Catechin and Epicatechin Contents in Wines Obtained from Brazilian Exotic Tropical Fruits

Flavonoids constitute a diverse group of secondary metabolites which are present in both fruits and wines. The contents of some of the most prominent compounds such as catechin and epicatechin are little known in wines prepared from tropical fruits. In this context, this study was aimed to determine catechin and epicatechin contents in wines processed from 7 tropical fruits (cajá-umbu, cashew apple, mangaba, pineapple, siriguela, sugar apple and umbu), by HPLC-DAD system. Moreover the total phenolic compounds content was also determined in these wines and compared to those of the commercial wines obtained from grapes and cashew apple. The wines produced in this work contained higher total phenolic compounds contents when compared to that of the grape wines. The higher values of total phenolic compounds were found in wines elaborated from cajá-umbu (123.4 mg·mL-1 GAE) and from cashew (87.5 mg·mL-1 GAE). However, higher contents of catechin and epicatechin were found in wines obtained from mangaba (14.01 ± 0.37 mg·L-1, 22.66 ± 1.03 mg·L-1), siriguela (9.97 ± 0.28, 4.38 ± 0.45) and cashew apple (7.46 ± 0.18, 1.30 ± 0.17) fruits. The present work indicates that the use of exotic tropical fruits is feasible in developing wines which could serve as functional foods as these contain appreciable quantities of catechin and epicatechin.

Dynamic Pricing of Tropical Fruits in Hainan Based on Internet of Things Technology

In recent years,the Internet of Things(IoT)technology has been widely used in the production and sales of tropical fruits,with strong practicability and wide application prospects.The tropical fruit dynamic pricing model based on the IoT technology can promote the healthy development of the tropical fruit industry in Hainan and ensure the income of fruit farmers.Based on IoT technology,the quality grade of tropical fruits in Hainan is obtained.According to the dynamic pricing strategy of revenue management,a dynamic pricing model based on the quality of tropical fruits and a dynamic pricing model based on consumer segmentation are established to study the dynamic pricing problem under the condition of maximum profit for tropical fruit sellers.The research results show that for different fruit quality and consumer groups,different pricing models are required for pricing,in order to get the maximum profit from tropical fruit sales.Sellers must flexibly adopt different dynamic pricing models to price tropical fruits to enhance the competitiveness of the tropical fruit industry.

A Rapid Method for Determination of Some Phenolic Acids in Brazilian Tropical Fruits of Mangaba(Hancornia speciosa Gomes)and Umbu(Spondias tuberosa Arruda Camara)by UPLC

A rapid chromatographic method for the determination of six phenolic acids (chlorogenic, ferulic, gallic, p-coumaric, protocatechuic and vanillic acids) by ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), was developed and applied for Brazilian tropical fruits mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomes) and umbu (Spondias tuberosa Arruda Camara). A multivariate statistical experimental design was employed to optimize analytical conditions (solvent A, solvent B concentrations and flow rates). Samples were cleaned-up by solid-phase extraction (SPE) with different solvents (methanol and acetone) employing SPE cartridges (amine and octadecyl-silane). The method using dihydrogen potassium phosphate 5 mmoL as solvent A and 8% acetonitrile as solvent B presented limits of detection varying from 14 to 94 ng.mL, limits of quantification from 39 to 277 ng.mL-1 with 2 μL of injection volume while total run time for all six compounds was only 9.6 minutes. Higher recovery was obtained by extraction with methanol-acetone of 69.51% to 72.59% for protocatechuic acid and 69.58% to 126.31% for the chlorogenic acid. The concentrations of chlorogenic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids in mangaba extracts were 113.4, 32.1 and 1.5 μg.g-1, respectively while concentrations of chlorogenic, protocatechuic, gallic, vanillic, ferulic and p-coumaric acids present in umbu fruit were 118.9, 141.3, 3.5, 2.5, 2.2 and 1.8 μg.g-1, respectively.

Growth and Visual Symptoms of Nutrients Deficiency in Mangosteens(Garcinia mangostana L.)

The aims of study were to evaluate growth and characterize the visual symptoms of macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies in mangosteens. The seedlings were cultivated in nutritive solution containing all required macronutrient and micronutrients and in solutions with omission of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn, using the missing element technique. The experimental design was completely randomized with five replicates and twelve treatments. Symptoms of nutrient deficiency were accompanied by photographic records and described from beginning until complete definition, in which the plants were collected. Growth was evaluated through of dry mass production and nutrient contents. Nutrients omissions resulted in morphological alterations, characteristic symptoms of nutritional deficiency, promoted the reduction in dry mass production in plant, in which the Fe was most limiting, followed by N, and S. Macronutrients and micronutrients contents, without deficiencies (complete treatment) and deficient in mangosteen leaves were respectively: N (16.4 and 12.5 g kg-1);P (1.1 and 0.2 g kg-1);K (10.2 and 8.1 g kg-1);Ca (6.7 and 1.9 g kg-1);Mg (1.1 and 0.1 g kg-1);S (3.0 and 2.2 g kg-1);B (20 and 16 mg kg-1);Cu (7 and 3 mg kg-1);Fe (266 and 86 mg kg-1);Mn (58 and 17 mg kg-1). The decreasing order in appearance of visual symptoms of deficiency was N > S > K > B > Ca > P > Mg > Mn > Cu > Zn.

