Oxidative processes during 'Golden' papaya fruit ripening

'Golden' papayas at maturity stage 1 (15% yellow skin) were chosen to study selected oxidative processes, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in storage at 22°C, during the ripening of the fruit. An increase in ethylene production was observed on the second day of storage and it was followed by an increase in respiration. An increased activity of catalase, glutathione reductase and ascorbate peroxidase was observed concurrently or soon after this increase in ethylene production and respiration. The increased activity of these enzymes near the peaks of ethylene production and respiration is related to the production of oxidants accompanying the onset of ripening. On the fourth day of storage, there was an increased lipid peroxidation and decreased activities of catalase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase. Lipid peroxidation induces the increase of antioxidant enzymes, which can be verified by further increases in the activities of catalase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase. Unlike the other antioxidant enzymes, the ascorbate peroxidase activity in the pulp increased continuously during ripening, suggesting its important role in combating reactive oxygen species during papaya ripening. With regard to physical-chemical characteristics, the soluble solids did not vary significantly, the acidity and ascorbic acid contents increased, and hue angle and firmness decreased during storage. The results revealed that there was variation in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, with peaks of lipid peroxidation during the ripening of 'Golden' papaya. These results provide a basis for future research, especially with regard to the relationships among the climacteric stage, the activation of antioxidant enzymes and the role of ascorbate peroxidase in papaya ripening

Hydrothermal quarantine treatment effect in papaya postharvest

O mamão é um fruto climatérico, cujas transformações resultantes do amadurecimento ocorrem rapidamente após a colheita e são desencadeadas pela produção de etileno e aumento da respiração, sendo um fruto bastante perecível. O uso de tecnologias como o tratamento térmico e a refrigeração se torna necessário, pois elas eliminam ovos e/ou larvas de mosca-das-frutas e controlam o desenvolvimento de microrganismos, aumentando a vida de prateleria desse fruto. No entanto, podem causar alterações nos processos do amadurecimento e danos à integridade da membrana plasmática. Dessa forma, o projeto tem como objetivo estudar a fisiologia, bioquímica, qualidade e conservação pós-colheita de mamão após a aplicação do tratamento hidrotérmico quarentenário e do armazenamento refrigerado. Mamões \'Golden\' no estádio de maturação 1 foram divididos em dois lotes, sendo um submetido ao tratamento hidrotérmico quarentenário a 47 ºC ± 1 ºC por 20 minutos, seguida de imersão em água fria a 11 ºC ± 1 ºC por igual período e o outro lote utilizado como controle (sem tratamento hidrotérmico). Parte dos frutos foi armazenada a 22 ± 1 ºC e 85 ± 5% de UR durante 7 dias e parte a 11 ± 1 ºC e 85 ± 5% de UR durante 20 dias, seguido de armazenamento a 22 ± 1 ºC e 85 ± 5% de UR durante 3 dias. Os mamões foram avaliados com relação aos aspectos bioquímicos e fisiológicos e às características organolépticas. Observamos que a atividade respiratória, a produção de etileno, o teor de ácido ascórbico e a perda de massa fresca acumulada diminuíram nos frutos tratados termicamente, principalmente quando estes foram armazenados sob refrigeração. A análise sensorial demonstrou que os frutos tratados termicamente foram preferidos em relação ao sabor e à textura e a diminuição da quantidade de linalool presente nos mamões submetidos ao armazenamento refrigerado indicou que o frio influenciou de forma negativa o aroma. As enzimas analisadas não possuíram um padrão de atividade durante os dias avaliados. Sendo assim, estudos futuros sobre a expressão dos genes relacionados ao amadurecimento de mamões são necessários para um melhor entendimento das respostas encontradas quando da aplicação do tratamento hidrotérmico quarentenário e do armazenamento refrigerado.Papaya is a climacteric fruit whose transformations resulting from ripening occur rapidly after harvest and are triggered by the production of ethylene and increased respiration, being a very perishable fruit. The use of technologies such as heat treatment and cooling is necessary because they eliminate eggs and/or larvae of fruit fly and control the microorganisms\' growth, increasing the shelf life of this fruit. However, they can cause changes in the processes of maturation and damage in the plasma membrane integrity. Thus, the project aims to study the physiology, biochemistry, quality and papaya postharvest preservation after application of hydrothermal quarantine treatment and refrigerated storage. Golden papaya in maturity stage 1 were divided into two batches, one being subjected to hydrothermal quarantine treatment to 47 °C ± 1 °C for 20 minutes, followed by immersion in cold water to 11 °C ± 1 °C for the same period and the other lot used as a control (no hydrothermal treatment). Part of the fruits were stored at 22 ± 1 °C and 85 ± 5% RH for 7 days and some at 11 ± 1 °C and 85 ± 5% RH for 20 days, followed by storage at 22 ± 1 °C and 85 ± 5 % RH for 3 days. The papayas were evaluated with respect to biochemical and physiological aspects and organoleptic characteristics. We observed that the respiratory rate, ethylene production, the ascorbic acid content and the accumulated loss of fresh weight decreased in heat-treated fruit, especially when they are stored under refrigeration. Sensory analysis showed that the heat treated fruit were preferred in taste and texture and decrease the amount of linalool present in papayas subjected to cold storage showed that the cold negatively affected the scent. The enzymes analyzed did not possess a pattern of activity during the evaluation days. Thus, future studies on the expression of genes related to the ripening papayas are needed for a better understanding of the solutions when applying the hydrothermal quarantine treatments and refrigerated storage

In vivo HAPLOID INDUCTION AND EFFICIENCY OF TWO CHROMOSOME DUPLICATION PROTOCOLS IN TROPICAL MAIZE

ABSTRACTArtificial chromosome duplication is one of the most important process in the attainment of doubled haploids in maize. This study aimed to evaluate the induction ability of the inducer line KEMS in a tropical climate and test the efficiency of the R1-Navajo marker by flow cytometry to evaluate two chromosome duplication protocols and analyze the development of the doubled haploids in the field. To accomplish this goal, four genotypes (F1 and F2 generations) were crossed with the haploid inducer line KEMS. The seeds obtained were selected using the R1-Navajo marker and subject to two chromosome duplication protocols. Duplication was confirmed using flow cytometry. The percentages of self-fertilized plants after duplication as well as the quantities of doubled haploid seeds obtained after the self-fertilization processes were analyzed. It was observed that the germplasm influences haploid induction but not the duplication rates of the tested protocols. Protocol 2 was more efficient for the duplication of haploids, in the percentage of self-fertilized plants after duplication, and in the attainment of doubled haploid lines. Moreover, the haploid inducer line KEMS can produce haploids in a tropical climate. Other markers, in addition to the R1-Navajo system, should be used in the selection of haploid seeds