Commercialization progress : MOU signed between TNAU and Smart Harvest Agri, Canada to promote technologies to reduce post-harvest losses in perishables

Annex 5 to final technical report : CIFSRF final technical report : Enhanced Preservation of Fruits Using Nanotechnology (CIFSRF Phase 2)The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore (India) worked in collaboration with the University of Guelph (Canada) in adapting technologies such as pre-harvest spray or post harvest dip of hexanal formulation. They also developed nano-stickers, nano-pellets and nano-film. These technologies affect the entire value chain of fruit production. The document announces the reception of the introduction of the innovations at an event in Colombo, Sri Lanka, attended by leaders in research, government and universities, as well as reporting on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between TNAU and Smart Harvest Agri, Canada

Identification and characterization of genes involved in the fruit color development of european plum

European plum fruit (Prunus domestica) are normally blue-black to dark purple. However, some genotypes remain green/yellow after ripening. We hypothesized that in such genotypes anthocyanin biosynthesis is genetically disturbed. To examine this hypothesis, six european plum genotypes with diverse fruit colors were investigated for the expression pattern of several anthocyanin biosynthetic genes (ABGs)—e.g., phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, chalcone synthase (CHS), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), anthocyanin synthase (ANS), and UDP-glucose:flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase 1 and 2 (UFGT 1 and 2). Expression profiles indicated that ABGs, especially Pd-CHS and UFGT 2, were significantly downregulated in the green/yellow fruit compared with the dark-purple fruit. Furthermore, the quantification of total polyphenols and individual flavonoid compounds showed substantial differences between the off-colored and the purple genotype. To further examine the contribution of each of the ABGs in color development, the open reading frame (ORP) of Pd-CHS, Pd-DFR, Pd-ANS, and Pd-UFGT 2 was ectopically expressed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). The characterization of transgenic plants showed that the petals of plants expressing Pd-CHS were darker in color and had higher anthocyanin content than control or even other transgenic types, suggesting the significant contribution of CHS in determining anthocyanin production levels and hence fruit coloration. The results of this study provides better understanding of color development in european plum, which can be rewarding in developing european plum cultivars with desired colors through classical or modern breeding tools

Prunus domestica Pathogenesis-Related Protein-5 Activates the Defense Response Pathway and Enhances the Resistance to Fungal Infection

Pathogenesis-related protein-5 (PR-5) has been implicated in plant disease resistance and its antifungal activity has been demonstrated in some fruit species. However, their roles, especially their interactions with the other defense responses in plant cells, are still not fully understood. In this study, we have cloned and characterized a new PR-5 cDNA named PdPR5-1 from the European plum (Prunus domestica). Expression of PdPR5-1 was studied in different cultivars varying in resistance to the brown rot disease caused by the necrotrophic fungus Monilinia fructicola. In addition transgenic Arabidopsis, ectopically expressing PdPR5-1 was used to study its role in other plant defense responses after fungal infection. We show that the resistant cultivars exhibited much higher levels of transcripts than the susceptible cultivars during fruit ripening. However, significant rise in the transcript levels after infection with M. fructicola was observed in the susceptible cultivars too. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants exhibited more resistance to Alternaria brassicicola. Further, there was a significant increase in the transcripts of genes involved in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and phytoalexin (camalexin) pathway leading to an increase in camalexin content after fungal infection. Our results show that PdPR5-1 gene, in addition to its anti-fungal properties, has a possible role in activating other defense pathways, including phytoalexin production

Produit naturel abordable réduit les pertes de fruits et augmente les revenus : profil de projet

Version anglaise dans la bibliothèque: Affordable natural product reduces fruit losses, increases incomes : project profileCe travail a été réalisé grâce à une subvention du Centre de recherches pour le développement international (CRDI) et du soutien financier du gouvernement du Canada, par l’intermédiaire d’Affaires mondiales Canada (AMC)Des chercheurs de l'Inde, du Sri Lanka et du Canada ont prouvé qu'un produit végétal naturel et abordable prolonge les récoltes et la durée de conservation et la qualité des mangues. Maintenant, les organismes gouvernementaux, les agriculteurs, les fédérations de producteurs et les entreprises d'emballage d'Asie, d'Afrique et des Caraïbes redoublent d'efforts pour commercialiser cette technologie et accroître son utilisation pour une variété de fruits

Affordable natural product reduces fruit losses, increases incomes : project profile

