'Orin' is a popular apple cultivar, which has a yellow-green appearance, pleasant taste, and unique aroma. However, few studies on the fruit quality characteristics of 'Orin' apples have been ...reported before. In this study, changes of the physiological characteristics were measured at different ripening stages, and the soluble sugars and organic acids were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Volatile compounds were identified using the headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). During the fruit ripening, the 'Orin' apple fruit weight, size, and total soluble solid were gradually increased by contrast with the titratable acidity, and the firmness decreased. The content of four soluble sugars reached the maximum at the 180 days after full bloom (DAFB) stage. Malic acid was measured as the most abundant organic acid in 'Orin' apples. Ethyl butyrate, hexyl propanoate, hexyl acetate and butyl acetate belonging to esters with high odor activity values (OAVs) could be responsible for the typical aroma of 'Orin' apples. The aim of this work was to provide information on the flavor characteristics of 'Orin' apples and promote this apple cultivar for marketing and processing in the future.
Aroma is an essential trait for apple fruit quality, but the understanding of biochemical mechanisms underlying aroma formation is still limited. To better characterize and assess the genetic ...potential for improving aroma quality for breeding, many efforts have been paid to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) using a saturated molecular linkage map. In the present study, aroma profiles in ripe fruit of F
population between 'Fuji' and 'Cripps Pink' were evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) over 2019 and 2020 years, and the genetics of volatile compounds were dissected. In total, 38 volatile compounds were identified in 'Fuji' × 'Cripps Pink' population, including 23 esters, 3 alcohols, 7 aldehydes and 5 others. With the combination of aroma phenotypic data and constructed genetic linkage map, 87 QTLs were detected for 15 volatile compounds on 14 linkage groups (LGs). Among them, a set of QTLs associated with ester production identified and confirmed on LG 6. A candidate gene
in the QTL mapping interval was detected. Over-expression of
in tomato and apple fruits showed significantly higher esters accumulation compared to the control, indicating it was critical for the ester production. Our results give light on the mode of inheritance of the apple volatilome and provide new insights for apple flavor improvement in the future.
Aroma is a key quality attribute of apples, making major contributions to commercial value and consumer choice. However, the mechanism underlying molecular regulation of aroma formation genes and ...transcription factors remains poorly understood in apples. Here, we investigated the aroma volatile profiles of two apple varieties with distinctive flavors using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 35 volatile compounds were identified in Granny Smith and Jonagold apples. Aldehydes were the most abundant volatiles contributing to the aroma in Granny Smith apple while esters were the dominant volatile compounds in Jonagold apple. In order to know more about the expression levels of aroma-related genes involved in the metabolic pathways, transcriptome sequencing of these two different apple varieties was conducted utilizing the Illumina platform. In total, 94 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in the fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, the mevalonate pathway and phenylpropanoid pathway. Furthermore, compared to the Granny Smith apple, the expression of multiple genes and transcription factors were upregulated in the Jonagold apple, which might play important roles in the synthesis of aroma volatile compounds. Our study contributes toward better understanding on the molecular mechanism of aroma synthesis in apples and provides a valuable reference for metabolic engineering and flavor improvement in the future.
Aroma is an important quality indicator for apples and has a great influence on the overall flavour and consumer acceptance. However, the information of the aroma volatile compounds in apple peels is ...largely unknown. In this study, evaluation of volatile compounds in peels of 40 apple cultivars was carried out using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 78 volatile compounds were identified, including 47 esters, 12 aldehydes, 5 alcohols, 3 ketones, 1 acid and 10 others. Eight volatile compounds were common in all apple cultivars. Cultivar Changfu No. 2 contained the highest number of volatile compounds (47), while Qinyue contained the least (20). Honey Crisps had the highest volatile content, at 27,813.56 ± 2310.07 μg/kg FW, while Huashuo had the lowest volatile content, at 2041.27 ± 120.36 μg/kg FW. Principal component analysis (PCA) clustered the 40 apple cultivars into five groups. Aroma is cultivar-specific, volatile compounds of hexyl butyrate, hexyl 2-methylbutyrate and hexyl hexanoate, together with hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, 1-hexanol, estragole and α-farnesene could be proposed for apple cultivar classification in the future.
