Studies of the Variability of Primary Metabolites in the Epicarp, Mesocarp and Seed of Dacryodes edulis Fruit at Taste Maturity

The fruits of Dacryodes edulis are rich in biologically active substances, which makes them of great interest in terms of validation. In this study, we targeted the primary metabolites in the epicarp, the mesocarp and the seed of the fruit of Dacryodes edulis at taste maturity, which were selected for their nutritional quality and its appreciation throughout the Gulf of Guinea area, which is very popular because of its large size, texture and special taste. The evaluation of total carbohydrates, total lipids and soluble proteins in the epicarp, mesocarp and seed of the fruit at taste maturity was made from spectrophotometer measurements. The overall analysis of the results of the present study shows that total carbohydrates, total lipids and proteins accumulate more in the seed with respectively 251.33 ± 1.15 mg/g DM;9.92 ± 0.201 mg/g DM and 55.075 ± 0.024 mg/g DM. Likewise, the results indicate low concentrations of total carbohydrates and total lipids in the epicarp with respectively 245 ± 1 mg/g DM and 4.77 ± 0.047 mg/g DM, on the other hand, it is the mesocarp which presents the lowest content of soluble proteins: 28.075 ± 3.231 mg/g DM. This variation could be linked to the nature of the compartment, more particularly to the storage location. This comparative study could lead to the valorization of the seed of the fruit of Dacryodes edulis for its richness in metabolites and arouse significant interest in nutrition.

Study on the Flowering,Fruiting and Seed Setting Characteristic of Wild Watermelon

[Objective] The flowering,fruiting and seed setting characteristic of wild watermelon were discussed in our paper.[Method] The flowering and fruiting habit of wild watermelon were observed,and the effect of different pollination methods（mixed pollination,single flower pollination and natural pollination）on fruit set percentage,weight per fruit,seeds per fruit and thousand-seed weight of wild watermelon were studied in our paper.[Result] Wild watermelon had few female flowers and low fruit set percentage;artificial pollination could not increase the fruit set percentage of wild watermelon obviously,but it could improve weight per fruit,seed yield and quality significantly,and mixed pollination was the best.[Conclusion] Our study could provide reference for the improvement of hybrid seed yield and quality of wild watermelon.

Observation and Comparision on Morphological Characteristics of the Seed-like Fruits of Salvia shandongensis and Its Relatives

[Objective] This study aimed to compare and analyse the morphological characteristics of the seed-like fruits between Salvia shandongensis J. X. Li et F. Q. Zhou and its relatives. [Method] The morphological characteristics of the mature seed-like fruits of Salvia shandongensis and its three congeners, S. miltiorrhiza, S. miltiorrhiza f. alba and S. bowleyana, were comparatively observed using both optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. [Result] The results showed that there were distinct differences in the shape, size and exine sculpture of the seed-like fruits of the four Danshen congeners： the seed-like fruits of S. shandongensis that were elliptical and had areolate sculpture with subquadrangular convex meshes as well as densely filamentous transverse lines were easy to be distinguished from those of S. miltiorrhiza Bge., which were broadly elliptical and had reticulate sculpture with subquadrate concave meshes. The seed-like fruits of S. bowleyana were fusiform and their ektexine had reticulate sculpture with polygonal meshes, which were slightly convex at the center, which are obviously different from those of S. shandongensis. [Conclusion] This study first accumulates data of the seed-like fruits of S. shandongensis, which provides important bases for establishing its taxonomical status and studying its germplasm. The morphological characteristics and reticulate sculpture on ektexine of the seed-like fruits S. miltiorrhiza Bge. are consistent with the previous report. The results in this study not only provide references for uncovering the genetic relationships between S. shandongensis and S. miltiorrhiza Bge., as well as the interspecific classification and identification. In addition, this study also provides new scientific proofs for the identification of Danshen species and their introduction and cultivation, genetics and breeding.

Can fruit seeds and undigested plant residuals cause acute appendicitis

Objective:To investigate the relation between fruit seeds,plants residuals and appendicitis. Methods:Among cases that underwent appendectomy,the appendicitis cases having fruit seeds and undigested plant residuals in their etiology were examined retrospectively.Also, histopathological features,age,sex,and parameters of morbidity and mortality were used. Results:Fruit seed was found in one case(0.05%) with presence of pus in appendix lumen, undigested plant residuals in 7 cases(0.35%).It was determined that there were appendix inflammation in 2 of the plant residuals cases,while there were obstruction and lymphoid hyperplasia in the appendix lumen of 5 cases.No mortality was observed.Conclusions:The ratio of acute appendicitis caused by plants is minimal among all appendectomised patients, but avoidence of eating undigested fruit seeds and chewing plants well may help to prevent appendicitis.

