Post-harvest Application of Methyl Jasmonate or Prohydrojasmon Affects Color Development and Anthocyanins Biosynthesis in Peach by Regulation of Sucrose Metabolism

Abstract

The roles of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and prohydrojasmon (PDJ) in postharvest color development and anthocyanins biosynthesis in the skin of peach fruit remain unclear. In this study, peach fruit were infiltrated with MeJA (200 μM) or PDJ (40 μM) and stored at 22°C for 7 days. The results showed that treatment with MeJA or PDJ had a positive effect on red color formation in peach fruits due to anthocyanins accumulation (∼120% increase). This was attributed to increased enzyme activities, and enhanced transcript abundance of the genes associated with anthocyanins biosynthesis, induced by MeJA or PDJ. Both MeJA and PDJ promoted sucrose biosynthesis, and the subsequently elevated levels of the sucrose during storage were positively correlated with anthocyanins accumulation (0.49) and the activities of key biosynthesis enzymes (0.42–0.79). Based on these findings, we proposed that MeJA or PDJ treatments promote anthocyanins biosynthesis by regulating sucrose metabolism during the postharvest storage of peach fruit.

Transcription factors TgbHLH42‐1 and TgbHLH42‐2 positively regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in Tulip (Tulipa gesneriana L.)

“…This suggested that TgbHLH42‐1 might regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis through combination with other factors. In Arabidopsis, Mustard ( Brassica juncea ) and peach ( Prunus persica L.), exogenous application of MeJA increased anthocyanin accumulation (Qi et al, 2011; Xie et al, 2019; Tang et al, 2022). In the presence of MeJA, TgbHLH42‐1 OE lines showed darker cotyledon color relative to WT (Figure 5A), indicating that TgbHLH42‐1 functioned as a regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis in a MeJA‐dependent manner.…”

“…To explore the functions of TgbHLH42-1 and TgbHLH42-2, we generated the overexpression transgenic Arabidopsis lines (Figure S9) and TgbHLH42-1 overexpressing plants did not show significant coloration differences when compared with WT (Col-0) plants under normal growth conditions (Figure 5A). Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) was reported to enhance anthocyanin content (Xie et al, 2019;Tang et al, 2022). In the presence of 50 μM MeJA, WT seedlings exhibited dark color at the margin of cotyledon, but TgbHLH42-1 overexpressing seedlings showed fully dark color cotyledon (Figure 5A).…”

Emerging role of jasmonic acid in woody plant development

“…JA signalling regulates the biosynthesis of various secondary metabolites, which not only plays a role in defence response, but also plays an important role in improving the economic characteristics of fruit trees. Exogenous application of MeJA is an effective tool to elevate the antioxidant activity by increasing the phenolic content and antioxidant enzyme activities of fruits, which greatly extends the shelf life of fruit and induces chilling tolerance as well as improving the nutritional value of fruits (Ba et al , 2016;Tang et al , 2022). For example, JA increases the expression of VviMYB24 andGlycosyltransferases 14 (VviGT14 ) to induce useful secondary metabolites and enhance the varietal flavor of grapes (Wanget al , 2022).…”

“…Meanwhile, the application of JA activates the transcription factor MdMYC2 to interact with Ethylene response factor 4 (MdERF4 ), thereby inhibiting the expression of ripening-specific genes ACC synthase 1 (MdACS1 ) and ACC oxidase 1 (MdACO1 ), delaying ripening in apple (Malus Domestica ) (Hu et al , 2022). Furthermore, application of MeJA and its synthetic like analoguesn -propyl dihydrojasmonate and prohydrojasmon can lead to obvious ripening delay in peach by up-regulating the expression ofEthylene response sensor 1 (PpERS1 ), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL ), chalcone synthase (CHS ) andflavanone-3-hydroxylase (F3H ), thereby reducing ethylene emission and accumulating anthocyanins, simultaneously yielding softening and colour development (Soto et al , 2012;Wanget al , 2021;Tang et al , 2022).…”

Methyl jasmonate application downregulates red drupelet reversion by modulating the antioxidant potential and maintains fruit quality of ‘Elvira’ blackberries

“…Accordingly, MJ upregulates the transcriptional expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins, leading to higher TAC and improved colour development (Park et al 2013). Additionally, MJ treatment has demonstrated e cacy in preserving distinctive colours as well as TAC in many fruits, such as mangoes (González-Aguilar et al 2001), strawberries (Ayala-Zavala et al 2005), peaches (Tang et al 2022) and apples (Sha q et al 2013). MJ has been generally recognised as a safe (GRAS) chemical for human consumption by United States Department of Food and Drug Administration.…”