We investigated whether the Arabidopsis flower evolved protective measures to increase reproductive success. Firstly, analyses of available transcriptome data show that the most highly expressed transcripts in the closed sepal (stage 12) are enriched in genes with roles in responses to chemical stimuli and cellular metabolic processes. At stage 15, there is enrichment in transcripts with a role...

The concentration of anthocyanins in fruits of "Assaria" pomegranate, a sweet Portuguese cultivar typically grown in Algarve (south Portugal), was monitored during storage under different conditions. The fruits were exposed to cold storage ( $5^{\circ}$ C) after the following treatments: spraying with wax; spraying with $1.5$ % CaCl(2); spraying with wax and $1.5$ % CaCl(2); covering boxes with...

The anthocyanin composition was analysed in strawberry fruits from five different cultivars (cv. Eris, Oso Grande, Carisma, Tudnew and Camarosa). Twenty-five defined anthocyanin pigments were detected, most of them containing Pelargonidin (Pg) as aglycone; some cyanidin (Cy) derivatives were also found. Glucose and rutinose were the usual substituting sugars, although arabinose and rhamnose tat...

Nitrogen (N) and nitrate (NO(3)(-)) per se regulate many aspects of plant metabolism, growth, and development. N/NO(3)(-) also suppresses parts of secondary metabolism, including anthocyanin synthesis. Molecular components for this repression are unknown. We report that three N/NO(3)(-)-induced members of the LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARY DOMAIN (LBD) gene family of transcription factors (LBD37, LBD38...

In contrast to the detailed molecular knowledge available on anthocyanin synthesis, little is known about its catabolism in plants. Litchi (Litchi chinensis) fruit lose their attractive red color soon after harvest. The mechanism leading to quick degradation of anthocyanins in the pericarp is not well understood. An anthocyanin degradation enzyme (ADE) was purified to homogeneity by sequential ...

Title of Dissertation / Thesis: ABSORPTION, EXCRETION, AND TRANSFORMATION OF INDIVIDUAL ANTHOCYANINS IN RATS Jian He, Master of Science, 2004 Dissertation / Thesis Directed By: Assistant Professor M. Monica Giusti Department of Nutrition and Food Science Anthocyanins are polyphenolics responsible for most red to purple colors in plants. Human consumption is increasing because of their potential...

BACKGROUND In a previous study, anthocyanin levels in potato plants were increased by manipulating genes connected with the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. However, starch content and tuber yield were dramatically reduced in the transgenic plants, which over-expressed dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR). RESULTS Transgenic plants over-expressing dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) were subsequently t...

Color is an important agronomic trait of pears, and the anthocyanin content of fruit is immensely significant for pear coloring. In this study, an anthocyanin-activating R2R3-MYB transcription factor gene, PyMYB10.1, was isolated from fruits of red sand pear (Pyrus pyrifolia cv. Aoguan). Alignments of the nucleotide and amino acid sequences suggested that PyMYB10.1 was involved in anthocyanin r...

Exogenous methyl jasmonate (MJ) stimulates anthocyanin accumulation in apple (Malus sylvestris var. domestica) fruit peel. Anthocyanin synthesis in some apple cultivars reportedly is also stimulated by exogenous ethylene, however, the role of ethylene action in regulation of anthocyanin synthesis in apple fruit is unclear. MJ enhances ethylene sensitivity in various plants, therefore, studies w...