A point mutation in the zinc-finger transcription factor CqLOL1 controls the green flesh color in chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. Chieh-qua How).

Introduction: Flesh color is an essential trait in chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. Chieh-qua How); however, the inheritance and molecular basis of green flesh trait remain unclear. Methods: In the present study, two F2 populations, derived from 1742 (white flesh) × FJ3211 (green flesh) and J16 (white flesh) × FJ5 (green flesh), were used to identify the green flesh (Cqgf) locus. Results: Genetic analysis revealed that the presence of green flesh was a quantitative trait that closely followed a normal distribution. Combining the results from QTL mapping and BSA-seq analysis, the Cqgf locus was preliminarily determined to be located on chromosome 05 and was narrowed down to a 2.55-Mb interval by linkage analysis. A large J16 × FJ5 F2 population comprising 3,180 individuals was subsequently used to screen the recombinants, and the Cqgf locus was fine-mapped to a region of 329.70 kb that harbors six genes. One of the candidate genes, Bch05G003700, the zinc-finger transcription factor LOL1 (lsd one like 1 protein; CqLOL1), was the strongest candidate gene for the Cqgf locus according to sequence variation and expression analysis. Additionally, a point mutation (A > C) in CqLOL1 resulted in the substitution of threonine (T) with proline (P) in the amino acid sequence, showing a complete relationship linked with flesh color in a panel of 45 germplasms. Discussion: The study suggests that CqLOL1 promotes the accumulation of chlorophyll content in chieh-qua and lead to green flesh. Our findings establish a theoretical and technical foundation for breeding different flesh color lines and elucidating the underlying mechanisms of flesh color in chieh-qua.

Ultrastructure of Immatures Stages and Life Cycle of Helicobia aurescens (Diptera: Sarcophagidae: Sarcophaginae).

Helicobia aurescens is a flesh fly associated with pig and rat carcasses. This study aims to describe the life cycle at two temperatures (27 ± 1 °C and 29 ± 1 °C) and analyze the morphological characteristics of the eggs, larvae, and puparia of H. aurescens using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Temperature is an abiotic factor that greatly influences the development of insects. The larval development of H. aurescens lasts longer at 27 ± 1 °C than it does at 29 ± 1 °C, affecting the growth of newly hatched larvae into adults. The females larviposited three times more at 27 °C than they did at 29 °C, and the number of days laying larvae was also greater. At 27 °C, they laid larvae for 38 days, whereas, at 29 °C, the females larviposited for 21 days. No hatching lines or median areas were detected on the exochorion with SEM, as in the other sarcophagid species. The first-instar larva is very similar to those of the other species. The second instar has anterior spiracles present on the first thoracic segment, with six or seven ramifications aligned regularly. On the third instar, these structures have eight ramifications in a regular row and are located dorsolaterally. The puparium morphology is similar to that of the third-instar larvae.

Effects of Changes in Pectin Constitution on Optical Properties and Firmness of Peach Flesh during Storage.

Understanding the fundamental light-sample interaction process is a crucial step toward the development of vibrational spectroscopy to determine fruit texture (i.e., firmness). This study aimed to investigate the effect of pectin constitution, including total pectin, water-soluble pectin, protopectin contents, and protopectin index (PI), on the optical properties and firmness of 'Baifeng' and 'Xiahui 8' peach flesh at the different softening degrees during postharvest storage of 6 days at 20 °C. The firmness of 'Baifeng' and 'Xiahui 8' peaches significantly (p < 0.05) changed with a decreasing rate from 90.3% to 92.2%. Peach firmness of these two cultivars correlated well with PI contents (r > 0.912) and showed good internal correlations with optical scattering properties. The light absorption coefficient (µa) and reduced scattering coefficient (µ's) at 600-1600 nm were measured using a single integrating sphere system combined with an inversion algorithm. This relationship of µa and µ's with peach firmness and pectin constitution was first analyzed. Notably, the specific µ's at 660 nm, 950 nm, 1203 nm, and 1453 nm showed a satisfactory prediction of peach firmness and PI of 'Xiahui 8' (R2 ≥ 0.926) and 'Baifeng' peaches (R2 ≥ 0.764), respectively. Furthermore, the prediction models were established based on partial least squares regression coupled with optical properties, and considerable prediction performances were obtained for tissue firmness (Rp2 ≥ 0.863) and PI based on µ's (Rp2 ≥ 0.802). Consequently, these results further verified that the spectroscopic prediction model for peach firmness could be related to the high correlations between PI in tissues and their optical scattering properties. Future research interests could include the development of optical absorption and scattering sensors for rapid and efficient determination of peach firmness.

