Amylose content(AC)is the key determinant of eating and cooking quality(ECQ)of rice.The major Wxa allele of granule-bound starch synthase I(GBSS I)in indica rice produces higher AC,making rice hard and dry after cooki...Amylose content(AC)is the key determinant of eating and cooking quality(ECQ)of rice.The major Wxa allele of granule-bound starch synthase I(GBSS I)in indica rice produces higher AC,making rice hard and dry after cooking.Recent work has improved ECQ of japonica rice via clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9(CRISPR/Cas9)or cytosine base editing(CBE)techniques.展开更多
In order to develop simple and adaptable measures to reduce the impact of changing climatic conditions and poor postharvest practices on grain quality, data on temperature and postharvest practices were collected and ...In order to develop simple and adaptable measures to reduce the impact of changing climatic conditions and poor postharvest practices on grain quality, data on temperature and postharvest practices were collected and correlated with physical grain quality parameters for 3 rice development hubs (Ndop, Lagdo and Mbam) in Cameroon. Inter-annual variations in temperature and thermal amplitudes were the highest in Ndop followed by Mbam and the least in Lagdo. When the same rice variety was grown in the hubs and milled with a laboratory hand dehusker, the mean chalky score was highest in Ndop (18%) and least in Mbam (11%). In addition, Ndop recorded higher grain fissures and broken fractions compared to Mbam or Lagdo. Positive correlations were observed between thermal amplitudes, grain fissures and the proportion of broken fractions. However, rice milled using commercial mills located in the hubs recorded the highest broken fractions in Mbam (54% - 63%), followed by Lagdo (43% - 52%) and the least in Ndop (35% - 38%). The type of mills in the hubs was responsible for these differences as Mbam had only Engelberg types mills that recorded higher broken fractions than in Ndop where only rubber roll mills were present (P < 0.05). Lagdo had a mixture of Engelberg and rubber roll mills and recorded intermediate broken fractions. Proper parboiling, recovery and processing of poorly filled and immature grains during parboiling and processing of low-grade and fine broken rice into product generally accepted by the local population were demonstrated as simple adaptation strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of changing climatic conditions and poor postharvest practices on the physical quality of rice especially in sub-Saharan African countries.展开更多
The high band gap of zinc oxide(ZnO)has significantly limited its potential application for organic contaminant removal in photocatalysis.In this study,ZnO/halloysites(HNTs)composites(ZnO/HNTs)were prepared using a hi...The high band gap of zinc oxide(ZnO)has significantly limited its potential application for organic contaminant removal in photocatalysis.In this study,ZnO/halloysites(HNTs)composites(ZnO/HNTs)were prepared using a high-temperature calcination method to enhance the removal of tetracycline hydrochloride(TCH).The experimental results demonstrated that the band gap of ZnO/HNTs decreased to 3.12 eV,compared to 3.21 eV for pure ZnO.The observed removal rate(k_(obs))of TCH in the ZnO/HNTs/vis system was 1.90×10^(-2) min^(-1),significantly higher than the rates in the HNTs/vis(1.25×10^(-3)min^(-1))and ZnO/vis(1.13×10^(-2) min^(-1))systems.Additionally,ZnO/HNTs exhibited strong resistance to coexisting natural organic and inorganic matter,maintaining high pollutant removal efficiency in natural water samples.The ZnO/HNTs/vis system also effectively removed other common organic pollutants,such as ciprofloxacin and methylene blue.Cycle tests indicated that the ZnO/HNTs/vis system retained 65.57%of its original efficiency,demonstrating good reusability and versatility.Scavenging and electron paramagnetic resonance experiments identified that h+was the primary species in the ZnO/HNTs/vis system,with other species playing auxiliary roles in TCH degradation.This study provides valuable insights into the design of novel ZnO-based photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants in water.展开更多
Genetic diversity of 36 rice entries from the United States Department of Agriculture （USDA） rice collection was assessed using 103 ILP （intron length polymorphism） and 54 SSR （simple sequence repeats） markers. ...Genetic diversity of 36 rice entries from the United States Department of Agriculture （USDA） rice collection was assessed using 103 ILP （intron length polymorphism） and 54 SSR （simple sequence repeats） markers. A total of 236 and 332 alleles were detected by the ILP and SSR markers, respectively. On average, the SSR markers produced higher polymorphism information content value and number of alleles than the ILP markers. Whereas the Nei＇s genetic distance measured using the SSR markers was much higher than that measured using the ILP markers. Manters test indicated that there was a statistically significant correlation （r=0.827, P〈0.001 ） between the two marker systems. UPGMA clustering based on the ILP and SSR markers resulted in consensus dendrograms. The cophenetic correlation coefficient （r=0.918, 0.878 and 0.924, P〈0.001 for the ILP, SSR and combined markers, respectively） showed a