Vine decline disease (VDD) constitutes a menace to melons worldwide. Especially, the one caused by the fungus Monosporascus cannonballus. Thus, resistant plant material must be released to help growers. Hence, our goa...Vine decline disease (VDD) constitutes a menace to melons worldwide. Especially, the one caused by the fungus Monosporascus cannonballus. Thus, resistant plant material must be released to help growers. Hence, our goal was to develop resistant plant material to VDD. More than 600 melon accessions are expected to be tested for disease resistance in M. cannonballus infested soil in Weslaco, Texas, USA, to identify resistance to VDD, and other important traits. So far, at most 7 lines were found to be resistant to VDD and some of them were used to develop elite, muskmelon inbred lines by pedigree breeding following single or double backcrosses. These elite parents were crossed to each other to develop the hybrids M3 and M4. They were also tested in the same infested field in Weslaco. The hybrids were grown using standard commercial practices followed by growers and when their fruits were ready, their roots were sampled as well as scored for disease severity to estimate high and mid-parent heterosis Our results indicate the existence of heterosis regarding resistance to VDD. Thus, resistant plant material can be developed and selection for resistance can be accomplished.展开更多
Compared to other melon types, oriental sweet melon （Cucumis melo var. makuwa Makino） is quite a different species with a shorter shelf-life due to its typical climacteric behavior and thin pericarp. The purpose of ...Compared to other melon types, oriental sweet melon （Cucumis melo var. makuwa Makino） is quite a different species with a shorter shelf-life due to its typical climacteric behavior and thin pericarp. The purpose of this experiment is to explore the effects of co- treatment of enhanced freshness formulation （EFF） and 1-methylcyclopropene （1-MCP） on physiological changes and the content of aroma volatile compounds introduced by them of two oriental sweet melon cultivars （Yumeiren and Tianbao） during storage. The melons were stored in incubators with temperature of 15~C and a relative humidity of 85% for 24 d during which fruit quality and related physiological index were measured. Compared to the control, both treatments delayed fruit weight loss rate and kept the fruit firmness, water content and soluble solids content. Ascorbate peroxidase （APX） and phenylalanine ammonia lyase （PAL） activities showed fluctuations in treated melons, while lipoxygenase （LOX） activity （P〈0.01） and malondialdehyde （MDA） content （P〈0.05） decreased compared to control. During the early stage of storage, alcohols and aldehydes were the main volatile compounds, and esters gradually increased during storage. Of all the esters, acetic esters were the main components, followed by oxalic acid esters and other esters. The total content of aroma volatile compounds, esters, alcohols and aldehydes of co-treated melons were all higher than those of 1-MCP treated and control melons. In addition, the aroma volatile peak of co-treated melons occurred later than that of 1-MCP treated and control melons. In summary, co-treatment of EFF and 1-MCP was more beneficial than 1-MCP treatment to delay ripening and senescence, maintain fruit quality, enhance shelf-life and improve levels of aroma volatile compounds.展开更多
In this work,an electronic nose was used to evaluate the different cultivars and mature stages of melons,so as to establish a scientific method to accurately distinguish the maturity and varieties of melons. Principal...In this work,an electronic nose was used to evaluate the different cultivars and mature stages of melons,so as to establish a scientific method to accurately distinguish the maturity and varieties of melons. Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA ) showed that immature melons could be well distinguished from mature melons using electronic nose. When PCA method was used to analyze,electronic nose could completely classify and identify the maturity of melons. Meanwhile,the electronic nose could distinguish different varieties of melons with high discrimination value. The flavor of samples under cut or no cut conditions would slightly change,leading to the variation of discrimination value among different varieties. The samples with similar flavor under no cut condition could be analyzed through cutting mode. The research built a rapid and accurate method to judge the maturity of melons instead of man sense.展开更多
The development of diversified foods such as melons under the big food concept can reduce the pressure on staple food grain.Xinjiang has the advantages of building a new development pattern of dual circulation of dive...The development of diversified foods such as melons under the big food concept can reduce the pressure on staple food grain.Xinjiang has the advantages of building a new development pattern of dual circulation of diversified food industry and establishing a national diversified food safety and high-quality assurance center.The construction of an agricultural power needs the strategic support of an intellectual property power.This paper introduced and studied Xinjiang s melon industry and its agricultural intellectual property resources,analyzed the six main problems,including many idle land resources have not been developed into melon fields and the role of melons in diversified food supply systems not well played.Finally,it proposed to vigorously develop diversified food industries such as melons in Xinjiang and establish an eight-point strategy such as national diversified food safety and high-quality assurance center.展开更多
Peel color is an important appearance quality of melons that significantly affects consumer preferences.In this study,a near-isogenic line NIL-G(dark green peel)was generated from B8(grey-green peel)and B15(white peel...Peel color is an important appearance quality of melons that significantly affects consumer preferences.In this study,a near-isogenic line NIL-G(dark green peel)was generated from B8(grey-green peel)and B15(white peel).The F_2 population constructed by crossing NIL-G and B15 was used to study the inheritance pattern of peel color,and bulked-segregant analysis sequencing(BSA-seq)was employed to identify the interval in which the target gene was located.Genetic analysis showed that a dominant gene controls the dark green peel trait at maturity.BSAseq and molecular markers were used to localize the candidate gene in a 263.7 kb interval of chromosome 4,which contained the CmAPRR2 gene with known functions.Moreover,allelic sequence analysis revealed four SNP variations of the CmAPRR2 gene in B15,of which SNP.G614331A was located at the junction of the 6th exon and 6th intron.The G-to-A mutation caused alternative splicing of the transcript of CmAPRR2 in B15,generating two transcripts(CmAPRR2-A and CmAPRR2-B)with premature termination codons.Furthermore,the Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR(KASP)marker,APRR2-G/A,was developed based on this SNP and shown to co-segregate with the peel color phenotype in the F_(2) population.Compared to white-peel B15,the expression level of CmAPRR2 in dark green peel NIL-G was higher at each growth stage.Therefore,CmAPRR2 may be the key gene controlling the fruit color of melons.This study identified a novel allelic variant of CmAPRR2 that leads to white peel formation in mature melons.We also provides a theoretical basis for further research on the gene regulatory mechanism of melon peel colors,which promotes using molecular marker-assisted selection to modify melon peel colors in the future.展开更多
