AcWRKY28 mediated activation of AcCPK genes confers salt tolerance in pineapple(Ananas comosus)

Unfavorable environmental cues severely affect crop productivity resulting in significant economic losses to farmers. In plants, multiple regulatory genes, such as the WRKY transcription factor (TF) family, modulate the expression of defense genes. However, the role of the pineapple WRKY genes is poorly understood. Here, we studied the pineapple WRKY gene, AcWRKY28, by generating AcWRKY28 over-expressing transgenic pineapple plants. Overexpression of AcWRKY28 enhanced the salt stress resistance in transgenic pineapple lines. Comparative transcriptome analysis of transgenic and wild-type pineapple plants showed that “plant-pathogen interaction” pathway genes, including 9calcium-dependent protein kinases (CPKs), were up-regulated in AcWRKY28 over-expressing plants. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation and yeast one-hybrid assays revealed AcCPK12, AcCPK3, AcCPK8, AcCPK1, and AcCPK15 as direct targets of AcWRKY28. Consistently, the study of AcCPK12 over-expressing Arabidopsis lines showed that AcCPK12 enhances salt, drought, and disease resistance. This study shows that AcWRKY28 plays a crucial role in promoting salt stress resistance by activating the expression of AcCPK genes.

Optimization of the Pretreatment of the Mixture of Cassava Peelings and Pineapple Fibers Using Response Surface Methodology and a Process Simulator for the Bioethanol Production

The increase in oil prices and greenhouse gas emissions has led to the search for substitutes for fossil fuels. In Cameroon, the abundance of lignocellulosic resources is inherent to agricultural activity. Production of bioethanol remains a challenge given the crystallinity of cellulose and the presence of the complex. The pretreatment aimed to solubilize the lignin fraction and to make cellulose more accessible to the hydrolytic enzymes, was done using the organosolv process. A mathematical modeling was performed to point out the effect of the temperature on the kinetics of the release of the reducing sugars during the pretreatment. Two mathematical model was used, SAEMAN’s model and Response surface methodology. The first show that the kinetic parameters of the hydrolysis of the cellulose and reducing sugar are: 0.05089 min-1, 5358.1461 J·mol-1, 1383.03691 min-1, 51577.6100 J·mol-1 respectively. The second model was used. Temperature is the factor having the most positive influence whereas, ethanol concentration is not an essential factor. To release the maximum, an organosolv pre-treatment of this sub-strate should be carried out at 209.08°C for 47.60 min with an ethanol-water ratio of 24.02%. Organosolv pre-treatment is an effective process for delignification of the lignocellulosic structure.

Epigenetic modification mechanisms of chloroplasts mutants in pineapple leaves during somatic regeneration

Somaclonal variation in tissue culture is a common phenomenon induced by various external or internal environmental conditions,resulting in heritable or non-heritable alterations in gene expression. One crucial mechanism involved in plant growth and development is epigenetic regulation. A highly dynamic epigenome can respond to environmental changes by regulating gene expression. DNA methylation is one of these epigenetic modifications that can alter gene expression in tissue-cultured pineapple plants. The underlying mechanism of such somaclonal variations in pineapple and the epigenetic regulation involvement in somaclonal variations has not been studied. This study performed DNA methylome and transcriptome sequencing of wild-type(WT) and mutant pineapple plants(WS, HW, and TW). We observed altered DNA methylation patterns in chlorophyll development in the mutants. Specifically, we noticed that the methylation levels in the CHG and CHH contexts were lower in the gene body regions compared to the upstream and downstream regions. We identified several thousand differentially methylated regions(DMRs) located at the gene body regions, some of which overlapped with the differentially expressed genes(DEGs). Functional enrichment analyses suggested that these genes were involved in chlorophyll metabolism. Thus, our results revealed that the transcriptional regulation of many chlorophyll metabolic essential genes could be regulated by DNA methylation caused by somaclonal variations and provided insights into epigenetic mechanisms underlying the regulation of chlorosis in pineapple plants.