The volatile profiles in the pulp of 85 apple cultivars was evaluated based upon headspace solid–phase microextraction (HS–SPME) combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). A total of ...70 volatile compounds were identified, including 43 esters, 7 alcohols, 11 aldehydes, 2 acids, 2 ketones, and 5 others. Hexyl acetate, (E)-2-hexenal, estragole, 2-methylbutyl acetate, 1-hexanol and butyl acetate were the most abundant volatile compounds (average content > 30 µg/kg fresh weight, FW). The aroma profiles showed significant differences between apple cultivars. Cultivars Dongguang and Jazz contained the most volatile types (46), in contrast with Granny Smith and Huashuo, which contained the least types of volatiles (16). Jonagold had the highest volatile content (2133.86 µg/kg FW), while the volatile content in Ruiyang was only 26.60 µg/kg FW. On the basis of principal components analysis (PCA), 85 apple cultivars were clustered into 6 groups. This work on establishing the integrated volatile profiles for the 85 apple cultivars would help for the future breeding and improvement of apple aroma.
To gain insights into the regulatory networks of miRNAs related to golden colour formation in
leaves, we constructed an sRNA library of golden-green striped mutant leaves. A total of 213 known miRNAs ...comprising 54 miRNA families were obtained, and 214 novel miRNAs were identified in the mutant leaves. We further constructed a normal green leaf sRNA library as a control and compared the expression of miRNAs between mutant and normal leaves. We found 42 known and 54 novel differential expression candidate miRNAs; 39 were up-regulated and 57 down-regulated in mutants compared to normal leaves. Our transcriptome analysis and annotation of the predicted targets indicated that the potential roles of miRNAs in
leaves included involvement in the ‘Glutathione metabolism’, ‘Plant circadian rhythm’, and ‘Phenylalanine metabolism’ categories. miRNAs and their targets were further validated by qRT-PCR. The expression of miR159a and miR159c, in particular, was significantly higher in mutant leaves than in normal leaves, while their potential target gene
, which is associated with chloroplast development, displayed the opposite expression pattern. In addition, the expression of miR396g-3p and miR396h was also significantly higher in mutant leaves than in normal leaves, while the target genes
(auxin-related gene) and
(chloroplast RNA editing protein), respectively, showed the opposite expression pattern. Combined with the transcriptome analysis, these data suggest that miR159, miR396, and their targets may participate in chloroplast development and hormone metabolism to regulate colour formation in
leaves.
Herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) is a kind of plant with ornamental, edible and medicinal values, and few studies were concerned to edible aspect of herbaceous peony petals. The aim of ...this research is to establish edible quality evaluation system of herbaceous peony flowers. Petals of 46 P. lactiflora cultivars at full bloom period were used to determine the content of soluble sugar, organic acid, protein, Vc (Vitamin C), total phenolics, total flavonoids, mineral elements and SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity and screen out evaluation index for edible herbaceous peony. The results showed that flower petals of herbaceous peony contained lots of nutrients and the contents varied with different cultivars. The soluble sugar content was 66.55-177.28 mg/g FW, organic acid 2.19-6.90 mg/g FW, soluble protein 6.53-121.56 mg/g FW, Vc 9.77-30.24 mg/100 g FW, total phenolics 9.41-33.01 mg/g DW, total flavonoids 3.50-17.56 mg/g DW, SOD activity 305.62-520.42 U/g FW, total amino acids 6.43-11.99 g/100 g DW. The average content of Na, Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, Mo, Cr were 55.88±14.90 µg/g DW, 1218.22±349.60 µg/g DW, 11252.23±2477.54 µg/g DW, 1975.40±706.58 µg/g DW, 8.30±6.55 µg/g DW, 103.56±182.72 µg/g DW, 10.73±37.94 µg/g DW, 22.80±16.68 µg/g DW, 1.84±5.89 µg/g DW and 17.36±44.89 µg/g DW, respectively. Based on principal component analysis and cluster analysis, we found ‘Dielian Qihua’, ‘Zhushapan’, ‘Xueyuan Honghua’, ‘Wulong Jisheng’, ‘Honglou’, ‘Bingshan’, ‘Hongyan Yushuang’, ‘Zituo Ronghua’, ‘Zifengyu’, ‘Fenlou Dianchun’ had better edible quality. The results will provide some information for the comprehensive utilization of herbaceous peony petals and the breeding of edible herbaceous peony cultivars.
