Prediction of Apple Fruit Quality by Soil Nutrient Content and Artificial Neural Network

The effect of soil nutrient content on fruit yield and fruit quality is very important.To explore the effect of soil nutrients on apple quality we investigated 200 fruit samples from 40 orchards in Feng County,Jiangsu Province.Soil mineral elements and fruit quality were measured.The effect of soil nutrient content on fruit quality was analyzed by artificial neural network(ANN)model.The results showed that the prediction accuracy was highest(R2=0.851,0.847,0.885,0.678 and 0.746)in mass per fruit(MPF),hardness(HB),soluble solids concentrations(SSC),titratable acid concentration(TA)and solid-acid ratio(SSC/TA),respectively.The sensitivity analysis of the prediction model showed that soil available P,K,Ca and Mg contents had the greatest impact on the quality of apple fruit.Response surface method(RSM)was performed to determine the optimum range of the available P,K,Ca,and Mg contents in orchards In Feng County,which were 10∼20 mg⋅kg^(−1),170∼200 mg⋅kg^(−1),1000∼1500 mg⋅kg^(−1),and 80∼200 mg⋅kg^(−1),respectively.The research also concluded that improving the content of available P and available Ca in orchard soil was crucial to improve apple fruit quality in Feng County,Jiangsu Province.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of the climacteric of apple fruit uncovers the involvement of transcription factors affecting ethylene biosynthesis

Apple(Malus domestica)fruit generally undergoes a climacteric.During its ripening process,there is a peak in ethylene release and its firmness simultaneously decreases.Although more in-depth research into the mechanism of climacteric-type fruit ripening is being carried out,some aspects remain unclear.In this study,we compared the transcriptomes of 0-Pre and 15-Post(pre-and post-climacteric fruit),and 15-Post and 15-MCP[fruit treated with 1-MCP(1-methylcyclopropene)].Various transcription factors,such as MADS-box,ERF,NAC,Dof and SHF were identified among the DEGs(differential gene expressions).Furthermore,these transcription factors were selected for further validation analysis by qRT-PCR.Moreover,yeast one hybrid(Y1H),β-glucuronidase(GUS)transactivation assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that MdAGL30,MdAGL104,MdERF008,MdNAC71,MdDof1.2,MdHSFB2a and MdHSFB3 bound to MdACS1 promoter and directly regulated its transcription,thereby regulating ethylene biosynthesis in apple fruit.Our results provide useful information and new insights for research on apple fruit ripening.

Comparison of cell wall changes of two different types of apple cultivars during fruit development and ripening

Fruit development and ripening is a complex procedure(Malus×domestica Borkh.)and can be caused by various factors such as cell structure,cell wall components,and cell wall hydrolytic enzymes.In our study,we focused on the variations in fruit firmness,cell wall morphology and components,the activity of cell wall hydrolytic enzymes and the expression patterns of associated genes during fruit development in two different types of apple cultivars,the hard-crisp cultivar and the loose-crisp cultivar.In this paper,the aim was to find out the causes of the texture variations between the different type cultivars.Cell wall materials(CWMs),hemicellulose and cellulose content were strongly associated with variations in fruit firmness during the fruit development.The content of water soluble pectin(WSP)and chelator soluble pectin(CSP)gradually increased,while the content of ionic soluble pectin(ISP)showed inconsistent trends in the four cultivars.The activities of polygalacturonase(PG),β-galactosidase(β-gal),cellulase(CEL),and pectate lyase(PL)gradually increased in four cultivars.And the activities of PG,β-gal,and CEL were higher in‘Fuji’and‘Honeycrisp’fruit with the fruit development,while the activity of PL of‘Fuji’and‘Honeycrisp’was lower than that of‘ENVY’and‘Modi’.Both four cultivars of fruit cells progressively became bigger as the fruit expanded,with looser cell arrangements and larger cell gaps.According to the qRT-PCR,the relative expression levels of MdACO and Mdβ-gal were notably enhanced.Our study showed that there were large differences in the content of ISP and hemicellulose,the activity of PL and the relative expression of Mdβ-gal between two different types of apple cultivars,and these differences might be responsible for the variations in the texture of the four cultivars.

