Impact of exogenous salicylic acid treatment on the cell wall metabolism and ripening process in postharvest tomato fruit stored at ambient temperature

Tomato is a climacteric fruit susceptible to rapid softening and ripening after harvest. In this study, the changes of physicochemical characters, cell wall-degrading enzymes, cell wall compositions and ethylene production of ‘Hisar Arun’ and ‘BSS-488’ tomato fruits were investigated under the influence of salicylic acid treatment. Salicylic acid treatment effectively delayed firmness decline and increase in PLW, TSS and lycopene content. The treated fruits maintained the integrity of cell wall composition by delay in increase in activities of cell wall-degrading enzymes (pectin methylesterase, polygalacturonase and cellulose) and cell wall components (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and pectin) decline. Moreover, salicylic acid treatments significantly suppress expression level of ethylene-producing genes (ACO1 and ACS2) and inhibited ethylene production during storage. Overall, the salicylic acid-induced delay in the ripening process occurs via the strong inhibition of ethylene biosynthesis, lowered cell wall-degrading enzyme activities and slowed cell wall degradation.     

Decrease in Fruit Moisture Content Heralds and Might Launch the Onset of Ripening Processes

Abstract: It is known that fruit ripening is a genetically programmed event but it is not entirely clear what metabolic cue(s) stimulate the onset of ripening, ethylene action notwithstanding. Here, we examined the conjecture that fruit ripening might be evoked by an autonomously induced decrease in tissue water status. We found decline in water content occurring at the onset of ripening in climacteric and nonclimacteric fruit, suggesting that this phenomenon might be universal. This decline in water content persisted throughout the ripening process in some fruit, whereas in others it reversed during the progression of the ripening process. Applied ethylene also induced a decrease in water content in potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers. In ethylene‐mutant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit (antisense to1‐aminocyclopropane carboxylate synthase), cold‐induced decline in water content stimulated onset of ripening processes apparently independently of ethylene action, suggesting cause‐and‐effect relationship between decreasing water content and onset of ripening. The decline in tissue water content, occurring naturally or induced by ethylene, was strongly correlated with a decrease in hydration (swelling) efficacy of cell wall preparations suggesting that hydration dynamics of cell walls might account for changes in tissue moisture content. Extent of cell wall swelling was, in turn, related to the degree of oxidative cross‐linking of wall‐bound phenolic acids, suggesting that oxidant‐induced wall restructuring might mediate cell wall and, thus, fruit tissue hydration status. We propose that oxidant‐induced cell wall remodeling and consequent wall dehydration might evoke stress signaling for the onset of ripening processes. Practical Application: This study suggests that decline in fruit water content is an early event in fruit ripening. This information may be used to gauge fruit maturity for appropriate harvest date and for processing. Control of fruit hydration state might be used to regulate the onset of fruit ripening.     

水杨酸处理对采后番茄果实后熟衰老的影响

研究了不同浓度的水杨酸处理对番茄后熟衰老影响。实验结果表明:与对照相比,0.5mmol/L的水杨酸处理可有效降低果实的乙烯释放量和呼吸强度,并可增加番茄果实的抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性,降低相对电导率和腐烂率,保持果实原有颜色和硬度,从而延迟衰老进程;而1mmol/L的水杨酸处理尽管也在一定程度上增加了果实抗病相关酶活性,却刺激了呼吸代谢,加速果实转红和衰老进程。     

温度和乙烯对京白梨后熟进程及其品质的影响

研究温度、乙烯对京白梨果实后熟进程及品质的影响。测定果实乙烯释放量、呼吸强度、果实硬度、可溶性固形物含量、pH值、果皮颜色ΔE 值和h 值、失重率、病果率等指标,并进行感官评价。结果表明：温度和乙烯直接影响果实的后熟进程和后熟品质;后熟过程中果实硬度与后熟时间呈极显著线性负相关(P＜ 0.01),温度过高或过低均导致果皮转色和果实硬度后熟不一致,适度的低温(14℃)延迟了果实乙烯峰值的启动时间,高温(28℃)抑制乙烯的生成和果实的软化,温度越高,失重率和烂果率越高;外源乙烯有助于果实乙烯的生成和呼吸强度的增加,乙烯加快了果实的后熟进程,并且后熟更均匀一致,且品质最佳。研究表明：京白梨后熟的适宜温度范围17～23℃,最佳温度20℃,最佳乙烯催熟用量为100μL/L。     

