Diverse metabolism of cell wall components of melting and non-melting peach genotypes during ripening after harvest or cold storage
Journal
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
Date Issued
January 30, 2006
DOI
10.1002/jsfa.2310
Abstract
The mode of change in a range of physiological, physicochemical and biochemical parameters
during fruit ripening between distinct peach genotypes (Prunus persica L. Batsch) after cold storage
for up to 4 weeks was determined. The nectarine cultivar ‘Caldesi 2000’ was selected as a genotype with
melting flesh (MF) characteristic (fruits characterized by extensive flesh softening during ripening) and
the cultivar ‘Andross’ as a genotype with non-melting flesh (NMF) characteristic (fruits characterized
by limited flesh softening during ripening). Flesh firmness, ethylene production, physicochemical and
biochemical properties of the cell wall were determined and significant differences between the fruits
of the two genotypes were recorded. Fruits of the NMF genotype were characterized by higher tissue
retention and ethylene production during their ripening, higher content of uronic acids, as well as higher
capacity for calcium binding in the water-insoluble pectin fraction compared with fruits of the MF
genotype. Additionally, the ripening of MF-type fruits was characterized by higher losses of neutral
sugars, especially those of arabinose and galactose than the NMF-type fruits and these losses were more
intense after extended cold storage periods. In fruits of the NMF genotype the decreased activity of pectin
methyl esterase (PME) combined with higher levels of calcium in the water-insoluble pectin fraction
possibly provided less substrate for polygalacturonase (exo-, endo-PG) activity and less solubility of cell
wall pectin compared with fruits of the MF genotype. Overall, the data indicate the existence of a wide
range of diverse metabolic pathways during fruit ripening of fresh fruits withMF and NMF characteristics.
during fruit ripening between distinct peach genotypes (Prunus persica L. Batsch) after cold storage
for up to 4 weeks was determined. The nectarine cultivar ‘Caldesi 2000’ was selected as a genotype with
melting flesh (MF) characteristic (fruits characterized by extensive flesh softening during ripening) and
the cultivar ‘Andross’ as a genotype with non-melting flesh (NMF) characteristic (fruits characterized
by limited flesh softening during ripening). Flesh firmness, ethylene production, physicochemical and
biochemical properties of the cell wall were determined and significant differences between the fruits
of the two genotypes were recorded. Fruits of the NMF genotype were characterized by higher tissue
retention and ethylene production during their ripening, higher content of uronic acids, as well as higher
capacity for calcium binding in the water-insoluble pectin fraction compared with fruits of the MF
genotype. Additionally, the ripening of MF-type fruits was characterized by higher losses of neutral
sugars, especially those of arabinose and galactose than the NMF-type fruits and these losses were more
intense after extended cold storage periods. In fruits of the NMF genotype the decreased activity of pectin
methyl esterase (PME) combined with higher levels of calcium in the water-insoluble pectin fraction
possibly provided less substrate for polygalacturonase (exo-, endo-PG) activity and less solubility of cell
wall pectin compared with fruits of the MF genotype. Overall, the data indicate the existence of a wide
range of diverse metabolic pathways during fruit ripening of fresh fruits withMF and NMF characteristics.