Bibliography: leaves 129-151. / xiv, 151 [65] leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Plant Science, 1999

No description available.

Initial activities were focused on isolation and characterization of fruit ripening-related genes from tomato. Screening of four tomato cDNA libraries at low stringency with 10 fruit development and ripening-related genes yielded ~3000 positives clones. Microarray expression analysis of half of these positives in mature green and breaker stage fruits resulted in eight ripening-induced genes. RNA gel-blot analysis and previously published data confirmed expression for seven of the eight. One novel gene, designated LeEREBP1, was chosen for further characterization. LeEREBP1 encodes an AP2/ERF-domain transcription factor and is ethylene inducible. The expression profiles of LeEREBP1 parallel previously characterized ripening-related genes from tomato. Transgenic plants with increased and decreased expression of LeEREBP1 were generated and are currently being characterized to define the function of LeEREBP1. A large public tomato EST dataset was mined to gain insight into the tomato transcriptome. By clustering genes according to the respective expression profiles of individual tissues, tissue and developmental expression patterns were generated and genes with similar functions grouped together. Tissues effectively clustered for relatedness according to their profiles confirming the integrity of the approach used to calculate gene expression. Statistical analysis of EST prevalence in fruit and pathogenesis-related libraries resulted in 333 genes being classified as fruit ripening-induced, 185 as fruit ripening-repressed, and 169 as pathogenesis-related. We performed a parallel analysis on public EST data for grape and compared the results for ripening-induced genes to tomato to identify similar and distinct ripening factors in addition to candidates for conserved regulators of fruit ripening. An online interactive database for tomato gene expression data - Tomato Expression Database (TED) was implemented. TED contains normalized expression data for approximately 12,000 ESTs over ten time points during fruit development. It also contains comprehensive annotation of each EST. Through TED, we provide multiple approaches to pursue analysis of specific genes of interest and/or access the larger microarray dataset to identify sets of genes that may behave in a pattern of interest. In addition, a set of useful data mining and data visualization tools were developed and are under continuing expansion.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-148). / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / xv, 148 leaves, bound col. ill., col. charts 29 cm

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Duke University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Grapevine is worldwide an agronomically important crop. Traditionally selective breeding has been used to improve existing cultivars. In the last ten years, however, the advent of biotechnology has shortened these breeding programmes by producing transgenic grapevine. Because this new technology is aimed at the possible genetic manipulation of the ripening process in grape berries, it is important to elucidate all the mechanisms that may be involved in ripening. The aim of the present study was the identification of genes that play an important role during the ripening process in grape berries. This was achieved by investigation of putative differentially expressed genes in ripening Chardonnay berries isolated through subtractive hybridisation. Two subtraction libraries, representing early and late ripening stages were constructed. Four of the ten genes analysed exhibited expression during berry ripening. One of the four genes was expressed in a tissue and stage specific manner. Further characterisation of eight of the DNA and protein sequences revealed that the putative translation products of these clones had homologues that are involved in amongst others cell wall structure in other species. These included UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, which is involved in the synthesis of hemicellulose precursors. The remaining seven clones encoded putative stress response proteins. These included two heat shock proteins, a vacuolar pyrophosphatase and a protein involved in cell division. It is suggested that specific grape mRNAs accumulate in response to stresses such as the storage of high concentrations of sugars and rapid cell expansion. These processes occur rapidly during the ripening of berries. Accumulation of specific mRNAs can be attributed to part of the normal ripening developmental programme. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Druiwe is wêreldwyd 'n belangrike landbougewas en kultivars word tradisioneel deur middel van tydsame selektiewe teling verbeter. Die tyd wat hieraan bestee word, kan verkort word deur die implementering van biotegnologie en die produksie van transgeniese duiwe. Omdat hierdie nuwe tegnologie op die moontlike genetiese manipulering van die rypwordingsproses in druiwe gemik is, is dit belangrik dat alle meganismes betrokke by rypwording ondersoek en verstaan word. Die doel van hierdie studie was om gene wat moontlik tydens die rypwordingsproses in druiwe 'n rol kan speel, te identifiseer. Hierdie doel is bereik deurdat differensieel uitgedrukte gene uit die kultivar Chardonnay geïsoleer is met behulp van verrykingsbiblioteke vanuit jong en volwasse druiwekorrels. Vier van die tien gene wat geanaliseer is, word uitgedruk tydens die rypwordingsproses. Verder het een van die vier gene weefsel- en rypwordingstadium- spesifisiteit getoon. Volledige karakterisering van agt van die DNA- en proteïenvolgordes het aangedui dat die proteïenprodukte van hierdie gene homoloog is aan volgordes wat onder andere by selwandstruktuur betrokke is. Dit sluit UDP-glukose dehidrogenase in, wat betrokke is by die sintese van hemi-sellulose boustene. Die ander sewe gene kodeer vir moontlike spanningsproteïene. Twee hitteskokproteïene, 'n vakuolêre pirofosfatase en 'n proteïen wat betrokke is by selverdeling is geïdentifiseer. Daar word voorgestel dat druiwe mRNA versamel in reaksie op spanningsituasies soos die berging van hoë konsentrasies suikers en selvergroting. Hierdie prosesse vind baie vinnig plaas tydens rypwording. Versameling van spesifieke mRNAs kan toegeskryf word as 'n normale deel van die rypwordingsproses.