highly accurate dendrogram represented the genetic distance among these entries. The 36 entries were divided into four groups. Four African Oryza glaberrima accessions were clustered within a distinct group （I）, and the remaining entries were separated into three groups （11, III and IV）. All the entries could be also clustered into two main groups： One was composed of III and IV, considered as indica group, and the other was composed of I （O. glaberrima） and II （japonica-like）. Model-based cluster analysis revealed that the japonica-like group maintained very pure ancestry while the indica group shared mixed ancestry, especially for group III, which had seven admixtures sharing from 19.5% to 30.0% of ancestry with group IV （based on SSR markers）. It is suggested that ILP and SSR markers could be very useful for the genetic study and breeding in rice.展开更多
The effect of the degree of milling(DM)on the distribution of the residual bran layer on the surface of rice grains and subsequent rice quality is essential for rice milling technology.This study used scanning electro...The effect of the degree of milling(DM)on the distribution of the residual bran layer on the surface of rice grains and subsequent rice quality is essential for rice milling technology.This study used scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS)to examine the microstructure of japonica rice grains,the microstructural changes in different bran portions after milling,and the content and distribution changes of the elements and nutrients in rice after milling to identify the components that can quantify bran residue according to DM.The SEM results revealed that the thickness of the bran layer and the depth of the grooves in different parts of a rice grain varied,while the depth of the grooves differed between varieties.When DM was 12%,aleurone layer(Al)cells embedded in endosperm(En)remained in the dorsal area.It was speculated that this was the reason why there was no significant difference in bran degree when the DM estimated via grain weight loss increased from 10%to 14%(P>0.05).The EDS elemental mapping image showed the qualitative distribution of the elements,which was condensed in the bran and uniform in the En.The compositional changes revealed that milling caused the loss of rice nutrients,and the loss rate of DM at 0–10%was more serious than that of DM at 10%–14%.Higher DM(>10%)could remove marginal bran from the dorsal groove.Therefore,the crude protein,ash,crude fat,dietary fiber,vitamin B1(VB1),and vitamin B2(VB2)content did not change significantly(P>0.05),while the magnesium(Mg),kalium(K),and phosphorus(P)levels decreased substantially(P<0.05).The microstructural and compositional changes indicated that the DM estimated via the grain weight loss increased from 2%to 10%,with the bran decreasing progressively.The DM estimated via the grain weight loss increased from 10%to 14%,with minimal changes in the residual bran in the dorsal grooves of the rice grains,while the Mg,P,and K levels presented precise DM indices during the rice milling process.This result will provide a theoretical reference for the accurate evaluations of DM.展开更多
Traditional rice varieties have been widely cultivated and popularly consumed by Asian people for a very long time and have recently garnered increased consumer concern.Traditional or indigenous rice varieties are kno...Traditional rice varieties have been widely cultivated and popularly consumed by Asian people for a very long time and have recently garnered increased consumer concern.Traditional or indigenous rice varieties are known to be rich in a wide range of bioactive compounds,particularly phenolic compounds,flavonoids,tannins,anthocyanins,proanthocyanidins,phytic acids,andγ-oryzanol.We have identified 32 phenolic acids,including hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives,and 7 different flavonoids in rice varieties.These bioactive compounds have unique physiological effects on human health.Additionally,rice grains exhibit nutraceutical potential for antidiabetic,antiarthritic,anti-inflammatory,antibacterial,and antitumor activities.In this review,we critically analyzed the bioactive components of traditional rice and their nutraceutical potential in protecting against harmful microbial activities.To ensure that future generations have access to these beneficial substances,it is crucial to preserve traditional rice varieties.展开更多
The domestication and artificial selection of rice involved profound genetic changes that rendered wild rice more suitable for cultivation and consumption.As a result,rice has been extensively used as a caloric source...The domestication and artificial selection of rice involved profound genetic changes that rendered wild rice more suitable for cultivation and consumption.As a result,rice has been extensively used as a caloric source to address hunger without sufficiently considering its total nutritional value.In this review,we high-light how domestication has altered starch quality and other nutritional traits in rice,including flavonoid,protein,and lipid content,as well as digestibility and texture.Precise genetic alterations through transgenic technologies hold significant promise for the reintroduction of key nutrient biosynthesis genes that have been lost in cultivated rice.Although there is currently little concrete evidence that genome editing has improved wild rice,the de novo domestication of wild rice enables the retention of its multi-nutritional prop-erties while enhancing its agronomic performance and grain quality.We propose that the use of acceler-ated breeding techniques to introgress beneficial nutritional alleles from wild rice into elite pools could advance efforts to use wild rice to improve human health.展开更多
