Studies on fruit softening and factor of ethylene synthesis in persimmon

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24580043
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Horticulture/Landscape architecture
• Research Institution: Shimane University
• Principal Investigator: ITAMURA HIROYUKI 島根大学, 生物資源科学部, 教授 (80109040)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): NAKATSUKA Akira 島根大学, 生物資源科学部, 准教授 (40304258)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): ISHIKAWA Takahiro 島根大学, 生物資源科学部, 教授 (60285385)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: カキ / エチレン生成誘導 / 果実軟化 / リポキシゲナーゼ / アクアポリン / ポリガラクツロナーゼ / β-ガラクトシダーゼ / エンド型キシログルカン加水分解・転移酵素

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Ethylene synthesis triggered and induced the deterioration of cell membrane via increase of lipoxygenase gene expression, ion leakage, decrease of flesh firmness and ascorbic acid in persimmon fruit treated by removal of astringency. Aquaporin gene expression was related to the on-tree fruit softening. The induction factor of ethylene synthesis is thought to be another one except for above mentioned.
To prolong shelf-life of persimmon, cDNA was constructed from softened pulp of immature fruit and sequenced ESTs. Obtained 4701 EST information contained pectin and xyloglucan degrading enzyme genes. Fifteen isogenes expression were analyzed by real-time PCR. On-tree senescenced fruit rapidly softened and produced ethylene, mRNA of five pectin and three xyloglucan degrading enzyme genes increased concomitant with softening degree.

Free Research Field

園芸利用学・果樹園芸学