Journal of Berry Research - Volume 12, issue 2

Authors: Reyes-Alvarez, Camilo Andrés | Gamboa-Santos, Juliana | Lanari, María Cecilia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Arazá, a tropical berry rich in thermolabile antioxidants (ascorbic-acid/phenolics/flavonoids/carotenoids), is a potential ingredient for preparing functional foods; however, its high perishability hinders its industrial application. Osmotic-dehydration (OD), a processing method that operates at low temperature ranges, may be adequate for improving arazá's shelf-life without reducing its palatability/nutritional quality. Physicochemical and nutritional properties depend on the time/temperature/osmotic-solution concentration applied; therefore, parameters optimization is required. Processing selection must also consider treatment effect on antioxidants composition/activity/bioaccessibility in the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, key factors in bioactives health benefits. OBJECTIVES: a) Optimize OD duration/temperature/sucrose concentration to maximize process efficiency/total-polyphenol content/overall-acceptability using principal …component analysis and Response-Surface-Methodology/Desirability-Function. b) Determine OD effect on antioxidant content/activity/bioaccessibilities before and after gastro-intestinal digestion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Processing conditions have opposite effects on sensory and chemical properties; reaching antioxidant content/activity highest levels in the osmo-dehydrated fruit required 60 min/20°Bx; whereas, the best organoleptic scores demanded 180 min/60°Bx. Although osmotic-drying reduced the fruit's antioxidant content/activity 39–76%, the process improved antioxidants bioaccessibilities, since these values were: 63–85% (untreated fruit) and 72–90% (osmodehydrated arazá (ODA)), whereas the activity retention levels were 67–76% (untreated fruit/ODA). Show more

Keywords: Arazá, Eugeniastipitata, osmotic-dehydration, antioxidant content, bioaccessibility

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-211514

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 149-164, 2022

Authors: Sultana, Nusrat | Menzel, Gerhard | Seibt, Kathrin M. | Garcia, Sònia | Weber, Beatrice | Serçe, Sedat | Heitkam, Tony

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons are widespread in plant genomes and play a large role in the generation of genomic variation. Despite this, their identification and characterization remains challenging, especially for non-model genomes. Hence, LTR retrotransposons remain undercharacterized in Vaccinium genomes, although they may be beneficial for current berry breeding efforts. OBJECTIVE: Exemplarily focusing on the genome of American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton), we aim to generate an overview of the LTR retrotransposon landscape, highlighting the abundance, transcriptional activity, sequence, and structure of the major retrotransposon lineages. METHODS: Graph-based clustering of whole genome …shotgun Illumina reads was performed to identify the most abundant LTR retrotransposons and to reconstruct representative in silico full-length elements. To generate insights into the LTR retrotransposon diversity in V. macrocarpon , we also queried the genome assembly for presence of reverse transcriptases (RTs), the key domain of LTR retrotransposons. Using transcriptomic data, transcriptional activity of retrotransposons corresponding to the consensuses was analyzed. RESULTS: We provide an in-depth characterization of the LTR retrotransposon landscape in the V. macrocarpon genome. Based on 475 RTs harvested from the genome assembly, we detect a high retrotransposon variety, with all major lineages present. To better understand their structural hallmarks, we reconstructed 26 Ty1-copia and 28 Ty3-gypsy in silico consensuses that capture the detected diversity. Accordingly, we frequently identify association with tandemly repeated motifs, extra open reading frames, and specialized, lineage-typical domains. Based on the overall high genomic abundance and transcriptional activity, we suggest that retrotransposons of the Ale and Athila lineages are most promising to monitor retrotransposon-derived polymorphisms across accessions. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that LTR retrotransposons are major components of the V. macrocarpon genome. The representative consensuses provide an entry point for further Vaccinium genome analyses and may be applied to derive molecular markers for enhancing cranberry selection and breeding. Show more