The eating and cooking quality(ECQ)of rice is critical for determining its economic value in the marketplace and promoting consumer acceptance.It has therefore been of paramount importance in rice breeding programs.He...The eating and cooking quality(ECQ)of rice is critical for determining its economic value in the marketplace and promoting consumer acceptance.It has therefore been of paramount importance in rice breeding programs.Here,we highlight advances in genetic studies of ECQ and discuss prospects for further enhancement of ECQ in rice.Innovations in gene-and genome-editing techniques have enabled improvements in rice ECQ.Significant genes and quantitative trait loci(QTLs)have been shown to regulate starch composition,thereby affecting amylose content and thermal and pasting properties.A limited number of genes/QTLs have been identified for other ECQ properties such as protein content and aroma.Marker-assisted breeding has identified rare alleles in diverse genetic resources that are associated with superior ECQ properties.The post-genomics-driven information summarized in this review is relevant for augmenting current breeding strategies to meet consumer preferences and growing population demands.展开更多
A key component of the sensory experience is flavor, which reflects preferred customer desires for higher-quality fruits, vegetables, and cereals. However, breeders are currently facing difficulty in capturing flavor ...A key component of the sensory experience is flavor, which reflects preferred customer desires for higher-quality fruits, vegetables, and cereals. However, breeders are currently facing difficulty in capturing flavor qualities across crops, which requires the deployment of multi-disciplinary genomics technologies to identify novel alleles and validate the function using genome editing techniques. Recently, Luo et al. (2024) published a work in Molecular Plant, reporting that the flavor traits of waxy corn are influenced by the preferential selection of brassinosteroid and benzoxazinoid pathway genes (ZmBZR1, ZmUGP1, and the benzoxazinoid biosynthetic [bx] genes), which caused significant differences in metabolic pathways of sweet metabolites such as 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one-glucoside (DIMBOA) and raffinose. Furthermore, flavor perception in the waxy corn population is unaffected by the desired breeding characteristic of “glutinous” texture.展开更多
The Philippines as a tropical country is home to several indigenous berries that offer enough supply of health-promoting bioactive compounds like vitamin C.Vitamin C is an important micronutrient in the human diet tha...The Philippines as a tropical country is home to several indigenous berries that offer enough supply of health-promoting bioactive compounds like vitamin C.Vitamin C is an important micronutrient in the human diet that is usually supplied by fruits and vegetables.The amount of this vitamin in different products varies depending on the species,variety,maturity,processing,and other conditions.In this study,the vitamin C contents of selected Philippine indigenous berries such as bignay and lipote were evaluated as affected by fruit maturity and processing treatment.Fruits of two bignay(Antidesma bunius(Linn.)Spreng),varieties,‘Common’and‘Kalabaw’,as well as of lipote(Syzygium polycephaloides(C.B.Rob.)Merr.),at three maturity stages(unripe,half-ripe,and fully ripe)were acquired in Laguna,Philippines.Samples were subjected to two processing treatments:blanched(90±5℃,2 minutes)and steamed(105±5℃,5 minutes),while control samples did not undergo processing treatment.The flesh and seeds were separated,lyophilized,extracted,and subjected to quantification of vitamin C using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography.Results showed that the vitamin C levels of both fruits were significantly affected by maturity,processing,and their interaction(P<.05).In general,a concomitant increase in vitamin C content was noted as fruit maturity progressed for both flesh and seeds(0.3 to 1.7-fold increase).Lipote seeds on the other hand,had decreased vitamin C content as maturity progresses(0.6-fold decrease).Moreover,blanching the fruits resulted in the highest retention of vitamin C in the fruit samples(247%at most).The general findings of this study indicated that the utilization of these indigenous berries for future functional product development must be accompanied by the blanching-as a pretreatment process,of the fully ripe fruits to attain enhanced vitamin C contents.展开更多
基金supported by the China National Key Research and Development Program(Grant No.2020YFE0202300)the Central Public-Interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund of China(Grant No&Y2020PT07 and Y2020YJ09)the International Science&Technology Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,China(Grant No.CAAS-ZDRW202109).