High-throughput genotyping tools can effectively promote molecular breeding in crops.In this study,genotyping by target sequencing(GBTS)system was utilized to develop a genome-wide liquid SNP chip for facilitating gen...High-throughput genotyping tools can effectively promote molecular breeding in crops.In this study,genotyping by target sequencing(GBTS)system was utilized to develop a genome-wide liquid SNP chip for facilitating genetics and breeding in melon(Cucumis melo L.),a globally cultivated economically important horticultural crop.Based on over eight million SNPs derived from 823 representative melon accessions,16K,8K,4K,2K,1K,500,250 and 125 informative SNPs were screened and evaluated for their polymorphisms,conservation of flanking sequences,and distributions.The set of 2K SNPs was found to be optimal for representing the maximum diversity with the lowest number of SNPs,and it was selected to develop the liquid chip,named“Melon2K”.Using Melon2K,more than 1500 SNPs were detected across 17 samples of five melon cultivars,and the phylogenetic relationships were clearly constructed.Within the same cultivar,genetic differences were also assessed between different samples.We evaluated the performance of Melon2K in genetic background selection during the breeding process,obtaining the introgression lines of interested trait with more than 97%genetic background of elite variety by only two rounds of backcrossing.These results suggest that Melon2K provides a cost-effective,efficient and reliable platform for genetic analysis and molecular breeding in melon.展开更多
This paper summarized the technical regulations for protected production of netted melon in Yantai City,primarily including technical measures such as the environmental requirements of the production area,cultivation ...This paper summarized the technical regulations for protected production of netted melon in Yantai City,primarily including technical measures such as the environmental requirements of the production area,cultivation techniques,pest and disease control,harvesting,packaging,storage,waste management,and production records for netted melon grown in facilities.The technical regulations aim to standardize the protected production of netted melon and enhance the level of standardized and normative production technology.展开更多
Melon is a globally cultivated horticultural crop with a predominantly hybrid commercial seed market in China.Seedling morphology,particularly hypocotyl color,is a valuable trait for rapid F1 hybrid seed purity assess...Melon is a globally cultivated horticultural crop with a predominantly hybrid commercial seed market in China.Seedling morphology,particularly hypocotyl color,is a valuable trait for rapid F1 hybrid seed purity assessment.While green hypocotyls are common,white hypocotyls are rare in melon germplasm.This study identified a mutant with white hypocotyl but green leaves from the heavy ion beam mutant library.Genetic analysis revealed that a single recessive gene controlled the white hypocotyl,designated CmGhc1.A single-base deletion in the fifth exon of CmGhc1 led to a truncated CmGhc1 lacking the HTH-MYB DNA binding domain,likely affecting its transcriptional activity.CmGhc1 was localized in the nucleus,and yeast two-hybrid analysis and a dual-LUC assay demonstrated it as a transcription repressor.Furthermore,a KASP marker(hc1)was developed and verified as a functional marker for breeding white hypocotyl germplasms in melon.RNA-seq data revealed that CmGhc1 significantly affected the transcription of genes related to chlorophyll metabolism and photosynthesis in hypocotyl.In summary,these findings contribute to our understanding of chloroplast biogenesis and provide a valuable tool for melon breeding.展开更多
Melon(Cucumis melo)is an economically important horticultural crop cultivated worldwide.NAC(NAM/ATAC/CUC)transcription factors play crucial roles in the transcriptional regulation of various developmental stages in pl...Melon(Cucumis melo)is an economically important horticultural crop cultivated worldwide.NAC(NAM/ATAC/CUC)transcription factors play crucial roles in the transcriptional regulation of various developmental stages in plant growth and fruit development,but their gene functions in melon remain largely unknown.Here,we identified 78 CmNAC family genes with an integrated and conserved no apical meristem(NAM)domain in the melon genome by performing genome-wide identification and bioinformatics analysis.Transcriptome data analysis and qRTPCR results showed that most CmNACs are specifically enriched in either the vegetative or reproductive organs of melon.Through genetic transformation,we found that overexpression of CmNAC34 in melons led to early ripening fruits,suggesting its positive role in promoting fruit maturation.Using yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays,we verified the direct protein interaction between CmNAC34 and CmNACNOR.The expression patterns of CmNAC34 and CmNAC-NOR were similar in melon tissues,and subcellular localization revealed their nuclear protein characteristics.We transformed CmNAC-NOR in melon and found that its overexpression resulted in early ripening fruits.Then,the yeast one-hybrid and dual luciferase reporter gene assays showed that the CmNAC34 protein can bind to the promoters of two glyoxalase(GLY)genes,which are involved in the abscisic acid signal pathway and associated with fruit regulation.These findings revealed the molecular characteristics,expression profiles,and functional patterns of the NAC family genes and provide new insights into the molecular mechanism by which CmNAC34 regulates climacteric fruit ripening.展开更多
Agricultural production(especially intensive rice production)is a primary income source for over 2.0×10^(7) people in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta.However,adverse climate change impacts,socio-economic change...Agricultural production(especially intensive rice production)is a primary income source for over 2.0×10^(7) people in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta.However,adverse climate change impacts,socio-economic change,and high dependence on farm inputs for intensive production constrain the longer-term sustainability of rice systems.Government and agribusiness actors are encouraging more farmers to grow non-rice crops and supporting the upscaling of alternative crops to paddy rice.We used a qualitative approach to investigate the value chain characteristics,as well as constraints and opportunities of alternative crops via two case studies(baby corn and honeydew melon)in An Giang and Hau Giang provinces,Vietnam.Data collection involved focus group discussions with local farmers and interviews with farmers and industry experts.Thematic analysis was used to compile the findings,and the results were validated with local government staff.The baby corn value chain featured on-going and stable market demand(including value-addition)and better vertical coordination(e.g.,written contracts and financial support).The honeydew melon value chain featured positive relationships between farmers and traders despite less-developed vertical coordination.There are opportunities for value chain engagement through product quality certification,value-addition,and accessing high-value domestic and export markets.However,farmers require crop-specific and generic support from private and public sectors.Increased labour requirements and limited access to finance and credit limit value chain participation.Upscaling and marketing alternative crops can enhance farmer profitability and support non-farming agricultural business establishment,economic growth,and community development.Efficient value chains will be critical to ensure the adoption of alternative crops and development of crop-specific agribusiness models.These findings can inform policy-makers and change facilitators in designing targeted interventions to support the adoption of alternative crops in the study area as well as in Vietnam and globally.展开更多