Pre-harvest fruit bagging influences fruit color and quality of apple cv. Delicious

An attempt was made to observe the effect of pre-harvest bagging with spun-bound fabric bags on color and quality of Delicious apple. Bagging was done about a month before harvesting and removed 3-day before harvesting. Bagged and non-bagged fruits were stored at 2℃ ± 1℃ and 90%-95% RH. Observations were recorded on color and fruit quality attributes such as total phenolics, AOX activity, fruit Ca contents, LOX activity, SSC and ascorbic acid contents at harvest and during storage. Our studies have revealed that bagged fruits have better color development (Hunter “a” = 52) than non-bagged fruits at harvest (Hunter “a” = 38), which declined slightly during storage. Similarly, at harvest, bagged fruits contained high amounts of Ca (5.38 mg/100g) and total phenolics (9.3 mg GAE/100gpulp) exhibited higher AOX activity (12.6 μmoles Trolox g-1), and had better SSC and ascorbic acid contents than non-bagged fruits, and there was a decline in all recorded parameters during storage. Bagged fruits exhibited lower LOX activity (1.38 μmoles min-1 g-1 FW) at harvest than non-bagged fruits (2.14 μmoles min-1 g-1 FW), indicating that non-bagged fruits were more senescent than bagged fruits. Further, LOX activity increased during storage both in bagged and non-bagged apples but increase in LOX activity was slower in bagged apples than in non-bagged apples.

Anatomical Study on the Multi-Ovule Development and Abortion of Hanfu Apple

The terminal flower buds of 6-yr-old Hanfu apple were used to study the ovule development, ovular characteristics, cell death of abortive ovules, and dynamic change of starch grain quantity in the embryo sac with paraffin slices and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated fluorescein deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling （TUNEL） system. Four anatropous ovules in each ventricle could be observed before flowering. With the developing of floral organ, the bulk of normal ovules enlarged in each ventricle, the mature embryo sac differentiated into nucellus, and the egg cell developed into zygote by double fertilization. A large number of starch grains were observed during pollen tube growth and double fertilization, which guaranteed basic nutrient supply in the normal development of ovules. Moreover, abortion phenomenon of runtish ovules emerged at the stages of mature embryo sac, double fertilization and zygote development. The abortion characteristics included deformity of ovule development, degradation of nucellus tissue, separation between funiculus and ovule, abnormality of four-nucleate embryo sac, as well as development interruption of mature embryo sac. TUNEL analysis proved that ovule abortion was programmed cell death.

Effect of Nitrogen on Apple Fruit Development in Different Loads

The experiments including soil application N, thinning and priming leaf treatment, using eight -year-old apple trees (M. domestica Borkh.cv.Red Fuji/ M. hupenensis Rhed) as materials were carried out to study the effect of N on fruit development. The main results were as follows: on heavily thinned trees, SS activity was independent of N and priming leaves treatments. The results show that the carbohydrate restriction of source to sink activity did not exist, and N application did not stimulate fruit growth rates relative to those on nonfertilized trees; however, N fertilization resulted in a longer fruit development period and increased the growth potential of individual fruit by 20.8% (fresh weight) and 14.1% (dry weight) vs. controls ; in unthinned trees, SS activity was increased by N fertilization but decreased by priming leaves treatment , so the carbohydrate restriction of source to sink activity existed, N fertilization increased the average single fruit weight both by extending the fruit development period and by increasing fruit growth rate, and the increasing rates were 28.2% (fresh weight) and 19.4 % (dry weight) compared to the unthinned nonfertilized controls. Fruit soluble sugar and pericarp anthocyanin concentration was decreased by N fertilization.

Chemopreventive effect of apple and berry fruits against colon cancer

Colon cancer arises due to the conversion of precancerous polyps(benign)found in the inner lining of the colon.Prevention is better than cure,and this is very true with respect to colon cancer.Various epidemiologic studies have linked colorectal cancer with food intake.Apple and berry juices are widely consumed among various ethnicities because of their nutritious values.In this review article,chemopreventive effects of these fruit juices against colon cancer are discussed.Studies dealing with bioavailability,in vitro and in vivo effects of apple and berry juices are emphasized in this article.A thorough literature survey indicated that various phenolic phytochemicals present in these fruit juices have the innate potential to inhibit colon cancer cell lines.This review proposes the need for more preclinical evidence for the effects of fruit juices against different colon cancer cells,and also strives to facilitate clinical studies using these juices in humans in large trials.The conclusion of the review is that these apple and berry juices will be possible candidates in the campaign against colon cancer.

