-Hoshi, Ikue Yoshikawa, Keiji Nishida, Makoto Kobayashi, Miyako Kusano, Yu Lu, Tohru Ariizumi, Hiroshi Ezura, Shungo Otagaki, Shogo Matsumoto, Katsuhiro Shiratake
Summary: This study successfully produced tomato lines with high sugar content by knocking out the SlINVINH1 gene using genome editing technology, without reducing fruit weight or deteriorating plant growth.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Feng Zhu, Sagar Sudam Jadhav, Takayuki Tohge, Mohamed A. Salem, Je Min Li, James J. Giovannoni, Yunjiang Cheng, Saleh Alseekh, Alisdair R. Fernie
Summary: A reliable approach combining comparative transcriptomics and expression QTLs was used to identify 16 candidate genes involved in tomato fruit ripening. One potential ripening regulator, SlWD40, was validated and found to strongly co-express with master regulators and vital TFs. Overexpression and RNAi analysis of SlWD40 confirmed its role as an important ripening regulator. These findings contribute to our understanding of the gene regulatory networks involved in tomato ripening and demonstrate the effectiveness of comparative genomics and transcriptomics in identifying causal genes.
Article
Plant Sciences
Chunmei Bai, Caie Wu, Lili Ma, Anzhen Fu, Yanyan Zheng, Jiawei Han, Changbao Li, Shuzhi Yuan, Shufang Zheng, Lipu Gao, Xinhua Zhang, Qing Wang, Demei Meng, Jinhua Zuo
Summary: Tomato is an important vegetable crop and a model plant for studying fruit ripening. Low temperatures delay the ripening process and inhibit flavor compounds and ethylene production in tomatoes. Transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses revealed the effects of storage temperature on physiological changes in tomato fruit after harvest.
HORTICULTURAL PLANT JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Mengzhen Kang, Xiujuan Wang, Rui Qi, Zhi-Qi Jia, Philippe de Reffye, San-Wen Huang
Summary: This study analyzed the effect of wild cultivar chromosome segments on yield-related phenotypes using a tomato introgression line population, and optimized sink parameters using the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm to potentially increase yield by 35%. The results demonstrate a promising approach to gaining deeper insight into phenotypic data.
Article
Plant Sciences
Agustina P. Fortuny, Rodrigo A. Bueno, Javier H. Pereira da Costa, Maria Ines Zanor, Gustavo R. Rodriguez
Summary: This study found that in tomato fruits, heterosis and reciprocal effects were more pronounced at the metabolite level, being more influenced by genotypes than agronomic traits. Hybrids showed higher phenotypic diversity, with metabolites mainly being amino acids displaying more reciprocal effects and heterosis.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Horticulture
Giulio Mangino, Santiago Vilanova, Mariola Plazas, Jaime Prohens, Pietro Gramazio
Summary: Through evaluating the fruit shape of 16 eggplant introgression lines (ILs), significant differences were found between the parents, hybrid, and ILs, with genotype factor contributing most to fruit shape variation. A total of 41 stable QTLs were detected, providing insights into the genetics of fruit shape in eggplant.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Damian Balfagon, Jose L. Rambla, Antonio Granell, Vicent Arbona, Aurelio Gomez-Cadenas
Summary: The Mediterranean basin and other citrus-growing areas are highly vulnerable to the impacts of global warming, leading to water scarcity and high temperatures that affect citrus plant growth and yield. Grafting, specifically using Carrizo as the rootstock, has been shown to improve the metabolic and hormonal responses of Cleopatra scions to drought and heat stress, resulting in increased plant tolerance.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Estelle Bineau, Jose Luis Rambla, Renaud Duboscq, Marie-Noelle Corre, Frederique Bitton, Raphael Lugan, Antonio Granell, Clemence Plissonneau, Mathilde Causse
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the transgressive behaviors of fruit metabolic content in tomatoes. Through the analysis of metabolome and transcriptome data, various modes of inheritance were identified and candidate genes that may drive changes in fruit volatile organic compound contents were proposed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Barbara Farinon, Maurizio E. Picarella, Andrea Mazzucato
Summary: Studies have shown that landraces exhibit wide variability in their response to heat stress, which is important for understanding the genetic basis of traits and breeding more resilient varieties.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Lucia Morote, Maria Lobato-Gomez, Oussama Ahrazem, Javier Argandona, Begona Olmedilla-Alonso, Alberto Jose Lopez-Jimenez, Gianfranco Diretto, Rossana Cuciniello, Paolo Bergamo, Sarah Frusciante, Enrique Niza, Angela Rubio-Moraga, Stefania Crispi, Antonio Granell, Lourdes Gomez-Gomez
Summary: Transgenic tomato fruits and hp3/Bsh tomato mutants were combined to increase the levels of crocins in tomato fruits. The crocin-rich juice from these fruits showed high antioxidant capacity and protected neuroblastoma cells against oxidative insult. The bio-accessibility of crocins in the juice was similar to that observed with saffron. Overall, crocin-fortified tomatoes could provide better protection against oxidative stress-related chronic diseases in humans.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Rossana Cuciniello, Francesco Di Meo, Maria Sulli, Olivia Costantina Demurtas, Mirella Tanori, Mariateresa Mancuso, Clizia Villano, Riccardo Aversano, Domenico Carputo, Alfonso Baldi, Gianfranco Diretto, Stefania Filosa, Stefania Crispi
Summary: Grapevine seeds contain polyphenols that can induce apoptosis and inhibit cancer properties in mesothelioma cells, possibly due to the presence of oligomeric proanthocyanidins. MDM2 was identified as a potential molecular target of AGS, and it was found to act in both a p53-dependent and independent manner. AGS significantly inhibited tumor progression in a mouse model of mesothelioma.