文摘Amylose content(AC)is the key determinant of eating and cooking quality(ECQ)of rice.The major Wxa allele of granule-bound starch synthase I(GBSS I)in indica rice produces higher AC,making rice hard and dry after cooking.Recent work has improved ECQ of japonica rice via clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9(CRISPR/Cas9)or cytosine base editing(CBE)techniques.
文摘In order to develop simple and adaptable measures to reduce the impact of changing climatic conditions and poor postharvest practices on grain quality, data on temperature and postharvest practices were collected and correlated with physical grain quality parameters for 3 rice development hubs (Ndop, Lagdo and Mbam) in Cameroon. Inter-annual variations in temperature and thermal amplitudes were the highest in Ndop followed by Mbam and the least in Lagdo. When the same rice variety was grown in the hubs and milled with a laboratory hand dehusker, the mean chalky score was highest in Ndop (18%) and least in Mbam (11%). In addition, Ndop recorded higher grain fissures and broken fractions compared to Mbam or Lagdo. Positive correlations were observed between thermal amplitudes, grain fissures and the proportion of broken fractions. However, rice milled using commercial mills located in the hubs recorded the highest broken fractions in Mbam (54% - 63%), followed by Lagdo (43% - 52%) and the least in Ndop (35% - 38%). The type of mills in the hubs was responsible for these differences as Mbam had only Engelberg types mills that recorded higher broken fractions than in Ndop where only rubber roll mills were present (P < 0.05). Lagdo had a mixture of Engelberg and rubber roll mills and recorded intermediate broken fractions. Proper parboiling, recovery and processing of poorly filled and immature grains during parboiling and processing of low-grade and fine broken rice into product generally accepted by the local population were demonstrated as simple adaptation strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of changing climatic conditions and poor postharvest practices on the physical quality of rice especially in sub-Saharan African countries.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52270149,51908528,2200013)Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province,China(No.242300421443)+1 种基金The Science and Technology Key Project of Henan Province,China(No.242102321073)Doctoral Fund Project of Henan University of Technology,China(Nos.2020BS005,2023BS004).
文摘The high band gap of zinc oxide(ZnO)has significantly limited its potential application for organic contaminant removal in photocatalysis.In this study,ZnO/halloysites(HNTs)composites(ZnO/HNTs)were prepared using a high-temperature calcination method to enhance the removal of tetracycline hydrochloride(TCH).The experimental results demonstrated that the band gap of ZnO/HNTs decreased to 3.12 eV,compared to 3.21 eV for pure ZnO.The observed removal rate(k_(obs))of TCH in the ZnO/HNTs/vis system was 1.90×10^(-2) min^(-1),significantly higher than the rates in the HNTs/vis(1.25×10^(-3)min^(-1))and ZnO/vis(1.13×10^(-2) min^(-1))systems.Additionally,ZnO/HNTs exhibited strong resistance to coexisting natural organic and inorganic matter,maintaining high pollutant removal efficiency in natural water samples.The ZnO/HNTs/vis system also effectively removed other common organic pollutants,such as ciprofloxacin and methylene blue.Cycle tests indicated that the ZnO/HNTs/vis system retained 65.57%of its original efficiency,demonstrating good reusability and versatility.Scavenging and electron paramagnetic resonance experiments identified that h+was the primary species in the ZnO/HNTs/vis system,with other species playing auxiliary roles in TCH degradation.This study provides valuable insights into the design of novel ZnO-based photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants in water.