Forecasting Fruit Diameter of ‘Fuji' Apples (Malus pumila Mill)at Harvest During Early Growing Season

The fruit growth evolution on 35 tagged 'Fuji' apple trees was studied in three successive growing seasons from 1994 to 1996 to explore a new method for forecasting the fruit diameter at harvest during early growing season. Daily fruit growth rate (DFGR) (based on fruit diameter, fruit dry weight, fruit fresh weight, or fruit volume) during the early growing season, 30 - 50 d after full bloom (DAFB), or during mid-growing season (60-120 DAFB), displayed a strong positive linear correlation with the fruit diameter at harvest, and the correlation between the fruit diameter at harvest and DFGR during early and mid-growing season was much better than that between the fruit diameter at harvest and either fruit diameter at a given time or the relative growth rate during early or mid-growing season. The fruit diameters obtained in the field were compared with the mean fruit diameters estimated based on different criteria, such as DFGRs (based on fruit diameter, fruit dry weight, fruit fresh weight, or fruit volume) during early and mid-growing season, and fruit diameter at 120 DAFB. Results showed that daily growth rate of fruit diameter during 30 - 50 DAFB was the best criterion for forecasting fruit diameter at harvest. There was no significant difference in mean fruit diameter between the value measured in the field at harvest and that estimated based on the daily growth rate of fruit diameter during 30 - 50 DAFB (equations for forecasting: y = 153.571 x + 73.492) either for the individual trees or for different vigor groups of trees. Daily growth rate of fruit diameter during 30 - 50 DAFB can be used as the basis for forecasting fruit diameter at harvest.

Replanting Affects the Tree Growth and Fruit Quality of Gala Apple

Apple replant disease（ARD） causes the inhibition of root system development, stunts tree growth and so on. To further investigate the effects of ARD on apple fruits, a 25-year-old apple orchard was remediated to establish a replant orchard between November 2008 and March 2009. A rotational cropping orchard was established on an adjacent wheat field. The cultivar and rootstock-scion combination used in the newly established orchards was Royal Gala/M26/Malus hupehensis Rehd. Ripe fruits were collected in mid-August 2011 and mid-August 2012, meanwhile, the following indices were measured： yield per plant; fruit weight; the fruit shape index; the contents of anthocyanin, carotenoid and chlorophyll; the soluble sugar content in the flesh; titratable acid; the sugar-acid ratio; firmness; and aroma components; apple plant ground diameter, plant height increment and the total length of the current-year shoots. The results showed that compared to rotational cropping, continuous cropping yielded statistically significant reductions in fruit weight and yield per plant of 39.8 and 76.5%, respectively. However, there were no changes in the fruit shape index. The anthocyanin and carotenoid contents decreased by 81.7 and 37.7%, respectively, while the chlorophyll content increased by 251.0%. All of these differences in content were statistically significant. The soluble sugar levels and sugar-acid ratio decreased by 25.4 and 60.9%, respectively, but the titratable acid levels and fruit firmness increased by 90.9 and 42.8%, respectively. Ten of the most important esters contributing to the apple aroma were analyzed, and the following changes were observed： hexyl acetate, butyl acetate, hexyl butyrate, acetate-2-methyl butyl, 2-methyl-hexyl butyrate, amyl acetate, butyl butyrate, 2-methyl-butyl butyrate, hexyl propionate and hexyl hexanoate decreased by 25.5, 78.4, 89.1, 55.5, 79.5, 77.2, 86.8, 69.9, 61.2, and 68.1%, respectively. The contents of three other aroma components,（E）-2-hexenal, hexanal and 1-hexanol, significantly increased. Eight characteristic aroma components were found in the rotational cropping fruits： hexyl acetate, butyl acetate, acetate-2-methyl butyl, 2-methyl-hexyl butyrate, amyl acetate, 2-methyl- butyl butyrate, hexyl acetate and hexyl propionate. There were four characteristic ester components（hexyl acetate, butyl acetate, acetate-2-methyl butyl, 2-methyl-hexyl butyrate） and two characteristic aldehyde aroma components（（E）-2-hexenal and hexanal） in the continuous cropping fruits. Compared with the rotational cropping fruits, four characteristic ester components were declined and two characteristic aldehyde aroma components were increased. Compared with the control, replanted apple plant ground diameter, plant height increment and the total length of the current-year shoots were reduced by 27.6, 40.6 and 72.2%, respectively.