Spatial and temporal changes in the volatile profile of Alphonso mango upon exogenous ethylene treatment

Alphonso is a highly favoured and exported mango cultivar among the vast mango germplasm of India. Being a climacteric fruit, ethylene plays an important role in ripening of mango. For deeper understanding of effect of pre-climacteric ethylene treatment on volatile profiles of Alphonso mango, 26 volatiles were tracked through six ripening stages of pulp and skin of ethylene-treated and control Alphonso fruits. The study revealed accelerated ripening in terms of early appearance of ripening-specific compounds, lactones and mesifuran, upon ethylene treatment. While the level of lactones remained unaffected, the mesifuran level vastly increased upon ethylene treatment. Skin showed high terpene content while pulp had higher amount of lactones compared to skin. This work points towards involvement of ethylene as a natural hormone in the biosynthesis of lactones and furanones in naturally ripened fruits; whereas, an increase in the terpene level during ripening appears to be independent of ethylene.     

Effects of 1-MCP on chlorophyll degradation pathway-associated genes expression and chloroplast ultrastructure during the peel yellowing of Chinese pear fruits in storage

The peel yellowing is an important pigment physiological process of green fruit ripening, which mainly results from chlorophyll degradation in the fruit peel. In this work, two typical cultivars with different ripening speed, a slow ripening pear 'Emerald' (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd. cv. Emerald) and a fast ripening 'Jingbai' (Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim. cv. Jingbai) were used to investigate the molecular mechanism of chlorophyll degradation in pear yellowing/ripening during postharvest storage. The fruits after harvest were treated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), an ethylene action inhibitor at 1.0 μLl(-1) to determine its effect on chloroplast ultrastructure and the expression of chlorophyll degradation associated genes in peel tissues. Our results show that the pears treated with 1-MCP had a lower ethylene production rate and higher chlorophyll content compared to those of untreated fruit. The more intact chloroplasts with well-organised grana thylakoids and small plastoglobuli were maintained in the peel of 1-MCP treated fruit for up to 30 and 15 d in 'Emerald' and 'Jingbai', respectively. The expression of chlorophyll degradation associated genes: pheophorbide a oxygenase (PAO), non-yellow colouring (NYC), NYC1-like (NOL), stay-green 1(SGR1), was suppressed, while no significant change was found in chlorophyllase 1 (CHL1) and red chlorophyll catabolite reductase (RCCR) in both cultivar fruits treated with 1-MCP. These results suggest that 1-MCP can delay chlorophyll degradation by inhibiting ethylene production and suppressing the gene expression of PAO, NYC, NOL and SGR1, which are closely associated with chlorophyll catabolic pathway.     

脱落酸处理对苹果成熟、乙烯合成及其信号转导基因表达的影响

为研究脱落酸（abscisic acid,ABA）对苹果果实采后成熟、乙烯合成及其信号转导基因表达的影响,本实验以‘Granny Smith’苹果果实为实验材料,将其进行外源ABA处理后置于20 ℃贮藏（以无菌水处理为对照）,测定贮藏过程中的硬度、可滴定酸质量分数、纤维素酶活力、果胶甲酯酶活力、叶绿素含量、内源ABA含量、乙烯产生速率及乙烯生物合成基因（ACO1、ACO2、ACS1、ACS3）、苹果乙烯信号转导基因（ERS1、ERS2、ETR2、ERF3、ERF4、ERF5）的表达量。结果表明,与对照组相比,ABA处理能降低苹果果实贮藏过程中的硬度和可滴定酸质量分数,提高果实中的纤维素酶和果胶甲酯酶活性,促进叶绿素a、叶绿素b和总叶绿素含量降低。定量聚合酶链式反应分析结果表明,与对照组相比,ABA处理能够显著提高苹果乙烯生物合成基因的表达量（P＜0.05）。同时,参与苹果乙烯信号转导的ERS2、ETR2和ERF3、ERF4、ERF5表达量随着果实采后成熟明显增加,并且ABA处理组果实中的表达量总体显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）。综上,外源ABA处理能够促进苹果内源ABA的合成,提高苹果乙烯生物合基因和信号转导基因的表达,促进苹果内源乙烯合成和乙烯信号的转导,加快苹果果实的采后成熟进程。     

