Influence of the ethylene‐related signal‐inhibiting octapeptide NOP‐1 on postharvest ripening and quality of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples

Abstract

BACKGROUND Processes extending the shelf life of climacteric fruit play an important role in terms of a sustainable global food supply. In a previous study, a synthetic octapeptide (NOP‐1) was shown to inhibit the interaction between ethylene receptor (ETR) and ethylene insensitive‐2 (EIN2), and in consequence delay tomato ripening. We investigated for the first time the effect of NOP‐1 on inhibiting the ripening of apples (‘Golden Delicious’) during postharvest. RESULTS Using purified recombinant proteins from a bacterial expression system, we demonstrate here that EIN2 also interacts tightly (Kd = 136 ± 29 nmol L−1) with the corresponding apple ETR MdETR1. In line with previous binding studies on tomato ETRs, the ripening‐delaying peptide NOP‐1 clearly binds to the purified apple ETR. An NOP‐1 solution (1000 µmol L−1) was applied with a brush or microdispenser and compared with apples treated with 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) (SmartFresh™, Agrofresh) applied as gaseous treatment or untreated control fruits. NOP‐1 inhibited colour development and chlorophyll degradation during shelf life. These effects were more pronounced with the brush application (surface film) than with microdroplets application (mimicking a sprayable formulation). NOP‐1 did not alter ethylene release or respiration rate, whereas 1‐MCP expectedly strongly suppressed both. There were no differences in quality parameters evaluated. CONCLUSION Our study shows that NOP‐1 binds to MdETR1 which results in delaying of ethylene‐dependent ripening developments of skin colour and chlorophyll. Besides application methods, possible reasons for the weak effect of NOP‐1 in comparison with previous tomato experiments could be different receptor affinity and penetration differences. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

Transcriptomic analysis reveals key factors in fruit ripening and rubbery texture caused by 1-MCP in papaya

“…The postharvest technologies of controlling ethylene and the ethylene pathway have been extensively studied [5, 10, 11] .1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is an ethylene receptor inhibitor and a non-toxic antagonist of ethylene that has been employed to increase the shelf life of various climacteric and non-climacteric fruits by effectively delaying fruit ripening and softening [5, 12–17]. By binding to ethylene receptors, 1-MCP acts as an efficient antagonist and exerts a persistent effect.…”

Crystallization of Ethylene Plant Hormone Receptor—Screening for Structure

“…When applied to the plant, the peptide showed visible effects on plant ethylene responses. NOP-1 successfully delayed ripening and senescence in tomatoes [ 48 , 70 ], broccoli [ 71 ], and apples [ 72 ] by six to eight days. Binding studies by MST on purified ETR receptors from tomato, apple, and Arabidopsis demonstrated the peptide’s high affinity for binding to receptors in the range of 80–100 nM [ 37 , 48 , 70 , 72 ].…”

“…NOP-1 successfully delayed ripening and senescence in tomatoes [ 48 , 70 ], broccoli [ 71 ], and apples [ 72 ] by six to eight days. Binding studies by MST on purified ETR receptors from tomato, apple, and Arabidopsis demonstrated the peptide’s high affinity for binding to receptors in the range of 80–100 nM [ 37 , 48 , 70 , 72 ]. Extending the sequence of the NOP-1 inhibitory peptide with additional residues (12 aa) adjacent to the NLS binding motif in the EIN2 downstream interaction partner (NIP peptide) further improved binding affinity [ 37 ].…”

Physico‐chemical characterization of Cornus kousa Burg. fruit: determining optimal maturity for fresh consumption

“…Pigment changes during Japanese dogwood fruit development can be associated with the shift of colour from green‐orange hues, known to be generated by chlorophyll and carotenoid compounds, 39 to red tones, defined by anthocyanin pigments. Chlorophyll breakdown is common in latter stages of fruit development and has previously been investigated in apple, persimmon and several other fruit species 39–41 …”

“…Chlorophyll breakdown is common in latter stages of fruit development and has previously been investigated in apple, persimmon and several other fruit species. [39][40][41] Data on lipophilic antioxidants in lesser-known fruit species are very scarce and no study has ever reported their composition in Cornus fruit. Lower contents of tocopherols and plastid pigments have been reported for Sorbus aria and Sorbus aucuparia fruits.…”