Effect of Metaxenia on Sugars and Organic Acids and Taste Quality of Bagged Fuji Apple Fruits

In order to provide reference for the selection of appropriate pollination varieties facilitating the improvement of the flavor quality of bagged Fuji apple, the metaxenia effects of 5 pollination varieties on sugars, organic acids and flavor quality of bagged Fuji fruit were studied. The results showed that the 5 pollination varieties had significant metaxenia effects on sugars, organic acids and flavor quality of bagged Fuji fruit. For the sugar components, the fruits pollinated with Golden Delicious and Jinxiuhaitang showed higher glucose contents, and the fruit pollinated with Gala had the highest sucrose content; the fruits pollinated by Gala, Golden Delicious and Ruby exhibited higher malic acids, and the oxalic acid content and the succinic acid content were higher in the fruits pollinated with Jinxiuhaitang and Ruby ; and the fruit pollinated with Gala had the highest total sugar content, and the total acid content was higher in the fruits pollinated by Jinxiuhaitang and Ruby. The sugar-acid ratio was higher in the fruits pollinated with Gala and Golden Delicious, and the lowest in the fruit pollinated with Ruby. The senso- ry evaluation of fruits showed that the fruit pollinated with Ruby tasted sour-sweet, while the fruits pollinated with other 4 pollination varieties were sour and sweet moderately.

Genetic and environmental control of fruit maturation,dry matter and firmness in apple(Malus×domestica Borkh.)

For any given genotype,the environment in which an apple is grown can influence the properties of the fruit considerably.While there has been extensive research on the mechanism of the genetic control of fruit quality traits,less effort has been made to investigate the way that these genetic mechanisms interact with the environment.To address this issue,we employed a large‘Royal Gala’בBraeburn’population of 572 seedlings replicated over sites in three climatically diverse apple-growing regions in New Zealand.Phenotyping for traits including fruit maturation timing,firmness and dry matter content was performed at each of these three sites for a single growing season(2011),and at two sites(Motueka and Hawke’s Bay)for two seasons(2009 and 2010).The phenotype data collected over 2 years at two sites enabled the detection of 190 quantitative trait loci(QTL)that controlled these traits regardless of year or growing location,as well as some chromosomal loci that influenced the traits in a single given environment or year.For those loci that were environmentally stable over three sites,there was an interdependency of fruit maturation date,dry matter content and storage potential within this population,with two regions on Linkage Groups(LGs)10 and 16 strongly contributing.If these loci were used in a marker-assisted selection programme to select for progeny bearing firmer fruit,this would have the unintentional consequence of selecting,high dry matter content,later maturing apples.In addition,a further 113 new QTLs with a smaller effect were identified,some of which were exhibited only in a single growing environment,demonstrating the underlying complexity of control of traits determining fruit quality,in addition to the need for being aware of environmental effects when developing new apple varieties.

Identification, through transcriptome analysis, of transcription factors that regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in different parts of red-fleshed apple 'May' fruit

Anthocyanins, a class of flavonoid compounds that provide pigmentation to plant organs, are beneficial components of the human diet and there is an interest in understanding the regulation of their formation in crop plants. The apple cultivar ‘May’ represents an excellent model for the study of anthocyanin metabolism due to the spatial color pattern of its flesh, which transitions sequentially from red to white to red again,from the outside to the inside of the apple fruit. To screen the transcription factors involved in the anthocyanin pathway, transcriptomes from differently colored sections of ‘May’ fruits were analyzed by RNA sequencing. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) database was used to analyse the gene expression data. The results suggested differentially expressed genes(DEGs) that are related to phytohormones are involved in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis. K-means clustering analysis revealed 167 common DEGs between different sections of fruit with the same expression pattern as candidates for regulating anthocyanin synthesis. Further analysis showed that nine of the 167 DEGs were annotated as transcription factors and quantitative real time PCR(qRT-PCR) confirmed that their expression was obviously higher in red regions of the fruit, consistent with their roles as hub genes that regulate anthocyanin synthesis. This study provides valuable results for future studies of anthocyanin synthesis in apple fruit.