‘红阳’猕猴桃乙烯催熟特性

本研究以‘红阳’猕猴桃为研究对象,通过对不同成熟度果实催熟后的指标分析,明确采用外源乙烯催熟 实现猕猴桃早采上市的适宜采收期,并进一步探讨了乙烯添加量和温度条件对催熟效果的影响。结果表明：只有当 猕猴桃达到一定成熟度（干物质质量分数大于17%）时,催熟软化后的果实才可被消费者接受,可实现猕猴桃的早 采错季销售;采用25～100 μL/L添加量的乙烯催熟（20 ℃）‘红阳’猕猴桃,3～5 d即可完成快速软化,且不同添 加量处理间可溶性固形物和可滴定酸质量分数无显著性差异,温度是影响乙烯的催熟作用重要因素,在较高温度 （20 ℃）下,乙烯催熟可明显缩短软化进程。     

Effect of ethylene and 1‐MCP treatments on strawberry fruit ripening

BACKGROUND: Strawberry is a soft fruit, considered as non‐climacteric, being auxins the main hormones that regulate the ripening process. The role of ethylene in strawberry ripening is currently unclear and several studies have considered a revision of the possible role of this hormone. RESULTS: Strawberry fruit were harvested at the white stage and treated with ethephon, an ethylene‐releasing reagent, or 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP), a competitive inhibitor of ethylene action. The effects of the treatments on fruit quality parameters and on the activity of enzymes related to anthocyanin synthesis and cell wall degradation were evaluated. Some aspects of ripening were accelerated (anthocyanin accumulation, total sugar content and increment of phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL; EC 4.3.1.24) and β‐galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) activities), while others were repressed (chlorophyll levels and increment of endo‐1,4‐β‐glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4) and β‐xylosidase (EC 3.2.1.37) activities) or unchanged (reducing sugar content, pH, titratable acidity and α‐L ‐arabinofuranosidase (EC 3.2.1.55) activity) by ethylene. 1‐MCP treatment caused the opposite effect. However, its effects were more pronounced, particularly in anthocyanin accumulation, phenolics, PAL and polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15 and EC 3.2.1.67) activities. CONCLUSION: These observations probably indicate that strawberry produces low levels of ethylene that are sufficient to regulate some ripening aspects. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

柿子后熟过程中生理代谢和品质变化及乙烯的催熟效果

牛心柿后熟过程中,果实呼吸强度和乙烯释放速率出现明显跃升现象,果实硬度、总酸度和维生素C含量下降,还原糖和总糖含量上升。果实的品质变化早于生理代谢变化。1000 10~(－6)乙烯处理明显促进果实后熟,可作为柿子产销中提高商品质量的一项技术措施。     

适宜后熟对猕猴桃果实冷藏后货架品质的影响

该文以‘贵长’猕猴桃为试材,研究适宜后熟对其冷藏后货架品质的影响。结果表明,猕猴桃果实采收后于阴凉处散去田间热,然后转入(4±0.5)℃贮藏,冷藏后货架成熟时果实呼吸速率、乙烯释放速率显著增加,抗氧化物质含量低,超氧阴离子(O₂^-)和H₂O₂快速积累,活性氧代谢失衡,从而导致其在冷藏40 d后货架时全部腐烂。猕猴桃果实后熟至可溶性固形物9.5%时再转入(4±0.5)℃贮藏,可有效抑制其冷藏后货架时呼吸速率和乙烯释放速率,减少果实营养物质损耗,维持果实抗氧化物含量和活性氧代谢平衡,进而降低果实的腐烂率,延长冷藏期。然而,猕猴桃果实后熟至可溶性固形物含量14.5%再冷藏则加速猕猴桃果实腐烂。因此,适宜后熟通过抑制乙烯释放速率、提高抗氧化物酶活性、维持活性氧代谢平衡来维持其冷藏后货架品质,为猕猴桃贮藏保鲜技术开发奠定了理论基础。     