Significance of Fruit and Seed Coat Morphology in Taxonomy and Identification for Some Species of Brassicaceae

Fruit, seed morphology and seed coat sculpturing were recorded for 10 species belongs to 9 genera and five tribes of Brassicaceae in eastern region of Saudi Arabia by using light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Four seed patterns were recognized based on surface sculpturing pattern;Reticulate, with four subtypes, undulate, verrucate and ocellate. The results of numerical analysis showed that species were grouped into two major clusters and each cluster divided into two groups. The cluster analysis indicates that the characters of fruit and seed are very important characters for identification and taxonomical classification of the tribes. The results indicate that the most tribes of Brassicaceae are polyphyletic, and some are related to each other’s as Lepidieae, Alyssieae and Sisymbrieae.

Influence of Gamma Irradiation on Seedless Citrus Production: Pollen Germination and Fruit Quality

Seedlessness is a desirable characteristic in citrus fruits sold for fresh consumption. Gamma irradiation is widely used to obtain seedless citrus fruits. Here, different clones of the self-incompatible parthenocarpic ‘Moncada’ mandarin, obtained by gamma irradiation, were studied to assess seedlessness, pollen germination, fruit characteristics and qua- lity attributes. Findings indicate that irradiation altered aspects other than seedlessness, such as pollen germination, and some of the clones presented different weight, size, acidity and maturity index. Fruit quality and nutritional bio- components were affected differently;some clones presented no changes compared to the control ‘Moncada’ man-darin, while other clones showed significant differences. In general, all clones examined presented low seed numbers and re- duced pollen viability. Some of these clones, which ripen late in the season and whose fruit quality is maintained or improved, are in the process of registration.

Technology of Extracting Kiwi Fruit Seed Oil with Ultrasonic-Assisted Enzyme and Response Surface Method

Taken kiwi fruit as raw material, this paper extracted kiwi fruit seed oil with ultrasonic-assisted enzyme, researched the influence of factors such as liquid-to-solid ratio, granularity, type of enzyme, ultrasonic power, treating time, enzymolysis temperature, enzymolysis time, pH and enzyme additive on oil extraction, and optimized the extracting technology of kiwi fruit seed oil with response surface method. The result shows that the best technical parameter is: material granularity: 60, liquid-to-solid ratio: 1:10 (g/mL), ultrasonic power: 400 W, treating time: 30 min, enzyme amount: 2.50%, pH: 9.2, enzymolysis temperature: 53°C, enzymolysis time: 2.80 h;and the extracting ratio under such condition is 92.57%.

Identification and characterization of tomato gibberellin 2-oxidases (GA2oxs) and effects of fruit-specific SlGA2ox1 overexpression on fruit and seed growth and development

Gibberellins(GAs)play a crucial role in growth and development of the tomato fruit.Previously published studies focusing on the effect of GAs on tomato fruits used chemical treatments,constitutive overexpression or silencing of GA biosynthetic and catabolic genes globally throughout the plant.Fruit-specific overexpression of GA catabolic enzyme genes GA2-oxidases(GA2oxs),however,may provide an alternative method to study the role of endogenous GAs on the fruit development.In this study,we have identified 11 SlGA2ox proteins in tomato that are classified into three subgroups.Motif analysis and multiple sequence alignments have demonstrated that all SlGA2oxs,except SlGA2ox10,have similar motif compositions and high-sequence conservation.Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis has showed that SlGA2oxs exhibit differential expression patterns in tomato fruits at different developmental stages.When the fruit-specific promoter TFM7 was used to control the expression of SlGA2ox1,we observed no changes in growth and development of vegetative organs.However,fruit weight,seed number and germination rate were significantly affected.We also treated tomato fruits with GA biosynthesis inhibitor and observed phenotypes similar to those of the transgenic fruits.Furthermore,we have demonstrated that expression of cell expansion and GA responsive genes were downregulated in transgenic tomato fruits,supporting that overexpression of the SlGA2ox1 leads to reduction in endogenous GAs.This study provides additional evidence that endogenous GAs and the SlGA2ox1 gene play an important role in controlling on fruit weight,seed development and germination in tomato plant.