基金supported by the China Scholarship Council(CSC)(Grant No.2008100568)
文摘Genetic diversity of 36 rice entries from the United States Department of Agriculture （USDA） rice collection was assessed using 103 ILP （intron length polymorphism） and 54 SSR （simple sequence repeats） markers. A total of 236 and 332 alleles were detected by the ILP and SSR markers, respectively. On average, the SSR markers produced higher polymorphism information content value and number of alleles than the ILP markers. Whereas the Nei＇s genetic distance measured using the SSR markers was much higher than that measured using the ILP markers. Manters test indicated that there was a statistically significant correlation （r=0.827, P〈0.001 ） between the two marker systems. UPGMA clustering based on the ILP and SSR markers resulted in consensus dendrograms. The cophenetic correlation coefficient （r=0.918, 0.878 and 0.924, P〈0.001 for the ILP, SSR and combined markers, respectively） showed a highly accurate dendrogram represented the genetic distance among these entries. The 36 entries were divided into four groups. Four African Oryza glaberrima accessions were clustered within a distinct group （I）, and the remaining entries were separated into three groups （11, III and IV）. All the entries could be also clustered into two main groups： One was composed of III and IV, considered as indica group, and the other was composed of I （O. glaberrima） and II （japonica-like）. Model-based cluster analysis revealed that the japonica-like group maintained very pure ancestry while the indica group shared mixed ancestry, especially for group III, which had seven admixtures sharing from 19.5% to 30.0% of ancestry with group IV （based on SSR markers）. It is suggested that ILP and SSR markers could be very useful for the genetic study and breeding in rice.
基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant Number 2017YFD0401101-01)
文摘The effect of the degree of milling(DM)on the distribution of the residual bran layer on the surface of rice grains and subsequent rice quality is essential for rice milling technology.This study used scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS)to examine the microstructure of japonica rice grains,the microstructural changes in different bran portions after milling,and the content and distribution changes of the elements and nutrients in rice after milling to identify the components that can quantify bran residue according to DM.The SEM results revealed that the thickness of the bran layer and the depth of the grooves in different parts of a rice grain varied,while the depth of the grooves differed between varieties.When DM was 12%,aleurone layer(Al)cells embedded in endosperm(En)remained in the dorsal area.It was speculated that this was the reason why there was no significant difference in bran degree when the DM estimated via grain weight loss increased from 10%to 14%(P>0.05).The EDS elemental mapping image showed the qualitative distribution of the elements,which was condensed in the bran and uniform in the En.The compositional changes revealed that milling caused the loss of rice nutrients,and the loss rate of DM at 0–10%was more serious than that of DM at 10%–14%.Higher DM(>10%)could remove marginal bran from the dorsal groove.Therefore,the crude protein,ash,crude fat,dietary fiber,vitamin B1(VB1),and vitamin B2(VB2)content did not change significantly(P>0.05),while the magnesium(Mg),kalium(K),and phosphorus(P)levels decreased substantially(P<0.05).The microstructural and compositional changes indicated that the DM estimated via the grain weight loss increased from 2%to 10%,with the bran decreasing progressively.The DM estimated via the grain weight loss increased from 10%to 14%,with minimal changes in the residual bran in the dorsal grooves of the rice grains,while the Mg,P,and K levels presented precise DM indices during the rice milling process.This result will provide a theoretical reference for the accurate evaluations of DM.
文摘Traditional rice varieties have been widely cultivated and popularly consumed by Asian people for a very long time and have recently garnered increased consumer concern.Traditional or indigenous rice varieties are known to be rich in a wide range of bioactive compounds,particularly phenolic compounds,flavonoids,tannins,anthocyanins,proanthocyanidins,phytic acids,andγ-oryzanol.We have identified 32 phenolic acids,including hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives,and 7 different flavonoids in rice varieties.These bioactive compounds have unique physiological effects on human health.Additionally,rice grains exhibit nutraceutical potential for antidiabetic,antiarthritic,anti-inflammatory,antibacterial,and antitumor activities.In this review,we critically analyzed the bioactive components of traditional rice and their nutraceutical potential in protecting against harmful microbial activities.To ensure that future generations have access to these beneficial substances,it is crucial to preserve traditional rice varieties.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant no.32161143004)for fundingthe Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research(CA-21-SS-0000000157)+1 种基金the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council,the UK Research and Innovation program(project BB/T008873/1)the CGIAR Research Initiative on Accelerated Breeding Initiative for their financial assistance.