Effect of 1-pentylcyclopropene on Physiological Responses and Gene Expression of Ethylene Receptors in Post-Harvest Bananas

The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of 1-pentylcyclopropene (1-PentCP), a structural analogue of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), on postharvest ripening and senescence of bananas fruit (Musa acuminata L. AAA group cv. Brazil). The results showed that 1-PentCP was effective in postponing the occurrence time of ethylene production peak and respiration rate peak, delaying the softening and color change, inhibiting the increasing of soluble solids, soluble sugar, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate acid (ACC) content; inhibiting the activities of ACC synthase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO); and suppressing the expression of MaERS1 and MaERF1 in bananas. In addition, 1.2 μL/L 1-PentCP was found to be most effective in delaying ripening and senescence process of bananas by inhibiting the activities of enzymes involved in ethylene biosynthesis and gene expression of ethylene receptors. It is suggested that 1-PentCP could be a promising candidates for practical use as a given ethylene inhibitor applied before the onset of ethylene action.     

Changes in ethylene and CO2 during the ripening of apples

The internal concentrations and production of both ethylene and CO₂ were measured during the maturation and ripening of Cox's Orange Pippin apples. Within 12 hours of the onset of the respiration climacteric there was no measurable increase in the production of ethylene and the data indicate that the increase in ethylene production is synchronous with the increased CO₂ production that marks the start of ripening. It therefore appears that a factor other than a change in the rate of ethylene production determines the time at which apples commence ripening.     

Chinese gooseberry: Seasonal patterns in fruit growth and maturation,ripening, respiration and the role of ethylene

Fruits of Chinese gooseberry (Actinidia chinensis Planchon, cv. Bruno) were harvested and respiration rates and other attributes were measured at regular intervals throughout the season. The fruit matured at about 23 weeks after anthesis as shown by patterns of respiration, response to ethylene treatment and changes in texture and content of soluble solids. Fruit growth followed a unique triple sigmoid curve. Natural ripening showed the fruits to be of climacteric type but, although associated with a peak of ethylene production, the respiratory pattern was somewhat atypical and initiation of ripening within any lot of uniform fruits was very variable. Ethylene treatment stimulated ripening in fruits of all ages, but a large induced respiratory peak was seen only in immature fruits. The physiological observations confirmed present horticultural practices and provide a basis for development of objective enforceable quality grades.     

Effect of temperature on chlorophyllase activity, chlorophyll degradation and carotenoids of Cavendish bananas during ripening

Changes in chlorophyllase activity, chlorophyll and carotenoid content of Giant Cavendish banana fruit peel during ripening were measured at tropical temperatures (30–34°C) and at 20°C to relate them to the greenish and yellow colours of the fruit ripened at these temperatures. At 30–34°C bananas remained green on ripening due to incomplete chlorophyll degradation while at 20°C complete degreening occurred and fruits turned yellow. Peel total carotenoid content remained constant during ripening and did not change with temperature. Free xanthophylls decreased while xanthophyll esters increased on ripening. Chlorophyllase activity increased during ripening and paralleled the respiratory climacteric, although activity was not consistently related to the differential degradation of chlorophyll at these temperatures. Exogenous application of ethylene and ethrel accelerated ripening, but had no effect on chlorophyllase levels, chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid content of bananas ripened at either 30–34°C or at 20°C.     

相对湿度对牦牛毛霉霉菌奶酪成熟过程中品质的影响

为研究不同相对湿度对牦牛霉菌奶酪成熟过程中品质的影响,并确定其在成熟过程中的最佳相对湿度和成熟时间,本实验以牦牛霉菌奶酪为试验材料,将其分别置于相对湿度为30%、50%、70%条件下成熟,测定其在成熟过程中感官品质、质构、pH、营养成分、蛋白质和脂肪分解指标以及挥发性风味物质的变化。结果表明:相对湿度为50%,成熟6 d时,奶酪的感官评分最高且质构较佳。随着成熟时间的延长,三个实验组的水分、蛋白质和脂肪含量呈下降趋势,灰分逐渐上升;pH呈先下降后保持不变或上升。除成熟第0和8 d外,在同一成熟时间点,相对湿度为30%的水分含量均显著低于其他两组(P<0.05);灰分、蛋白质和脂肪含量变化不明显;相对湿度为50%的pH下降速度最快。pH4.6醋酸盐缓冲液可溶性氮含量、12%三氯乙酸可溶性氮含量、酸价和硫代巴比妥酸值均在奶酪成熟过程中不断升高,且相对湿度为50%时值最高。对牦牛毛霉霉菌奶酪挥发性风味物质检测发现,相对湿度为50%,成熟第6 d时,奶酪的风味物质含量较高。因此,牦牛霉菌奶酪在相对湿度为50%,成熟6 d时,其品质最佳。     