Continuous cropping can lead to soil environment deterioration,cause plant health problems,and reduce crop productivity.However,the response mechanisms of soil microbial co-occurrence patterns to the duration of conti...Continuous cropping can lead to soil environment deterioration,cause plant health problems,and reduce crop productivity.However,the response mechanisms of soil microbial co-occurrence patterns to the duration of continuous melon cropping remain poorly understood.Here,we employed the metagenomic techniques to comparatively investigate the bulk and rhizosphere soil microbial communities of major melon-producing regions(where the duration of continuous melon cropping ranges from 1 to 30 a)in the eastern and southern parts of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China.The results showed that soil pH clearly decreased with increasing melon cropping duration,while soil electrical conductivity(EC)and the other soil nutrient indices increased with increasing melon cropping duration(with the exception of AN and TK in the southern melon-producing region).The most dominant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria,and the most abundant fungal phyla were Ascomycota and Mucoromycota.Redundancy analysis(RDA)indicated that soil pH and EC had no significant effects on the bacterial communities.However,after many years of continuous melon cropping in the southern melon-producing region,fungal communities were significantly negatively correlated with soil pH and significantly positively correlated with soil EC(P<0.050).Co-occurrence network analysis showed that continuous melon cropping increased the complexity but decreased the connectivity of the cross-domain microbial networks.Moreover,the enrichment patterns of microorganisms in the main microbial network modules varied significantly with the duration of continuous melon cropping.Based on the analysis of keystone taxa,we found that continuous melon cropping increased some plant pathogens(e.g.,Fusarium and Stagonospora)but decreased beneficial bacteria(e.g.,Mesorhizobium and Pseudoxanthomonas).In conclusion,this study has greatly enhanced the understanding of the effects of continuous melon cropping on alterations in the microbial community structure and ecological networks in Xinjiang.展开更多
Sodium fluoride(NaF)is a daily necessity consumed as the major ingredient of fluorinated drinking water,milk,salts,mouthwashes,toothpaste,and dentistry medications.However,the use of NaF products has also been associa...Sodium fluoride(NaF)is a daily necessity consumed as the major ingredient of fluorinated drinking water,milk,salts,mouthwashes,toothpaste,and dentistry medications.However,the use of NaF products has also been associated with increased fluoride anion distribution in the body,leading to hypertension.AIM This study evaluated the antihypertensive effect of sweet orange peels-enriched white melon seed protein concentrate(WSP)biscuit meal in eight-week-old albino rats exposed to NaF for 14 days.METHODS Forty-two(42)male Wistar albino rats were assigned at random into 7 groups of 6 rats per group(control group and six experimental groups).The experimental groups received various treatments that lasted for two weeks.Twenty-four hours after the last administration,hemodynamic parameters were evaluated,rats were sacrificed,blood samples were collected,and the heart was harvested.Blood serum was assessed for cardiac troponin I(cTnI),creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB),and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH).At the same time,the heart homogenate was assayed for angiotensin-1 converting enzyme(ACE)activity,proinflammatory cytokines,nitric oxide concentrations,and antioxidant status.Cardiac tissues were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin,Masson’s Trichrome,and cTnI.Also,the safety of the WSP biscuit diet was evaluated.RESULTS Results obtained showed that NaF administration elevated the collagen content of cardiac tissues,activities of ACE,and concentrations of cTnI,CK-MB,LDH,tumor necrosis factor-alpha,and interleukin 1 beta,while there was a reduction in the concentration of nitric oxide and antioxidants;however,their alterations were significantly prevented in WSP-biscuit-fed rats.The WSP biscuit meal is safe for consumption and possesses dose-dependent antihypertensive ability at 10%and 20%inclusion.CONCLUSION The WSP biscuit diet may be recommended in diet formulation for the management of individuals or communities that are predisposed to NaF contaminations.展开更多
Melon(Cucumis melo L.)is a globally important fruit crop appreciated for its sweet taste,unique aroma,and nutritional value(Kaleem et al.,2024).Aroma,shaped by volatile organic compounds(VOCs),is a key trait influenci...Melon(Cucumis melo L.)is a globally important fruit crop appreciated for its sweet taste,unique aroma,and nutritional value(Kaleem et al.,2024).Aroma,shaped by volatile organic compounds(VOCs),is a key trait influencing consumer preference.These VOCs are mainly derived from amino acids,fatty acids,and terpenoid pathways(Chen et al.,2023).Esters contribute to fruity and sweet notes,whereas terpenes and C_(9) aldehydes/alcohols impart floral and melon-like aromas,respectively(Mayobre et al.,2024).展开更多
[Objective] This study investigated the spatial characteristics of counties （cities） with comparative advantages in watermelon and melon production to provide reference bases in formulating strategies for the develo...[Objective] This study investigated the spatial characteristics of counties （cities） with comparative advantages in watermelon and melon production to provide reference bases in formulating strategies for the development of watermelon and melon industries in Hainan Province. [Method] By using the sowing area, total yield, and yield per unit area of watermelon and melon in Hainan Province as research u- nits, the yield comparative advantage （YCA）, efficiency comparative advantage （E- CA）, scale comparative advantage （SCA）, concentration ratio comparative advantage （CRCA）, comprehensive comparative advantage （CCA）, ratio of yield per unit area （RYPA）, sowing area ratio （SAR）, and distribution characteristics of watermelon and melon were systematically analyzed. By referring to the agricultural statistic data of 18 counties （cities） in Hainan Province, indexes for each research unit （i.e., the YCA index, ECA index, SCA index, CRCA index, CCA index, RYPA index, and SAR index） were established and calculated to determine the comparative advantage of watermelon and melon production in Hainan Province. A spatial expression of the research result on a map was conducted by using GIS software. [Result] Seven counties （cities） exhibited comparative advantages in watermelon production, namely, Lingshui, Wanning, Wenchang, Dongfang, Sanya, Ledong, and Changjiang. The Eastern and Southern Hainan Provinces had CCAs, and the Western and Northern Hainan Provinces could be reserved for future development. For melon production, four counties （cities） exhibited comparative advantages, namely, Ledong, Lingshui, Sanya, and Dongfang. The Southern Hainan Province had CCA, whereas the West- ern Hainan Province could be reserved for later development. [Conclusion] The result has showed that establishing watermelon and melon as dominant agricultural prod- ucts is necessary for the future development of the industry and for the formulation of a layout of regions with advantages, where key support and construction should be provided preferentially with the aim to raise the yield, quality, and market com- petitiveness of products.展开更多
The drug-containing culture medium method for the test of toxicity was adopted to compare inhibitive effects of original nano-Cu2O drug and nano-Cu2O suspension, and nano-Cu2O drug has better inhibitive effects on sna...The drug-containing culture medium method for the test of toxicity was adopted to compare inhibitive effects of original nano-Cu2O drug and nano-Cu2O suspension, and nano-Cu2O drug has better inhibitive effects on snake melon Botry- tis cinerea than original nano-Cu2O drug with the same mass concentration, and inhibitory effects are positively correlated with concentration. Correlation coefficients of the toxicity regression equation are 0.892 2 and 0.996 1, effective concentration EC50 of original nano-Cu2O drug and that of nano-Cu2O suspension are 3 948.9 and 167.9 mg/kg. Original nano-Cu2O drug has an inhibitive effect on snake melon Botrytis cinerea, but the inhibition of nano-Cu2O suspension is more obvious.展开更多