Ganoderic acid A (GAA) exhibited neuron protection in in vitro epilepsy study, but no study has been done in vivo. Rats were administered (i.p.) pentylenetetrazole daily for 28 days to induce ...seizure. Rats with grade II or above of epileptic score were divided into three groups and given placebo, sodium valproate, or GAA treatment, respectively, for 7 days. The electrical signals of brain were monitored with electroencephalography (EGG); epileptic behavior was assessed using the Racine scale; morphological changes and apoptosis rate of cortical neurons were assessed with H&E staining and TUNEL staining, respectively. Protein expression of calcium-sensing receptor, p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-p38 in hippocampal tissue and Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, and Bax in cortical tissues was observed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry assay, respectively. After GAA treatment, apparent seizure-like EEG with significant arrhythmic disorder and spike waves was reduced or disappeared, and wave amplitude of EEG was reduced significantly. GAA showed similar effect with sodium valproate treatments on epilepsy. There were an apparent improvement of the epileptic behavior and a significant increase in the epileptic latency and shortening of the epileptic duration in the treatment group compared to control. GAA treatment ameliorated the nuclear pyknosis of neurons which appeared seriously in the epilepsy group. GAA treatment significantly reduced the cortical neuron apoptosis of epilepsy and the expression of calcium-sensing receptor, p-P38, p-JNK, cleaved caspase-3, and Bax but increased the expression of both p-ERK and Bcl-2. In conclusion, GAA treatment showed strong antiepileptic effect by decreasing apoptosis in cortical neuron and the expression of calcium-sensing receptor and stimulating the MAPK pathway.
By micro- and macro-observations, the deterioration mechanisms of concrete under alternate action between repeated sub-high temperature/cooling by water and sodium sulfate solution attack (TW-SA) ...were studied; meanwhile, the single sodium sulfate solution attack (SA) was also done as comparison. Micro-observations included the analysis of attack products by thermal analysis method and the determination of sulfate-ion content from surface to interior by chemical titrating method (modified barium sulfate gravimetric method). Macro-observations mainly included the mechanical behaviors such as compressive strength, splitting strength. The experimental results indicate, in both cases, the main attack product is ettringite, only in the first layer of case SA some gypsum is checked; in case SA, the sulfate ions mainly concentrate in the surface layer, so the attack is relatively mild; but in case TW-SA, the repeated sub-high temperature/cooling by water promotes the sulfate ions diffusing inwards, which leads to obvious strength degradation.
The confinements of water can be divided into two main categories, namely, the confinements on surface or interface and the con- finements in bulk water. By adding ions or applying electric field, ...the intensity and distribution of the hydrogen bonds can be greatly affected. These are collectively known as confinement on water surface or interface, which has potential applications in life science and industries involving evaporation control. Confined bulk water could be found everywhere in nature, such as in granular and po- rous materials, macromolecules and gels, etc. The investigation of the physical properties and the transports of the confined bulk water will contribute to understanding certain types of life activities such as the water transport in plant and in new application of extracting the shale oil and water.