Overexpression of the apple expansin-like gene MdEXLB1 accelerates the softening of fruit texture in tomato

Fruit firmness is an important quality trait of apple fruit texture,and the pre-harvest ripening period is the key period for the formation of apple fruit texture.Expansin is a cell wall loosing protein family that has four subfamilies:α-expansin(EXPA),β-expansin(EXPB),expansin-like A(EXLA),and expansin-like B(EXLB).In this study,we investigated the key period of pre-harvest texture formation in‘Golden Delicious’apples based on fruit longitudinal diameter,transverse diameter,firmness,tissue structure,respiration intensity,ethylene release rate,and expansin activity.Within the 10 days before harvest,the fruit was found to reach maturity.Semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed that most of the expansins were expressed at the ripening stage before harvest.The biological function of the EXLB subfamily gene,MdEXLB1,was further identified,and its subcellular localization on the cell wall was confirmed by transient transformation experiments.Compared with the wild type(WT),the transgenic tomato lines overexpressing MdEXLB1 had lower plant height,earlier fruiting period,fewer days for fruit ripening,higher fruit maturity,lower fruit firmness,higher fruit expansin activity,more discrete flesh cell structure,and accelerated fruit ripening process.Overall,this is the first study to propose that the apple EXLB subfamily gene,MdEXLB1,has biological functions and plays an important role in promoting fruit ripening and softening.

Production and Testing of Biopesticide for Control of Postharvest Mold Infections on Fresh Fruits of Apple and Pear

The present research aimed at producing a biopesticide with proper formulation of invert emulsion (water-in-oil type) and effective strain of?Trichoderma harzianum?then, testing it against pathogens of postharvest mold infections(Botrytis cinerea?&?Penicillium expansum) on fresh fruits of apple and pear. The?proper formulation of invert emulsion (IE#3) used for biopesticide production has the following ingredients (100% w/w): soybean oil (28.50%), coconut oil (19.50%), oil-soluble emulsifier: Tween 20 (2.0%), glycerine (4.25%), water-soluble emulsifier:?dehymuls k (0.75%),?sterile distilled water (22.5%) and conidial suspension of the effective strain ofT. harzianum?“TrichoPAL1” in water (22.5%, concentration 1 ×?107?conidia/ml). Testing efficacy of the produced biopesticide has indicated a significant reduction in the disease lesion diameter of mold infections on wounded apple and pear fruits stored at?20℃?± 1℃?compared to the untreated fruits or control (reduction from up to 38.75 to about 7.50 mm, respectively, according to?the type of mold infections and fruit type). Also, the treatment with the produced biopesticide has resulted in?a long protection period from mold infections on wounded and un-wounded fresh fruits of apple and pear stored under controlled and semi-commercial conditions(up to 2.5 months according to the type of mold infections and fruit type). In conclusion, the overall results have demonstrated the effectiveness of produced biopesticide on stored fruits under controlled and semi-commercial conditions therefore,?it is recommended to test this effectiveness on marketed fruits stored under variable conditions before applying it at a large scale.

Influences of open-central canopy on photosynthetic parameters and fruit quality of apples(Malus×domestica)in the Loess Plateau of China