How to prevent ripening blockage in 1-MCP-treated 'Conference' pears

BACKGROUND: Some European pear varieties treated with 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) often remain ‘evergreen’, meaning that their ripening process is blocked and does not resume after removal from cold storage. In this work this was confirmed also to be the case in ‘Conference’ pears. To reverse the blockage of ripening 1‐MCP treatments combined with external exogenous ethylene were tested. RESULTS: 1‐MCP treatment of ‘Conference’ pears is very effective in delaying ripening and, more specifically, softening. The same 1‐MCP concentration in different experimental years caused a different response. The higher dose of 1‐MCP (600 nL L^?1) always resulted in irreversible blockage of ripening, whereas the behaviour of fruit receiving a lower dose (300 nL L^?1) depended on the year, and this did not depend on maturity at harvest or on storage conditions. Simultaneous exposure to 1‐MCP and exogenous ethylene significantly affected fruit ripening, allowing significant softening to occur but at a lower rate compared with control fruit. CONCLUSION: The application of exogenous ethylene and 1‐MCP simultaneously after harvest permitted restoration of the ripening process after storage in ‘Conference’ pears, extending the possibility of marketing and consumption. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Instrumental based flavour characterisation of banana fruit

Different instrumental techniques are used to evaluate the integrated flavour profile, including taste and volatile components, of a common export banana cultivar (Gran Enano) during ripening. Besides standard techniques to assess fruit quality (firmness, soluble solids content), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) with headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HS SPME) was used for the quantification of the different volatile components. The most important taste components with respect to sweetness (d-glucose, d-fructose, sucrose) and sourness (l-malic acid and citric acid) were determined using an enzymatic high-throughput (EHT) method. The different parameters were monitored during a ripening process starting from a green colour stage until fully ripened bananas. Clear differences were observed between bananas at different ripening stages with respect to the main instrumental attributes (total acid and sugar content, total volatile production, SSC, and firmness) and the individual volatile components. In addition, differences in flavour profile were observed between ethylene and non-ethylene treated bananas at the same colour stage and between bananas from different origins.     

Changes in Chemical Constituents of Kiwifruit During Post-Harvest Ripening

Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis Planch, Hayward cultivar) were ripened at 20°C under a stream of water-vapor saturated air containing 5 ppm ethylene gas. A remarkable rapid softening in the texture and rising of the soluble solids were observed in 24 hr. The total acidity, starch and amylose content decreased during ripening. Both fructose and glucose increased from 2.7% to 5.0% after 5 days of ripening. Sucrose content increased from 0.45% to 2.22% on the second day, then decreased to 1.19% after 5 days. No significant change in chlorophyll and total solids were observed throughout the experiment. There were stepwise decreases in the L and b_L values during ripening. The ascorbic acid content decreased from 210 to 190 mg per 100g fresh fruit after 5 days of ripening.     

ACC oxidase activation by cold storage on ‘Passe-Crassane’ pears: effect of calcium treatment

Ethylene biosynthesis and respiration in untreated and in calcium-treated Passe-Crassane pear fruits during cold storage and during ripening at 20°C after removal from storage at 2°C was studied. Results suggest that the increase in ACC oxidase activity along with free-ACC availability for enzyme action is the most important limiting factor in the capacity of these fruits to produce ethylene and to ripen. A chilling period of at least 30 days was shown to be required for inducing the climacteric increase in ethylene biosynthesis. Calcium treatment partially prevented ethylene production and retarded the onset of the climacteric process in Passe-Crassane fruits. The role that calcium plays in preventing cellular wall and membrane degradation is probably responsible for this delaying effect on the ripening process of this pear cultivar. © 1998 SCI.