Evaluating the Impacts of Climate Factors and Flavonoids Content on Chinese Prickly Ash Peel Color Based on HPLC-MS and Structural Equation Model

Abstract

Climate affects Chinese prickly ash peel color directly through temperature and illumination and indirectly influences it through its effect on flavonoid compounds. In this study, a comprehensive evaluation strategy based on high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) technology and a structural equation model was applied to evaluate the effects of climate factors and flavonoids on Chinese prickly ash peel color. There were obvious geographical variations of peel color and flavonoid compounds with an obvious east–west distribution trend which were divided into high-altitude type and low-altitude type. Through path analysis, the wind speed, temperature and annual sunshine duration were found to be the key environmental factors affecting the flavonoids content and peel color, and their direct effects were higher than their indirect effect. Based on HPLC-MS technology and a structural equation model, correlation models of climatic factors and flavonoids with peel color were established, and the factors that had greater weight on pericarp color were obtained. Our results provide experimental evidence that climate factors affect the peel color by affecting flavonoid biosynthesis and accumulation, reveal the geographical variation of peel color and flavonoid component contents in Chinese prickly ash peel, establish a quantization color method for rapid evaluation of peel quality, expand on the influence of climatic factors on flavonoids content and peel coloration and promote agricultural practice in areas with similar climatic conditions.

Combination of Sodium Nitroprusside and Controlled Atmosphere Maintains Postharvest Quality of Chestnuts through Enhancement of Antioxidant Capacity

“…Respiration and ROS metabolism, as physiological metabolic activities, play a vital role in the regulation of ripening, aging and quality of fruits during postharvest storage [ 44 , 45 ]. Among these attributes related to the metabolism, color is one of the most intuitive characteristics and closely related to fruit quality and consumer acceptability [ 46 ]. Compared with CT, the higher L* and h° in treated groups, especially CA + NO ( Figure 1 A,B), indicated CA alone or combined with NO was beneficial for sustaining the sensory quality of chestnuts.…”

“…Respiration and ROS metabolism, as physiological metabolic activities, play a vital role in the regulation of ripening, aging and quality of fruits during postharvest storage [44,45]. Among these attributes related to the metabolism, color is one of the most intuitive characteristics and closely related to fruit quality and consumer acceptability [46].…”

Anthocyanin Profiles in Colored Potato Tubers at Different Altitudes by HPLC–MS Analysis with Optimized Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction

“…Temperature may play a vital role in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis in potato tubers. Substantial diurnal thermal fluctuations and ample light at elevated altitudes promote the activity of enzymes related to anthocyanin and enhance the accumulation of anthocyanin in plants [37]. For example, anthocyanin content was increased in apples, purple rice, and rabbiteye blueberry grown at high altitudes [38][39][40].…”