Lipoxygenases（LOXs） are a group of non-heme,iron-containing enzymes and extensively involved in plant growth and development,ripening and senescence,stress responses,biosynthesis of regulatory molecules and defense ...Lipoxygenases（LOXs） are a group of non-heme,iron-containing enzymes and extensively involved in plant growth and development,ripening and senescence,stress responses,biosynthesis of regulatory molecules and defense reaction.In our previous study,18 LOXs in melon genome were screened and identified,and five 13-LOX genes（CmLOX08,CmLOX10,CmLOX12,CmLOX13 and CmLOX18） were predicted to locate in chloroplast.Phylogenetic analysis result showed that the five genes have high homology with jasmonic acid（JA） biosynthesis-related LOXs from other plants.In addition,promoter analysis revealed that motifs of the five genes participate in gene expression regulated by hormones and stresses.Therefore,we analyzed the expressions of the five genes and LOX activity in leaves of four-leaf stage seedlings of oriental melon cultivar Yumeiren under abiotic stress：wounding,cold,high temperature and hydrogen peroxide（H_2O_2）,and signal molecule treatments：methyl jasmonate（MeJA）,abscisic acid（ABA） and salicylic acid（SA）.Real time qPCR revealed that wounding and H_2O_2 induced the expressions of all the five genes.Only CmLOX08 was induced by cold while only CmLOX13 was suppressed by high temperature.ABA induced the expressions of CmLOXIO and CmLOX12 while inhibited CmLOX13 and CmLOX18.MeJA increased the 3 genes expressions except CmLOX08 and CmLOX13,whereas SA decreased the effect,apart from CmLOX12.All the abiotic stresses and signal molecules treatments increased the LOX activity in leaves of oriental melon.In summary,the results suggest that the five genes have diverse functions in abiotic stress and hormone responses,and might participate in defense response.The data generated in this study will be helpful in subcellular localization and transgenic experiment to understand their precise roles in plant defense response.展开更多
Watermelon research in Southern Africa, has predominantly observed the clear existence of the sweet watermelon and cow melon forms of watermelon, cultivated on farm and even some occurring in the wild. Molecular chara...Watermelon research in Southern Africa, has predominantly observed the clear existence of the sweet watermelon and cow melon forms of watermelon, cultivated on farm and even some occurring in the wild. Molecular characterization of 48 watermelon accessions collected from National Genebank of Zimbabwe using 9 SSR markers generated a total of 49 putative alleles. The average number of alleles detected by each primer was 5.4. Analysis of molecular variance within and among accessions of watermelons revealed that only 39% of the total variation resides between these two groups (cow-melons and sweet watermelons), 24% between accession within groups and 37% within accessions. Multivariate analyses employed provide evidence of the existence of introgression between sweet water melons and cow melons, as reflected by some accessions of cow melons, clustering into a hybridogenous group. Most of watermelon accessions within the hybridogenous group [A (II)] were collected from drier communal areas, while those accessions within the cow melon group [A (I)] are mostly from research centers. The separation of cow melons into distinct groups could be indicative of a possible formation of an isolated evolutionary unit.展开更多
The “Huang gua” melons were measured for their physical properties including firmness and static elastic modulus. The vibrational characteristics of fruits and vegetables are governed by their elastic modulus (firmn...The “Huang gua” melons were measured for their physical properties including firmness and static elastic modulus. The vibrational characteristics of fruits and vegetables are governed by their elastic modulus (firmness), mass, and geometry. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate firmness of fruits and vegetables based on their vibrational characteristics. Analysis of the vibration responses of a fruit is suggested for measuring elastic properties (Firmness) non-destructively. The impulse response method is often used to measure firmness of fruits. The fruit was excited using three types of balls (wooden, steel and rubber) and the vibration is detected by an accelerometer. The Instron device was used to measure the static elastic modulus of the inner, middle and outer portions of melon flesh. Finite element (FE) technique was used to determine the optimum excitation location of the chosen measurement sensor and to analyze the mode shape fruits. Four types of mode shapes (torsional or flexural mode shape, first-type, second-type spherical mode and breathing mode shape) were found. Finite element simulation results agreed well with experimental results. Correlation between the firmness and resonant frequency (r2=0.91) and between the resonant frequency and stiffness factor (r2=0.74) existed. The optimum location and suitable direction for excitation and response measurement on the fruit were suggested.展开更多
Nature is a rich source of medicinal plants and their products that are useful for treatment of various diseases and disorders. Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter melon or bitter gourd, is one of such plant...Nature is a rich source of medicinal plants and their products that are useful for treatment of various diseases and disorders. Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter melon or bitter gourd, is one of such plants known for its biological activities used in traditional system of medicines. This plant is cultivated in all over the world, including tropical areas of Asia, Amazon, east Africa, and the Caribbean and used as a vegetable as well as folk medicine. All parts of the plant, including the fruit, are commonly consumed and cooked with different vegetables, stir-fried, stuffed or used in small quantities in soups or beans to give a slightly bitter flavor and taste. The plant is reported to possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, anti-obesity, and immunomodulatory activities. The plant extract inhibits cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, autophagy and inhibiting cancer stem cells. The plant is rich in bioactive chemical constituents like cucurbitane type triterpenoids, triterpene glycosides, phenolic acids, flavonoids, essential oils, saponins, fatty acids, and proteins. Some of the isolated compounds （Kuguacin J, Karaviloside XI, Kuguaglycoside C, Momordicoside Q-U, Charantin, a-eleostearic acid） and proteins （a-Momorcharin, RNase MC2, MAP30） possess potent biological activity. In the present review, we are summarizing the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities of Momordica charantia along with a short account of important chemical constituents, providing a basis for establishing detail biological activities of the plant and developing novel drug molecules based on the active chemical constituents.展开更多
文摘Vine decline disease (VDD) constitutes a menace to melons worldwide. Especially, the one caused by the fungus Monosporascus cannonballus. Thus, resistant plant material must be released to help growers. Hence, our goal was to develop resistant plant material to VDD. More than 600 melon accessions are expected to be tested for disease resistance in M. cannonballus infested soil in Weslaco, Texas, USA, to identify resistance to VDD, and other important traits. So far, at most 7 lines were found to be resistant to VDD and some of them were used to develop elite, muskmelon inbred lines by pedigree breeding following single or double backcrosses. These elite parents were crossed to each other to develop the hybrids M3 and M4. They were also tested in the same infested field in Weslaco. The hybrids were grown using standard commercial practices followed by growers and when their fruits were ready, their roots were sampled as well as scored for disease severity to estimate high and mid-parent heterosis Our results indicate the existence of heterosis regarding resistance to VDD. Thus, resistant plant material can be developed and selection for resistance can be accomplished.