French version available in IDRC Digital Library: Un produit naturel abordable réduit les pertes de fruits et augmente les revenus : profil de projetThis work was carried out with the aid of a grant from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with financial support from the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC)Patents are pending for an innovative technique that uses nanotechnology to extend and optimize the use of hexanal to keep fruits fresh and firm longer. This project brief outlines next steps for a team of 35 men and women researchers, working with academic and industry leaders, to develop nine easy-to-use commercial products, including hexanal sprays and dips for pre- and post-harvest use. Government agencies, farmers, grower federations, and packaging companies from Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean are stepping up efforts to commercialize this technology and expand its use for a variety of fruits

Enhanced Preservation of Fruits in South Asia : final technical report (March 1, 2012 - September 30, 2014)

Post-harvest loss of fruits is almost 40%. If proper packaging materials are designed and fabricated, the losses can be prevented and availability can be improved. In Sri Lanka, 2 local patents have been filed for ‘Processing technology of papers or boards from banana fibers for sorption and slow releasing applications’ and ‘Hexanal impregnated fiber polymer composite board and ITI wax modified with antimicrobial agents’. Prototypes for hexanal delivery systems and hexanal fortified bio-wax and banana waste based cardboard dividers, and are being developed and tested. Detailed assessment on biosaftey has been carried out with results of this work provided

Gender dynamics in mango production system in India

This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with financial support from the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC)Rural women in India are rarely consulted in development projects that may increase men’s production and income, but add to their own workloads. Women’s on-farm household and productive labor is significant but underrecognized and under-valued. Women farmers have no rights to farmlands, though most farm production is carried out by them. This paper addresses women’s decision making regarding mango production. Study findings suggest that redressing the gender gap in decision making, and improving management skills of women through training would reduce post harvest losses, impacting farm productivity and increasing income and household food security

Annex 18

This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with financial support from the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC)This annex reviews details of the biosafety features of hexanal. Hexanal has successfully been used on fruit crops and incorporated into several delivery technologies. The data have unequivocally demonstrated that hexanal and its formulations have produced no ill effects. Orchards in which hexanal spray was used had no adverse impacts on honey bees, soil microbes, earthworms or natural enemies. One of the major pests, the fruit fly, has been deterred by the formulation. Hexanal is chemically hexanaldehyde, a six-carbon compound, naturally produced by plants in trace quantities. When the plants are wounded or cut, there is a grassy odour which is chemically referred as “hexanal.

Investigation of Antioxidant Content and Capacity in Yellow European Plums

<p>Phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of five Yellow European plums (<i>Prunus domestica</i>) were studied using heat reflux extraction. Fresh plums were extracted at 50°C and 70°C, while freeze dried plums were extracted at 50°C, 60°C, and 70°C. Quantification of phenolic compounds such as ascorbic acid, neochlorogenic acid, and chlorogenic acid, was performed using high performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant activity was determined by evaluating the scavenging ability of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric (Fe³⁺) free radicals. Total phenolic content and ferric reducing antioxidant potential were highest for freeze dried samples extracted at 60°C whereas extraction at 70°C resulted in the lowest yield. Neochlorogenic acid was the predominant phenolic compound in each plum genotype followed by ascorbic acid and chlorogenic acid. This study demonstrates that there is an adequate amount of health promoting phytochemicals within European plums, hence extraction of these compounds have potential for use towards functional food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.</p

Comparative study of hexanal as a dip and electrospun nanofiber mediated vapour treatments on enhancing the shelf life of pears

Hexanal slows down the ripening process in fresh produce by inhibiting the activity of phospholipase D, thereby increasing their shelf life. This study focused on comparing the single time exposure and continuous exposure of post-harvest of ‘Anjou’ and ‘Bartlett’ pears to hexanal by dipping or fumigating to enhance their shelf life. Continuous exposure of hexanal was achieved by developing a hexanal encapsulated fiber (HEF), which releases hexanal vapor due to the increased humidity (962% RH) in the container headspace as a result of respiration. The fruits were stored at cold storage (02C) conditions and compared with their capacity at normal room temperature (202C). Fruit parameters such as physiological loss of weight (PLW), firmness and total soluble solids (TSS) showed only minor differences between hexanal treated and untreated fruits. Between the two varieties ‘Anjou’ exhibited higher values than ‘Bartlett’, although it was minor. However, when the fruits are visually evaluated, the main aspect of consumer preference, HEF treatments had a better appeal in both varieties and in both conditions. ‘Bartlett’ responded better than ‘Anjou’ even in cold storage conditions, suggesting that there are varietal differences in their response to hexanal. Both hexanal treatments helped color retention and reduced fungal infection during under the storage conditions tested.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author