Ginkgo biloba is grown worldwide as an ornamental plant for its golden leaf color. However, the regulatory mechanism of leaf coloration in G. biloba remains unclear. Here, we compared G. biloba gold-colored mutant leaves and normal green leaves in cytological, physiological and transcriptomic terms. We found that chloroplasts of the mutant were fewer and smaller, and exhibited ruptured thylakoid membranes, indistinct stromal lamellae and irregularly arranged vesicles. Physiological experiments also showed that the mutant had a lower chlorophyll, lower flavonoid and higher carotenoid contents (especially lutein). We further used transcriptomic sequencing to identify 116 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 46 transcription factors (TFs) involved in chloroplast development, chlorophyll metabolism, pigment biosynthesis and photosynthesis. Among these, the chlorophyll biosynthesis-related PPO showed down-regulation, while chlorophyll degradation-related NYC/NOL had up-regulated expression in mutant leaves. Z-ISO, ZDS, and LCYE, which are involved in carotenoid biosynthesis were up-regulated. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) further confirmed the altered expression levels of these genes at three stages. The alteration of PPO and NYC/NOL gene expression might affect chlorophyll biosynthesis and promote degradation of chlorophyll b to chlorophyll a, while the up-regulated genes Z-ISO, ZDS and LCYE enhanced carotenoid accumulation. Consequently, changes in the ratio of carotenoids to chlorophylls were the main factors driving the golden leaf coloration in the mutant G. biloba.
Aroma is an important quality indicator for apples and has a great influence on the overall flavour and consumer acceptance. However, the information of the aroma volatile compounds in apple peels is largely unknown. In this study, evaluation of volatile compounds in peels of 40 apple cultivars was carried out using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 78 volatile compounds were identified, including 47 esters, 12 aldehydes, 5 alcohols, 3 ketones, 1 acid and 10 others. Eight volatile compounds were common in all apple cultivars. Cultivar Changfu No. 2 contained the highest number of volatile compounds (47), while Qinyue contained the least (20). Honey Crisps had the highest volatile content, at 27,813.56 ± 2310.07 µg/kg FW, while Huashuo had the lowest volatile content, at 2041.27 ± 120.36 µg/kg FW. Principal component analysis (PCA) clustered the 40 apple cultivars into five groups. Aroma is cultivar-specific, volatile compounds of hexyl butyrate, hexyl 2-methylbutyrate and hexyl hexanoate, together with hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, 1-hexanol, estragole and α-farnesene could be proposed for apple cultivar classification in the future.
‘Orin’ is a popular apple cultivar, which has a yellow-green appearance, pleasant taste, and unique aroma. However, few studies on the fruit quality characteristics of ‘Orin’ apples have been reported before. In this study, changes of the physiological characteristics were measured at different ripening stages, and the soluble sugars and organic acids were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Volatile compounds were identified using the headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). During the fruit ripening, the ‘Orin’ apple fruit weight, size, and total soluble solid were gradually increased by contrast with the titratable acidity, and the firmness decreased. The content of four soluble sugars reached the maximum at the 180 days after full bloom (DAFB) stage. Malic acid was measured as the most abundant organic acid in ‘Orin’ apples. Ethyl butyrate, hexyl propanoate, hexyl acetate and butyl acetate belonging to esters with high odor activity values (OAVs) could be responsible for the typical aroma of ‘Orin’ apples. The aim of this work was to provide information on the flavor characteristics of ‘Orin’ apples and promote this apple cultivar for marketing and processing in the future.
Herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) is a kind of plant with ornamental, edible and medicinal values, and few studies were concerned to edible aspect of herbaceous peony petals. The aim of this research is to establish edible quality evaluation system of herbaceous peony flowers. Petals of 46 P. lactiflora cultivars at full bloom period were used to determine the content of soluble sugar, organic acid, protein, Vc (Vitamin C), total phenolics, total flavonoids, mineral elements and SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity and screen out evaluation index for edible herbaceous peony. The results showed that flower petals of herbaceous peony contained lots of nutrients and the contents varied with different cultivars. The soluble sugar content was 66.55-177.28 mg/g FW, organic acid 2.19-6.90 mg/g FW, soluble protein 6.53-121.56 mg/g FW, Vc 9.77-30.24 mg/100 g FW, total phenolics 9.41-33.01 mg/g DW, total flavonoids 3.50-17.56 mg/g DW, SOD activity 305.62-520.42 U/g FW, total amino acids 6.43-11.99 g/100 g DW. The average content of Na, Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, Mo, Cr were 55.88±14.90 µg/g DW, 1218.22±349.60 µg/g DW, 11252.23±2477.54 µg/g DW, 1975.40±706.58 µg/g DW, 8.30±6.55 µg/g DW, 103.56±182.72 µg/g DW, 10.73±37.94 µg/g DW, 22.80±16.68 µg/g DW, 1.84±5.89 µg/g DW and 17.36±44.89 µg/g DW, respectively. Based on principal component analysis and cluster analysis, we found ‘Dielian Qihua’, ‘Zhushapan’, ‘Xueyuan Honghua’, ‘Wulong Jisheng’, ‘Honglou’, ‘Bingshan’, ‘Hongyan Yushuang’, ‘Zituo Ronghua’, ‘Zifengyu’, ‘Fenlou Dianchun’ had better edible quality. The results will provide some information for the comprehensive utilization of herbaceous peony petals and the breeding of edible herbaceous peony cultivars.
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