GONZALEZ VILLAGRA, JORGE ANDRES
Email Address
Birth Date
Search Results
Phytochemical characterization and antioxidant properties of Prumnopitys andina fruits in different ripening stages in southern Chile
The native conifer lleuque (Prumnopitys andina (Poepp. ex Endl.) de Laub.) grows in southern Chile, and has an edible and fleshy ovoid fruit. Some species of the genus Prumnopitys are valuable for the medicinal value of their edible fruits. Thus, the aim of this research was to characterize the phytochemical and antioxidant compounds in four ripening stages of P. andina fruits from La Araucanía Region, Chile. Fruit quality related parameters, bromatological, antioxidant and phenolic compounds analyses were performed in order to highlight their potential for human consumption. Our study showed that fresh weight, equatorial diameter, and soluble solid content significantly increased (P < 0.05) in P. andina fruits during ripening, reaching 4.02 ± 0.2 g, 17.9 ± 0.6 mm, and 23.7 ± 0.5 °Brix, respectively, per fruit at stage IV. Our bromatological analyses showed that P. andina fruits had 1.17 ± 0.1 g 100 g-1 DW protein, 1.55 ± 0.2 g 100 g-1 DW crude fiber, and 10.76 ± 2.2 g 100 g-1 DW fruit of ash at fruit ripe. Likewise, we found 2.6 ± 0.2 mg g-1 FW total phenols, 2.2 ± 0.2 mg trolox equivalent g-1 FW of antioxidant activity, and 6.4 ± 0.2 mg rutin equivalent g-1 FW total flavonoid in P. andina fruits. Interestingly, ripening stages I and II showed higher antioxidant compound levels compared to stages III and IV, with the exception of total anthocyanins, which did not change throughout the ripening process. This study shows that P. andina has great potential as a fruit with significant functional properties, which could help promote the propagation, care, and use of this native conifer. © 2022 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Salicylic Acid Improves Yield, Fruit Quality, and Post-Harvest Storage in Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.) cv. Lapins Subjected to Late-Deficit Irrigation
This study evaluated the effect of salicylic acid (SA) application on yield, fruit quality, and post-harvest storage in Prunus avium subjected to deficit irrigation (DI). A field experiment with six-year-old P. avium cv. Lapins was performed under two water treatments: irrigation at 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) [full irrigation (FI)] and irrigation at 60% ETc from the second fruit phase to harvest time (DI). A single 0.5 mM SA was applied to both water treatments at fruit color change. At harvest time, fruits were collected to determine yield, fruit quality, and quality during post-harvest storage (0, 10, 20, and 30 days). The DI reduced fruit yield (11%), fruit weight (8%), and caliber (6%) and increased firmness (7%) and total soluble solids (TSS) (5%) in P. avium compared with FI plants at harvest time. Our study showed that SA application recovered fruit yield (9%), fruit weight (5%), and caliber (4%), improving TSS in DI plants at day 0. Interestingly, SA application significantly reduced P. avium fruit cracking (78% in FI and 82% in DI). Fruit weight was reduced in all treatments, mainly decreasing by 14% in FI and 13% in DI plants at day 30 of post-harvest storage. Fruit weight did not change during post-harvest storage with SA, except on day 30, where a slight reduction was observed. TSS showed no significant differences during post-harvest storage for all treatments. Therefore, SA could be an interesting tool to mitigate the impact of DI on the yield and fruit quality of P. avium and to reduce fruit cracking and prolong fruit quality during post-harvest storage. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Pre-harvest MeJA application counteracts the deleterious impact of Al and Mn toxicity in highbush blueberry grown in acid soils
Volcanic ash-derived soils are characterized by low pH (pH ? 5.5) with increased concentrations of aluminum (Al3+) and manganese (Mn2+), which decreases plant growth, fruit quality, and yield. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) improves abiotic stress tolerance. Our work aimed to evaluate the application of MeJA s impact on the growth, antioxidant defense, and fruit quality of highbush blueberry grown under Al and Mn toxicity. A field assay was conducted with four-year-old bushes of highbush blueberry cultivar Legacy under eight treatments (Control, Al (87% of Al saturation), Mn (240 mg kg?1), and Al Mn with and without MeJA application). Physiological, biochemical, and fruit quality parameters were measured. Growth rate significantly decreased with Al (20%), Mn (45%), and Al Mn (40%). MeJA application recovered the growth rate. Photosynthetic parameters were not affected. Antioxidant activity increased under all treatments compared with controls, being higher with MeJA application. Total phenols (TP) were decreased in plants under Al (43%) and Mn (20%) compared with controls. MeJA application increased TP in all treatments. Fruits of bushes under Al and Mn toxicity with MeJA applications exhibited an increase in fruit firmness and weight, maintaining suitable contents of soluble solids. Our results provide insights about the beneficial effect of MeJA application on growth, antioxidant properties, and fruit quality of highbush blueberry plants grown in acid soils under Al and Mn toxicity. © 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.