Effect of Ultrasound and Thermal Pasteurization on Physicochemical Properties and Antioxidant Activity of Juice Extracted from Ripe and Overripe Pineapple

It has become necessary to assess how food processing methods affect qualitative qualities due to the increased consumer awareness of the health benefits of various nutrients in food. In the current study, the effects of ultrasound treatment (37°C, 5 min), pasteurization (90°C, 5 min), and their combination on quality parameters, including pH, total soluble solids (TSSs), titratable acidity (TA), color values (L*, a*, b*), ascorbic acid (AA), total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity (DPPH), of pineapple juice from ripe and overripe pineapples were assessed. Color values (L*), ascorbic acid (AA), total phenolic content (TPC), and DPPH radical scavenging activity in all juice samples that were sonicated alone and in combination with pasteurization improved significantly (p and color value (a* and b*) decreased in comparison to the control. Whereas pH and acidity did not change significantly (p < 0.05). Pasteurization significantly (p , but sonicated samples significantly (p quality parameters and antioxidant activity, notably in ripe juice. Overall, pasteurization degraded these liquids but sonication, either alone or in combination with it, was advantageous for preserving their quality by retaining nutrients.

Extensive Pineapple Production Constraints and Land Suitability in the Centre Region of Cameroon

The low level of productivity observed in pineapple fields in Centre Came-roon must be sustainably reduced in order to increase producers’ income while using the same resources. The identification and control of production constraints are key steps in optimizing the use of limited resources. To this end, the FAO land assessment methodology following the Fuzzy-MCDM pro-tocol was used for the two pineapple production basins in the Centre, namely Awae and Bokito. It was found that the land in Awae Basin is moderately suitable S2sf with constraints imposed by texture, pH and base saturation. In the Bokito Basin, 25% of the land is suitable S1wf and 75% is moderately suitable S2wsf with constraints imposed by soil texture (27%), temporary soil water saturation (99%), pH, base saturation and exchangeable sodium. Constraint correction improves the land index (potential suitability) and re-mains limited by permanent constraints that cannot be corrected. Improve-ment of the technical itinerary through modification of plant densities, selec-tion of improved cultivars and balanced fertilization must be undertaken to optimize pineapple production in Centre Cameroon.

Comparative Study of Biogas Production from Jackfruit Waste, Banana Peels, and Pineapple Peels Co-Digested with Cow Dung

Only 42% of Uganda’s population has access to electricity. The population continues to use firewood and charcoal as a source of energy, which leads to depletion of forests thus to climate change. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of biogas production from jackfruit waste, banana peels, and pineapple peels when co-digested with cow dung as an alternative energy source. Substrates for each waste were co-digested with varying proportions (0%, 25%, and 50%) of cow dung using laboratory-scale 250 mL anaerobic digestors. The total biogas generation for jackfruit waste, banana peels, and pineapple peels after 30 days of anaerobic digestion was 82.3, 189, and 262 mL, respectively. When jack fruit waste, pineapple peels and banana peels were co-digested with 25% cow dung, the total amount of biogas produced increased by a factor of two and three, respectively. However, 50% of cow dung only significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved for jack fruit waste by two folds. Therefore, the results indicated that jackfruit waste, banana and pineapple peels can be used for biogas production to augment energy supply. .

An updated review of pineapple and its bioactive compounds in breast cancer

Women are more likely than men to develop cancer of the breast.Most breast cancer drugs are highly toxic,and treatment can cause side effects.It is imperative to find safe alternative medicines in the pursuit of a cure for breast cancer.An extract of pineapple contains cysteine proteases known as bromelains.In general,pineapples are regarded as safe foods.From the fruit,stem,and of pineapples,bromelain is produced by multiple endopeptidases.As well as reducing the growth of tumors locally,bromelain severely impaired the cytotoxicity of monocytes in the immune system in the fight against cancer.Specifically,we investigated pineapple’s possible mechanisms of action and its bioactive compounds in breast cancer.

Plant Regeneration through Indirect Organogenesis in Two Cultivars of Pineapple (Ananas comosus L.)

