Secondary Metabolites and Lignin in ‘Hass’ Avocado Fruit Skin during Fruit Development in Three Producing Regions

Abstract

<jats:p>In plants, secondary metabolites (SMs) have functions of both defense and adaptation to the environment in which they develop. In Mexico, ‘Hass’ avocado is cultivated in different climate types, so during its development, the fruit is exposed to extreme climatic factors, especially temperature and solar radiation. A recent study showed that the thickness and roughness of ‘Hass’ skin increased in the hottest climate. It is unknown how these factors affect the presence of SMs and lignin in the skin. The aim of this research was to quantify the concentration of total phenolic compounds (TPCs), chlorophylls, total carotenoids (TCARs), and lignin in the skin of ‘Hass’ avocado fruit over five developmental stages (S), based on fruit diameter [Olive (20–30 mm ø), S-I (35–45 mm ø), S-II (50–60 mm ø), S-III (60–70 mm ø) and Harvest (mesocarp dry matter ≥21.5%)], in three producing regions of Mexico: Nayarit (warm subhumid climate, elevation 1151 m), Jalisco (semiwarm, subhumid climate, elevation 2180 m), and Michoacán (temperate climate, elevation 1579 m). Both fruit developmental stage and producing region had a significant influence on the concentrations of SMs and lignin in the skin. During fruit development, the skin showed a decrease in the concentration of phenolic compounds (PCs) and an increase in the presence of chlorophylls, carotenoids, and lignin. The skin of fruit produced in regions with a semiwarm and temperate climate had higher production of lignin and PCs, as well as a lower concentration of chlorophylls.</jats:p>

Oil Content and Fatty Acid Composition of the Seeds of 16 Avocado (Persea americana) Accessions Collected From Southern China and Their Application in a Soap Bar

“…Two homogeneous trees were used as a unit with three biological repetitions for each accession. The samples of 18 mature fruits of each biological repetition in each accession were randomly collected when the mesocarp dry matter was ≥ 22% based on the criterion according to Medina-Carrillo et al (2017), and immediately transported to the laboratory in standard foam boxes used for export packaging. The fruit samples were maintained at 5 °C to 6 °C.…”

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“…Un mecanismo de defensa de las plantas es la síntesis de sustancias químicas, conocidas como metabolitos secundarios, para la protección contra agentes biológicos invasores, (Torres-Gurrola et al, 2011;Medina-Carrillo et al, 2017). Se han identificado gran variedad de estos compuestos que sirven para la adaptación y supervivencia de la planta, pero no son esenciales para la vida (Wolfender et al, 2015;Liu et al, 2017).…”

“…Se han identificado gran variedad de estos compuestos que sirven para la adaptación y supervivencia de la planta, pero no son esenciales para la vida (Wolfender et al, 2015;Liu et al, 2017). Algunos autores mencionan la hipótesis de que las plantas que presentan mayor cantidad y combinación de metabolitos secundarios (SM) podrían tener una mayor protección contra patógenos, y que podría deberse a algún compuesto en específico o bien, una combinación de varios (Medina-Carrillo et al, 2017)…”

“…A plant defense mechanism is the synthesis of chemical substances, known as secondary metabolites, for protection against invasive biological agents (Torres-Gurrola et al, 2011;Medina-Carrillo et al, 2017). A great variety of these compounds have been identified as useful for adaptation and survival of the plant, but are not essential for surviving (Wolfender et al, 2015;Lui et al, 2017).…”

“…that have a more significant amount and combination of secondary metabolites (SM) may have greater protection against pathogens and that it could be due to a specific compound or a mixture of several(Medina-Carrillo et al, 2017). However, Torres-Gurrola et al(2011)reject the positive relationship between the diversity of chemical compounds and the defense against pathogens.…”