Carotenoid biosynthesis and quality characteristics of new hybrids between tangor (Citrus reticulata x C. sinensis) cv. `Murcott' and sweet orange (C. sinensis) cv. `Pera'

Author(s)

Petry, Fabiane C. ^[1] ; de Nadai, Fabio B. ^[2] ; Cristofani-Yaly, Mariangela ^[2] ; Latado, Rodrigo R. ^[2] ; Mercadante, Adriana Z. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Fac Food Engn, Food Res Ctr FoRC, Dept Food Sci, Rua Monteiro Lobato 80, BR-13083862 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Inst Agron IAC, Ctr Citricultaua Sylvio Moreira, Rodovia Anhanguera, Km 158, BR-13490970 Cordeiropolis, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Food Research International; v. 122, p. 461-470, AUG 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Phenotypic characteristics, as well as the relation between carotenoid accumulation and gene expression during ripening were determined in fruits of five new hybrids between tangor cv. `Murcott' and sweet orange cv. `Pera'. The genotypes were classified into the orange-like group, showing mainly epoxycarotenoids, oval fruit shape and yellowish color, or in the mandarin-like group, showing mainly beta-cryptoxanthin, flattened shape and deep orange coloration; although some hybrids presented intermediate characteristics. The diversity in carotenoid composition of hybrids and genitors were mostly explained by patterns of gene expression. High carotenoid (250-426 mu g/g dry weight {[}dw]) and beta-cryptoxanthin (81-125 mu g/g dw) contents, observed in the mandarin-like group, were generally associated with high expression of upstream genes (GGPPS1, PSY, PDS). On the other hand, low expression/repression of these genes and high expression of downstream genes (BCHX and ZEP) were associated with low carotenoid (similar to 158 mu g/g dw) and beta-cryptoxanthin (5-22 mu g/g dw) contents and epoxycarotenoid accumulation, as occurred in the orange-like group. Breeding experiments resulted in hybrids with outstanding higher carotenoid contents than both genitors (up to 426 mu g/g dw versus 158-250 mu g/g dw in genitors), which was attributed to transgressive segregation. Differences among genotypes have great impact on commercial fruit quality and potential health benefits, such as the provitamin A content. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/08648-0 - Study of alterations in the INFOGEST in vitro digestion protocol and of exogenous lipid addition on the bioaccessibility and hydrolysis of carotenoid esters
• Grantee: Fabiane Cristina Petry
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/23752-1 - Multi0user equipment approved in grant 2013/07914-8: high-speed liquid chromatography coupled to arrangement of diodes, fluorescence and masses
• Grantee: Adriana Zerlotti Mercadante
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 13/07914-8 - FoRC - Food Research Center
• Grantee: Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo Franco
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 14/50880-0 - INCT 2014: comparative and functional genomics and citrus-assisted breeding
• Grantee: Marcos Antonio Machado
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/00133-4 - Trials with citrandarins as rootstock for the Pêra and Valencia sweet oranges and the Tahiti acid lime
• Grantee: Mariângela Cristofani-Yaly
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/18605-0 - Obtaining and evaluation of new varieties of scion and rootstock for citrus
• Grantee: Mariângela Cristofani-Yaly
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/09804-5 - Carotenoids and carotenoid esters in different Citrus cultivars: composition, bioacessibility and changes during ripeness
• Grantee: Fabiane Cristina Petry
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate