Using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles to Improve the Color and Berry Quality of Table Grapes Cv. Crimson Seedless

Abstract

Producing high-quality table grapes is becoming a challenge in the warmer area of the world due to the global increase in temperature, which negatively affects anthocyanin biosynthesis and other fruit quality attributes. Nanotechnology is a growing field that can be a very useful tool to improve crop productivity and sustainability. The red color is one of the major fruit quality parameters that determine table grape marketability. This study aimed to investigate the role of the zinc element in improving the marketable characteristics of Crimson seedless (Vitis vinifera L.) table grape berries i.e., color, firmness, total soluble solids and sugars; besides its role in activating PAL and SOD enzymatic systems. Additionally, this paper investigated the additive advantages of zinc when applied in nanometric form. Five concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles, ZnO NPs (0, 25, 50, 100 and 250 ppm), were compared to zinc oxide in mineral form at a concentration of 250 ppm to investigate their effects on the marketable characteristics of Crimson seedless grape cultivar. The treatments were applied as foliar spray on three-year-old Crimson seedless vines grafted on Richter 110 rootstock grown in one of the major table grape production area in Egypt. The experiment was arranged in completely randomized block design and each vine was sprayed with five letters of the solution. The use of the lowest concentration (25 ppm) of ZnO NPs achieved the highest significant enzyme activity (PAL and SOD). Moreover, the T.S.S, sugars and anthocyanin content in berries increased significantly in association of decreasing acidity. On the other hand, the use of a 50 ppm concentration led to an increase in fruit firmness. Collectively, our data showed that 25 ppm of zinc nanoparticles improved PAL and SOD enzymes activity, improved red coloration in table grape and was more effective than the 250 ppm zinc oxide mineral form.

The Complexity of Modulating Anthocyanin Biosynthesis Pathway by Deficit Irrigation in Table Grapes

“…These treatments could include anti-stress products to help vines overcome the damaging effect of free radicals. This hypothesis is valid, we recently reported that zinc-nanoparticles increased the SOD enzyme activity, anthocyanin accumulation and improved berry color in Crimson Seedless table grape (Abou El-Nasr et al, 2021). Taking in consideration of the results of the present study, similar more inclusive treatments that include more than one factor could be tested in the vineyard to improve anthocyanin accumulation in table grapes.…”

Nanomaterials in plant management: functions, mechanisms and prospects

“…104 In grapes, spherically ZnO NPs treatment increases the total sugar content, total soluble solids, cyanine content, and anthocyanin content in grapes while improving firmness, reducing acidity, and conferring desirable color. 25,105 In bitter melon, fullerol treatment increases levels of cucurbitacin B and lycopene, two anti-cancer compounds, by 74% and 82%, Environmental Science: Nano Critical review respectively, and increases insulin levels and anti-diabetic functions of the plant by 82% and 74%, respectively. 106 NMs enhance above plant properties mainly by affecting several parameters: photosynthetic rates, hormone pathways, specialized metabolic pathways, and even soil microbial community structure.…”

“…104 In grapes, spherically ZnO NPs treatment increases the total sugar content, total soluble solids, cyanine content, and anthocyanin content in grapes while improving firmness, reducing acidity, and conferring desirable color. 25,105 In bitter melon, fullerol treatment increases levels of cucurbitacin B and lycopene, two anti-cancer compounds, by 74% and 82%, respectively, and increases insulin levels and anti-diabetic functions of the plant by 82% and 74%, respectively. 106…”

Effects of Edaphic Fertilization and Foliar Application of Se and Zn Nanoparticles on Yield and Bioactive Compounds in Malus domestica L.

“…We observed higher concentrations in the contents of TS, RS, and NRS in the SFE + NPSe and SFE + NPZn treatments, which consisted of foliar applications with Se NPs at 50 ppm and Zn NPs at 250 ppm, respectively; these had beneficial effects, in that the foliar applications with Zn NPs presented significantly higher contents of TS (92%) and RS (35%) with respect to the control treatment (SFE + NP0). In other fruits, such as pomegranate [25], grapes [43], and orange [44], ZnO NP application also increased the sugars. The foliar application of Se NPs increased the sugars in strawberry, pomegranate, and mandarin [22,27,45] because Se increases the activity of the enzyme fructose 1,6-biphosphatase, which is related to the metabolism of carbohydrates [27].…”