文摘The domestication and artificial selection of rice involved profound genetic changes that rendered wild rice more suitable for cultivation and consumption.As a result,rice has been extensively used as a caloric source to address hunger without sufficiently considering its total nutritional value.In this review,we high-light how domestication has altered starch quality and other nutritional traits in rice,including flavonoid,protein,and lipid content,as well as digestibility and texture.Precise genetic alterations through transgenic technologies hold significant promise for the reintroduction of key nutrient biosynthesis genes that have been lost in cultivated rice.Although there is currently little concrete evidence that genome editing has improved wild rice,the de novo domestication of wild rice enables the retention of its multi-nutritional prop-erties while enhancing its agronomic performance and grain quality.We propose that the use of acceler-ated breeding techniques to introgress beneficial nutritional alleles from wild rice into elite pools could advance efforts to use wild rice to improve human health.
基金N.S.acknowledges funding support from the RICE CGIAR Research Pro-gram and AGGRI project(grant no.OPP1194925)from the Bill and Me-linda Gates Foundation.Q.L.N.S.appreciate the funding support of the National Science Foundation of China(grant nos.32161143004 and 31825019)。
文摘The eating and cooking quality(ECQ)of rice is critical for determining its economic value in the marketplace and promoting consumer acceptance.It has therefore been of paramount importance in rice breeding programs.Here,we highlight advances in genetic studies of ECQ and discuss prospects for further enhancement of ECQ in rice.Innovations in gene-and genome-editing techniques have enabled improvements in rice ECQ.Significant genes and quantitative trait loci(QTLs)have been shown to regulate starch composition,thereby affecting amylose content and thermal and pasting properties.A limited number of genes/QTLs have been identified for other ECQ properties such as protein content and aroma.Marker-assisted breeding has identified rare alleles in diverse genetic resources that are associated with superior ECQ properties.The post-genomics-driven information summarized in this review is relevant for augmenting current breeding strategies to meet consumer preferences and growing population demands.
文摘A key component of the sensory experience is flavor, which reflects preferred customer desires for higher-quality fruits, vegetables, and cereals. However, breeders are currently facing difficulty in capturing flavor qualities across crops, which requires the deployment of multi-disciplinary genomics technologies to identify novel alleles and validate the function using genome editing techniques. Recently, Luo et al. (2024) published a work in Molecular Plant, reporting that the flavor traits of waxy corn are influenced by the preferential selection of brassinosteroid and benzoxazinoid pathway genes (ZmBZR1, ZmUGP1, and the benzoxazinoid biosynthetic [bx] genes), which caused significant differences in metabolic pathways of sweet metabolites such as 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one-glucoside (DIMBOA) and raffinose. Furthermore, flavor perception in the waxy corn population is unaffected by the desired breeding characteristic of “glutinous” texture.
基金the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development(DOST-PCHRD)for the research funds under the BERRYPINOY Program.
文摘The Philippines as a tropical country is home to several indigenous berries that offer enough supply of health-promoting bioactive compounds like vitamin C.Vitamin C is an important micronutrient in the human diet that is usually supplied by fruits and vegetables.The amount of this vitamin in different products varies depending on the species,variety,maturity,processing,and other conditions.In this study,the vitamin C contents of selected Philippine indigenous berries such as bignay and lipote were evaluated as affected by fruit maturity and processing treatment.Fruits of two bignay(Antidesma bunius(Linn.)Spreng),varieties,‘Common’and‘Kalabaw’,as well as of lipote(Syzygium polycephaloides(C.B.Rob.)Merr.),at three maturity stages(unripe,half-ripe,and fully ripe)were acquired in Laguna,Philippines.Samples were subjected to two processing treatments:blanched(90±5℃,2 minutes)and steamed(105±5℃,5 minutes),while control samples did not undergo processing treatment.The flesh and seeds were separated,lyophilized,extracted,and subjected to quantification of vitamin C using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography.Results showed that the vitamin C levels of both fruits were significantly affected by maturity,processing,and their interaction(P<.05).In general,a concomitant increase in vitamin C content was noted as fruit maturity progressed for both flesh and seeds(0.3 to 1.7-fold increase).Lipote seeds on the other hand,had decreased vitamin C content as maturity progresses(0.6-fold decrease).Moreover,blanching the fruits resulted in the highest retention of vitamin C in the fruit samples(247%at most).The general findings of this study indicated that the utilization of these indigenous berries for future functional product development must be accompanied by the blanching-as a pretreatment process,of the fully ripe fruits to attain enhanced vitamin C contents.
