Abstract Cambuci (Campomanesia phaea) is a native fruit from the Atlantic Forest, one of the richest biomes in the world. The cambuci has soft and astringent pulp, green coloration and is characterized as an aromatic fruit. This is the first study that describes the quality evolution of cambucis during their ripening. Quality parameters were evaluated at three harvesting points: weight loss, pulp firmness, skin color, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total soluble sugars, total phenolic compounds, soluble and total tannins, respiratory activity, ethylene production, and volatile compound profiling. Fruit harvested in stages 1 somewhat rounded equatorial region) and 2 (increasingly rounded equatorial region) of ripening had two additional days of postharvest life. A decrease in firmness was observed over the days, demonstrating desirable pulp softening. No increase in ethylene production associated to respiratory peaks were observed. Volatile profile changed according to ripeness, and early harvested fruit was able to produce partially volatile compounds found in ripe fruit.

Abstract Cambuci (Campomanesia phaea) is a native fruit from the Atlantic Forest, one of the richest biomes in the world. The cambuci has soft and astringent pulp, green coloration and is characterized as an aromatic fruit. This is the first study that describes the quality evolution of cambucis during their ripening. Quality parameters were evaluated at three harvesting points: weight loss, pulp firmness, skin color, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total soluble sugars, total phenolic compounds, soluble and total tannins, respiratory activity, ethylene production, and volatile compound profiling. Fruit harvested in stages 1 somewhat rounded equatorial region) and 2 (increasingly rounded equatorial region) of ripening had two additional days of postharvest life. A decrease in firmness was observed over the days, demonstrating desirable pulp softening. No increase in ethylene production associated to respiratory peaks were observed. Volatile profile changed according to ripeness, and early harvested fruit was able to produce partially volatile compounds found in ripe fruit.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the air-layering and grafting techniques in the production of cambuci (Campomanesia phaea) plants. Two experiments were conducted in randomized complete blocks for air-layering, using adult cambuci plants, and two completely randomized for the grafting, using seedlings. Air layering was evaluated with different rates of indolebutyric acid; the splice, side-veneer, and chip-budding techniques were used for grafting. Air-layering rooting was not favored by the application of indolebutyric acid rates, whereas side-veneer grafts ensured the fixation of 6% of the grafts. Histological analyses of the air layers revealed the action of parenchyma cells from the xylem in the formation of structures similar to calluses. In the grafted plants, these cells ensured tissue union and regeneration. The air-layering technique was unfeasible, but grafting is recommended to establish cambuci tree genotypes.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the air-layering and grafting techniques in the production of cambuci (Campomanesia phaea) plants. Two experiments were conducted in randomized complete blocks for air-layering, using adult cambuci plants, and two completely randomized for the grafting, using seedlings. Air layering was evaluated with different rates of indolebutyric acid; the splice, side-veneer, and chip-budding techniques were used for grafting. Air-layering rooting was not favored by the application of indolebutyric acid rates, whereas side-veneer grafts ensured the fixation of 6% of the grafts. Histological analyses of the air layers revealed the action of parenchyma cells from the xylem in the formation of structures similar to calluses. In the grafted plants, these cells ensured tissue union and regeneration. The air-layering technique was unfeasible, but grafting is recommended to establish cambuci tree genotypes.

ABSTRACT: Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is recognized as a plant hormone that induces several biochemical changes related to improving fruit quality, but it is evident that the effect of MeJA during postharvest is very variable upon concentration, plant species, and even cultivars. The objective of this research was to relate the application of this regulator at low concentration (10 µmol L-1 for 24 h) to changes in postharvest physiology, on the incidence of anthracnose and quality of ‘Golden’ papaya fruit during storage at 24 ± 1°C. From the seventh day of storage, anthracnose incidence was reduced by more than 50% with MeJA treatment. The lesion area after infection was also reduced. Although, MeJA reduced fruit acidity, the ascorbic acid and soluble solids content were not altered during storage with the hormonal treatment. The skin color and pulp firmness showed slight retention. The reduction in ethylene production was accompanied by a reduction of respiration in treated fruits. MeJa increased CAT activity only in the skin whereas SOD activity was not induced by MeJA in both skin and pulp. Although, the increase of CAT from the third day of storage may have contributed to the reduction of lipid peroxidation in the skin, the MDA reduction in the pulp cannot be explained only by CAT activity. In summary, the application of MeJA in ‘Golden’ papaya reduced the incidence and severity of anthracnose, decreased respiration, ethylene production and lipid peroxidation. It is concluded that the application of MeJA at a low concentration (10 µmol L-1) may contribute to anthracnose control in ´Golden`papaya and slows the ripening of fruits.

