Diversity of phytochemical and antioxidant characteristics of black mulberry (morus nigra l.) fruits from Turkey

Black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) fruits are known due to their delicious, sweet and slightly acid flavor and high anthocyanin content. In the present study, the diversity of phytochemical, sensory, and antioxidant characteristics of the fruits of 20 black mulberry genotypes, from the Artvin region of Turkey, were evaluated. As important phytochemical assessments in fruits, we chromatographically (HPLC/DAD) determined glucose (7.22 to 11.10 g/100 g fresh weight (fw)) and fructose content (6.32 and 9.94 g/100 g fw), as well as predominant organic acid in black mulberry genotypes fruits—malic acid (6.02–11.44 g/100 g fw), followed by citric acid. Titrative determination was used for ascorbic acid, finding contents of 17.41–28.33 mg/100 g fw. There was found a great diversity of sensory (taste, juiciness, and aroma) characteristics, indicating a richness of the fruit germplasm. Antioxidant parameters, such as total phenolic (TP) and anthocyanin (TA) content, were assessed spectrometrically; antioxidant activity (AA) was assessed by DPPH and FRAP assays; individual flavonoids and phenolic acids were determined chromatographically (HPLC/DAD). Antioxidant characteristics of the fruits, defined by TP and TA content, ranged from 1951 to 2733 μg GAE/g fw and 508–712 μg C3GE/g fw, respectively. The most abundant compounds of flavonoids and phenolic acids groups were determined to be rutin (47.10–97.20 mg/100 g fw) and chlorogenic acid (51.3–90.8 mg/100 g fw). AA results, measured by the DPPH method as EC50 value, ranged between 16.10 and 25.45 μg/mL; a FRAP assay revealed values of AA between 9.80 and 13.22 μmol TE/g fw. Significant differences in phytochemical and antioxidant qualities were observed among the analyzed M. nigra genotypes. Regarding the best values of phytochemical and antioxidant characteristics, three genotypes of M. nigra were selected to be recommended for fruit production. The results thus highlight the potential for the exploitation of local black mulberry genotypes through crop selection and breeding program.Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Faculty of Technology [IGA FT 2022/004]; Ataturk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Erzurum; Ataturk University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Erzurum; Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Faculty of Central European Studies, NitraIGA FT 2022/004; Atatürk Üniversites

Characterization of Oleaster-Leafed Pear (<i>Pyrus elaeagrifolia</i> Pall. subsp. <i>elaeagrifolia</i>) Fruits in Turkey

Oleaster-leafed pear (Pyrus elaeagrifolia Pall. subsp. elaeagrifolia) fruits are used for food and dietary supplements in Turkey, and seedlings are used as rootstock for pear cultivars. Information on the effect of genotypes on oleaster-leafed pear fruit characteristics is needed in order to optimize production of quality food and dietary supplements. The characteristics of oleaster-leafed pear fruits relative to genetic background were evaluated from 16 wild grown oleaster-leafed pear genotypes at eastern Turkey. Genotype influenced ripening dates, fruit weight, fruit length/width ratio, fruit pedicel length, fruit flesh texture, fruit firmness, the number of seeds per fruit, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity. Analysis of the data obtained from 16 oleaster-leafed pear genotypes demonstrated a highly significant influence of genotype on fruit characteristics. The genotypes G12, G13 and G9 had the highest fruit weight (19.22, 18.54 and 18.30 g) and G9 the highest total phenolic content (122 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g fresh fruit). The genotypes G3, G5, G11 and G13 had the slightly sandy fruit flesh texture and those genotypes may be good selections for processing and producing health oleaster-leafed pear products

Morphological and biochemical diversity among wild-grown carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua L.)

Tree, leaf, pod and seed morphology, as well as pod biochemistry of 36 wild-grown carob genotypes sampled from rural areas in Marmaris district located at western Turkey, were investigated. Leaf and pod dimensions, pod and seed weight, seed ratio, pod and seed colour and shape and surface traits were investigated. Soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acidity, vitamin C and protein and dietary fibre contents were also detected. Results showed significant differences for all quantitative traits, although differences are more pronounced for some pod (weight, width, length and thickness) and seed characteristics (weight, dimensions and ratio). Pod and seed colour, shape and surface qualitative threats were found to be quite variable among genotypes. The majority of genotypes had an open tree growth habit. Leaf length and width were found to be between 8.04 cm (M19) and 11.60 cm (M12) and 8.40 cm (M2) and 12.04 cm (M12) among genotypes. Pod weight ranged from 8.3 g (M35) to 29.5 g (M3) in the wild genotypes. The average pod dimensions (width, length and thickness) were between 14.27 and 23.38 mm, 12.54 and 21.67 cm and 4.80 and 8.37 mm, respectively. The SSC ranged from 49.36 to 69.36% in the pods of wild carob genotypes. The results of this study indicate a good genetic resource potential of Turkish wild carob populations for future breeding programmes

Effect of methyl jasmonate, cytokinin, and lavender oil on antioxidant enzyme system of apricot fruit (Prunus armeniaca l.)

Various treatments are carried out in order to extend both the shelf life and storage life of fresh fruit and vegetables after harvest and among them non-toxic for humans, environmentally and economically friendly alternative treatments are gained more importance. In the current study, methyl jasmonate (MeJA), cytokinin, and lavender oil which are eco-friendly and safe for human health were applied on apricot fruit. The treated fruit were stored at 0 °C and 90–95% relative hu-midity for 25 days and catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation of apricots after treatments were studied. According to the findings obtained from the study, it was observed that 5 ppm cytokinin and 1000 ppm lavender oil treatments of apricot fruit gave better APX and CAT enzyme activity, respectively. In addi-tion, better SOD enzyme activity in fruit was obtained with MeJA+lavender oil treatments. As a result, it can be emphasized that the product quality of apricot fruit is preserved as both the eco-friendly application of MeJA, cytokinin, and lavender oil separately from each other and the treatment of combinations between these compounds activate the enzymatic antioxidant defense systems of apricot fruit after harvest. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Morphological and Biochemical Characterization of Diverse Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo L.) Genotypes from Northern Turkey

Wild edible fruits have been used centuries by local people mainly for nutrition purposes and they have attracted the attention of researchers in the last decade throughout the world. Among wild edible fruits, the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is widely distributed mainly in Mediterranean countries. However, the lack of information about strawberry tree genetic resources in Mediterranean countries is a major cause of its low exploitation by breeders. For a practical use and exploitation of the strawberry tree native germplasm, phenological, morphological, and biochemical characterization of the plant is essential. In this study, some important phenological, morphological, and biochemical characteristics of sixteen local strawberry tree genotypes were determined. Significant variations (p &lt; 0.05) were observed in most of the investigated phenological, morphological, and biochemical traits of the genotypes. The genotypes were harvested between 2&ndash;21 November. The fruit weight and the number of fruits per cluster of the genotypes varied from 3.89 to 6.86 g and 3.61 to 7.94, respectively. Vitamin C and total dietary fiber contents of genotypes were found quite variable, ranging from 58 to 93 mg/100 g and 7.04 to 12.36 g/100 g, respectively. The fruits of the strawberry tree include mainly fructose and glucose rather than sucrose. Local strawberry tree genotypes are found to be promising for further valorization through horticultural characteristics for breeding. Some genotypes had significantly higher fruit weight, vitamin C concentrations, total dietary fiber, and total phenolic concentration and may be good selections for producing health products