Conservation and Utilization of Crop Genetic Resources in Malaysia： Mardi＇s Effort

Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute （MARDI） is the country＇s major custodian of the nation＇s crops genetic resources. It has a global responsibility in the conservation of genetic resources of banana, sweet potato and citrus, and national responsibility for the conservation of crops, such as rice, tropical fruits and some herbs and medicinal plant species. MARDI rice seed genebank at Seberang Prai in the state of Penang was established in 1984 and currently holds 12,770 registered rice accessions, of which 53% are of local origin. In addition, MARDI also conserves genes in the field, mostly for underutilized tropical fruit genetic resources. At present, about 168 species of underutilized, rare and wild tropical fruit species consisting of about 2,000 accessions, the largest in the country, are being conserved. The species include ＂kuini＂ （Mangifera odorata）, ＂bacang＂ （Mangifera foetida）, ＂binjai＂ （Mangifera caesia）, ＂cerapu＂ （ Garcinia praniana）, ＂rambai＂ （Baccaurea motleyana）, ＂asam gelugor＂ （ Garcinia atroviridis）, ＂terap＂ （drthocarpus odoratissimus） and ＂pulasan＂ （Nephellium rambutan-ake）. The accessions are mostly conserved ex situ in field genebanks located at the various MARDI stations throughout the country. Although the conservation of the various crop species genetic resources is important, the real challenge is enhancing its utilisation. The main objective of the paper was to share and disseminate information related to works conducted and strategies opted by MARDI on the conservation and utilization of crop genetic resources. Information on species of crops that are available in MARDI＇s genebank was also highlighted together with brief information of some of the associated traits of significant importance posses by those genetic resources.

Concentrations of Silver Nitrate in the In Vitro Development and Conservation of Passiflora gibertii N.E.Brown

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of silver nitrate in the in vitro development and conservation of passion fruit plants. Experiments were carried out at the Laboratory of Culture and Tissues, in the National Cassava and Fruits Research Center (EMBRAPA), using microcuttings of Passiflora gibertii N. E. Br., previously cultivated in vitro. The microcuttings were placed in MS media supplemented with silver nitrate at concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg·L-1, and, during 30, 60 and 90 days, the following variables were identified: Shooting length (cm), number of roots, number and coloration of leaves. A completely randomized design with 30 replications in a split-plot scheme was employed. Polynomial regression equations were adjusted in analysis of variance to compare averages of treatments. The obtained results support the assumption of high sensitivity of passion fruit tissues to ethylene, which reflects in the lost of vigor and in the induction of culture senescence by its accumulation. Based on obtained results, and in order to mitigate this problem, it is possible to indicate an addition of 2 mg·L-1?of silver nitrate in culture media, for the micropropagation of passion fruit plant, allowing the controlling of the atmosphere inside the culture test tubes, during the establishment of explants and other steps of the process.

Phytonutrient pellet supplementation enhanced rumen fermentation efficiency and milk production of lactating Holstein-Friesian crossbred cows

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of inclusion of dragon fruit peel pellet(DFPP) and dietary non-protein nitrogen (NPN) on nutrients digestibility, rumen fermentation efficiency,plasma antioxidant activity, microbial protein synthesis, milk yield and composition in lactatingHolstein-Friesian crossbred cows. Four animals were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments accordingto a 2 ×2 factorial arrangement in 4 ×4 Latin square design. The treatments were as follows: 300 g DMof DFPP t100 g of urea (T1), 300 g DM of DFPP t 200 g of urea (T2), 400 g DM of DFPP t 100 g of urea(T3), and 400 g DM of DFPP t 200 g of urea (T4), respectively. The results showed that intake of ricestraw was increased (P < 0.01) by the DFPP addition. Including DFPP and urea did not affect (P > 0.05) theNDF and ADF digestibilities, but increased the apparent digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, andcrude protein (P < 0.01). Rumen fermentation process, especially the propionate concentration, wassignificantly increased by the DFPP levels. The plasma antioxidant activity was increased (P > 0.05) withthe addition of DFPP. The DFPP improved (P < 0.01) microbial protein synthesis. The supplementation ofDFPP and urea increased (P < 0.05) milk fat, whereas milk yield and 3.5% fat corrected milk were onlyincreased (P < 0.05) by the DFPP supplementation. Based on these results, addition of DFPP at 400 g/animal per day with urea at 100 g/animal per day improved rumen fermentation, plasma antioxidantactivity, milk yield and milk fat percentage.