The effect of ethylene regulation on a-farnesene biosynthesis in preclimateric ‘Delicious’ and ‘Granny Smith’ apples was studied using an ethylene inducer and inhibitor, a-farnesene biosynthesis precursors, and protein transcription and translation inhibitors. a-Farnesene was not detectable when internal ethylene concentrations were less than 1 ml l. Correlations between internal ethylene and a...

The relationship between ethylene and peel a-farnesene concentrations was examined by applying diphenylamine (DPA) and the ethylene analogue, propylene at varying times after harvest to superficial scald (scald) susceptible ‘Granny Smith’ apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) stored at 10°C. Delaying DPA application after harvest had no large effect on ethylene or on peel a-farnesene production. Prop...

Objectives: (1) Obtain complete genomic clones plus promoter regions of apple peel genes encoding HMGR isozymes HMG2 and HMG3 and determine whether expression of these genes is regulated by ethylene; (2) Demonstrate function of the gene product and obtain a genomic clone of the ethyleneresponsive promoter of the putative apple α-Farnesene Synthase gene; (3) Determine correlation among ethylene-...

E)-b-Farnesene is a sesquiterpene semiochemical that is used extensively by both plants and insects for communication. This acyclic olefin is found in the essential oil of peppermint (Mentha x piperita) and can be synthesized from farnesyl diphosphate by a cell-free extract of peppermint secretory gland cells. A cDNA from peppermint encoding (E)-b-farnesene synthase was cloned by random sequenc...

The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari), continues to pose a formidable challenge to coffee growers worldwide. Because of the cryptic life habit of the insect inside coffee berries, effective pest management strategies have been difficult to develop. A sesquiterpene, (E,E)-α-farnesene, produced by infested coffee berries has been identified as a potential repellent against the cof...

In a 2-year study, fruit from eight redand eight yellow-skinned ‘White Angel’× ‘Rome Beauty’ hybrid selections were stored for 21 weeks at 0.5°C plus 1 week at 20°C and evaluated for the incidence and severity of superficial scald. Five red-skinned (R-03, R-20, R-22, R-48 and R-85) and three yellow-skinned (Y-26, Y-55 and Y-65) selections were examined in both seasons. Peel-tissue samples taken...

Scots pine has been shown to produce a volatile bouquet that attracts egg parasitoids in response to oviposition of the herbivorous sawfly Diprion pini. Previous analyses of headspace volatiles of oviposition-induced pine twigs revealed only quantitative changes; in particular, the sesquiterpene (E)-beta-farnesene was emitted in significantly higher quantities by oviposition-induced pine. Here ...

Mode of action of farnesene, a volatile sesquiterpene commonly found in the essential oils of several plants, was deeply studied on the model species Arabidopsis thaliana. The effects of farnesene on the Arabidopsis root morphology were evaluated by different microscopic techniques. As well, microtubules immunolabeling, phytohormone measurements and ROS staining helped us to elucidate the singl...

The antennal responses of codling moth females, Cydia pomonella, to volatiles from apple branches with green fruits were recorded by electroantennography coupled to gas chromatography. The antennae strongly responded to 4,8-dimethyl-1,3(E),7-nonatriene, linalool, beta-caryophyllene, (E)-beta-farnesene, germacrene D, (Z,E)-alpha-farnesene, (E,E)-alpha-farnesene and methyl salicylate. These compo...

Fresh jasmine flowers have been used to make jasmine teas in China, but there has been no complete information about volatile organic compound emissions in relation to flower developmental stages and no science-based knowledge about which floral stage should be used for the infusion. This study monitored volatile organic compounds emitted from living flowers of Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait. 'Bifoli...