Polyploid QTL-seq revealed multiple QTLs controlling steamed tuber texture and starch gelatinization temperature in sweetpotato.

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) includes diverse cultivars with flesh textures ranging from dry to moist. Moist-fleshed cultivars often contain starch with a lower gelatinization temperature (GT). To elucidate the genetic determinants of flesh texture and starch GT, we conducted a QTL analysis using F1 progenies obtained from a cross between dry-fleshed and moist-fleshed cultivars, 'Benikomachi' (BK) and 'Amahazuki' (AH), by using an updated polyploid QTL-seq pipeline. Flesh texture was assessed based on the wet area ratio (WAR) observed on the cut surface of steamed tubers, as progenies with dry and moist flesh exhibited low and high WAR values, respectively, demonstrating a strong correlation. Three QTLs were found to regulate the WAR. Notably, two AH-derived alleles at 4.30 Mb on Itr_chr05 and 21.01 Mb on Itr_chr07, along with a BK-derived allele at 2.89 Mb on Itr_chr15, were associated with increased WAR. Starch GT, which displayed no correlation with either flesh texture or WAR, was distinctly influenced by two QTLs: a GT-increasing BK-derived allele at 1.74 Mb on Itr_chr05 and a GT-decreasing AH-derived allele at 30.16 Mb on Itr_chr12. Consequently, we developed DNA markers linked to WAR, offering a promising avenue for the targeted breeding of sweetpotato with the desired flesh textures.

Multivariate analysis and risk assessment associated with the consumption of carnivorous fish obtained from southwest Caspian Sea.

Potentially toxic elements such as Cd or Pb are serious pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, accumulating in fish and posing risks to humans. Our study analyzed 10 such elements in the muscle tissue of eight carnivorous fish species from the Caspian Sea. The differences between species were minor. However, higher levels of mercury were found in larger species. The concentrations of cadmium and lead determined were high, which led to the risk analysis giving a concerning result for children. Inorganic arsenic posed an acceptable cancer risk. Overall, our findings underscore the need for constant monitoring of the area to safeguard both aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Topical steroid use for suppression of hypergranulation in burns: Trends across the Atlantic.

Hypergranulated wounds from thermal injury remain a complex and debilitating problem for burn patients. Currently, there is no standard therapy to prevent or treat hypergranulation following burn injury. Many centers use topical corticosteroids; however, their use seems to be geographically dependent and controversial. The primary aim of this study was to quantify the current use of topical corticosteroids for post-burn hypergranulation in North America (NA) and Europe, while secondarily assessing for perceptions of safety and efficacy. We designed a survey that was distributed to the members of the European and American Burn Associations. Data was extracted and analyzed using SPSS software. A total of 165 respondents completed the survey (90 and 75 for the European and NA members, respectively). Seventy-one of the 90 (78.9%) European respondents reported they routinely use topical steroids for suppression of hypergranulation tissue in burns, versus 25 of the 75 (33.3%) NA respondents (p<0.001). European respondents, compared to NA respondents, were significantly more likely to consider topical steroid use safe (100% vs. 74.4%, p <0.001) and effective (98.6% vs. 66.7%, p < 0.001) for treatment of hypergranulated burn wounds. There was no significant difference in reported systemic effects seen after topical steroid use when comparing NA respondents and European respondents (6.5% vs. 6.9%, p > 0.10). The results of this study suggest that the use of steroids for hypergranulation tissue in burn care is more prevalent in Europe than NA, which may be due to discordant views on safety and efficacy despite minimal reported adverse effects.

Dietary black soldier fly oil enhances growth performance, flesh quality, and health status of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).