基金financially supported by the Key Project of Liaoning Province(2011215003)the Project of the Science and Technology Bureau of Shenyang,China(F12-277-1-26)
文摘Compared to other melon types, oriental sweet melon （Cucumis melo var. makuwa Makino） is quite a different species with a shorter shelf-life due to its typical climacteric behavior and thin pericarp. The purpose of this experiment is to explore the effects of co- treatment of enhanced freshness formulation （EFF） and 1-methylcyclopropene （1-MCP） on physiological changes and the content of aroma volatile compounds introduced by them of two oriental sweet melon cultivars （Yumeiren and Tianbao） during storage. The melons were stored in incubators with temperature of 15~C and a relative humidity of 85% for 24 d during which fruit quality and related physiological index were measured. Compared to the control, both treatments delayed fruit weight loss rate and kept the fruit firmness, water content and soluble solids content. Ascorbate peroxidase （APX） and phenylalanine ammonia lyase （PAL） activities showed fluctuations in treated melons, while lipoxygenase （LOX） activity （P〈0.01） and malondialdehyde （MDA） content （P〈0.05） decreased compared to control. During the early stage of storage, alcohols and aldehydes were the main volatile compounds, and esters gradually increased during storage. Of all the esters, acetic esters were the main components, followed by oxalic acid esters and other esters. The total content of aroma volatile compounds, esters, alcohols and aldehydes of co-treated melons were all higher than those of 1-MCP treated and control melons. In addition, the aroma volatile peak of co-treated melons occurred later than that of 1-MCP treated and control melons. In summary, co-treatment of EFF and 1-MCP was more beneficial than 1-MCP treatment to delay ripening and senescence, maintain fruit quality, enhance shelf-life and improve levels of aroma volatile compounds.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(30870109)
文摘In this work,an electronic nose was used to evaluate the different cultivars and mature stages of melons,so as to establish a scientific method to accurately distinguish the maturity and varieties of melons. Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA ) showed that immature melons could be well distinguished from mature melons using electronic nose. When PCA method was used to analyze,electronic nose could completely classify and identify the maturity of melons. Meanwhile,the electronic nose could distinguish different varieties of melons with high discrimination value. The flavor of samples under cut or no cut conditions would slightly change,leading to the variation of discrimination value among different varieties. The samples with similar flavor under no cut condition could be analyzed through cutting mode. The research built a rapid and accurate method to judge the maturity of melons instead of man sense.
基金Supported by Youth Project of National Social Science Fund of China(22CMZ015)。
文摘The development of diversified foods such as melons under the big food concept can reduce the pressure on staple food grain.Xinjiang has the advantages of building a new development pattern of dual circulation of diversified food industry and establishing a national diversified food safety and high-quality assurance center.The construction of an agricultural power needs the strategic support of an intellectual property power.This paper introduced and studied Xinjiang s melon industry and its agricultural intellectual property resources,analyzed the six main problems,including many idle land resources have not been developed into melon fields and the role of melons in diversified food supply systems not well played.Finally,it proposed to vigorously develop diversified food industries such as melons in Xinjiang and establish an eight-point strategy such as national diversified food safety and high-quality assurance center.
基金supported by the Innovation and Development Program of Beijing Vegetable Research Center,China(KYCX202301)the Construction of Cucurbits Collaboration and Innovation Center,China(XTCX202301)+3 种基金the Youth Research Fund of Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences,China(QNJJ202426)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U21A20229 and 32102397)the Scientific Research Foundation of the Higher Education Institutions for Distinguished Young Scholars in Anhui Province,China(2022AH020037)and the Key Research and Development Projects of Anhui Province,China(2023z04020019)。
文摘Peel color is an important appearance quality of melons that significantly affects consumer preferences.In this study,a near-isogenic line NIL-G(dark green peel)was generated from B8(grey-green peel)and B15(white peel).The F_2 population constructed by crossing NIL-G and B15 was used to study the inheritance pattern of peel color,and bulked-segregant analysis sequencing(BSA-seq)was employed to identify the interval in which the target gene was located.Genetic analysis showed that a dominant gene controls the dark green peel trait at maturity.BSAseq and molecular markers were used to localize the candidate gene in a 263.7 kb interval of chromosome 4,which contained the CmAPRR2 gene with known functions.Moreover,allelic sequence analysis revealed four SNP variations of the CmAPRR2 gene in B15,of which SNP.G614331A was located at the junction of the 6th exon and 6th intron.The G-to-A mutation caused alternative splicing of the transcript of CmAPRR2 in B15,generating two transcripts(CmAPRR2-A and CmAPRR2-B)with premature termination codons.Furthermore,the Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR(KASP)marker,APRR2-G/A,was developed based on this SNP and shown to co-segregate with the peel color phenotype in the F_(2) population.Compared to white-peel B15,the expression level of CmAPRR2 in dark green peel NIL-G was higher at each growth stage.Therefore,CmAPRR2 may be the key gene controlling the fruit color of melons.This study identified a novel allelic variant of CmAPRR2 that leads to white peel formation in mature melons.We also provides a theoretical basis for further research on the gene regulatory mechanism of melon peel colors,which promotes using molecular marker-assisted selection to modify melon peel colors in the future.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.32102383,32225044 and 32130093)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(Grant No.ZR2021QC075)+1 种基金the Taishan Scholar Foundation of the People's Government of Shandong Province(Grant No.ts20190947)the Qingdao Agricultural University Doctoral Start-Up Fund。
文摘High-throughput genotyping tools can effectively promote molecular breeding in crops.In this study,genotyping by target sequencing(GBTS)system was utilized to develop a genome-wide liquid SNP chip for facilitating genetics and breeding in melon(Cucumis melo L.),a globally cultivated economically important horticultural crop.Based on over eight million SNPs derived from 823 representative melon accessions,16K,8K,4K,2K,1K,500,250 and 125 informative SNPs were screened and evaluated for their polymorphisms,conservation of flanking sequences,and distributions.The set of 2K SNPs was found to be optimal for representing the maximum diversity with the lowest number of SNPs,and it was selected to develop the liquid chip,named“Melon2K”.Using Melon2K,more than 1500 SNPs were detected across 17 samples of five melon cultivars,and the phylogenetic relationships were clearly constructed.Within the same cultivar,genetic differences were also assessed between different samples.We evaluated the performance of Melon2K in genetic background selection during the breeding process,obtaining the introgression lines of interested trait with more than 97%genetic background of elite variety by only two rounds of backcrossing.These results suggest that Melon2K provides a cost-effective,efficient and reliable platform for genetic analysis and molecular breeding in melon.
