Contexte : Au Canada, de nombreuses personnes issues de la migration sont confrontés à l’insécurité alimentaire (IA), une problématique préjudiciable à la qualité de l’alimentation. Un nombre croissant d’organismes de dépannage alimentaire incluent des programmes visant l’amélioration des compétences alimentaires. Toutefois, la relation entre l’IA et la qualité de l’alimentation des migrants demandeurs d’aide alimentaire et la potentielle modification d’effet par les compétences alimentaires ont été peu étudiés. Objectif : Examiner l’association entre le niveau d’IA, les compétences alimentaires et la qualité de l’alimentation chez les demandeurs d’aide alimentaire issus de la migration. Méthode : Les données sont extraites d’un sous-échantillon de la cohorte PARCOURS, constitué de nouveaux utilisateurs de banques alimentaires migrants au Québec (n=224) au recrutement. Les variables d’intérêt ont été mesurées à l’aide de questions adaptées de l’Enquête sur la santé de collectivités canadiennes. Des analyses linéaires multiples basées sur des familles de modèles ont été menées pour chaque indicateur de qualité de l’alimentation soient la consommation de fruits et légumes (FL) et la variété. Résultats : Au sein de l’échantillon, le score de variété moyen était de 16/20 et la consommation médiane de FL était de 3 fois par jour. Une fois ajusté, le niveau d’IA n’était associé ni à la consommation de FL ni à la variété de l’alimentation. Aucune modification d’effet par les compétences alimentaires a été observée. Conclusion : Chez les migrants demandeurs d’aide alimentaire, leur niveau d’IA n'est pas associé à la qualité de leur alimentation peu importe leurs compétences alimentaires. / Background: Many people with a migrant background in Canada face food insecurity (FI), an issue with detrimental outcomes on diet quality. A growing number of food assistance services, which remain the principal intervention supporting Canadians living in food-insecure households, now include programs aiming to improve food skills. However, little is known about the relationship between FI and diet quality of migrants using food assistance services as well as the potential effect modification of food skills on this association. Objective: To examine the association between FI levels, food skills, and diet quality among migrant food assistance beneficiaries. Method: Data were drawn from a subsample of the PATHWAY study at baseline, including new food bank users with an immigrant background in Quebec (n=224). Variables of interest were measured using questions adapted from the Canadian Community Health Survey. Multiple linear regressions were performed for each food quality indicator, namely fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and diet variety, based on predefined families of models. Results: Among participants, the median frequency of FV consumption was three times per day, and the mean score for variety reached 16/20. When adjusted, FI levels were not associated with either FV consumption or diet variety among food assistance users with a migrant background. No effect modification by food skills was observed. Conclusion: Among migrants seeking food aid, their FI level is not associated with the quality of their diet, regardless of their dietary skills.

Depuis maintenant plusieurs années la recherche en santé met l’accent sur le rôle de l’environnement alimentaire pour mieux comprendre les mécanismes qui influencent les comportements alimentaires, notamment en milieu urbain défavorisé. La littérature scientifique sur le sujet pour le Canada et le Québec est encore relativement peu fournie, en particulier sur le sujet de l’impact de l’environnement alimentaire du consommateur. Cette étude vise à analyser les associations entre certaines caractéristiques de l’environnement alimentaire incluant l’environnement alimentaire communautaire et du consommateur sur la consommation de fruits et légumes dans un quartier défavorisé de Montréal. L’étude se focalise sur Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, quartier pour lequel il existe de données détaillées sur la consommation de fruits et légumes d’un échantillon de 381 individus ainsi que sur les caractéristiques à l’intérieur de 17 supermarchés du territoire. Un indicateur composite de l’environnement alimentaire communautaire et du consommateur a été créé et utilisé dans des modèles de régression linéaire afin d’estimer l’effet de l’environnement alimentaire sur la consommation de fruits et légumes auprès de 381 individus, en contrôlant pour les facteurs sociodémographiques. Les résultats suggèrent que le fait de fréquenter un marché ou une fruiterie est la seule variable ayant un effet statistiquement significatif sur la consommation de fruits et légumes. Cependant, la grande majorité de l’échantillon s’approvisionne dans quatre supermarchés du quartier. Cette limite est probablement la raison pour laquelle nous ne mesurons pas d’effet significatif du prix et de l’environnement du consommateur en général. D’autres variables explicatives telles que la densité des commerces et la distance parcourue par les individus n’ont pas été observées comme ayant un effet significatif. / For several years now, research has emphasized the role of food environments in influencing eating