Changes of Endogenous Hormone Contents in Fruit, Seeds and Their Effects on the Fruit Development of Rosa roxburghii

The fruit of cultivar Guinong5 (Rosa roxburghii Tratt.) was used to investigate the regularity of its growth and development, and the changes of endogenous hormone contents during the period of the growth and development. The result showed that contents of GA 1+3, IAA and ZRs in the flower receptacle of young fruit were high and then decreased, contents of GA 1+3and IAA in seeds increased with its development until maturity. The contents of ZRs and ABA in the flower receptacle of young fruits and seeds were high, and then had a tendency of descent with the development of fruits. The contents of GA 1+3, IAA, ZRs and ABA in flower receptacle of young fruit with normal fertilization were much higher than those of in non-fertilization fruits. In the flower receptacle of malformed fruits, the contents of GA 1+3, IAA and ZRs in normally developing flower receptacle were significantly higher than those in malformed fruits. The growth and development of fruits depended largely on the seeds, development because the seeds in the fruits with non-fertilization failed to be formed or even formed but irreproducible, which would lead to the decrease of GA 1+3, IAA contents and the abnormal development of fruits. Therefore the fruits deformed and dropped inevitably.

Effects of Gamma-Irradiation Mutagenesis for Induction of Seedlessness, on the Quality of Mandarin Fruit

Gamma irradiation mutagenesis is a technique commonly used to induce seedlessness in citrus fruits. We compared fruit quality traits of eight different seeded mandarin varieties within the Israeli citrus breeding collection with those of their corresponding gamma-irradiated low-seeded mutants. The mandarin varieties compared were: “Rishon” with “Kedem”;“Michal” with irradiated “Michal”;“Merav” with “Meravit”;“Vered” with “Vardit”;“Ora” with “Or”;“Murcott” with “Mor”;“Shani” with irradiated “Shani”;“King” with irradiated “King”. Mutational breeding by gamma irradiation reduced average fruit seed number by 70% - 92%. Furthermore, mutational breeding by gamma irradiation delayed ripening of the early-season mandarin varieties “Rishon” and “Michal” by 8 - 13 days, but did not delay ripening of most mid- and late-season varieties. Gamma-irradia- tion mutagenesis also reduced fruit weight of seven of the eight tested low-seeded varieties by 6 - 41 g per fruit. Gamma-irradiation mutagenesis had variable effects on biochemical composition and nutritional quality, in that some irradiated clones presented no changes whereas other had either higher or lower levels of juice total soluble solids, acidity, vitamin C and total antioxidant activity. Finally, sensory evaluations by a trained panel revealed that the flavor of most of the low-seeded, gamma-irradiated varieties was slightly or significantly preferable to that of unirradiated varieties.

Ultrasound-assisted Enzymatic Extraction of SDF on Passion Fruit Seeds

Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction of soluble dietary fiber(SDF) from passion fruit seeds was carried out in order to shorten the extraction time and increase the yield of SDF. The effects of cellulase concentration, ultrasonic power, extraction temperature, solid-liquid ratio and water bath time on the SDF yield of passion fruit were studied by single factor analysis. And the orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize the extraction conditions. The results showed that the optimum conditions for the extraction of SDF from passion fruit by ultrasoundassisted enzymatic method were cellulase concentration 1.5%, ultrasonic power 120 W, solid-liquid ratio(g/mL) 1 ∶ 15, extraction temperature 55 ℃, and water bath time 160 min. The SDF extraction rate was determined to be 5.12%.

Influence of Jatropha Fruit Maturity on Seed Oil Yield, Composition and Heat of Combustion of Derived Biodiesel

Maturity of Jatropha fruits has influence on oil yield, chemical composition and physicochemical properties of derived biodiesel. Oil yield was determined using soxhlet extraction while biodiesel was prepared through the process of transesterification. Fatty acid profile was determined according to test method EN 14103 using Agilent Technologies GC System 7890. The calorific value of biodiesel was determined using Oxygen Bomb Calorimeter, IKA C200 according to test method ASTM D5865. Results showed that Yellow Jatropha fruit seeds have the highest oil yield and energy content, coupled with the best mix of fatty acid methyl esters.

Fleshy Fruits Eating Birds and Their Role in the Seed Dispersal of Plants in of Plants in Maoer Mountain,NE China

There are 16 species of fleshy-fruit eating birds in Autumn in Maoer Mt. NE Chiria, According to their feeding strategies. we can divide them into 3 grous: 1. Pulp-cating birds. they get nutrition from pulp. so. thcir seeds are defe-cated completely. These birds have a great effect on secd dispcrsa1. 2. Sced-eating birds- they .btai. nutrition from the seedbut pulp. Seeds are digested totally. They, don’t disperse seeds at all. 3. Whole-fruit-eating birds, both seed and pulp are di-gested when passing through gut. They don’t have any effect on seed dispersal either.