Keywords: Cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon, repetitive DNA, LTR retrotransposon, Ty1-copia, Ty3-gypsy

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-211515

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 165-185, 2022

Authors: Narouei, Zahra | Sedaghathoor, Shahram | Kaviani, Behzad | Ansari, Mohammad Hossein

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The strawberry is an important commercial crop, the improvement of its yield and quality is an imperative task. OBJECTIVE: The present research aimed to study the effect of colored netting and foliar application of amino acids on the physiological characteristics of strawberries subjected to different irrigation intervals. METHODS: The study was carried out as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three factors including colored net at 4 levels (no netting, green, red, and yellow netting), organic acids at 4 levels (control, humic acid, glutamine, and arginine), and three levels of …irrigation intervals (2, 4, and 6 days) in the greenhouse of Lahijan Agricultural Research Station, Iran. RESULTS: The results showed that the highest leaf number, shoot weight, chlorophyll and carotenoid content were related to yellow netting. The highest fruit yield, anthocyanins, and flavonoids were observed in the treatments of no-netting, green netting, and red netting, respectively. Data for the effect of organic acids showed that the glutamine-treated plants exhibited the highest yield, the humic acid-treated plants displayed the highest anthocyanin and carotenoid content, and the arginine-treated plants demonstrated the highest vitamin C content. The irrigation interval of 6 days caused to the lowest leaf number, flower and fruit number, shoot weight, fruit yield, and carotenoid content. Data for the trilateral effect of ‘netting×organic acid×irrigation’ showed that the highest flower number and fruit yield were obtained from ‘green netting×glutamine×4 days’, the highest anthocyanin content was obtained from ‘green netting×humic acid×2 days’, and the highest chlorophyll content was obtained from ‘green netting×control×6 days’. The treatment of ‘yellow netting×control×2 days’ was related to the highest flavonoid content. CONCLUSIONS: The application of colored nets provides the strawberry with more optimal vegetative and reproductive growth. Show more

Keywords: Anthocyanin, drought stress, glutamine, organic acids, vitamin C

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-211516

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 187-208, 2022

Authors: Salifu, Rafia | Zhang, Zhen | Sam, Faisal Eudes | Li, Jixin | Ma, Teng-Zhen | Wang, Jing | Han, Shun-Yu | Jiang, Yu-Mei

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Vine nutrition affects the composition of grapes, but how it impacts the aroma of grapes is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to investigate the effect of different fertilizers: chemical fertilizer (CF), sheep manure-based organic fertilizer (OF), 50% organic fertilizer + 50% chemical fertilizer (O + C), 25% organic fertilizer + 25% chemical fertilizer [1/2(O + C)], and soil conditioner (SC) on the aroma accumulation of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. METHODS: The treatments were applied and samples were collected in 2019 at weekly intervals from August 7 to September 22. The grapes’ chemical characteristics and volatile compounds were analyzed. …RESULTS: The chemical results showed that the treatments had a positive effect on grapes, with a strong preference for the 1/2(O + C) treatment. Grape aroma results showed that the concentrations of grape aromas in O + C-treated samples were lower than the other treatments. The OF treated samples had comparatively high (24.8%) volatile concentrations during maturity compared to other treatments, including the control (15.9%). Throughout development, samples treated with OF (17.4%) and CF (15.7%) had higher volatile concentrations than samples treated with SC (14.4%), 1/2(O + C) (12.8%), and O + C (12.4%). However, compared to SC-treated samples, samples treated with 1/2(O + C) increased the accumulation of terpenes and esters. The principal component analysis (PCA) results showed that samples treated with OF were strongly correlated to carbonyls, terpenes, and esters during maturity. CONCLUSION: The type and ratio of fertilizer used had a significant impact on the aroma profile of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Show more

Keywords: Grape, organic fertilizer, chemical fertilizer, soil conditioner, developmental stage, aroma compound