Unavailability of performant planting material of pineapple constitutes a major problem of its cultivation in Africa. For this purpose, indirect organogenesis technique is used to evaluate the in vitro responses of two cultivars of pineapple during the explant’s regeneration. Calli were induced from crown leaf and plantlets leaf of “Smooth Cayenne” and “Sugarloaf cultivars”. Murashige and Skoog medium with vitamins B5 supplemented with different growth regulators combinations were used. BAP and/or 2,4-D have been added to base medium for calli cells’ differentiation while BAP and GA3 have been added for plant elongation. The results indicated that explants from regenerated plantlets leaves cultivated on MS supplemented with copper (II) sulphate 5-hydrate concentrations incorporated had significant (p < 0.0001) influence on callus induction in pineapple cultivars. Likewise, MS medium with NAA (0.5 mg/l) + BAP (1 mg/l) had a highly significant influence with 8.8 differentiated Calli. Also, MS medium supplemented with BAP (3 mg/l) + GA3 (2 mg/l) for the “smooth Cayenne” had significantly influenced (p < 0.0001) Calli regeneration with a high rate of 55.25% plantlets. MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l of NAA + 0 mg/l IBA produced a high number of roots in Sugarloaf whereas the medium containing 1.5 mg/l NAA + 0.5 mg/l (IBA) produced high number of roots in smooth Cayenne. We have established an efficient and reproducible protocol for mass propagation and genetic transformation of pineapple though indirect organogenesis. This protocol may be used in genetics engineering studies for pineapple breeding.

Modulatory effect of pineapple peel extract on lipid peroxidation,catalase activity and hepatic biomarker levels in blood plasma of alcoholinduced oxidative stressed rats

Objective:To investigate the ability of the methanolic extract of pineapple peel to modulate alcohol-induced lipid peroxidation,changes in catalase activities and hepatic biochemical marker levels in blood plasma.Methods:Oxidative stress was induced by oral administration of ethanol(20%w/v) at a dosage of 5 niL/kg bw in rats.After 28 days of treatment,the rats were fasted overnight and sacrificed by cervical dislocation.Blood was collected with a 2 mL syringe by cardiac puncture and was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 min.The plasma was analyzed to evaluate malondialdehyde(MDA),catalase activity,aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) concentrations.Results:Administration of alcohol caused a drastic increase(87.74%) in MDA level compared with the control.Pineapple peel extract significantly reduced the MDA level by 60.16%at 2.S mL/kg bw.Rats fed alcohol only had the highest catalase activity,treatment with pineapple peel extract at 2.5 mL/kg bw however, reduced the activity.Increased AST,ALP and ALT activities were observed in rats fed alcohol only respectively,treatment with pineapple peel extract drastically reduced their activities. Conclusions:The positive modulation of lipid peroxidation,catalase activities as well as hepatic biomarker levels of blood plasma by the methanolic extract of pineapple peels under alcoholinduced oxidative stress is an indication of its protective ability in the management of alcoholinduced toxicity.

Productivity and nutrient cycling in an agroforestry ecosystem for interplant of pineapple and coconut

in this paper, the biomass productivity and nutrient cycling in an agroforestry system of coconut (Cocus nucifera ) interplanted with pineapple bananas comosus) had been studied. The result showed that the biomass productivity of this ecosystem was 47 460 kg.hm-2.a-1, which was 4.3 times as much as that of pure coconutplantation. In the biological cycling of N. P, K elements, the total annual retention was 559.470 kg.hm-2, the annualreturn was 410.745 kg.hm-2, the annual uptake was 970.475 kg.hm-2, respectively. The average circulation rate inthree nutrient elementS (N, P, K) was 42.32%, which was 27.53% more than that in pure coconut stands. Coconutinterplanted with pineapple was proved to be one of optimum cultUral patterns, which had the higher biomass productivity, and better usage efficiency of environment resources in tropical areas.

Effect of Fiber Loadings and Treatment on Dynamic Mechanical, Thermal and Flammability Properties of Pineapple Leaf Fiber and Kenaf Phenolic Composites

This study deals with the analysis of dynamic mechanical,thermal and flammability properties of treated and untreated pineapple leaf fiber(PALF)and kenaf fiber(KF)phenolic composites.Results indicated that storage modulus was decreased for all composites with increases in temperature and pattern of slopes for all composites,having almost the same values of E′at glass transition temperature(Tg).The peak of the loss modulus of pure phenolic composites was shown to be much less.After the addition of kenaf/PALF,peaks were higher and shifted towards a high temperature.The Tan delta peak height was low for pure phenolic composites and maximum for 60%PALF phenolic composites.Cole-Cole analysis was carried out to understand the phase behavior of the composite samples.Thermogravimetric analysis(TGA)results indicated that pure phenolic composites have better thermal stability than PALF and kenaf phenolic composites.Vertical and horizontal UL-94 tests were conducted and showed pure phenolic resin is highly fire resistant.The overall results showed that treated KF composites enhanced the dynamic mechanical and thermal properties among all PALF/KF composites.

