Transcriptomic Analyses of Ascorbic Acid and Carotenoid Metabolites Influenced by Root Restriction during Grape Berry Development and Ripening

Ascorbic acid (AsA) and carotenoids are recognized as crucial metabolites for various biological processes in plants. The contents of AsA and carotenoids in fruits are influenced by external environmental stimuli, such as water, temperature, light, and hormones. However, it is still not clear whether it can be affected by root restriction (RR) treatment. In this study, “Summer Black” grape berries (Vitis vinifera × V. labrusca) under RR and control treatments during development and ripening were used as materials. The results showed that RR significantly increased the contents of AsA, and the transcript <i>VIT_08s0040g03150</i> related to AsA recycling pathways may be the main regulator for AsA. Similarly, the contents of most of the carotenoids at the earlier stages significantly increased by RR; the enzyme crtB encoded by <i>VIT_12s0028g00960</i> and the enzyme crtZ encoded by <i>VIT_02s0025g00240</i> and <i>VIT_16s0050g01090</i> were inferred to play major roles in the carotenoid metabolic pathways

HPLC (280 nm) analysis of HPCE and its different fractions.

<p>A: HPCE; B: The fraction eluted with 40% methanol, F5; C: The fraction eluted with 50% methanol, F6; D: The fraction eluted with 60% methanol, F7; E: The fraction eluted with 100% methanol, F8.</p

Direct infusion ESI-MS spectrum of Hemaoli pulp crude extracts (HPCE) in the negative mode.

<p>Direct infusion ESI-MS spectrum of Hemaoli pulp crude extracts (HPCE) in the negative mode.</p

Transcript expressions of genes related to citrate degradation and transport as measured by RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR.

<p>Lines represent expression determined by RNA-Seq in RPKM value (right axis), while histograms represent transcript expression determined by qRT-PCR (left axis). The error bars represent the standard errors.</p

Primers used in this study.

<p>^a Primers used to analyze gene expression patterns by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).</p><p>^b Primers used to amplify the ORFs.</p><p>Primers used in this study.</p

TSS and TA contents in Ponkan fruit during development and delayed harvest.

<p>The error bars represent the standard errors. LSDs represent least significant differences at the 0.05 level, and were calculated with data from stages S5 to S8.</p

Polymethoxyflavone–Enriched Fraction from Ougan (Citrus reticulata cv. Suavissima) Attenuated Diabetes and Modulated Gut Microbiota in Diabetic KK‑A^y Mice

Diabetes mellitus is a serious, chronic disease worldwide; yet it is largely preventable through physical activity and healthy diets. Ougan (Citrus reticulata cv. Suavissima) is a characteristic citrus variety rich in polymethoxyflavones. In the present study, the anti-diabetic effects of the polymethoxyflavone-enriched fraction from Ougan (OG-PMFs) were investigated. Diabetic KK-Ay mice were supplemented with different doses of OG-PMFs for 5 weeks. Our results demonstrated that OG-PMFs exhibited robust protective effects against diabetes symptoms in KK-Ay mice. The potential mechanisms may partially be attributed to the restoration of hepatic GLUT2 and catalase expression. Notably, OG-PMF administration significantly altered the gut microbiota composition in diabetic KK-Ay, indicated by the suppression of metabolic disease-associated genera Desulfovibrio, Lachnoclostridium, Enterorhabdus, and Ralstonia, implying that the gut microbiota might be another target for OG-PMFs to show effects. Taken together, our results provided a supplementation for the metabolic-protective effects of PMFs and highlighted that OG-PMFs hold great potential to be developed as a functional food ingredient

Contents of organic acids in Ponkan fruit during development and delayed harvest.

<p>The error bars represent the standard errors. LSDs represent least significant differences at the 0.05 level, and were calculated with data from stages S5 to S8.</p

Antioxidant activity of HPCE, fractions, and procyanidins standards by DPPH (A, B) and ABTS (C, D) assays.

<p>EP stands for (–)-epicatechin, and PA1, PA2, PB1, PB2, PC1 stand for the standards of procyanidin A1, A2, B1, B2, and C1, respectively.</p

Contents of total phenolics, total flavonoids, total proanthocyanidins, and antioxidant activities of pulp extracts of 32 litchi cultivars.

<p>Data were presented as the mean ± S.D. (n = 3) on a dry weight (DW). Total phenolics were calculated as mg gallic acid equivalent (mg GAE/g DW). Total flavonoids were calculated as mg catechin equivalent (mg CE/g DW). Total procyanidins were calculated as mg procyanidin B2 equivalent (mg PB2E/g DW). The scavenging of DPPH and ABTS radicals were calculated as μg vitamin C equivalent (μg VcE/g DW), respectively.</p><p>Contents of total phenolics, total flavonoids, total proanthocyanidins, and antioxidant activities of pulp extracts of 32 litchi cultivars.</p