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-211517

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 209-225, 2022

Authors: Ahmadi-Roshan, M. | Bideli, N. | Berenji Ardestani, S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Barberry, is the main agricultural product in South Khorasan province of Iran, after saffron. Fresh fruit is perishable with short storage time. OBJECTIVE: Irradiation is an economical modern technology in food processing which maintains nutritional values and enhance shelf life of raw food without using any additives. METHODS: Barberry fruit was harvested in Birjand city by methods including “cutting branches” and “collecting fallen fruit from the cluster”. Fruit on cut branches was dried at ambient temperature under shadow which is known as “puffy barberry” locally. Fruit has fallen under shrubs was dried on a clean …cloth under sunlight and locally is famed as “jewel barberry”. Some of fresh barberries were treated by osmotic solution and then they have been dried. Untreated dried fruit was processed by, freezing pasteurization and gamma irradiation at doses of 0, 3, 5 and 10 kGy. Effects of dried barberry types (puffy and jewel), processes, 6 months of storage at temperature of 4 or 25°C on texture, color and sensory properties of fruit were evaluated. RESULTS: Puffy barberry irradiated at 5 kGy by gamma radiations, after 6 months of storage at 4°C showed an acceptable quality. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of irradiation and refrigerated storage were reported as optimal conditions of processing and storage for barberry fruit. Show more

Keywords: Irradiation, osmotic treatment, freezing, color, texture, sensory

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-211519

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 227-247, 2022

Authors: De Mori, G. | Testolin, R. | Cipriani, G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Dioecism and an extended juvenile phase of 3–7 years in kiwifruit hinder the progress in breeding new cultivars. The identification of fruit-bearing females at an early stage of growth is crucial for breeders. Consequently, molecular markers have become a key tool for identifying female and male plants at an early stage of development. Several efforts were made to identify PCR-based sex linked markers in Actinidia ; however, those markers are characterized by a highly polymorphic nature affecting the result of the screening reliability, suggesting the need of more suitable, stable markers, characterized by a consistent transferability among genotypes and species. …The main goal of this work was to develop a method for the ultimate discrimination of females from male plants at an early stage of growth using sex-linked markers. We developed an Early Sex Discrimination molecular Test (ESD Test) that allows the discrimination of male and female plants using a simple PCR amplification test. We demonstrate that the test could unequivocally identify the gender of an unknown sample both in the most commercially important species A. chinensis and in further 13 Actinidia species tested with the exception of Actinidia latifolia , where markers fail in gender discrimination. Male genotypes could be easily identified and discarded reducing the cost of a breeding program. Show more

Keywords: Molecular markers, kiwifruit, marker assisted selection (MAS), plant breeding

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-211530

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 249-266, 2022

Authors: Bai, Yi Bo | Liang, Mo Rong | Cheng, Zong-Ming | Xiong, Jin Song

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like (SPL) proteins are a class of plant-specific transcription factors that play important roles in plant development. However, the majority of SPL genes in strawberry are functionally uncharacterized. OBJECTIVE: To understand the biological functions and elucidate the molecular regulatory mechanisms of SPL genes in strawberry development. METHODS: The FvSPL1 gene from woodland strawberry was cloned and the phylogenetic tree was analyzed using bioinformatics methods. Subcellular localization, transcriptional activity, DNA binding ability and regulatory mechanisms of FvSPL1 were analyzed through biochemical and genetic approaches. RESULTS: Phylogenetic analysis with …SPL genes from Arabidopsis , tomato and chrysanthemum indicated that FvSPL1 clustered in the same group as those of the miR156 target site located at the 3′ -untranslated region. Further biochemical analysis indicated that FvSPL1 was exclusively localized in the nucleus. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that FvSPL1 could specifically recognize the GTAC motif. Transcriptional activity analysis showed that FvSPL1 is a transcriptional activator that could activate the expression of the FvAP1 gene. Finally, transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing the FvSPL1 gene exhibited significantly early flowering. Taken together, our study indicated that FvSPL1 , similar to its orthologs in Arabidopsis , mainly functions in regulating plant flowering. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide insight into the mechanism of flowering in strawberry, and contribute to the understanding of strawberry flowering time manipulation which will facilitate the molecular breeding of strawberries. Show more