Effect of Hybridization on the Mechanical Properties of Pineapple Leaf Fiber/Kenaf Phenolic Hybrid Composites

In this study,pineapple leaf fiber(PALF),kenaf fiber(KF)and PALF/KF/phenolic(PF)composites were fabricated and their mechanical properties were investigated.The mechanical properties(tensile,flexural and impact)of the PALF/KF/PF hybrid composites were investigated and compared with PALF/KF composites.The 3P7K exhibited enhanced tensile strength(46.96 MPa)and modulus(6.84 GPa),flexural strength(84.21 MPa)and modulus(5.81 GPa),and impact strength(5.39 kJ/m2)when compared with the PALF/PF and KF/PF composites.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)was used to observe the fracture surfaces of the tensile testing samples.The microstructure of the 7P3K hybrid composite showed good interfacial bonding and the addition of KF improved the interfacial strength.It has been concluded that the 3P7K ratio allowed obtaining materials with better mechanical properties(tensile,flexural and impact strengths)than PALF/PF and KF/PF composites.The results obtained in this study will be used for further comparative study of untreated hybrid composites with treated hybrid composites.

Biocomposite Films of Polylactic Acid Reinforced with Microcrystalline Cellulose from Pineapple Leaf Fibers

Poly(lactic acid)(PLA)composite films reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose(MCC)extracted from pineapple leaf fibers(PALF)were prepared by a solution casting procedure.In an attempt to improve the interaction between PLA and cellulose,two approaches were adopted;first,poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG)was used as a surfactant,and second,the cellulosic fibers were pre-treated using tert-butanol(TBA).Lignocellulosic and cellulosic substrates were characterized using Fourier transform infrared(FTIR),wide-angle X-ray scattering(WAXS),and thermogravimetrical analysis(TGA).MCC from PALF showed good thermal stability,left few residues after decomposing,and exhibited high crystallinity index.Mechanical,thermal and thermomechanical properties of the PLA composites were also evaluated.Multiple PLA endotherms were observed in composites with TBA-treated MCC due to crystal nucleation effects.The ultimate tensile strain values for all composites were lower than that of the pristine PLA.However,4 wt.%MCC content provided balanced engineering properties in terms of static and dynamic tensile properties.

The Situation and Challenges of Pineapple Industry in China

Pineapple is the third largest tropical fruit in China. Pineapple industry played important roles in developing economies in tropical- and subtropical-areas in China. However, the structure of varieties is simple. The harvesting period is centralized. The price of pineapple fruits is often low. These challenges hindered the further development of pineapple industry. The people engaged in pineapple industry should select and cultivate new varieties with higher qualities and that can be harvested in a longer period. More work should be done in the technology on inducing inflorescence of new varieties. Precision fertilization for new varieties should be researched and developed. The technology for cultivating tissue-culture seedlings fast and at low cost should also be studied. The diseases in fruits should be prevented and controlled before harvesting.

Lightweight Biobased Polyurethane Nanocomposite Foams Reinforced with Pineapple Leaf Nanofibers (PLNFs)

Pineapple leaf nanofibers(PLNFs)extracted from pineapple leaf fiber were used for reinforcing biobased polyurethane foam(BPU).The dispersion performance of PLNF in the foaming mixture system,nanocomposite foaming behavior,cell morphology,cell size,density,compressive strength and dimensional stability were investigated.The viscosity of the mixtures increased with increasing the PLNF content.The addition of a tiny amount of PLNF did not influence the exothermic temperature of the foam system,but reduced the expansion and gel time of the nanocomposite foams.This reduced time was found to increase the production efficiency.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)images showed that the PLNF neither affected the cell shape nor size.While the density of the foam was not obviously altered with the addition of a small amount of PLNF,the compressive strength and dimensional stability were significantly improved.