behaviors, especially in underprivileged urban areas. As for Canada and Quebec, the scientific literature is still relatively limited, especially concerning the impact of the consumer environment. This study strives to analyze the impact of the food environment including both community and consumer food environment on fruits and vegetables consumption in a disadvantaged neighborhood of Montreal. The study includes a sample of 381 individuals living in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and the characteristics of 17 supermarkets in the neighborhood. After creating a composite indicator of the community and consumer food environment and using linear regression models, these data provide an estimate on the effect of the food environment and of each factor, after controlling for the socio demographic variables, on the fruit and vegetable consumption of 381 individuals. Data shows that attending a market or a fruit store is the only variable having a statistically significant effect on the consumption of fruits and vegetables in this sample. However, the vast majority of participants acquire their supplies from only four supermarkets. This limit is probably the reason why we do not observe an effect of price and of the general consumer environment. Others explicative variables as the density of healthy shops and the distance travels by the participants had not a significant effect.

Pakankamas vaisių ir daržovių vartojimas – tai neabejotinas gerų sveikos mitybos įpročių pagrindas. Vaisiai ir daržovės ypač svarbūs jaunam organizmui, nes jų pakankamas vartojimas vaikystėje susijęs su sumažejusia rizika sirgti širdies bei kraujagyslių ligomis, tam tikromis vėžio formomis ir kitomis lėtinėmis neinfekcinėmis ligomis tiek jaunystėje, tiek vyresniame amžoiuje. Moksliniais tyrimais įrodyta, kad vaikai, vartojantys mažiau vaisių ir daržovių, yra linkę turėti viršsvorį ar net būti nutukę, o vaikystėje susiformavę tinkami šių produktų vartojimo įpročiai dažniausiai išlieka ir suaugus. Darbo tikslas – nustatyti ir įvertinti Lietuvos bendrojo lavinimo mokyklų pradinių klasių mokinių daržovių ir vaisių vartojimo ypatumus. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. įvertinti pradinių klasių mokinių daržovių ir vaisių vartojimą ir jo atitikimą sveikos mitybos rekomendacijoms; 2. nustatyti veiksnius, galinčius daryti įtaką mokinių vaisių ir daržovių vartojimui; 3. įvertinti mokinių nuomonę ir žinias apie daržovių ir vaisių vartojimą bei sveiką mitybą. Atsitiktinės atrankos būdu tyrimui buvo atrinktos 72 Lietuvos Respublikos bendrojo lavinimo mokyklos. Buvo išdalinta 3750 apklausos anktetų, gauta 2402 teisingai užpildytos anketos. Atsako dažnis – 64,1% . Statistinė duomenų analizė atlikta naudojant SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) statistinę programinę įrangą (13.0 for Windows versija) ir Epi Info (Version 5.1) kompiuterinę programą. Išanalizavus atlikto tyrimo duomenis... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables is the undisputed evidence of healthy nutrition skills. These foods are extremely important for the children because of their ability to protect against cancers and cardiovascular diseases and the consumption of these foods during childhood is associated with decreased risk of stroke and cancer. It is scientificly proven that higher fruit and vegetable intake was associated with a lower risk of overweight or even obese and healthy eating habits formed by consumption of fruits and vegetables tend to persist into adulthood. The objective of this research – to evaluate and assess the pecularities of the fruits and vegetables consumption among primary classes of Lithuanian schools. The tasks of the paper – assessment of the fruits and vegetables consumption and concordance with healthy nutrition recommendations among primary school pupils, evaluation the circumstances affecting fruits and vegetables consumption among primary school pupils, assessment of the knowledge and opinion of primary school children about fruits and vegetables consumption healthy eating. In this randomized study 72 general education schools of the Republic of Lithuania were selected. 3750 questionnaires were distributed, 2402 correctly filled questionnaires received. The response rate – 64,1%. The statistical data was processed with the help of SPSS 13.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) and Epi Info (Version 5.1). As the reserch data shows, it is... [to full text]

This thesis has two basic aims. The first aim is to analyze the global value chain of fruits and vegetables and the current international market with apples. The second aim is to analyze the value chain of apples in Czechia and measure its connection to global value chains. The research was carried out by analyzing secondary sources and basing on an own qualitative survey. This thesis is divided into two major parts. The first part deals with the global value chain (GVC) of fruits and vegetables. This chain is examined through five dimensions which are typical for GVC analysis: input-output structure, geographic scope, governance, institutional context and upgrading. The second part focuses only on one specific crop, apples. Firstly, it is studied at the global level, then the thesis concentrates only on the value chain of apples in Czechia.

