Skip to main content

Insight to Molecular Mechanism of Pericarp Browning in Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) | Chapter 04 | Emerging Issues in Science and Technology Vol. 1

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a subtropical fruit crop having high commercial value and consumer acceptance due to its rich juicy aril and attractive bright red pericarp. Anthocyanin, the major pigment present in litchi pericarp reaches its maximum content in fully ripen fruit contributing to its bright red colour. The biosynthesis of anthocyanin occurs via an intricate phenyl propanoid pathway controlled by plethora of structural and regulatory genes. Several genes encoding enzymes responsible for anthocyanin synthesis have been isolated and characterised in different plants. Litchi fruit being highly perishable, exhibit relatively shorter postharvest shelf-life of 2–3 days at ambient conditions which in part can be attributed to the enzymatic and non-enzymatic degradation of anthocyanin. In contrast to the comprehensive understanding of molecular basis of anthocyanin synthesis, the studies on its catabolism or degradation are meagre. Polyphenols oxidases and peroxidases are the major enzymes responsible for anthocyanin degradation leading to the problem of pericarp browning. Laccase, an anthocyanin degradation enzyme expresses about thousand fold higher than the polyphenols oxidase in the pericarp with epicatechin as favourable substrate. A detailed study of the anthocyanin degradation pathway in litchi may be helpful in managing the problem of pericarp browning to preserve its bright red colour as well as to enhance the shelf life and marketability of this valuable fruit crop.

 Author(s) Details

Khushboo Azam 
Department of Horticulture (F&FT), Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210, India.

Hidayatullah Mir
Department of Horticulture (F&FT), Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210, India.

Dr. Tushar Ranjan
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210, India.

Dr. Awadhesh Kumar Pal
Department of Biochemistry and Crop Physiology, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210, India.

Dr. Ruby Rani
Department of Horticulture (F&FT), Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210, India.

View Books: http://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/110
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Greening Regional Airports: A Vision for Carbon Neutral Infrastructure | Chapter 12 | Contemporary Perspective on Science, Technology and Research Vol. 3

 This study provides an overview of the energy demand of a regional airport, divided into individual time horizons. The electrification of aircraft systems raises the question of whether airports will be among the largest electricity consumers in our infrastructure in the future. Sustainability and especially emission reductions are significant challenges for airports that are currently being addressed. The Clean Sky 2 project GENESIS addresses the environmental sustainability of hybrid-electric 50-passenger aircraft systems in a life cycle perspective to support the development of a technology roadmap for the transition to sustainable and competitive electric aircraft systems. This article originates from the GENESIS research and describes various options for ground power supply at a regional airport. Potential solutions for airport infrastructure with a short (2030), medium (2040), and long (2050) time horizon are proposed. In addition to the environmental and conservation benefi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Occipital Dermal Sinus Tract Causing Craniospinal Infection: A Review | Chapter 13 | New Visions in Medicine and Medical Science Vol. 4

  Dermal sinus is a rare congenital condition characterized by a pathological tract connecting the skin to deeper tissues of the central nervous system, potentially leading to severe infectious complications. It arises from a failure in the separation of ectodermal layers during early gestation. Diagnosing dermal sinus tract in newborns requires a careful physical examination, focusing on midline dimples in the occipital region associated with cutaneous abnormalities like hairy nevus or hyperpigmentation. The presence of drainage, abnormal hair distribution, or localized swelling may indicate a sinus tract. Regular examination for dimples or sinuses is recommended for infants and children with recurrent meningitis or infections. Early detection is crucial to prevent severe complications like meningitis, with Staphylococcus aureus being a common causative organism. Neuroradiological studies, including computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with histopath...
Post a Comment
Read more

Alkali Element Modification of Glucose Molecules as a Method to Dissolve Cancer Cells | Chapter 12 | New Visions in Medicine and Medical Science Vol. 4

  The present study highlights about alkali element modification of glucose molecules as a method to dissolve cancer cells. The central regulation of the mechanisms governing cell proliferation has little effect on cancer cells. Cancer cells are entirely independent of the central command and divide and proliferate on their own, making it challenging to activate their response mechanism. Precisely, this is the reason why they are at risk to the health of humans and/or any biological entities. Instead of trying to reconnect the central command of the growth control mechanism to cancer cells that are already out of the range, we present a method of using the cancer cell’s own irresponsive and uncontrolled growth mechanism to their disadvantage and destroy the cancer cells. We found that this is achievable in an atomic/molecular level study of the glucose molecule, which is the primary food source used for growth and energy generation by all cells in the body, including the cancer cel...
Post a Comment
Read more