Effect of Combining Ultrasound and Mild Heat Treatment on Physicochemical, Nutritional Quality and Microbiological Properties of Pineapple Juice

Increasing consumer awareness regarding the health benefits of different nutrients in food has led to the requirement of assessing the effect of food processing approaches on the quality attributes. The present work focuses on understanding the effects of ultrasound (US) processing, mild heat pasteurization (65°C for 15 min), thermal pasteurization (80°C for 15 min) and their combination on physicochemical, microbiological properties and nutritional quality of pineapple juice through 60 days of storage at room temperature. Ultrasound treatment showed significantly lower browning degree. Ultrasound followed by ultrasound combined with mild heat pasteurization (UMP) treatments was effective in retaining the total phenolic content of pineapple juice as compared to the thermal treatment or the untreated juice sample at room temperature during 60 days of storage. Thermal pasteurization (TP) followed by ultrasound combined with mild heat pasteurization (UMP) and ultrasound (US) treatment, in increasing order, was found to be effective in delaying microbial growth in pineapple juice. This study demonstrates that ultrasound combined with mild heat pasteurization treatments could be able to effectively inactivate the microorganisms and pectin methylesterase in pineapple juice whilst preserving relatively high amount of phenols.

Properties and Processing of the Pineapple Leaf Fiber

The properties and constituent of pineapple fiber were tested, and on the base of that, chemical treatment was used to improve the spinnability of the fiber, and the pure and blended yarn of pineapple fiber were produced in worsted and cotton spinning system.

The Cause for Water-Heart Fruit of Pineapple and Protective Measurements

Pineapple industry has played important roles in China’s economics in tropical- and subtropical-areas. Pineapple industry in China has been damaged by water-heart fruit. The objective of this research is to clarify the mechanism underlying water-heart fruit of pineapple and find ways for preventing water-heart fruit. We found that water logging can cause water-heart pineapple. The longer the pineapple plants were water logged, the more fruits were found water heart. With the development of fruits, the fruits’ sensitivity to water logging increased. Spraying potassium sulfate onto the fruits after the plants are water logged can decrease the rate of pineapple water-heart. But this effect became less with the fruit development. When sucrose and its precursors in intracellular space were transferred into sink cells, hydrogen ions were required. Because of lacking hydrogen ions, sucrose and its precursors were stopped in intracellular space and seized water from cells. Water-heart fruit formed. If potassium can be gotten in intracellular space, the roles of hydrogen ions might be replaced with potassium ions. With the help of potassium ions, sucrose and its precursors were transported into sink cells and the water-heart symptoms alleviated.

Physico-Chemical Changes in Ready to Eat Pineapple Chicken Curry during Frozen Storage

RTE Pineapple chicken curry, a traditional Kerala recipe, was prepared and standardized by using de-boned broiler meat chunks, pineapple and spices. The product having both meat and gravy (1:1.9) was packed in polyethylene pouches and stored at -18℃± 2℃for 6 months. During frozen storage, the free fatty acid (FFA) values were 0.28 - 0.46 (as percentage oleic acid) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values were 1.68 - 2.45 (mg of malonaldehyde/Kg of sample) increased in both meat and gravy. Meat and gravy pH were in the range of 5.5 to 6. Marginal decrease in shear force values (43.4 - 39.6 N) were also observed. During storage the SPC was found to be decreasing over period of storage (100, 40, 20, -18℃± 2℃for 6 months.

The Responses of Pineapple Varieties to Forced-Flower Treatment at Seedling Stage

Forcing flower is an important step for planting pineapple. Although many papers have been reported about forcing flower for pineapple plants on the aim of harvesting fruits, no reports have been found about forcing flower at seedling phase for preparing bonsai. In this paper, Tainong 4, Tainong 16 and Tainong 17 plants with 20 leaves were watered on stem apex with 40 ml of 0.13% of ethephron. Results showed that most of Tainong 4 plants flowered after being treated 30 days. None plant of Tainong 16 flowered after being treated 60 days. In the same variety, for example, Tainong 4, some plants flowered earlier, some plants flowered late. Tainong 4 was the most sensitive to ethephron at early-growth phase. Tainong 16 was the most insensitive variety. The low flower rate in this research might be due to that the pineapple plants were in early-vegetative-growth stage. They had not appropriate physiological conditions for forcing flowers. For making pineapple bonsai at early-vegetative-growth phase, higher doses of forcing-flower agent should be used than those of forcing-flower agent for harvesting fruits.