La méthylation de l'ADN génomique est l'un des principaux mécanismes épigénétiques qui conduisent à des changements stables et héréditaires de l'expression des gènes sans que cela s’accompagne de la modification de la séquence d'ADN sous-jacente. Elle fait référence à l'addition d'un groupement méthyl sur le carbone 5 des cytosines (5meC). Ces dernières années, l’étude des mécanismes régulant la mise en place et le maintien de de cette méthylation est devenu un thème de recherche importante, en raison de son rôle essentiel dans la régulation du fonctionnement du génome des plantes et des mammifères. La distribution des 5meC sur l’ensemble du génome d’un organisme, encore appelé méthylome, peut être déterminée par différentes méthodes dont le séquençage de l’ADN génomique après traitement au bisulfite de sodium (WGBS ou méthyl C séq). Chez les végétaux, la méthylation de l’ADN peut se produire dans tous les contextes de séquence incluant les motifs symétriques CG et CHG et le contexte dissymétrique CHH (H pouvant être A, T ou C). En fonction du contexte de séquence, la méthylation des cytosines est mise en place et maintenue par trois types différents d'ADN méthyltransférase. [ ] Chez la plante-modèle Arabidopsis, la déméthylation active de l'ADN joue un rôle essentiel dans l'empreinte maternelle et la déméthylation l’ADN génomique lors du développement de l’albumen, mais elles ne semblent pas jouer de rôle essentiel pendant le développement de la plante chez cette espèce. La méthylation de l’ADN génomique peut aussi être perdue après la réplication de l’ADN, lorsque les mécanismes devant assurer son maintien ne sont pas actifs. On parle alors de déméthylation passive de l’ADN génomique. [ ] En conclusion, les observations présentées dans ce travail fournissent un cadre de travail permettant d’analyser les mécanismes moléculaires responsables de la déméthylation de l'ADN se produisant pendant la maturation des fruits de tomate. Ici, nous présentons une analyse complète des conséquences d’une réduction de l’expression du gène de SlDML2 sur le trancriptome et le métabolome des fruits, tout au long de leur développement. La corrélation entre les profils d’expression de gènes réalisées lors de ce travail ( variété WVA106) et les changements de la distribution de la méthylation de l’ADN telles que décrites chez la variété Ailsa craig montre qu’en plus d'un rôle général dans la régulation des gènes directement impliqués dans plusieurs voies métaboliques, plusieurs gènes codant pour des facteurs de transcription ainsi que des régulateurs épigénétiques sont également susceptibles d'être directement contrôlés par la méthylation de leur région promotrice. Cependant, nous ne pouvions pas établir une relation stricte entre la diminution de la méthylation de l'ADN et l'induction de l'expression des gènes, car de nombreux gènes présentant une diminution du niveau de méthylation de l'ADN dans leur région promotrice pendant la maturation des fruits sauvages correspondent à des gènes normalement réprimés. Ceci suggère que la méthylation active de l'ADN serait nécessaire à leur répression pendant le processus de maturation. Ainsi la relation entre la déméthylation de l'ADN et l'expression des gènes pourrait être plus complexe et ne se limiterait pas à la simple hypothèse de départ de ce travail: la déméthylation de l'ADN est nécessaire à l'expression de gènes induits au cours de la maturation. La déméthylation active de l'ADN pourrait également être nécessaire à la répression de gènes exprimés uniquement lors des phases précoces du développement des fruits et réprimés lors du murissement. / DNA methylation is one of the epigenetic mechanisms that lead to stable and heritable changes in gene expression without alteration on DNA sequence. DNA methylation refers to the addition of a methyl group to the fifth position of the cytosine ring. In recent years, DNA methylation is becoming more and more widely studied, because of its importance in mammals and plants. Methylated cytosines distribution can be determined across the genome at single-nucleotide resolution, that is methylome, using whole genome bisulfite-sequencing (BS-seq) approaches. [ ] Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) is an important agronomic crop and the main model to study the development and ripening process of climacteric fleshy fruit. Recent studies have now shown that the development and ripening of fleshy fruits relies on the establishment and maintenance of differential transcription patterns and complex regulatory pathways that involve both genetic and hormonal controls are operating at these developmental phases. However, it appears that a full understanding of fruit development and ripening will not be achieved based only on genetic models as suggested by recent studies, which showing an important decrease in global methylation level and demethylation at specific promoters during fruit ripening. [ ] In conclusion, the observations presented in this work provide a framework for analysis of the molecular mechanism of DNA demethylation during fruit ripening of tomato. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the knock down SlDML2 on the trancriptome, metaoblom and DNA methylation in the promoter analysis. The large transcriptional reprogramming that occured in mutant during fruit ripeing was correlated alterations in DNA methylation. Here we highlight the central role of active DNA demethylation during tomato fruit ripening. In addition to a general role in the regulation of genes directly involved in several metabolic pathways, we also found that several transcription factors as well as epigenetic regulators are also likely under direct methylation control. However, we could not establish a district relationship between DNA reduction of DNA methylation and induction of gene expression, as not all DEGs containing a type-a DMRs (decreased DNA methylation during fruit ripening) do not correspond to genes normally induced in WT and repressed in transgenic plants. Some were corresponding to an opposite situation and in a few cases more complex methylation pattern (several DMRs) were also found. Indeed these conclusions are based on methylation analysis obtained in another variety. They might however reflect the situation of WVA106 fruits, although some variations are expectable when the methylome of DML RNAi fruits will be analyzed. Hence the relationship between DNA demethylation and gene expression might be more complex than expected, and not limited to the starting hypothesis of this work: DNA demethylation is an absolute requirement for the expression of critical ripening induced genes. This is indeed clearly in this study, but the analysis presented here also suggest that DNA demethylation might also be necessary for the repression of several genes as well. In addition, from the rencent study in Arabidopsis, ROS1 were found preferentially targets transposable elements (TEs) which are closer to protein coding genes and intergenic regions, which suggesting that ROS1 may prevent DNA methylation spreading from TEs to nearby genes. While in tomato, as our analysis, we found the methylation level of promoter of a number of genes was altered during fruit ripening, therefore, through methylome analysis, we will also get the preference of DNA methylation on TE, this analysis will give us idea that demethylation in fleshy fruit may has other distinct function as it is in Arabidopsis.

Problem: Food waste is a major issue from both an environmental as well as an economic perspective. In Europe alone, 90 million tons of food is wasted in the food supply chain every year. In order to reduce these excessive costs and the environmental impact, new food waste management strategies need to be developed and established. The food waste management strategies established in the retail stage are limited as the retail stage is an area of the food supply chain that has been neglected in research.   Purpose: This thesis explores the food waste management of fresh fruits and vegetables out of retailer´s perspective. In specific, it assesses the potential effects for Swedish supermarkets in which have established processes where non-sellable products are recycled through conversion in-house.   Method: This qualitative study has been performed through observational studies with semi-structured interviews to complement the observational findings. The empirical data is collected at Swedish supermarkets that have conversion processes established in their organization. The respondents were either store managers or managers for perishable goods. The data were analysed using the content analysis approach.   Findings: The results of our research reveal that conversion activities of fresh fruits and vegetables result in less food waste and positive economic outcomes. To create higher economic value of the food waste conversion, the conversion of fresh fruits and vegetables should be performed in combination with other product categories.