Preparation of Microcapsules and Half Life of the Kiwi Fruit Seed Oil by Complex Coacervation

The experiment adopts complex coacervation to prepare microcapsules. Through the experimental comparison, soybean protein isolated-maltodextrin is determined as the wall material for the experimental preparation of the microcapsules of kiwi fruit seed oil. This paper researched the effects of wall material concentration, core wall ratio and other factors on complex coacervation of kiwi fruit seed oil microcapsules embedding rate, determining that the best wall material concentration is 1%, core wall ratio is 1:1, and the optimum pH ratio is 3.0, temperature is 40°C, and the optimum curing time is 6 hours. The experiment carried out half life research on the microcapsules prepared by the complex coacervation of kiwi fruit seed oil microcapsule. By calculation: the degradation rate constant of kiwi fruit seed oil microcapsules prepared by complex coacervation is 2.793. According to the regression equation it can calculate the half life of kiwi fruit seed oil microcapsules is 18.58 months, about a year and a half.

Jamun (Syzygium cumini) seed and fruit extract attenuate hyperglycemia in diabetic rats

To evaluate the potential of both jamun (Syzygium cumini) seed and fruit extracts against hyperglycemia.MethodsMale Sprague Dawley rats were used to evaluate hypoglycemic potential of jamun extracts. Purposely, jamun fruit and seed’s ethanolic extracts based diets were provided to normal and high sucrose diet induced hyperglycemic/diabetic rats for sixty days. The serum glucose and insulin levels were monitored at monthly intervals to evaluate hypoglycemic effect of jamun extracts.ResultsThe results of instant research depicted that both seed and fruit extracts reduce the blood glucose level significantly and also regulate the insulin levels in hyperglycemic rats. It was noted that jamun fruit extract attenuated serum glucose levels to 5.35% and 12.29% in normal and hyperglycemic rats, respectively; while insulin levels were improved by 2.82% and 6.19%, correspondingly. Whereas, jamun seed extract reduced glucose to 7.04% & 14.36% and showed 3.56% & 7.24% higher insulin levels in normal & hyperglycemic rats, respectively.ConclusionsThe present research revealed that both jamun fruit and seeds have potent prophylactic role against hyperglycemia. In this respect, diet based regimen may be tailored using jamun fruit/seed and their extracts to alleviate hyperglycemia.

A chromosome-level genome assembly for Chinese plum‘Wushancuili'reveals the molecular basis of its fruit color and susceptibility to rain-cracking

Chinese plum(Prunus salicina Lindl.)originates from China and makes a large contribution to the global production of plums.The P.salicina‘Wushancuili'has a green coloration and high fruit quality and is economically important in eliminating poverty and protecting ecology in the Yangtze River Three Gorges Reservoir.However,rain-induced cracking(rain-cracking,literally skin cracking caused by rain)is a limitation to‘Wushancuili'fruit production and causes severe losses.This study reported a high-quality‘Wushancuili'genome assembly consisting of a 302.17-Mb sequence with eight pseudo-chromosomes and a contig N50 of 23.59 Mb through the combination of Illumina sequencing,Pacific Biosciences HiFiⅢsequencing,and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture technology.A total of 25109 protein-coding genes are predicted and 54.17%of the genome is composed of repetitive sequences.‘Wushancuili'underwent a remarkable orthoselection during evolution.Gene identification revealed that loss-of-function in four core MYB10 genes results in the anthocyanin deficiency and absence of red color,revealing the green coloration due to the residual high chlorophyll in fruit skin.Besides,the occurrence of cracking is assumed to be closely associated with cell wall modification and frequently rain-induced pathogen enrichment through transcriptomic analysis.The loss of MYB10 genes might render fruit more susceptible to pathogen-mediated cracking by weakening the epidermal strength and reactive oxygen species(ROS)scavenging.Our findings provided fundamental knowledge regarding fruit coloration and rain-cracking and will facilitate genetic improvement and cultivation management in Chinese plums.

The structure-directing role of heterologous seeds in the synthesis of zeolite

Zeolites have been widely used as catalysts,ion-exchangers,and adsorbents in chemical industries,detergent industry,steel industry,glass industry,ceramic industry,medical and healthfield,and environmentalfield,and recently applied in energy storage.Seed-assisted synthesis is a very effective approach in promoting the crystallization of zeolites.In some cases,the target zeolite cannot be formed in the absence of seed zeolite.In homologous seed-assisted synthesis,the structure of the seed zeolite is the same to that of the target zeolite,while the structure of the seed zeolite is different to that of the target zeolite in the heterologous seed-assisted synthesis.In this review,we briefly summarized the heterologous seed-assisted syntheses of zeolites and analyzed the structure-directing effect of heterologous seeds and surveyed the“common composite building units(CBUs)hypothesis”and the“common secondary building units(SBUs)hypothesis”.However,both hypotheses cannot explain all observations on the heterologous seed-assisted syntheses.Finally,we proposed that the formation of the target zeolite does need nuclei with the structure of target zeolite and the formation of the nuclei of the target zeolite can be promoted by either the undissolved seed crystals with the same CBUs or SBUs to the target zeolite or by the facilitated appropriate distribution of the specific building units due to the presence of the heterologous seed that does not have any common CBUs and SBUs with the target zeolite.

