Multi-omics integration analysis reveals metabolic regulation of carbohydrate and secondary metabolites during goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) maturation - Peeref (2025)

Summary: This study investigated the metabolic changes during the development and ripening stages of red goji berries, identifying 97 compounds, including 51 DCSPDs. Correlation analysis showed that GTs play a crucial role in the formation of glycosylated DCSPDs. In vitro experiments confirmed that 3 novel GTs can add a glucosyl moiety, and homologous GTs from Lr exhibited similar activity. The findings provide insights into the metabolic changes and interconnections of active compounds in red goji berries, and the identified GTs have potential for metabolic engineering and functional food development.

FOOD CHEMISTRY (2024)

Summary: This study aimed to determine the storage performance of goji berries at different temperatures. The results showed that a storage temperature of 5 degrees Celsius was the most suitable for maintaining the quality of fresh goji berries, with good sensory attributes and minimal damage from chilling injury.

FOODS (2022)

Summary: In this study, a fruit growth and development model of goji berry was established, and the morphological features and nutritional components at different growth stages were measured. The results showed that the nutritional content of goji berry varied at different growth stages, and key time points for fruit development and nutrient accumulation were identified. Correlation analysis indicated significant relationships between morphological features and specific nutritional components in certain growth stages. Principal component analysis suggested that total sugar and polysaccharide contents could be used as main factors for evaluating the nutritional quality of different cultivars. These findings provide guidance for breeding strategies and field management of high-quality goji berry cultivars.

SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE (2023)

Summary: This study detected pesticide residues in dried goji berries sampled from Chinese markets and investigated the half-lives, processing factors, and the effects of washing and drying on the residues. The results showed that commercial goji berries have cumulative chronic dietary risks and acute risks, mainly due to insecticide residues. These findings provide important references for ensuring the food safety of goji berries.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2024)

Summary: Fruit cracking, a phenomenon where the peel of grapes cracks during development, significantly impacts yield and quality. However, limited research has been conducted on candidate genes related to berry cracking. To better understand this, we used previous QTL mapping and field surveys to identify candidate genes. Three identical QTL loci were detected in 2019 and 2020, with three candidate genes annotated in the QTL interval. The expression of these genes was more abundant in the cracking-susceptible parent ('Crimson Seedless'), indicating their potential role in promoting berry cracking. This study contributes to the understanding of the genetic mechanism behind grape berry cracking.

HORTICULTURAL PLANT JOURNAL (2023)

Summary: This study identified candidate genes related to grape berry shape through genome-wide association analysis, with some genes controlling multiple berry shape traits simultaneously.

BMC PLANT BIOLOGY (2022)

Summary: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified candidate genes associated with maize root traits under low phosphate conditions, and their interactions with key transcription factors were analyzed. These genes may play a role in phosphate uptake and root-to-shoot Pi translocation, and could be used to improve low P tolerance in maize.

PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM (2024)

Summary: In this study, a genome-wide association analysis was conducted to investigate the genetic basis of grape berry cracking. Multiple loci and candidate genes associated with berry cracking index and type were identified, providing insights into the genetic mechanism of berry cracking.

JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AGRICULTURE (2022)

Summary: This study aimed to optimize the conditions for combined ultrasonication and enzymatic treatment of whole fruit Lycium barbarum. The synergistic effects of ultrasonication and enzymatic treatment on the fermentation process, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity were investigated. The optimal combination of sonication time, enzyme ratio, and enzyme concentration was determined to be 10 min, 1:1:1, and 0.75%, respectively.

FOOD BIOSCIENCE (2023)

Summary: In this study, the effects of melatonin (MLT) on resistance to Alternaria rot in goji berries were investigated. The results showed that treating the fruits with 50 mu mol L-1 MLT resulted in the lowest disease incidence and smallest lesion diameter. The MLT-treated fruits had higher levels of endogenous MLT, as well as induced enzymatic activities and gene expressions related to antioxidant system and secondary metabolism. The treated fruits also exhibited higher levels of secondary metabolites compared to the control.