基金Supported by The Teaching Reform Research Project of Yantai Institute of China Agricultural University(202302Ks)Yantai Local Standard Revision Program(DB 3706/T 73-2021).
文摘This paper summarized the technical regulations for protected production of netted melon in Yantai City,primarily including technical measures such as the environmental requirements of the production area,cultivation techniques,pest and disease control,harvesting,packaging,storage,waste management,and production records for netted melon grown in facilities.The technical regulations aim to standardize the protected production of netted melon and enhance the level of standardized and normative production technology.
基金financially supported by the grants from the earmarked fund for Xinjiang Agriculture Research System,China(XJARS-06)the Key Research and Development Task Special Project of Xinjiang,China(2022B02002-3)+1 种基金the Tianshan Talent Training Program,China(2023TSYCLJ0015)the Key Research and Development Program of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China(2023B02017).
文摘Melon is a globally cultivated horticultural crop with a predominantly hybrid commercial seed market in China.Seedling morphology,particularly hypocotyl color,is a valuable trait for rapid F1 hybrid seed purity assessment.While green hypocotyls are common,white hypocotyls are rare in melon germplasm.This study identified a mutant with white hypocotyl but green leaves from the heavy ion beam mutant library.Genetic analysis revealed that a single recessive gene controlled the white hypocotyl,designated CmGhc1.A single-base deletion in the fifth exon of CmGhc1 led to a truncated CmGhc1 lacking the HTH-MYB DNA binding domain,likely affecting its transcriptional activity.CmGhc1 was localized in the nucleus,and yeast two-hybrid analysis and a dual-LUC assay demonstrated it as a transcription repressor.Furthermore,a KASP marker(hc1)was developed and verified as a functional marker for breeding white hypocotyl germplasms in melon.RNA-seq data revealed that CmGhc1 significantly affected the transcription of genes related to chlorophyll metabolism and photosynthesis in hypocotyl.In summary,these findings contribute to our understanding of chloroplast biogenesis and provide a valuable tool for melon breeding.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32202513)the Applied Technology Research and Development Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,China(2021PT0001)+3 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,China(2021BS03002)the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Universities“Young Science and Technology Talent Support Project”,China(NJYT24067)the Inner Mongolia University High-Level Talent Research Program,China(10000-21311201/056)the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Department of Education First-class Scientific Research Project,China(YLXKZX-ND-030)。
文摘Melon(Cucumis melo)is an economically important horticultural crop cultivated worldwide.NAC(NAM/ATAC/CUC)transcription factors play crucial roles in the transcriptional regulation of various developmental stages in plant growth and fruit development,but their gene functions in melon remain largely unknown.Here,we identified 78 CmNAC family genes with an integrated and conserved no apical meristem(NAM)domain in the melon genome by performing genome-wide identification and bioinformatics analysis.Transcriptome data analysis and qRTPCR results showed that most CmNACs are specifically enriched in either the vegetative or reproductive organs of melon.Through genetic transformation,we found that overexpression of CmNAC34 in melons led to early ripening fruits,suggesting its positive role in promoting fruit maturation.Using yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays,we verified the direct protein interaction between CmNAC34 and CmNACNOR.The expression patterns of CmNAC34 and CmNAC-NOR were similar in melon tissues,and subcellular localization revealed their nuclear protein characteristics.We transformed CmNAC-NOR in melon and found that its overexpression resulted in early ripening fruits.Then,the yeast one-hybrid and dual luciferase reporter gene assays showed that the CmNAC34 protein can bind to the promoters of two glyoxalase(GLY)genes,which are involved in the abscisic acid signal pathway and associated with fruit regulation.These findings revealed the molecular characteristics,expression profiles,and functional patterns of the NAC family genes and provide new insights into the molecular mechanism by which CmNAC34 regulates climacteric fruit ripening.
基金funded by the 2022-2023 Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research(ACIAR)Alumni Research Support Facility(ARSF)programme:“Farmers’adaptive capacity and agricultural transformation in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta:understanding and supporting value chain engagement”the ACIAR-funded project“Farmer options for crops under saline conditions(FOCUS)in the Mekong River Delta,Vietnam”(SLaM/2018/144)to this study.
文摘Agricultural production(especially intensive rice production)is a primary income source for over 2.0×10^(7) people in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta.However,adverse climate change impacts,socio-economic change,and high dependence on farm inputs for intensive production constrain the longer-term sustainability of rice systems.Government and agribusiness actors are encouraging more farmers to grow non-rice crops and supporting the upscaling of alternative crops to paddy rice.We used a qualitative approach to investigate the value chain characteristics,as well as constraints and opportunities of alternative crops via two case studies(baby corn and honeydew melon)in An Giang and Hau Giang provinces,Vietnam.Data collection involved focus group discussions with local farmers and interviews with farmers and industry experts.Thematic analysis was used to compile the findings,and the results were validated with local government staff.The baby corn value chain featured on-going and stable market demand(including value-addition)and better vertical coordination(e.g.,written contracts and financial support).The honeydew melon value chain featured positive relationships between farmers and traders despite less-developed vertical coordination.There are opportunities for value chain engagement through product quality certification,value-addition,and accessing high-value domestic and export markets.However,farmers require crop-specific and generic support from private and public sectors.Increased labour requirements and limited access to finance and credit limit value chain participation.Upscaling and marketing alternative crops can enhance farmer profitability and support non-farming agricultural business establishment,economic growth,and community development.Efficient value chains will be critical to ensure the adoption of alternative crops and development of crop-specific agribusiness models.These findings can inform policy-makers and change facilitators in designing targeted interventions to support the adoption of alternative crops in the study area as well as in Vietnam and globally.