The study aimed to assess the effects of dietary black soldier fly oil (BSFO) on the growth performance, flesh quality, and health status of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Six iso-nitrogenous and isolipid diets were formulated by substituting fish oil and soybean oil (1/2, wt/wt) with BSFO in percentages of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%, respectively. The diets were fed to 960 fish (initial body weight = 16.5 g) in four replicates for 8 weeks. Indicators related to growth performance, body composition, hematology, flesh quality, expression of genes related to inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis, and the response of fish to Aeromonas veronii challenge were analyzed. The results showed that the weight gain rate was numerically improved in all BSFO substitution groups, ranging from 9.3% to 44.0% compared to the control group. The highest survival rate and the lowest hepatosomatic index and condition factor were observed in the BFSO20 group. In terms of flesh quality, the water-holding capacity of the dorsal muscle was elevated with higher levels of dietary BSFO. However, significant changes in texture properties (cohesiveness, gluing, and chewiness) were observed in the BSFO20 group (P < 0.05). Six hematological parameters related to glycolipid and liver function were optimized in most of the BFSO substitution groups. Furthermore, the expressions of six inflammation- and apoptosis-related genes (IL-1ß, Bcl-xl, BAX, caspase8, TNF-α, and IL-10) were significantly affected by dietary BSFO (P < 0.05). Following bacterial challenge, the seven-day cumulative survival rates of fish were considerably increased from 10.0% in the control group to 60.0% and 66.7% in the BSFO80 and BSFO100 groups, respectively. One-variable linear regression analysis revealed that various parameters related to fish growth, flesh quality, and health status were significantly influenced by dietary BSFO substitution levels in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). In conclusion, substituting around 20% of dietary fish oil and soybean oil with BSFO is promising in improving the growth performance and flesh quality of M. salmoides. However, to enhance immunity and disease resistance, it is recommended to further increase the inclusion of BSFO in the diet.

Non-destructive estimation of flesh oil content in avocado (Persea americana Mill.) using fluorescence images from 365-nm UV light excitation.

The flesh oil content (OC) is a crucial commercial indicator of avocado maturity and directly correlates with its nutritional quality. To meet export standards and optimize edible characteristics, avocados must be harvested at the appropriate stage of physiological maturity. The significant variability in OC during maturation, without any external morphological indicators, poses a longstanding challenge. Currently, harvesting maturity is optimized through time-consuming, destructive laboratory methods like freeze-drying and chemical extraction, which use representative samples to estimate the maturity of entire orchards. In this study, for the first time, we employed fluorescence imaging of avocado skin using 365-nm UV polarized light excitation to estimate the OC in the 'Bacon' avocado cultivar. We developed a surface fluorescence index that strongly correlates with OC, achieving correlation coefficients up to - 0.91. Our non-destructive and rapid approach achieved a cross-validation accuracy with an R2 value of 0.81, enabling the classification of avocados with low and high OC. This pioneering method shows considerable potential for further improvement and refinement. This study lays the groundwork for developing a portable, cost-effective, and real-time method for non-destructive in situ monitoring of avocado OC in the field and its integration into large-scale post-harvest grading systems.

Genetic mapping and molecular marker development for white flesh color in tomato.

Introduction: Fruit color significantly influences the quality of horticultural crops, which affects phytochemical diversity and consumer preferences. Despite its importance, the genetic basis of the white-colored fruit in tomatoes remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, we demonstrate that white-fleshed tomato varieties accumulate fewer carotenoids than yellow-fleshed varieties. We developed various segregating populations by hybridizing red, yellow, and white fruit tomato cultivars. Results: Genetic analysis revealed that the white fruit color trait is controlled by a single gene that dominates both red and yellow fruits. Bulk segregant RNA sequencing provided a preliminary map of a 3.17 Mb region on chromosome 3 associated with the white color trait. Based on kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers, we narrowed the candidate gene region to 819 kb. Within this region, we identified a 4906-bp sequence absence variation near Phytoene Synthase 1 (SlPSY1) specific to white-colored tomatoes. Genotyping of the progeny and natural populations using a single nucleotide polymorphism adjacent to this absence of variation confirmed its key role in white fruit formation. Discussion: Collectively, our findings provide insights into white fruit trait formation in tomatoes, enabling tomato breeders to precisely introduce white fruit traits for commercial exploitation.

Accumulation patterns of flavonoids and phenolic acids in different colored sweet potato flesh revealed based on untargeted metabolomics.

Sweet potatoes are rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids, showing incomparable nutritional and health value. In this investigation, we comprehensively analyzed the secondary metabolite profiles in the flesh of different-colored sweet potato flesh. We determined the metabolomic profiles of white sweet potato flesh (BS), orange sweet potato flesh (CS), and purple sweet potato flesh (ZS) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The CS vs. BS, ZS vs. BS, and ZS vs. CS comparisons identified a total of 4447 secondary metabolites, including 1540, 1949, and 1931 differentially accumulated metabolites. Among them, there were significant differences in flavonoids and phenolic acids. There were 20 flavonoids and 13 phenolic acids that were common differential metabolites among the three comparison groups. The accumulation of paeoniflorin-like and delphinidin-like compounds may be responsible for the purple coloration of sweet potato flesh. These findings provide new rationale and insights for the development of functional foods for sweet potatoes. List of compounds: Kaempferol (PubChem CID: 5280863); Peonidin 3-(6"-p-coumarylglucoside) (PubChem CID: 44256849); Swerchirin (PubChem CID: 5281660); Trilobatin (PubChem CID: 6451798); 3-Geranyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (PubChem CID: 54730540); Eupatorin (PubChem CID: 97214); Icaritin (PubChem CID: 5318980); Isorhamnetin (PubChem CID: 5281654); Glucoliquiritin apioside (PubChem CID: 74819335); Brazilin (PubChem CID: 73384).