Introdução: O baixo consumo de frutas e hortaliças é um importante fator de risco para diversas doenças crônicas e obesidade. Na população brasileira, o consumo destes alimentos é tradicionalmente abaixo das recomendações internacionais. Dentro deste cenário, os locais de trabalho vêm atraindo cada vez mais interesse como ambientes propícios para o desenvolvimento de ações de promoção de alimentação saudável direcionadas à população adulta. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto de uma intervenção para aumentar a oferta e o consumo de frutas e hortaliças em empresas cadastradas no Programa de Alimentação do Trabalhador. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo de intervenção com amostra de 29 empresas divididas em dois grupos: intervenção (n=15) e controle (n=14). Avaliou-se uma amostra de trabalhadores em todas as empresas participantes do estudo para verificar os efeitos da intervenção sobre o consumo de frutas e hortaliças. A intervenção foi baseada no modelo ecológico de promoção de saúde, teve quatro etapas com duração total de seis meses. A coleta de dados ocorreu em dois momentos: antes e após a intervenção. O efeito da intervenção foi investigado por meio de dois indicadores: oferta em gramas de frutas e hortaliças nas refeições servidas nas empresas e o consumo em gramas destes alimentos pelos trabalhadores. De forma secundária, avaliou-se o impacto da intervenção sobre a oferta de energia, macronutrientes e fibras nas refeições. Para avaliar o efeito da intervenção sobre a oferta de alimentos e nutrientes nas refeições, realizou-se comparação entre os grupos intervenção e controle e a comparação intra-grupos antes e após a intervenção. Para o consumo dos trabalhadores, utilizou-se análise de regressão linear para avaliar a mudança no consumo no grupo intervenção após a intervenção. Resultados: A oferta de frutas e hortaliças aumentou de forma significativa após a intervenção nos cardápios oferecidos pelas empresas no grupo intervenção, cerca de + 49g, enquanto não houve variação no grupo controle. Também se observaram efeitos positivos na oferta de fibras e redução na oferta de gorduras. A intervenção também aumentou o consumo de frutas e hortaliças entre os trabalhadores nas refeições oferecidas pelas empresas, o aumento médio foi de 11g, após ajustes pelas variáveis sociodemográficas dos trabalhadores. Conclusão: A intervenção apresentou impacto positivo sobre a oferta e consumo de frutas e hortaliças no ambiente de trabalho / Introduction: The low consumption of fruits and vegetables is an important risk factors for several chronic diseases and obesity. In the Brazilian population the consumption of these foods is traditionally lower of international recommendations. In this context, the workplace environment is considered to promote healthy food, comprising large portion of the adult population. Objective: To evaluate the impact of an intervention to increase the availability and consumption of fruits and vegetables in companies participating in the Worker Food Program. Methods: It was a randomized intervention involving a sample of 29 companies divided in two groups: intervention (n=15) and control (n=14). A sample of workers in all companies participating in the study was evaluated in order to assess the effects of intervention on the consumption of fruits and vegetables. The intervention was based on the ecological model of health promotion, with 4 different stages for 6 months. Data collection occurred in two stages, before the intervention and after intervention. The effect of the intervention was investigated using two indicators: the availability in grams of fruit and vegetables in meals served in companies and consumption in grams of food by employees. Secondarily, the impact of intervention on the availability of energy, macronutrients and fiber in meals was assessed. It was made a comparison between the intervention and control groups and intra-group comparison before and after intervention to evaluate the effect of intervention on the availability of food and nutrients in meals. For the consumption of workers we used linear regression analysis to evaluate the change in consumption in the intervention group after the intervention. Results: The availability of fruits and vegetables in the meals offered by companies in the intervention group increased about +49g, while no changes in the control group. Also, it was observed positive effects on the availability of fiber and fat reduction in meals. The intervention also increased fruits and vegetables consumption among workers, the mean increase was 11g, after adjusting for sociodemographic variables of workers. Conclusion: The intervention has presented a positive impact on the availability and consumption of fruits and vegetables in the workplace

