Effect of temperature and cut size on the volatile organic compound profile, and expression of Chorismate synthase in fresh-cut melon
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2018
Abstract:
The postharvest quality of fresh-cut melon is strongly affected by storage
conditions to which it is subjected. During postharvest, fruit undergoes several
stresses and its physiology is similar to that in senescent tissues. This affects both its
biochemistry and the expression of genes involved in secondary metabolite
biosynthesis. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been used previously to assess
quality of fresh cut melon as they reflect changes in flavor and also changes in overall
metabolism. Chorismate synthase (CS) is a key enzyme in the shikimate pathway and
catalyzes the formation of chorismate, which is the precursor of numerous aromatic
compounds in plants. In this work the effects of different storage temperatures and
cut-sizes were studied, with the aim of identifying effects on flavor through changes in
VOCs, and molecular responses of the CmCS gene to different postharvest conditions.
Melon (Cucumis melo L. ‘Macigno’) fruits were harvested at a fully ripened commercial
stage, were washed in a chlorine water solution, and the mesocarp (pulp) was cut in
cube-shaped portions; two sizes were chosen, 1×1 and 3×2 cm. Melon cubes were then
stored at 20 or 4°C. VOCs were assessed in the 3×2 cut size at both temperatures and
showed clear changes during storage. A subset of VOCs were shown to correlate
negatively with storage time and temperature and from these, specific compounds can
be identified that act as markers for an overall change in VOC profiles. CmCS was more
affected by temperature, showing decreased levels of expression during storage at
20°C with respect to harvest and to cold storage. On the other hand, cut-size did not
result in changes in its expression in 3×2 cut size.
Tipologia CRIS:
03A-Articolo su Rivista
Keywords:
cucumis melo; postharvest; storage; gene expression
Elenco autori:
G. Cocetta; N. D. Spadafora; M. Cavaiuolo; R. Bulgari; H. J. Rogers; A. Spinardi; C. T. Műller; A. Ferrante
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