Harnessing the health benefits of purple and yellow-fleshed sweet potatoes: Phytochemical composition, stabilization methods, and industrial utilization- A review.

Purple-fleshed sweet potato (PFSP) and yellow-fleshed sweet potato (YFSP) are crops highly valued for their nutritional benefits and rich bioactive compounds. These compounds include carotenoids, flavonoids (including anthocyanins), and phenolic acids etc. which are present in both the leaves and roots of these sweet potatoes. PFSP and YFSP offer numerous health benefits, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective properties. The antioxidant activity of these sweet potatoes holds significant potential for various industries, including food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics. However, a challenge in utilizing PFSP and YFSP is their susceptibility to rapid oxidation and color fading during processing and storage. To address this issue and enhance the nutritional value and shelf life of food products, researchers have explored preservation methods such as co-pigmentation and encapsulation. While YFSP has not been extensively studied, this review provides a comprehensive summary of the nutritional value, phytochemical composition, health benefits, stabilization techniques for phytochemical, and industrial applications of both PFSP and YFSP in the food industry. Additionally, the comparison between PFSP and YFSP highlights their similarities and differences, shedding light on their potential uses and benefits in various food products.

Aflatoxin B1 decreased flesh flavor and inhibited muscle development in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).

In nature, aflatoxins, especially aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), are the common mycotoxins, which cause serious health problems for humans and animals. This paper aimed to study the effects of AFB1 on flesh flavor and muscle development of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and its mechanism. There were 1440 individual fish in total, with 6 treatments and each treatment replicated 3 times. The 6 treatments were fed a control diet with different doses of AFB1 (0.04, 29.48, 58.66, 85.94, 110.43 and 146.92 µg/kg diet) for 60 d. AFB1 increased myofiber diameter, as well as decreased myofiber density of grass carp muscle (P < 0.05). The contents of free amino acid decreased gradually (P < 0.05) as dietary AFB1 increased in the muscle of grass carp. The levels of reactive oxygen species, malonaldehyde and protein carbonyl (PC) were increased (P < 0.05) with the dietary AFB1 increased. The levels of antioxidant enzyme (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, glutathione reductase, total antioxidant capacity, anti-superoxide anion, and anti-hydroxyl radical) were decreased (P < 0.05) with the dietary AFB1 increased. In addition, dietary AFB1 decreased the content of collagen, and downregulated the mRNA and protein levels of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß)/Smads signaling pathway in grass carp muscle (P < 0.05). The mRNA and protein levels of myogenic regulatory factors were downregulated in grass carp muscle (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the activities of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were increased (P < 0.05), and the protein levels of phosphorylate-38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38MAPK), phosphorylate-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), MMP-2 and MMP-9 were upregulated (P < 0.05), but collagen Ⅰ, laminin ß1 and fibronectin were downregulated (P < 0.05) with the dietary AFB1 increased in the muscle of grass carp. Based on the results of this study, we can draw the following conclusion: dietary AFB1 might damage flesh flavor and inhibit the muscle development through MAPK/uPA/MMP/extracellular matrix (ECM) signaling pathway in grass carp. Moreover, the recommended safe limit of AFB1 in feed is no more than 26.77 µg/kg diet according to the PC levels in grass carp muscle.

Stability of color and biologically active compounds of pasteurized juices from potatoes with colored flesh.

Juices from potato varieties with colored flesh contain a large amount of biologically active compounds, but they tend to darken enzymatically, which deteriorates the quality. One of the factors that can improve the color of juices is pasteurization. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of pasteurization temperature on the anthocyanin content and color of juices from potatoes with colored flesh. The research material included juices from potato varieties with red and purple flesh. Juices pasteurized at 75 °C were characterized by the lightest color and an increase in the a* (red color) and b* (yellow color) parameters compared to unpasteurized juices. Pasteurization of juices reduced the amount of glycoalkaloids by an average of 54% compared to unpasteurized juices (larger losses in the content of α-chaconine than α-solanine). Purple potato juices showed a higher content of total polyphenols by an average of 30% and anthocyanins by 70% than juices from red potatoes. Pelargonidin and its derivatives were identified in red potato juices, while petunidin and peonidin were the most abundant in purple potato juices. Higher losses of total polyphenols were found in juices from red varieties of potatoes, while anthocyanins were less thermostable in juices from varieties with purple flesh.

Movement of ACC oxidase 3 mRNA from seeds to flesh promotes fruit ripening in apple.

Xenia, the phenomenon in which the pollen genotype directly affects the phenotypic characteristics of maternal tissues (i.e., fruit ripening), has applications in crop production and breeding. However, the underlying molecular mechanism has yet to be elucidated. Here, we investigated whether mobile mRNAs from the pollen affect the ripening and quality-related characteristics of the fruit using cross-pollination between distinct Malus domestica (apple) cultivars. We demonstrated that hundreds of mobile mRNAs originating from the seeds are delivered to the fruit. We found that the movement of one of these mRNAs, ACC oxidase 3 (MdACO3), is coordinated with fruit ripening. Salicylic acid treatment, which can cause plasmodesmal closure, blocks MdACO3 movement, indicating that MdACO3 transcripts may move through the plasmodesmata. To assess the role of mobile MdACO3 transcripts in apple fruit, we created MdACO3-GFP-expressing apple seeds using MdACO3-GFP-overexpressing pollen for pollination and showed that MdACO3 transcripts in the transgenic seeds move to the flesh, where they promote fruit ripening. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MdACO3 can be transported from the seeds to fruit in the fleshy-fruited species tomato and strawberry. These results underscore the potential of mobile mRNAs from seeds to influence fruit characteristics, providing an explanation for the xenia phenomenon. Notably, our findings highlight the feasibility of leveraging diverse pollen genomic resources, without resorting to genome editing, to improve fruit quality.

Biochemical, Histological, and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal Underlying Differences in Flesh Quality between Wild and Farmed Ricefield Eel (Monopterus albus).

The present study aimed to systematically investigate the underlying differences in flesh quality between wild and farmed Monopterus albus. Fifteen healthy M. albus per group with an average body weight of 45 g were sampled to analyze muscle parameters by biochemical indicators, histomorphology, and molecular biology. Compared with the wild fish, the farmed M. albus in flesh had lower crude protein, collagen, lysine, histidine, total amino acids, SFA, n-3 PUFA contents, and n-3/n-6 ratio (p < 0.05), and higher moisture, crude lipid, crude ash, MUFA, n-6PUFA, and total PUFA contents (p < 0.05). The thawing loss, drip loss, steaming loss, and boiling loss in the farmed group were significantly higher, and hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience were significantly lower than those in the wild group (p < 0.05). In addition, higher muscle fiber density and lower muscle fiber diameter were observed in wild M. albus (p < 0.05). In muscle transcriptome profiling, differentially expressed genes and enriched pathways are primarily associated with muscle development, protein synthesis, catabolism, lipid metabolism, and immunity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation that compares the flesh quality between wild and farmed M. albus in terms of biochemistry, histology, and molecular biology levels. Overall, wild M. albus had a higher nutritional value and texture quality than farmed M. albus.

Growth, Hepatic Enzymatic Activity, and Quality of European Seabass Fed on Hermetia illucens and Poultry By-Product Meal in a Commercial Farm.

Protein meals from insects in combination with poultry by-product meal appear to be promising ingredients for replacing conventional proteins in the diets of carnivorous fish. The present study explored the effects on growth performance, hepatic enzymatic activity, and fillet physical and nutritional characteristics during a 66-day feeding trial performed on European seabass. A total of 3000 fish were distributed into three tanks, where the control group was fed with a commercial diet (CG) and a second group was fed in duplicate with the experimental diet (SSH) containing 10% Hermetia illucens larva meal, 30% poultry by-product meal, and <5.5 g/100 g of feed of marine origin proteins. All fish showed good growth performance. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities were higher in the SSH group than in the CG group. The fillet fatty acid profile was largely unaffected by diet, except for a few fatty acids. Fish fed the SSH diet had a lower C22:1n-11 content than CG, thus suggesting an increased ß-oxidation. The oxidative status of muscle lipids was not affected by the diet. In conclusion, the present study showed that European seabass can be successfully fed the SSH diet for two months in a commercial setting.

How Rhizosphere Microbial Assemblage Is Influenced by Dragon Fruits with White and Red Flesh.