O amadurecimento é um processo geneticamente controlado em que ocorrem alterações bioquímicas e fisiológicas no fruto, modificando suas características sensoriais (sabor, cor, aroma e textura). Não existe um modelo exato de estudo para frutos não-climatéricos e os fatores regulatórios envolvidos na maturação desses frutos ainda são pouco claros. Muitos estudos tem focado em diferentes classes hormonais como possíveis fatores regulatórios do amadurecimento de frutos não-climatéricos, incluindo a produção de compostos voláteis do aroma. No morango, o ácido abscísico (ABA) exógeno provavelmente efetua a maturação do fruto. Esse hormônio também exibe um padrão de mudança semelhante ao do etileno em estádios finais do desenvolvimento. Já os jasmonatos, especialmente o metil-jasmonato (MJ), são capazes de induzir a biossíntese de diversos compostos voláteis, que podem apresentar notas aromáticas. Trabalhos com diversas frutas, dentre elas o morango, sugerem a participação das auxinas no amadurecimento, mais especificamente, o ácido indol acético (AIA). Embora existam várias evidências da interação desses hormônios vegetais com o etileno, há poucos detalhes sobre quais são as vias metabólicas e quais etapas são afetadas pelos hormônios citados. Por isso, nesse projeto foram avaliados os efeitos dos hormônios etileno, ABA, AIA e MJ na produção de compostos voláteis do aroma em frutos não-climatéricos, utilizando o morango (Fragaria X ananassa) como modelo. Os morangos foram obtidos no ponto branco de maturação e as aplicações hormonais seguriam protocolos já otimizados e testados em laboratório. Em todos os casos, os resultados dos tratamentos foram comparados com grupos controle tratados apenas com solução tampão. A maioria de compostos voláteis produzidos foi identificada como ésteres, sendo estes já conhecidos pela importância no flavor dos morangos. Outros compostos voláteis do aroma também foram formados ao longo dos dias, tais como: álcoois, aldeídos, cetonas, furanonas, monoterpenos. Também foram avaliados os efeitos dos hormônios ABA e AIA sobre genes ligados a biossíntese de voláteis. Desse modo, foi possível obter informações sobre as interações hormonais relacionadas à formação de voláteis do aroma, gerando base de conhecimento importante para futuras intervenções tecnológicas que visem aprimorar a qualidade sensorial dos frutos. A aplicação exógena dos hormônios vegetais influenciou a biossíntese de compostos voláteis do aroma, quando comparados ao controle, principalmente em relação à via da LOX, devido à maior formação de compostos voláteis C6, que são precursores de compostos típicos do aroma em morangos. A modulação dos níveis de hormônio no morango ao longo do amadurecimento pode ser útil para ajudar a arquitetar abordagens que melhorem a qualidade do fruto e prolonguem sua vida útil. Os resultados obtidos até o momento reforçam a hipótese de existir uma ação dos hormônios estudados em frutos não-climatéricos, com variados graus de impacto sobre os diferentes aspectos do amadurecimento, principalmente sobre a formação de compostos voláteis do aroma. / The fruit ripening is a genetically controlled process in which biochemical and physiological changes occur, modifying its sensory characteristics (taste, color, aroma and texture). There is no exact study model for non-climacteric fruits and the regulatory factors involved in the maturation of these fruits are still unclear. Many studies have focused on different hormonal classes as possible regulatory factors for the maturation of non-climacteric fruits, including the production of volatile aroma compounds. In the strawberry, the exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) probably effects the maturation of the fruit. This hormone also exhibits a pattern of change similar to that of ethylene in late stages of development. However, jasmonates, especially methyl jasmonate (MJ), are capable of inducing the biosynthesis of various volatile compounds, which may have aromatic notes. Several studies about fruits development, among them the strawberry, suggest the participation of auxins in ripening, more specifically indole acetic acid (AIA). Although there is a lot of evidence of the interaction of these plant hormones with ethylene, there are few details about what metabolic pathways are and which steps are affected by the hormones mentioned. Therefore, the effects of the ethylene, ABA, AIA and MJ hormones on the production of volatile aroma compounds in non-climacteric fruits, using strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa) as a model, were evaluated in this project. The strawberries were obtained at the white point of maturation and the hormonal applications would follow protocols already optimized and tested in the laboratory. In all cases, treatment results were compared to control groups treated with buffer alone. Most volatile compounds produced were identified as esters, which are already known for their importance in the flavor of strawberries. Other volatile aroma compounds have also been formed over the course of days, such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, furanones, and monoterpenes. We also evaluated the effects of ABA and AIA hormones on genes linked to volatile biosynthesis. Thus, it was possible to obtain information about the hormonal interactions related to the formation of aroma volatiles, generating an important knowledge base for future technological interventions aimed at improving the sensorial quality of the fruits. The exogenous application of plant hormones influenced the biosynthesis of volatile aroma compounds when compared to the control, mainly in relation to the LOX pathway due to the higher formation of C6 volatile compounds, which are precursors of typical strawberry aroma compounds. Modulation of the levels of the hormone in the strawberry during maturation can be useful to help design approaches that improve the quality of the fruit and prolong its useful life. The results reinforce the hypothesis that there is an action of the hormones studied in non-climacteric fruits, with varying degrees of impact on the different aspects of maturation, mainly on the formation of volatile aroma compounds.