Although open-central canopy(OCC)is popular in apple(Malus×domestica)orchards in Loess Plateau of China,its relevant photosynthetic mechanisms have not been elucidated.In this study,changes in photosynthetically active radiation(PAR),gas exchange,chlorophyll fluorescence quenching and fruit quality in apple trees were measured in OCC and compared with those in the conventional condensed round and large canopy(RLC).Results showed that light intercepted at different orientations was 44%higher by OCC than that by RLC.The improved light environment within OCC remarkably increased leaf maximum net photosynthetic rate(Pnmax)and significantly decreased stomatal limitation.Under high light,the ratio of photorespiratory rate to gross photosynthetic rate(Pr/Pg)in OCC was higher than that in RLC.Moreover,reversible component in non-photochemical quenching(r(qE))was increased,while irreversible component(r(qI))was decreased in OCC than in RLC.As a result,the fruit quality in OCC was greatly boosted as evidenced by the significantly increased single fruit weight,fruit flesh firmness and fruit soluble solid contents and the sharply decreased fruit titratable acid contents.PAR intercepted by the canopy and the fruit soluble solid contents,leaf Pnmaxor single fruit weight were positively correlated,while PAR or Pnmaxwas negatively correlated with the fruit titratable acid contents.Accordingly,the improved crown light environment and the enhanced leaf photosynthetic performance and photoprotective capacity in OCC led to the boosted fruit quality.

Effects of calcium application on apple fruit softening during storage revealed by proteomics and phosphoproteomics

Fruit ripening has been reported to be related to calcium(Ca),but the underlying mechanisms by which Ca regulates this process remain largely unknown.In order to study the changes of proteins and enriched phosphopeptides,we conducted TMT labeling,bio-material-based PTM enrichment based on mass spectrometry in Ca-treated‘Golden Delicious’(GD)apple fruit(Malus×domestica).This dataset presents a comprehensive overview of the critical pathways involved in fruit ripening.A total of 47 proteins and 124 phosphoproteins significantly changed in Ca-treated fruit,which are crucial for regulating the cell wall and cytoskeleton,Ca-mediated signaling and transport,ethylene production,protein fate,especially ubiquitination-based protein degradation,and primary and secondary metabolisms.Our results indicated that Ca inhibited the abundance of polygalacturonase(PG)activity and increased the phosphorylation level of CSLD3.PG and phosphorylation were involved in cell wall degradation,thereby delaying fruit softening.As a secondary messenger,Ca-mediated signaling subsequently triggered downstream mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)cascades and activated the membrane,transport,and ROS signaling.Moreover,MdEIN2,a key enzyme involved in the ubiquitin of protein modification,increased at Ser753 and Ser758 in Ca-treated fruit.Furthermore,diverse primary and secondary metabolisms including glycolysis,fatty acid metabolism,and oxidation respiratory chain were modulated to prevent fruit softening.These results provide basic information from protein and phosphorylation levels for apple fruit ripening during storage,which may be helpful for apple fruit storage control.

Effects of Different Density-reducing Methods on Canopy Microenvironment, Tree Growth and Fruit Quality in Closed Apple Orchard

In order to optimize and transform closed mature apple orchards with standard rootstocks and improve the quality of fruit,taking a closed Red Fuji apple orchard as the test object,the effects of different density-reducing methods(deinterlacing,removing every other plant in each row,removing every other plant every other row)on the canopy microenvironment,tree structure,leaf photosynthesis and fruit quality were studied.The results showed that different density-reducing methods significantly reduced the orchard coverage and increased the crown transmittance.Among them,the deinterlacing treatment was the best in improving the population structure of the closed orchard,as it reduced the orchard coverage rate by 55.68 percentage points and the canopy transmittance by 82.38 percentage points,compared with the control(CK).Different density-reducing methods all could significantly reduce the branch amount in the closed orchard and optimized the branch composition.The three density-reducing methods decreased the number of branches per plant by 18.96%,12.41%and 19.58%,respectively,compared with the CK.And compared with the CK,the proportion of short branches and leafy branches to the total branches was increased by 17.13%,14.27%and 7.37%,respectively,and the proportion of long branches and developmental branches to the total branches was decreased by 24.47%,18.04%and 10.79%,respectively.The effects of the different density-reducing methods on the temperature,relative light intensity,SPAD and leaf photosynthetic rate in canopies all followed an order of deinterlacing>removing every other plant in each row>removing every other plant every other row>CK,while those on the relative humidity showed an order of deinterlacing>removing every other plant in each row>removing every other plant every other row>CK,while those on the relative humidity showed an order of deinterlacing<removing every other plant in each row<removing every other plant every other row<CK.The average single fruit weight(238.3 g),coloring index(89.2),smoothness index(83.2),soluble solid content(15.1%)and high quality fruit rate(82.4%)of the deinterlacing treatment were higher than those of other treatments,and the values were 18.2%,11.4%,5.85%,26.9%and 25.2%higher than the CK,respectively.The use of dein￣terlacing to reduce density is the best for improving the microenvironment of closed apple orchards and improving the photosynthetic efficiency and fruit quality.