Review
Plant Sciences
Olivia Costantina Demurtas, Alessandro Nicolia, Gianfranco Diretto
Summary: Contrary to well-characterized biosynthetic pathways, the transport and secretion of terpenoids at different cellular and tissue levels are still poorly understood. This review aims to describe the current understanding of terpene transport and localization with a focus on physiologically and ecologically important terpenes. While only a small fraction of the thousands of identified terpenoids have been characterized for their transport, it is known that most are secreted in the apoplast or stored in vacuoles by ABC transporters. However, little is known about the movement of biosynthetic intermediates within the cell.
Article
Agronomy
Enrico Santangelo, Simone Bergonzoli, Patrizia Papetti, Andrea Mazzucato, Angelo Del Giudice, Antonio Scarfone, Claudio Beni
Summary: The study analyzed the impact of two types of low-input farming conditions on the yield and bioactive compounds in tomato fruits. The results showed that incorporating mulching and intercropping led to higher values of leaf greenness, fruit number, and fruit weight. However, the low-input system had a higher content of polyphenols and anthocyanins in the peel, as well as higher vitamin C and polyphenols in the pulp. The study highlighted the potential of low-input systems in achieving satisfactory yields while minimizing the use of external resources.
Article
Plant Sciences
Clizia Villano, Olivia Costantina Demurtas, Salvatore Esposito, Antonio Granell, Jose Luis Rambla, Paola Piombino, Luigi Frusciante, Domenico Carputo, Gianfranco Diretto, Riccardo Aversano
Summary: In this study, the transcriptomic and metabolomic changes occurring in different tissues and developmental stages of the ancient grape varieties Aglianico and Falanghina were investigated to establish patterns of secondary metabolites contributing to their wine aroma and explore the underlying transcriptional regulation. The results revealed significant changes in both the transcriptome and metabolome, with terpenoid metabolism being the most distinct for Aglianico, and GLVs for Falanghina.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caterina 'Ambrosio, Adriana Lucia Stigliani, Jose L. Rambla, Sarah Frusciante, Gianfranco Diretto, Eugenia M. A. Enfissi, Antonio Granell, Paul D. Fraser, Giovanni Giorio
Summary: Carotenoids are essential components of the human diet due to their important biological functions. However, the zeaxanthin content in genetically modified tomato fruits was lower than expected, indicating a significant reduction in carotenoid biosynthesis. This abnormal production of zeaxanthin may be regulated by a xanthophyll-derived apocarotenoid in tomato chromoplasts.
Article
Agronomy
Jaime Zacarias-Garcia, Maria Jesus Rodrigo, Jose Luis Rambla, Antonio Granell, Lorenzo Zacarias
Summary: This study evaluates the postharvest performance and responses of the red-fleshed Kirkwood Navel and Ruby Valencia oranges to cold storage and shelf-life. The results showed that Kirkwood and Ruby exhibited lower chilling injury, maintained similar weight loss and peel firmness, and preserved the concentration and original composition of carotenoids, as well as the content of vitamin C, phenolics and flavonoids. The red-fleshed oranges also showed increased content of tocopherols and sugars, and major changes in volatile compounds during the postharvest storage.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Antonio Teixeira, Henrique Noronha, Sarah Frusciante, Gianfranco Diretto, Hernani Geros
Summary: Flavescence doree, a disease caused by the phytoplasma 'Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis', has become a major threat to vineyards in Europe. This study investigated the changes in the metabolomic fingerprint of the phloem sap in response to FD infection in grapevines. The analysis revealed significant differences in sugar, organic acid, amino acid, and defense compound content in the phloem sap of infected vines compared to healthy vines, depending on the developmental stage of the vine.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Lorenzo-Rebenaque, Cristina Casto-Rebollo, Gianfranco Diretto, Sarah Frusciante, Juan Carlos Rodriguez, Maria-Paz Ventero, Carmen Molina-Pardines, Santiago Vega, Clara Marin, Francisco Marco-Jimenez
Summary: This study investigated the influence of Salmonella phage on host physiology through caecal microbiota and metabolome modulation. It was found that phage therapy did not affect the diversity of the microbiota, but did cause changes in caecal metabolites. However, these changes had minimal impact on the blood serum and did not result in significant physiological response.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Clara Pons, Joan Casals, Matthijs Brower, Adriana Sacco, Alessandro Riccini, Patrick Hendrickx, Maria del Rosario Figas, Josef Fisher, Silvana Grandillo, Andrea Mazzucato, Salvador Soler, Dani Zamir, Mathilde Causse, Maria Jose Diez, Richard Finkers, Jaime Prohens, Antonio Jose Monforte, Antonio Granell
Summary: European traditional tomato varieties have shown excellent agronomic performance and stability, even outperforming modern varieties. Genome-wide association studies have identified 141 QTLs associated with agro-morphological traits and revealed the genetic basis of stability. This study enhances our understanding of the genetic diversity available in European traditional tomato germplasm.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Angelica Silva, Henrique Noronha, Dorotea Ricci, Sarah Frusciante, Gianfranco Diretto, Carlos Conde, Antonio Granell, Hernani Geros
Summary: This study investigated the role of plastidal VviPPT1 in grapevine secondary metabolism using pigmented cultured cells from cv Gamay freaux grapes. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of VviPPT1 resulted in a cell line with low anthocyanin content and significant changes in the metabolome. Key enzymes of the shikimate and phenylpropanoid pathways were inhibited at the protein activity and/or gene expression level.
JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2023)