基金funded by the Major Science and Technology Projects of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(2022A02007-4)the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Natural Science Foundation Youth Project(2024D01B31)the Graduate Student Research Innovation Project of Xinjiang Agricultural University(XJAUGRI2024033).
文摘Continuous cropping can lead to soil environment deterioration,cause plant health problems,and reduce crop productivity.However,the response mechanisms of soil microbial co-occurrence patterns to the duration of continuous melon cropping remain poorly understood.Here,we employed the metagenomic techniques to comparatively investigate the bulk and rhizosphere soil microbial communities of major melon-producing regions(where the duration of continuous melon cropping ranges from 1 to 30 a)in the eastern and southern parts of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China.The results showed that soil pH clearly decreased with increasing melon cropping duration,while soil electrical conductivity(EC)and the other soil nutrient indices increased with increasing melon cropping duration(with the exception of AN and TK in the southern melon-producing region).The most dominant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria,and the most abundant fungal phyla were Ascomycota and Mucoromycota.Redundancy analysis(RDA)indicated that soil pH and EC had no significant effects on the bacterial communities.However,after many years of continuous melon cropping in the southern melon-producing region,fungal communities were significantly negatively correlated with soil pH and significantly positively correlated with soil EC(P<0.050).Co-occurrence network analysis showed that continuous melon cropping increased the complexity but decreased the connectivity of the cross-domain microbial networks.Moreover,the enrichment patterns of microorganisms in the main microbial network modules varied significantly with the duration of continuous melon cropping.Based on the analysis of keystone taxa,we found that continuous melon cropping increased some plant pathogens(e.g.,Fusarium and Stagonospora)but decreased beneficial bacteria(e.g.,Mesorhizobium and Pseudoxanthomonas).In conclusion,this study has greatly enhanced the understanding of the effects of continuous melon cropping on alterations in the microbial community structure and ecological networks in Xinjiang.
文摘Sodium fluoride(NaF)is a daily necessity consumed as the major ingredient of fluorinated drinking water,milk,salts,mouthwashes,toothpaste,and dentistry medications.However,the use of NaF products has also been associated with increased fluoride anion distribution in the body,leading to hypertension.AIM This study evaluated the antihypertensive effect of sweet orange peels-enriched white melon seed protein concentrate(WSP)biscuit meal in eight-week-old albino rats exposed to NaF for 14 days.METHODS Forty-two(42)male Wistar albino rats were assigned at random into 7 groups of 6 rats per group(control group and six experimental groups).The experimental groups received various treatments that lasted for two weeks.Twenty-four hours after the last administration,hemodynamic parameters were evaluated,rats were sacrificed,blood samples were collected,and the heart was harvested.Blood serum was assessed for cardiac troponin I(cTnI),creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB),and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH).At the same time,the heart homogenate was assayed for angiotensin-1 converting enzyme(ACE)activity,proinflammatory cytokines,nitric oxide concentrations,and antioxidant status.Cardiac tissues were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin,Masson’s Trichrome,and cTnI.Also,the safety of the WSP biscuit diet was evaluated.RESULTS Results obtained showed that NaF administration elevated the collagen content of cardiac tissues,activities of ACE,and concentrations of cTnI,CK-MB,LDH,tumor necrosis factor-alpha,and interleukin 1 beta,while there was a reduction in the concentration of nitric oxide and antioxidants;however,their alterations were significantly prevented in WSP-biscuit-fed rats.The WSP biscuit meal is safe for consumption and possesses dose-dependent antihypertensive ability at 10%and 20%inclusion.CONCLUSION The WSP biscuit diet may be recommended in diet formulation for the management of individuals or communities that are predisposed to NaF contaminations.
基金supported by Project of Renovation Capacity Building for the Young Sci-Tech Talents Sponsored by Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences(Grant No.xjnkq-2021011)Key Research and Development Program of Hainan Province(Grant No.ZDYF2025XDNY089)+2 种基金Project of Fund for Stable Support to Agricultural Sci-Tech Renovation(Grant No.xjnkywdzc-2023001-35)Guangxi Agricultural Science and Technology Project,China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MORA(CARS-25)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.2662024JC004)。
文摘Melon(Cucumis melo L.)is a globally important fruit crop appreciated for its sweet taste,unique aroma,and nutritional value(Kaleem et al.,2024).Aroma,shaped by volatile organic compounds(VOCs),is a key trait influencing consumer preference.These VOCs are mainly derived from amino acids,fatty acids,and terpenoid pathways(Chen et al.,2023).Esters contribute to fruity and sweet notes,whereas terpenes and C_(9) aldehydes/alcohols impart floral and melon-like aromas,respectively(Mayobre et al.,2024).
基金Supported by China Agricultural Research System(CARS-26)~~
文摘[Objective] This study investigated the spatial characteristics of counties （cities） with comparative advantages in watermelon and melon production to provide reference bases in formulating strategies for the development of watermelon and melon industries in Hainan Province. [Method] By using the sowing area, total yield, and yield per unit area of watermelon and melon in Hainan Province as research u- nits, the yield comparative advantage （YCA）, efficiency comparative advantage （E- CA）, scale comparative advantage （SCA）, concentration ratio comparative advantage （CRCA）, comprehensive comparative advantage （CCA）, ratio of yield per unit area （RYPA）, sowing area ratio （SAR）, and distribution characteristics of watermelon and melon were systematically analyzed. By referring to the agricultural statistic data of 18 counties （cities） in Hainan Province, indexes for each research unit （i.e., the YCA index, ECA index, SCA index, CRCA index, CCA index, RYPA index, and SAR index） were established and calculated to determine the comparative advantage of watermelon and melon production in Hainan Province. A spatial expression of the research result on a map was conducted by using GIS software. [Result] Seven counties （cities） exhibited comparative advantages in watermelon production, namely, Lingshui, Wanning, Wenchang, Dongfang, Sanya, Ledong, and Changjiang. The Eastern and Southern Hainan Provinces had CCAs, and the Western and Northern Hainan Provinces could be reserved for future development. For melon production, four counties （cities） exhibited comparative advantages, namely, Ledong, Lingshui, Sanya, and Dongfang. The Southern Hainan Province had CCA, whereas the West- ern Hainan Province could be reserved for later development. [Conclusion] The result has showed that establishing watermelon and melon as dominant agricultural prod- ucts is necessary for the future development of the industry and for the formulation of a layout of regions with advantages, where key support and construction should be provided preferentially with the aim to raise the yield, quality, and market com- petitiveness of products.