Improvement of Cashew Apple Juice (<i>Anacardium occidentale</i>L.) by Association with Passion Fruit Juice (<i>Passiflora edulis</i>)

Despite many advantages, the many technologies studied to eliminate astringency from cashew apple juice are not all accessible and not adopted by processors due to the lack of financial means to access these sophisticated technologies. Thus, the formulation of mixed juice based on cashew apple juice and passion fruit juice has proved to be a way of adding value to the cashew apple, a co-product of the production of the nut. After the formulation of the mixed juice in different proportions and the sensory evaluation, it appears that the juice of formulation E is more appreciated by the tasters. Indeed, this juice has preferred sensory characteristics in terms of color (6.90), flavor (5.47), odor (6.42), settling (6.28) and overall acceptance (6.53). These characteristics are similar to those of passion fruit juice in terms of color, odor, and overall acceptance, where the latter obtained scores of 6.94, 7.17 and 6.00 respectively;and also, to those of cashew apple juice in terms of flavor and decanting, where the latter obtained scores of 5.19 and 6.14 respectively. Therefore, the addition of passion fruit juice to cashew apple juice results in a new product that is more appreciated when mixed with proportions of 90 mL of passion fruit juice and 10 mL of cashew apple juice. For example, passion fruit juice, due to its color, flavor, and odor, has helped reduce the pronounced astringency of raw cashew apple juice. Ultimately, formulation E is recommended to improve the organoleptic value of cashew apple juice.

Storability of “Jonagold” Apple Fruit under Extreme Controlled Atmosphere Conditions

In two consecutive seasons, the storage capacity of “Jonagold” apple fruit was investigated under regular air (RA) and various controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions during six months at 0 ± 0.3 °C. The different CA treatment combinations were: (1) 0.5 kPa O2 + 0.5 kPa CO2, (2) 2.0 kPa O2 + 1.0 kPa CO2, (3) 1.0 kPa O2 + 3.0 kPa CO2 and (4) 0.5 kPa O2 + 6.0 kPa CO2. Ethylene production and respiration rate were evaluated at each two months storage intervals during 7 d shelf life at 20 °C. Fruit quality traits were analyzed immediately at the end of storage period and after 7 d shelf life at 20 °C. Under CA treatment, the lower the O2 and/or the higher the CO2 partial pressure, the stronger was the inhibition of the ethylene production and respiration rate of apple fruit. The 0.5 kPa O2 + 6.0 kPa CO2 CA condition induced the strongest suppression in ethylene production and consequently lower CO2 release by apple fruit. At the end of storage period, “Jonagold” apple fruit was very tolerant to all CA conditions, and any kind of internal storage disorders was observed. The storage of “Jonagold” apple at 1.0 kPa O2 + 3.0 kPa CO2 and 0.5 kPa O2 + 6.0 kPa CO2 proportionated higher flesh firmness (FF), greener skin color (SC) and higher titratable acidity (TA) either immediately after storage or after 7 d shelf life at 20 °C. Total soluble solids were not significantly affected by CA storage conditions.

Expression Level of a Transcription Factor Gene Mdhd-Zip Up-regulated during Apple Fruit Senescence

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the role of one apple transcription factor of homeodomain-leucine zipper(MdHD-Zip) during apple fruit senescence.[Method] Postharvest Red Fuji fruits(Malus domestica Borkh ‘Red Fuji') were stored at room temperature(18 ℃-20 ℃) and cold condition(0 ± 1 ℃) separately.Fruit firmness and ethylene production during storage process were analyzed.Transcript level of Md HD-Zip was detected by real-time quantitative PCR during apple fruit storage under room temperature and cold condition.[Result] Expression level of Md HD-Zip was found up-regulated in later stage of apple fruit senescence at room temperature,while it showed a peak level after one month of cold storage.[Conclusion] The results of the present study suggest that Md HD-Zip may play a role in regulating apple fruit senescence.