Genetic manipulation of genes to upregulate specific branches of metabolic pathways is a method that is commonly used to improve fruit quality. However, the use of a single gene to impact several metabolic pathways is difficult. Here, we show that overexpression of the single gene SlMYB75 (SlMYB75-OE) is effective at improving multiple fruit quality traits. In these engineered fruits, the anthocyanin content reached 1.86 mg g−1 fresh weight at the red-ripe stage, and these SlMYB75-OE tomatoes displayed a series of physiological changes, including delayed ripening and increased ethylene production. In addition to anthocyanin, the total contents of phenolics, flavonoids and soluble solids in SlMYB75-OE fruits were enhanced by 2.6, 4, and 1.2 times, respectively, compared to those of wild-type (WT) fruits. Interestingly, a number of aroma volatiles, such as aldehyde, phenylpropanoid-derived and terpene volatiles, were significantly increased in SlMYB75-OE fruits, with some terpene volatiles showing more than 10 times higher levels than those in WT fruits. Consistent with the metabolic assessment, transcriptomic profiling indicated that the genes involved in the ethylene signaling, phenylpropanoid and isoprenoid pathways were greatly upregulated in SlMYB75-OE fruits. Yeast one-hybrid and transactivation assays revealed that SlMYB75 is able to directly bind to the MYBPLANT and MYBPZM cis-regulatory elements and to activate the promoters of the LOXC, AADC2 and TPS genes. The identification of SlMYB75 as a key regulator of fruit quality attributes through the transcriptional regulation of downstream genes involved in several metabolic pathways opens new avenues towards engineering fruits with a higher sensory and nutritional quality.

Phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of different fruit part including peel, pulp, juice, whole fruit and seed from five lemon cultivars (Feiminailao, Cuningmeng Limeng, Pangdelusaningmeng, Beijingningmeng) were investigated. Caffeic acid (9.31-741.4 lg/g FW) and chlorogenic acid (2.7-527.5 lg/g FW) were the dominant phenolic acid in fruit tested, Pangdelusaningmeng (PD) and Limeng peels with the highest contents, respectively. Hesperidin was the predominant flavanone (10.27-3315 lg/g FW), Cuningmeng (CN) peels with the highest level. PD peels had rich rutin, CN seeds had rich eriocitrin. Nobiletin was the main polymethoxylated flavonoids identified, PD with the highest level. CN peels contained rich tangeretin. Overall, peels and whole fruit had significantly higher level of phenolics than other fruit parts, and seeds were good source of flavonoids. PD and CN not only contained higher level of phenolic, but also presented higher antioxidant capacity than other cultivars tested, and are of great value for human nutrition.

No abstract

As the major commercial goji berry in the world, Ningxia goji (Lycium barbarum L.) berries are generally used as a traditional herbal medicine and functional food. This berry was appreciated by consumers due to its unique aroma. However, the berry's characteristic aroma compounds are still unknown. Volatiles of Ningxia goji berries (Lycium barbarum L.) were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and their characteristic aroma components were identified by aroma dilution analysis (AEDA) and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O). The developmental changes in these fruits were also monitored. Among 56 volatile compounds identified, hexanal and (E)-2-hexenal predominated in the Ningxia goji berries, which accounted for 70-94% of the total volatiles. Flavor dilution factors (FD) of 17 identified compounds were 27, but only 15 compounds had more than one odor activity value (OAV). The combined results of the GC-O and OAV revealed that hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, nonanal, isoamylol, 1-hexanol, 1-octen-3-ol, hexyl acetate, methyl salicylate, ethyl octanoate, o-cymene, d-limonene, linalool, β-cyclocitral, β-elemene, and 2pentylfuran were the characteristic aroma volatiles in the Ningxia goji berries. During fruit development, the content of hexyl acetate, linalool, and 2-pentylfuran increased remarkably. Conversely, β-cyclocitral and βelemene increased at the early stage, but decreased with other characteristic compounds. We first identified the characteristic aroma volatiles of the Ningxia goji berries and determined the dynamic changes of the volatiles during development.