文摘The drug-containing culture medium method for the test of toxicity was adopted to compare inhibitive effects of original nano-Cu2O drug and nano-Cu2O suspension, and nano-Cu2O drug has better inhibitive effects on snake melon Botry- tis cinerea than original nano-Cu2O drug with the same mass concentration, and inhibitory effects are positively correlated with concentration. Correlation coefficients of the toxicity regression equation are 0.892 2 and 0.996 1, effective concentration EC50 of original nano-Cu2O drug and that of nano-Cu2O suspension are 3 948.9 and 167.9 mg/kg. Original nano-Cu2O drug has an inhibitive effect on snake melon Botrytis cinerea, but the inhibition of nano-Cu2O suspension is more obvious.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31272154)
文摘Lipoxygenases（LOXs） are a group of non-heme,iron-containing enzymes and extensively involved in plant growth and development,ripening and senescence,stress responses,biosynthesis of regulatory molecules and defense reaction.In our previous study,18 LOXs in melon genome were screened and identified,and five 13-LOX genes（CmLOX08,CmLOX10,CmLOX12,CmLOX13 and CmLOX18） were predicted to locate in chloroplast.Phylogenetic analysis result showed that the five genes have high homology with jasmonic acid（JA） biosynthesis-related LOXs from other plants.In addition,promoter analysis revealed that motifs of the five genes participate in gene expression regulated by hormones and stresses.Therefore,we analyzed the expressions of the five genes and LOX activity in leaves of four-leaf stage seedlings of oriental melon cultivar Yumeiren under abiotic stress：wounding,cold,high temperature and hydrogen peroxide（H_2O_2）,and signal molecule treatments：methyl jasmonate（MeJA）,abscisic acid（ABA） and salicylic acid（SA）.Real time qPCR revealed that wounding and H_2O_2 induced the expressions of all the five genes.Only CmLOX08 was induced by cold while only CmLOX13 was suppressed by high temperature.ABA induced the expressions of CmLOXIO and CmLOX12 while inhibited CmLOX13 and CmLOX18.MeJA increased the 3 genes expressions except CmLOX08 and CmLOX13,whereas SA decreased the effect,apart from CmLOX12.All the abiotic stresses and signal molecules treatments increased the LOX activity in leaves of oriental melon.In summary,the results suggest that the five genes have diverse functions in abiotic stress and hormone responses,and might participate in defense response.The data generated in this study will be helpful in subcellular localization and transgenic experiment to understand their precise roles in plant defense response.
文摘Watermelon research in Southern Africa, has predominantly observed the clear existence of the sweet watermelon and cow melon forms of watermelon, cultivated on farm and even some occurring in the wild. Molecular characterization of 48 watermelon accessions collected from National Genebank of Zimbabwe using 9 SSR markers generated a total of 49 putative alleles. The average number of alleles detected by each primer was 5.4. Analysis of molecular variance within and among accessions of watermelons revealed that only 39% of the total variation resides between these two groups (cow-melons and sweet watermelons), 24% between accession within groups and 37% within accessions. Multivariate analyses employed provide evidence of the existence of introgression between sweet water melons and cow melons, as reflected by some accessions of cow melons, clustering into a hybridogenous group. Most of watermelon accessions within the hybridogenous group [A (II)] were collected from drier communal areas, while those accessions within the cow melon group [A (I)] are mostly from research centers. The separation of cow melons into distinct groups could be indicative of a possible formation of an isolated evolutionary unit.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30370371) and the Natural Science Foundation of Zheji-ang Province (No. 301267), China
文摘The “Huang gua” melons were measured for their physical properties including firmness and static elastic modulus. The vibrational characteristics of fruits and vegetables are governed by their elastic modulus (firmness), mass, and geometry. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate firmness of fruits and vegetables based on their vibrational characteristics. Analysis of the vibration responses of a fruit is suggested for measuring elastic properties (Firmness) non-destructively. The impulse response method is often used to measure firmness of fruits. The fruit was excited using three types of balls (wooden, steel and rubber) and the vibration is detected by an accelerometer. The Instron device was used to measure the static elastic modulus of the inner, middle and outer portions of melon flesh. Finite element (FE) technique was used to determine the optimum excitation location of the chosen measurement sensor and to analyze the mode shape fruits. Four types of mode shapes (torsional or flexural mode shape, first-type, second-type spherical mode and breathing mode shape) were found. Finite element simulation results agreed well with experimental results. Correlation between the firmness and resonant frequency (r2=0.91) and between the resonant frequency and stiffness factor (r2=0.74) existed. The optimum location and suitable direction for excitation and response measurement on the fruit were suggested.
基金supported by NIH Grants CA182872 and CA190291 to S.Anant.S.Anant is an Eminent Scientist of the Kansas Biosciences Authority
文摘Nature is a rich source of medicinal plants and their products that are useful for treatment of various diseases and disorders. Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter melon or bitter gourd, is one of such plants known for its biological activities used in traditional system of medicines. This plant is cultivated in all over the world, including tropical areas of Asia, Amazon, east Africa, and the Caribbean and used as a vegetable as well as folk medicine. All parts of the plant, including the fruit, are commonly consumed and cooked with different vegetables, stir-fried, stuffed or used in small quantities in soups or beans to give a slightly bitter flavor and taste. The plant is reported to possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, anti-obesity, and immunomodulatory activities. The plant extract inhibits cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, autophagy and inhibiting cancer stem cells. The plant is rich in bioactive chemical constituents like cucurbitane type triterpenoids, triterpene glycosides, phenolic acids, flavonoids, essential oils, saponins, fatty acids, and proteins. Some of the isolated compounds （Kuguacin J, Karaviloside XI, Kuguaglycoside C, Momordicoside Q-U, Charantin, a-eleostearic acid） and proteins （a-Momorcharin, RNase MC2, MAP30） possess potent biological activity. In the present review, we are summarizing the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities of Momordica charantia along with a short account of important chemical constituents, providing a basis for establishing detail biological activities of the plant and developing novel drug molecules based on the active chemical constituents.