ABSTRACT: Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is recognized as a plant hormone that induces several biochemical changes related to improving fruit quality, but it is evident that the effect of MeJA during postharvest is very variable upon concentration, plant species, and even cultivars. The objective of this research was to relate the application of this regulator at low concentration (10 µmol L-1 for 24 h) to changes in postharvest physiology, on the incidence of anthracnose and quality of ‘Golden’ papaya fruit during storage at 24 ± 1°C. From the seventh day of storage, anthracnose incidence was reduced by more than 50% with MeJA treatment. The lesion area after infection was also reduced. Although, MeJA reduced fruit acidity, the ascorbic acid and soluble solids content were not altered during storage with the hormonal treatment. The skin color and pulp firmness showed slight retention. The reduction in ethylene production was accompanied by a reduction of respiration in treated fruits. MeJa increased CAT activity only in the skin whereas SOD activity was not induced by MeJA in both skin and pulp. Although, the increase of CAT from the third day of storage may have contributed to the reduction of lipid peroxidation in the skin, the MDA reduction in the pulp cannot be explained only by CAT activity. In summary, the application of MeJA in ‘Golden’ papaya reduced the incidence and severity of anthracnose, decreased respiration, ethylene production and lipid peroxidation. It is concluded that the application of MeJA at a low concentration (10 µmol L-1) may contribute to anthracnose control in ´Golden`papaya and slows the ripening of fruits.

ABSTRACT. Current literature is lacking regarding the vegetative propagation of the cambuci tree (Campomanesia phaea O. Berg Landrum). This study aimed to verify the efficiency of cutting techniques via the assessment of cuttings of varying types and sizes, sampling dates, and the influence of treatments containing plant growth regulator indolebutyric acid (IBA) combined with the antioxidant ascorbic acid across different immersion times. The species was found not to develop adventitious roots easily, and hence, the herbaceous and woody stem materials were subjected to histochemical studies to elucidate their anatomical and physiological processes. To this end, plant material was polymerized in glycol methacrylate resin, cut into sections, and stained using toluidine blue (0.05%) or via histochemical staining with PAS/naphthol blue black. Anatomical analysis of plant structures revealed the presence of phenolic compounds and sclerenchyma tissue, which in turn are expected to negatively impact the development of adventitious roots.

Abstract Pereskia aculeata Miller is a native cactaceae found from the Northeast to the South of Brazil. This plant is recognized by the high nutritional value of their leaves, which are the most used in cooking and folk medicine. However, studies on the chemical characteristics and antioxidant capacity of the ora-pro-nobis fruits are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the best harvest point of the ora-pro-nobis fruits to optimize the content of bioactive compounds and their antioxidant capacity. The fruits were manually harvested, defined by their peel colors in three maturity stages: unripe (green), intermediate (yellowish green), and ripe (yellow) stages. The following attributes were evaluated: soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, pH, and content of bioactive compounds, such as total chlorophylls, carotenoids, yellow flavonoids, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity. There was a decrease in the content of chlorophyll followed by an increase in the of total carotenoids and yellow flavonoids, due to the maturity stage. For the total phenolic compounds, it was not observed significant difference between the stages. The antioxidant capacity was quantified by the ORAC method in lyophilized pulp in the unripe (1.95 mmol 100 g-1 trolox) and ripe (3.85 mmol 100 g-1 trolox) stages. The lowest contents were observed in the intermediate (0.80 mmol 100 g-1 trolox in lyophilized pulp) stage. The maturity stage significantly influenced the bioactive compounds of ora-pro-nobis, which presented higher values of total carotenoids, yellow flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity in ripe fruits.

ABSTRACT. Current literature is lacking regarding the vegetative propagation of the cambuci tree (Campomanesia phaea O. Berg Landrum). This study aimed to verify the efficiency of cutting techniques via the assessment of cuttings of varying types and sizes, sampling dates, and the influence of treatments containing plant growth regulator indolebutyric acid (IBA) combined with the antioxidant ascorbic acid across different immersion times. The species was found not to develop adventitious roots easily, and hence, the herbaceous and woody stem materials were subjected to histochemical studies to elucidate their anatomical and physiological processes. To this end, plant material was polymerized in glycol methacrylate resin, cut into sections, and stained using toluidine blue (0.05%) or via histochemical staining with PAS/naphthol blue black. Anatomical analysis of plant structures revealed the presence of phenolic compounds and sclerenchyma tissue, which in turn are expected to negatively impact the development of adventitious roots.

Abstract Pereskia aculeata Miller is a native cactaceae found from the Northeast to the South of Brazil. This plant is recognized by the high nutritional value of their leaves, which are the most used in cooking and folk medicine. However, studies on the chemical characteristics and antioxidant capacity of the ora-pro-nobis fruits are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the best harvest point of the ora-pro-nobis fruits to optimize the content of bioactive compounds and their antioxidant capacity. The fruits were manually harvested, defined by their peel colors in three maturity stages: unripe (green), intermediate (yellowish green), and ripe (yellow) stages. The following attributes were evaluated: soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, pH, and content of bioactive compounds, such as total chlorophylls, carotenoids, yellow flavonoids, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity. There was a decrease in the content of chlorophyll followed by an increase in the of total carotenoids and yellow flavonoids, due to the maturity stage. For the total phenolic compounds, it was not observed significant difference between the stages. The antioxidant capacity was quantified by the ORAC method in lyophilized pulp in the unripe (1.95 mmol 100 g-1 trolox) and ripe (3.85 mmol 100 g-1 trolox) stages. The lowest contents were observed in the intermediate (0.80 mmol 100 g-1 trolox in lyophilized pulp) stage. The maturity stage significantly influenced the bioactive compounds of ora-pro-nobis, which presented higher values of total carotenoids, yellow flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity in ripe fruits.