Effect of Low Temperature Storage on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Dragon Fruit

In order to explore the best storage temperature and storage period of dragon fruit seeds,with the constant-humidity germplasm cold storage of Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences as a platform and storage temperature as an environmental factor,the germination characteristics of dragon fruit seeds and seedling growth characteristics under low temperature storage(8,4,-1,-10℃)and room temperature storage(25-30℃)over time were explored.The results showed that with the extension of the storage time,the seed germination rates,germination index,healthy seedling rates,seedling heights and fresh weights of 10 seedlings of the three dragon fruit varieties showed basically the same trends,showing a downward trend.After 367 d of cold storage,the germination rate decreased from 100%to 92.33%-98.00%,and the room temperature treatments decreased to 54.00%-86.30%;and the healthy seedling rates of cold-stored seeds decreased from 96.33%-98.00%to 77.33%-97.3%,and the values of the room temperature treatments dropped to 12.00%-68.33%.The germination rates,germination index,healthy seedling rates and seedling heights of the three dragon fruit varieties stored at low temperatures were basically significantly higher than those of the room temperature treatments within 367 d of storage.The germination rates of the three varieties stored at 8℃had no significant differences from other low temperature treatments,but the germination index was significantly lower than other low temperature treatments at 367 d.It showed that low temperature storage at-10-8℃could significantly prolong the vigor and storage time of dragon fruit seeds.Considering cost and other factors,it is better to store dragon fruit seeds in a dry environment at 4℃.The seeds stored at 4℃for 1 year showed a germination rate maintained over 90%and a healthy seedling rate over 85%.

Evolution of fruit types and seed dispersal： A phylogenetic and ecological snapshot

Success of flowering plants is greatly dependent on effective seed dispersal. Specific fruit types aid different mechanisms of seed dispersal. However, little is known about what evolutionary forces have driven the diversification of fruit types and whether there were phylogenetic constraints on fruit evolution among angio-sperm lineages. To address these questions, we first surveyed the orders and families of angiosperms for fruit types and found no clear association between fruit types and major angiosperm lineages, suggesting there was little phylogenetic constraint on fruit evolution at this level. We then surveyed fruit types found in two contrasting habitats: an open habitat including the Indian desert and North American plains and prairies, and a closed forest habitat of Australian tropical forest. The majority of genera in the survey of tropical forests in Australia were fleshy fruit trees, whereas the majority of genera in the survey of prairies and plains in central North America were herbs with capsules and achenes. Both capsules and achenes are frequently dispersed by wind in the open, arid habitat, whereas fleshy fruits are generally dispersed by animals. Since desert and plains tend to provide continuous wind to aid dispersal and there are more abundant mammal and bird dispersers in the closed forest, this survey suggests that fruit evolution was driven at least in part by dispersal agents abundant in particular habitats.

Influence of extraction solvents on antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the pulp and seed of Anisophyllea laurina R.Br.ex Sabine fruits

Objective:To evaluate the influence of extraction solvents on antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the pulp and seed of Anisophyllea laurina R.Br.ex Sabine fruits.Methods:The antibacterial activities of pulp and seed extracts were tested by using disk diffusion method against eight bacterial strains and three fungal strains.Total phenolic,flavonoid,monomeric anthocyanin and tannin contents,and antioxidant activities were determined by spectrometric methods.Results:The antioxidant analysis of pulp extract revealed the strong radical scavenging capacity and total phenolic content(4 329.66 mg of gallic acid/100 g),while seed extract showed the high antioxidant activity and total tannin content(5 326.78 mg catechin equivalent/100 g).Antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanol and ethanol extracts exhibited potent growth inhibitory activity against Aeromonas hydrophila,Bacillus subtilis,Escherichia coli O157:H7,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranged from 125 to 250 μg/mL.However,seed extract had the strongest potential activity against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans with minimum inhibitory concentration value of 500 μg/mL compared to pulp extract.Conclusions:Our results therefore demonstrated that ethanol and methanol extractions were more efficient in extracting antioxidants and bioactive compound in pulp and seed.These results support that these plant extracts can be used for the treatment of bacterial infections.