Keywords: Woodland strawberry, FvSPL1 , flowering, transcription factors, transcriptional activation

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-211548

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 267-278, 2022

Authors: Ordóñez, José L. | Pérez, Rodrigo | Barriga, Andrés | Seguel, Ivette | Guzman, Paola | Zúñiga, María C. | Delporte, Carla

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Sustained hyperglycemia leads to multiple health complications associated with oxidative balance and metabolic pathways alterations. Current treatments for hyperglycemia are not entirely effective thus, the identification of natural products from food sources, such as Ugni molinae berries, to reduce hyperglycemia and prevent the deleterious effect of oxidative stress is attractive to develop new therapeutics. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and the inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase and glycogen phosphorylase A of polyphenolic extracts from different genotypes of U. molinae berries and to comparatively analyze their polyphenolic profile. METHODS: Berry extraction was …performed by exhaustive maceration with increasing-polarity solvents. The antioxidant capacity, and inhibitory activity on enzymes were analyzed by different spectrophotometric methods. Moreover, the chemical profile of bioactive extracts was comparatively evaluated through LC-MS. RESULTS: 16 semi-purified extracts were obtained and showed antioxidant capacity and inhibitory activity on the evaluated enzymes. Moreover, the chemical analysis showed differences in phenolic profile among the extracts and, particularly, the acetonic extracts were more concentrated in phenolic compounds, which is associated with the more potent activities. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that murtilla berries’ acetonic extracts include a mixture of phenolic compounds that inhibit the activity of two enzymes related to carbohydrate metabolism and have a promising antioxidant capacity. Show more

Keywords: Ugni molinae, berries, antioxidant, α-glucosidase, glycogen phosphorylase A

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-211552

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 279-296, 2022

Authors: Yang, Bofei | Song, Yan | Li, Yuening | Wang, Xianglong | Guo, Qingxun | Zhou, Lianxia | Zhang, Yang | Zhang, Chunyu

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Blueberry fruits contain large amounts of phenolic compounds derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway. Their biosynthesis is complex, involving many enzymes. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the content of phenylpropanoid-derived compounds and identify key genes involved in the phenylpropanoid metabolite pathway during half-highbush blueberry fruit development. METHODS: Phenylpropanoid metabolite contents were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometry. Gene expression was examined through reverse-transcription PCR. RESULTS: Phloretin, chlorogenic acid, total flavonol, quercetin, catechin, and proanthocyanidin contents were highest in small-sized green fruits; myricetin and epicatechin contents were highest in pink fruits; and lignin …and anthocyanin were highest in blue fruits. Genes from the 4-coumarate CoA ligase (4CL ) family regulate the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoid metabolites. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL ) and cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR ) are key genes in the lignin biosynthetic pathway. Flavonol synthase (FLS ) is a key gene affecting total flavonols and the quercetin biosynthetic pathway. PAL and chalcone isomerase (CHI ) are key genes in the epicatechin and anthocyanin biosynthetic pathways, respectively. CONCLUSION: Phenylpropanoid metabolites are regulated by multiple genes from the same or different families. Enzymes in different metabolic pathways compete for precursors to form a complex regulatory network for phenylalanine metabolism. Show more

Keywords: Key gene, blueberry, anthocyanins, phenylpropanoid metabolites

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-211554

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 297-311, 2022

Authors: Wang, Ping | Yang, Jing | Li, Zi-Yi | Zhu, Jia-Jun | Gao, Qing-Hua | Ni, Di-An | Duan, Ke

Article Type: Correction

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-220950

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 313-313, 2022