Ca2+ is a nutrient for plant development, and its deficiency causes poor cellular development in tomato fruits, resulting in a physiological disorder known as blossom-end rot (BER). Studies on this physiological disorder are not recent and mainly focused on Ca2+ deficiency in tissues and on the interaction between plant and the environment. However, new research has been based on hormonal interaction and oxidative mechanisms in fruits. Hormones such as gibberellins, abscisic acid, and brassinosteroids have been implicated in both activation and inhibition of BER symptoms. The application of abscisic acid and epibrasinolide decreased fruit susceitibility to BER. Abscisic acid reduces leaf transpiration, inhibiting xylem sap and calcium flow into the leaves and increasing into the fruit. Epibrassinolide increased fruit antioxidant responses, decreasing hydrogen peroxide and increasing ascorbic acid content, as well as increasing ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities. In addition, the selection of varieties more tolerant to BER and the identification of factors that make new varieties resistant are important tools in the selection of new varieties. In this study, many varieties were evaluated in order to understand the relationship between fruit shape and growing environment on BER incidence in the fruit. According to the results, elongated fruit varieties showed higher susceptibility to BER. / O Ca2+ é um nutriente para o desenvolvimento de plantas, e sua deficiência causa mal desenvolvimento celular em frutos de tomate, resultando em desordem fisiológica conhecida como podridão apical ou blossom-end rot (BER). Estudos sobre esta desordem fisiológica não são recentes e são focados principalmente na deficiência de Ca2+ nos tecidos e na interação entre planta e meio ambiente. No entanto, novas pesquisas têm se baseado na interação hormonal e nos mecanismos oxidativos como reguladores desta disordem fisiológica nos frutos. Hormônios como giberelinas, ácido abscísico e brassinosteróides têm sido implicados tanto na ativação quanto na inibição dos sintomas de BER. A aplicação de ácido abscísico e epibrassinolideo diminuiu a incidência de BER, reduzindo a concentração de Ca2+ nas folhas e aumentando-as nos frutos. A aplicação de ácido abscísico provocou diminuição na transpiração, o que explica a mudança no fluxo de seiva e cálcio no xilema que conduz da folha para fruto. O epibrassinolideo, por outro lado, aumentou a resposta antioxidante, diminuindo as concentrações de peróxido de hidrogênio e aumentando as de ácido ascórbico, ascorbato peroxidase, catalase e superóxido dismutase nos frutos. A seleção de genótipos mais tolerantes ao aparecimento de BER e a identificação de fatores que os tornam resistentes, são ferramentas importantes no processo de seleção de novas variedades. Neste trabalho, foram estudados muitos genótipos para compreender a relação entre a forma do fruto e o ambiente de crescimento sobre a incidência de BER. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, genótipos alongados são mais susceptíveis a podridão apical.