The synthesis of betalain using microorganisms is an innovative developmental technology, and the excavation of microorganisms closely related to betalain can provide certain theoretical and technical support to this technology. In this study, the characteristics of soil microbial community structures and their functions in the rhizospheres of white-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) and red-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) were analyzed. The results show that the soil bacterial and fungal compositions in the rhizospheres were shaped differently between H. undatus and H. polyrhizus. Bacterial genera such as Kribbella and TM7a were the unique dominant soil bacterial genera in the rhizospheres of H. undatus, whereas Bradyrhizobium was the unique dominant soil bacterial genus in the rhizospheres of H. polyrhizus. Additionally, Myrothecium was the unique dominant soil fungal genus in the rhizospheres of H. polyrhizus, whereas Apiotrichum and Arachniotus were the unique dominant soil fungal genera in the rhizospheres of H. undatus. Moreover, TM7a, Novibacillus, Cupriavidus, Mesorhizobium, Trechispora, Madurella, Cercophora, and Polyschema were significantly enriched in the rhizospheres of H. undatus, whereas Penicillium, Blastobotrys, Phialemonium, Marasmius, and Pseudogymnoascus were significantly enriched in the rhizospheres of H. polyrhizus. Furthermore, the relative abundances of Ascomycota and Penicillium were significantly higher in the rhizospheres of H. polyrhizus than in those of H. undatus.

Dietary resveratrol improves the flesh quality of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) by enhancing myofiber growth, nutrient accumulation and antioxidant capacity.

BACKGROUND: In aquaculture, sturgeons are generally maintained in the confined spaces, which not only hinders sturgeon movement, but also threatens their flesh quality that seriously concerned by aquaculture industry. As a typical antioxidant, resveratrol can improve the flesh quality of livestock and poultry. However, the mechanism of resveratrol's effect on the muscle of Siberian sturgeon is still unclear. RESULTS: In this study, the dietary resveratrol increased the myofiber diameter, the content of the amino acids, antioxidant capacity markers (CAT, LDH and SOD) levels and the expression levels of mTORC1 and MYH9 in muscle of Siberian sturgeon. Further transcriptome analysis displayed that ROS production-related pathways ("Oxidative phosphorylation" and "Chemical carcinogenes-reactive oxygen species") were enriched in KEGG analysis, and the expression levels of genes related to the production of ROS (COX4, COX6A, ATPeF1A, etc.) in mitochondria were significantly down-regulated, while the expression levels of genes related to scavenging ROS (SOD1) were up-regulated. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this study reveals that resveratrol may promote the flesh quality of Siberian sturgeon probably by enhancing myofiber growth, nutritional value and the antioxidant capacity of muscle, which has certain reference significance for the development of a new type of feed for Siberian sturgeon.

Image analysis and polyphenol profiling unveil red-flesh apple phenotype complexity.

BACKGROUND: The genetic basis of colour development in red-flesh apples (Malus domestica Borkh) has been widely characterised; however, current models do not explain the observed variations in red pigmentation intensity and distribution. Available methods to evaluate the red-flesh trait rely on the estimation of an average overall colour using a discrete class notation index. However, colour variations among red-flesh cultivars are continuous while development of red colour is non-homogeneous and genotype-dependent. A robust estimation of red-flesh colour intensity and distribution is essential to fully capture the diversity among genotypes and provide a basis to enable identification of loci influencing the red-flesh trait. RESULTS: In this study, we developed a multivariable approach to evaluate the red-flesh trait in apple. This method was implemented to study the phenotypic diversity in a segregating hybrid F1 family (91 genotypes). We developed a Python pipeline based on image and colour analysis to quantitatively dissect the red-flesh pigmentation from RGB (Red Green Blue) images and compared the efficiency of RGB and CIEL*a*b* colour spaces in discriminating genotypes previously classified with a visual notation. Chemical destructive methods, including targeted-metabolite analysis using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (UPLC-UV), were performed to quantify major phenolic compounds in fruits' flesh, as well as pH and water contents. Multivariate analyses were performed to study covariations of biochemical factors in relation to colour expression in CIEL*a*b* colour space. Our results indicate that anthocyanin, flavonol and flavanol concentrations, as well as pH, are closely related to flesh pigmentation in apple. CONCLUSTION: Extraction of colour descriptors combined to chemical analyses helped in discriminating genotypes in relation to their flesh colour. These results suggest that the red-flesh trait in apple is a complex trait associated with several biochemical factors.