Issue 5, 2019

UV-B exposure reduces the activity of several cell wall-dismantling enzymes and affects the expression of their biosynthetic genes in peach fruit (Prunus persica L., cv. Fairtime, melting phenotype)

Abstract

Softening processes after ripening are a major factor contributing to the perishability of fleshy fruit and, together with mechanical damage, represent the onset of physiological decay. Softening involves multiple co-ordinated events leading to modifications of the cell wall architecture. Several studies described that UV-B radiation positively affects both the nutraceutical and aesthetical qualities of fruit. However, very few studies investigated the effect of UV-B irradiation on the activity of cell wall-related enzymes. This research aimed at studying how different UV-B treatments (10 min and 60 min) affect the activity of cell wall-modifying enzymes (pectin methylesterase, polygalacturonase and β-galactosidase) together with the expression of some of their isoforms up to 36 h after UV-B treatment of peach (cv. Fairtime, melting phenotype) fruit. Results revealed that UV-B radiation did not affect the soluble solid content and the titratable acidity, two important parameters influencing consumers’ choice and taste. In contrast, UV-B was effective at reducing the loss of firmness 24 h after the 60 min irradiation. Generally, a lower activity of the hydrolytic enzymes compared to untreated fruit was observed, regardless of the UV-B dose. However, gene expression did not reflect the corresponding enzymatic activity. Based on these results, UV-B irradiation might be a successful tool in reducing the loss of firmness of peach fruit during post-harvest, thus improving their quality and shelf-life.

Graphical abstract: UV-B exposure reduces the activity of several cell wall-dismantling enzymes and affects the expression of their biosynthetic genes in peach fruit (Prunus persica L., cv. Fairtime, melting phenotype)

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
05 nov. 2018
Accepted
12 mars 2019
First published
18 mars 2019

Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2019,18, 1280-1289

UV-B exposure reduces the activity of several cell wall-dismantling enzymes and affects the expression of their biosynthetic genes in peach fruit (Prunus persica L., cv. Fairtime, melting phenotype)

M. Santin, T. Giordani, A. Cavallini, R. Bernardi, A. Castagna, M. Hauser and A. Ranieri, Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2019, 18, 1280 DOI: 10.1039/C8PP00505B

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