A citricultura brasileira concentra-se principalmente no Estado de São Paulo que contribui com 80,4 % da produção nacional, sendo o Brasil um dos maiores produtores mundiais de citros. Um dos problemas enfrentados pela citricultura é a sua vulnerabilidade a pragas e doenças, devido principalmente a baixa diversidade genética nas variedades comerciais utilizadas, associada ao sistema de plantio em áreas extensas. Uma das doenças que vem causando crescentes prejuízos para a citricultura brasileira é a pinta preta ou mancha preta dos citros causada pelo fungo Guignardia citricarpa Kiely. O uso de conhecimentos de biologia molecular e métodos biotecnológicos devem ser considerados como importante alternativa para a produção de plantas geneticamente modificadas expressando genes de resistência. Para se obter plantas de citros resistentes a doenças, se faz necessário identificar genes que estejam relacionados com os mecanismos de defesa da planta. Na tentativa de identificar estes genes, o objetivo geral deste trabalho foi a identificação de genes in silico no banco de dados do Projeto Millenium CitEST e a análise de expressão diferencial de genes envolvidos na defesa. Mais de 7600 sequencias foram identificadas nas buscas no CitEST com similaridade aos genes R e genes envolvidos na HR e defesa, MAPKs e SNF1. Destes, foram selecionados 273 sequencias para experimentos de macroarranjo para análise da interação Citrus sinensis-Guignardia citricarpa. A análise estatística revelou que 171 genes (62,63%) apresentaram expressão diferencial significativa ao nível de 5% de probabilidade. Destes, 80 apresentaram expressão diferencial significativa maior do que duas vezes, dos quais 38 genes foram induzidos e 42 foram reprimidos no tecido infectado. Entre os genes induzidos estão MAPKs, genes de resistência (R), genes envolvidos na resposta de hipersensibilidade (HR) e na defesa da planta. Entre os transcritos reprimidos, há quatro similares a peroxidases e cinco similares a catalases, o que era esperado já que catalases e algumas peroxidases são capazes de remover H2O2, e assim a planta produz espécies reativa de oxigênio capaz de desencadear a ativação de genes de defesa. Os dados do macroarranjo foram validados via transcrição reversa seguida de PCR quantitativo em tempo real (RT-PCRq) de 9 genes. As análises confirmaram a expressão diferencial de 8 deles sendo que somente um apresentou resultado contrastante ao macroarranjo, o que demonstra a eficiência da metodologia de macroarranjos para estudo de muitos genes simultaneamente. Os genes diferencialmente expressos identificados na interação C. sinensis-G. citricarpa são de grande importância, pois são fortes candidatos para serem utilizados na transformação genética de plantas com o objetivo de obter novas variedades de plantas com resistência a patógenos. / The Brazilian citrus industry is concentrated mainly in the State of Sao Paulo which contributes with 80.4% of national production, with Brazil being a leading world producer of citrus. One of the problems facing the citrus industry is its vulnerability to pests and diseases, mainly due to low genetic diversity of the commercial varieties used, linked to the system of planting in extensive areas. A disease that is causing increasing damage to the brazilian citrus industry is the black spot of citrus caused by the fungus Guignardia citricarpa Kiely. The use of knowledge of molecular biology and biotechnological methods should be considered as an important alternative for the production of genetically modified plants expressing genes for resistance. In order to obtain citrus plants resistant to diseases it is necessary to identify genes that are related to the defense mechanisms of the plant. In an attempt to identify these genes, the general aim of this study was to identify genes in silico in the database of the Millennium CitEST Project and to perform differential expression analysis of genes involved in the defense mechanisms. More than 7600 reads were identified in the CitEST search with similarity to R genes, genes involved in HR and defense, MAPKs and SNF1. It was selected 273 reads for macroarray experiments to analysis of Citrus sinensis-Guignardia citricarpa interaction. Statistical analysis revealed that 171 genes (62.63%) showed significant differential expression at the level of 5% probability. From these, 80 showed significant differential expression higher than two fold, in which 38 genes were induced and 42 were repressed in infected tissue. Among the induced genes are MAPKs, resistance (R) genes, genes involved in hypersensitivity response (HR) and plant defense. Among the suppressed transcripts, there are four similar to peroxidases and five similar to catalases, which is expected because catalases and some peroxidases are able to remove H2O2, and so the plant produces reactive oxygen species capable of triggering the activation of defense genes. The macroarray data were validated by reverse transcription followed by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCRq) of 9 genes. The analysis confirmed the differential expression of 8 of them, and only one presented different result of macroarray which demonstrate the efficiency of the macroarray methodology to analyze several genes simultaneously. The genes differentially expressed in the interaction of C. sinensis x Guignardia citricarpa identified are of great importance because they are strong candidates for use in genetic transformation of plants with the objective of obtaining new varieties of plants resistant to pathogens.