FOODS (2023)

Summary: This study identified 34 HD-ZIP family members in passion fruit by bioinformatics analysis and analyzed their expression patterns under different abiotic stresses and developmental stages. Integrated metabolome and transcriptome analysis showed that the HD-ZIP III class gene PeHB31 was co-upregulated with lignans and enhanced the drought tolerance of Arabidopsis and yeast. The transgenic Arabidopsis plants had an increased lignin content in the vascular tissues of their stems. This study lays the foundation for future studies on the control mechanisms of lignin biosynthesis by HD-ZIP genes.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES (2024)

Summary: This study identified and analyzed the AP2/ERF superfamily genes in bread wheat and discovered candidate genes associated with heat stress response. The findings of this study provide important information and a foundation for heat tolerance breeding in wheat.

FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE (2022)

Summary: In this study, four BZR sequences were isolated from persimmon fruit. DkBZR1 and DkBZR2 were found to play roles as repressors and activators of persimmon fruit ripening, respectively. They regulate fruit ripening by affecting cell wall loosening and ethylene synthesis through different mechanisms.

JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY (2021)

Summary: This study analyzed the transcriptome of two pepper recombinant lines with different fruit weights, revealing differentially expressed genes and mechanisms controlling fruit weight. The findings showed that certain genes, such as Boron transporter 4 and genes in the Auxin signal transduction pathway, were highly expressed in the large-fruited pepper but reduced in the small-fruited pepper. Transcription factors, including CaMADS3, were also found to be highly differentially expressed in the large-fruited pepper. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified a module highly correlated with fruit weight. Overall, the study suggests that interactions between transcription factors and phytohormones may regulate the development of fruit size in peppers.

HORTICULTURAE (2023)

Summary: This article mainly introduces the adaptability mechanism of sorghum under drought stress, including morphology, physiology, and biochemistry, as well as the importance of using modern biotechnology and molecular biology methods to breed drought-tolerant sorghum varieties.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES (2024)

Summary: Postharvest kiwiberry is prone to rapid softening, affecting its quality and value. Studies have found that pectin solubilization and hemicellulose depolymerization are the main causes of fruit softening. Through RNA-seq and WGCNA analysis, four cell wall degradation-related genes and a transcription factor AaBIM1 were identified. AaBIM1 functions as a transcriptional repressor, and its expression declines during postharvest ripening. Transient overexpression of AaBIM1 delays fruit softening and reduces the expression of downstream genes. This study provides insights into the mechanism of kiwiberry softening and breeding improvement.

POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Summary: This study investigated the effect of ultrasound combined with L-cysteine treatment on the browning of fresh-cut potatoes and its underlying mechanism. The results showed that the treatment reduced the browning index, maintained high total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, and decreased malondialdehyde content and relative electrical conductivity. Metabolomic analysis revealed changes in tyrosine and amino acid metabolism, which may be involved in the mechanism of inhibiting enzymatic browning.

POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Summary: This study aimed to determine the freshness index of green peppers during storage to prevent food losses. Using fluorescence spectroscopy, the researchers identified the time-series fluorescence properties of green peppers during storage and determined that the fluorescence emission peak at 450 nm on excitation at 360 nm is a potential freshness index, showing a high correlation with texture parameters. This technique has the potential to be applied in the food industry to monitor the freshness of fruits and vegetables and reduce food losses.

POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Summary: This study compared the transcriptomes of naturally and postharvest ripened tomato fruits using RNA-seq, identified genes, lncRNAs, and miRNAs associated with each ripening type, analyzed their impact on metabolic pathways, and constructed related networks.

POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Summary: The study investigated the effects of exogenous BC on the quality of jujube during storage. The results showed that BC effectively mitigated the senescence of jujube fruit and maintained its quality. Although BR could preserve the quality of jujube, it was unstable. CC treatment was better than BR treatment alone, and BC treatment had the best effect. In addition, CC and BC inhibited the decrease in total flavonoid and phenol content. This study provides a theoretical basis for maintaining the postharvest quality of fruits and vegetables.

POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Summary: This study investigated the mode of action of VB6 in reducing microbial spoilage in fresh-cut apples. VB6 suppressed the growth of bacteria and fungi, decreased spoilage biomarkers, enhanced the antioxidant system, and induced disease resistance through the regulation of multiple transcription factors. The findings provide a theoretical and practical basis for maintaining the quality of fresh-cut apples.

POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Summary: This study analyzed the effect of exogenous MeJA on CI in kiwifruit, found that it could alleviate CI symptoms, identified related genes through transcriptomics analysis, and predicted protein properties, providing a theoretical basis for alleviating CI.

POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Summary: This study used grapefruit essential oil as the dissolution carrier of methyl ferulate to prepare nanoemulsions, which improved the stability and solubility of methyl ferulate. Methyl ferulate in the nanoemulsions inhibited the growth of Alternaria alternata hyphae, damaged their plasma membranes, and induced reactive oxygen species oxidative stress. In vivo experiments showed that the nanoemulsions could inhibit black spot disease and toxin production of Alternaria alternata in pears. In addition, incorporating the nanoemulsions into carboxymethylcellulose sodium could prolong the shelf life of fruits by delaying weight loss and maintaining their firmness and intrinsic nutrients. This study provides a new method for postharvest preservation of Alternaria alternata -infected fruits.

POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Summary: The study investigated the effects of c-PL on vacuum-packed fresh-cut lettuce, finding that it maintained quality and aroma, inhibited bacterial growth, and had potential practical application value.

POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Summary: This review discusses the effects of BR on the growth, development, ripening, senescence, and post-harvest stress of fruits and vegetables, including the application effects of exogenous BR and its molecular mechanisms, providing a basis and direction for in-depth research.

POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Summary: This study identified an ethylene response factor transcription factor MdAP2-like associated with apple fruit softening. Its expression is induced by ethylene and can activate the Md/i-GAL18 promoter, participating in pectin degradation. Overexpressing MdAP2-like in apples and tomatoes increases ethylene production, promotes fruit softening, and shortens fruit size. This study provides a valuable genetic resource for simultaneously manipulating the texture and size of apples.

POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Summary: This study reveals the mechanism by which the Ca2+/PpCaM1-PpCAMTA3 module regulates H2S production in peach fruit under cold stress, providing new insights into the mechanisms of peach fruit response to cold stress.

POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Summary: This study investigated the effect of cold storage on aroma changes in Lentinula edodes. The results showed that cold storage maintained better appearance and aroma, and 15 volatile organic compounds could be used as biomarkers to monitor aroma changes. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that lipoxygenase-related genes were involved in the biosynthesis of 1-octen-3-ol, and the three upregulated genes were related to terpene degradation. This study provides new insights into regulating aroma metabolism in Lentinula edodes during cold storage.

POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Summary: This study investigated the influence of ambient light variation on spectra during outdoor measurement of apple soluble solids content (SSC) using a hand-held near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) instrument and correction methods. The experiments showed that the external parameter orthogonalization (EPO) correction method could effectively correct the influence of ambient light and improve the prediction accuracy. This study provides a reference for the application of hand-held NIRS instruments in outdoor measurements.

POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Summary: This study reveals the functional role of HRS1 homolog 2 (CsHHO2) in cold responses in harvested cucumber fruit and its dependence on the expression of glycine-rich RNA-binding protein 3 (CsGR-RBP3) gene. Cold treatment induces CsHHO2 expression, and its overexpression enhances the cold tolerance of cucumber fruit and Arabidopsis. The study also found that CsHHO2 specifically binds to the promoter of CsGR-RBP3 and enhances its transcription, and both have functional complementarity in regulating the cold resistance of cucumber fruit. These results suggest that CsHHO2 is a key regulator of cold tolerance in cucumber fruit and provides important genetic resources for breeding cold-resistant cucumbers.

POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)