abstract: The object of this study is to charac terize the effect of focused ultrasound stimulation (FUS) on the rat ce rvix which has been observed to speed its ripening during pregnancy. Ce rvical ripening is required for successful fetal delivery. Timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (n=36) were used. On day 14 of gestation, the FUS system was placed on the body surface of the rat over the cervix and ultrasound energy was applied to cervix for variable times up to 1 hour in the control group, the FUS system was placed on rats but no energy was applied. Daily measurement of cervix light-induced florescence (LIF, photon counts of collagen x-bridge fluorescence) were made on days 16 of gestation and daily until spont-aneous delivery (day22) to estimate changes in cervical ripening. We found that pulses of 680 KHz ultrasound at 25 Hertz, 1 millisecond pulse duration at 1W/cm^2 applied for as little as 30 minutes would immediately afterwards show the cervix to hav e ripened to the degree seen just before delivery on day 22. Delivery times, fetal weights and viability were unaffected in the FUS-treated animals. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Bioengineering 2012

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / A graviola (Annona muricata L.) à uma fruta bastante utilizada na alimentaÃÃo, pois fornece vitaminas, carboidratos, proteÃnas, lipÃdios, fibras e outras molÃculas para nutriÃÃo humana. Nos Ãltimos anos a graviola (fruto tropical exÃtico) tem apresentado uma posiÃÃo de destaque na economia brasileira, principalmente para Estados do Nordeste como CearÃ, Alagoas, Bahia e Pernambuco. A alta produÃÃo do fruto de graviola no Nordeste se dà principalmente pela floraÃÃo ocorrer durante o ano todo, contudo estima-se que a perda pÃs-colheita chega a 50% da produÃÃo, como ocorre com outros frutos nativos ou exÃticos. Tal perda pÃs-colheita do produto se deve à acelerada taxa de desenvolvimento e senescÃncia do fruto. Apesar de haver alguns estudos sobre graviola, o entendimento bioquÃmico e molecular do processo de amadurecimento à muito limitado tornando-se importante avanÃar nesses conhecimentos a fim de desenvolver estratÃgias para o aumento da vida de prateleira desse fruto. No presente trabalho, buscou-se por um melhor protocolo de extraÃÃo de proteÃnas da polpa de graviola para gerar mapas bidimensionais e identificaÃÃo de possÃveis proteÃnas envolvidas no amadurecimento pÃs-colheita do fruto. Os frutos de graviola no estÃdio prÃ-climatÃrico foram colhidos e deixados amadurecer a temperatura de 25 C por atà 8 dias. Amostras da polpa do fruto foram coletadas nos tempos 0, 2, 4, 6 e 8 dias pÃs-colheita e usadas para a extraÃÃo de proteÃnas e estabelecimento de gÃis bidimensionais (2D). Dois diferentes mÃtodos de extraÃÃo de proteÃnas foram testados e o que apresentou melhor rendimento e spots com boa resoluÃÃo em gÃis bidimensionais foi escolhido para anÃlise de proteÃnas. Os gÃis bidimensionais foram analisados atravÃs do programa Image Master para a identificaÃÃo de spots especÃficos e ou diferenciais, bem como determinaÃÃo de seus pontos isoelÃtricos (pIs) e de respectivas massas moleculares (MM). Os dados de pI e MM foram usados para rastrear proteÃnas homÃlogas em angiospermas atravÃs de buscas nos bancos de dados UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot e UniProtKB/TrEMBL dispondo de mais de 16 milhÃes de informaÃÃes depositadas. GÃis 2D inicialmente produzidos na faixa de pH de 3 a 10 revelaram proteÃnas concentradas na regiÃo de pHs mais Ãcidos. Tal fato determinou que a faixa de pH de 4 a 7 fosse usada para melhor separaÃÃo dos spots em anÃlises seguintes. ApÃs anÃlise dos gÃis bidimensionais 21 spots especÃficos e 6 spots diferenciais foram selecionados. As anÃlises em bancos de dados possibilitaram inferir sobre 26 proteÃnas. Entre essas proteÃnas, vÃrias estavam relacionadas com o amadurecimento de frutos em outras espÃcies tais como: proteÃnas com expressÃo regulada pelo etileno, proteÃnas relacionadas com o estabelecimento das caracterÃsticas organolÃpticas do fruto e proteÃnas do metabolismo energÃtico. Com relaÃÃo ao metabolismo enegÃtico proteÃnas da via glicolÃtica, ciclo de Krebs e CTE foram inferidas. Estudos prÃvios sobre a participaÃÃo da via alternativa de elÃtrons no amadurecimento climatÃrico da graviola foram reforÃados. Entretanto, nesse trabalho foi observado que alÃm da oxidase alternativa (AOX), outros componentes podem participar da regulaÃÃo dessa via. Os resultados obtidos revelam possÃveis proteÃnas alvo para o desenvolvimento de estratÃgias bioquÃmicas e ou moleculares no controle do amadurecimento pÃs-colheita da graviola. / The soursop (Annona muricata L.) fruit is widely used in food, because it provides vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and other molecules for human nutrition. In recent years, soursop (exotic tropical fruit) has had a prominent position in the Brazilian economy, especially for northeastern states such as, Ceara, Alagoas, Bahia and Pernambuco. The high production of soursop fruit is mainly in the Northeast by flowering occurs throughout the year, however it is estimated that the post-harvest losses reach 50% of production, as with other native or exotic fruits. Such post-harvest losses of the product are due to the accelerated rate of development and senescence of the fruit. Although some studies on Graviola, biochemical and molecular understanding of the maturation process is very limited making it important to move forward on this knowledge to develop strategies for increasing the shelf life of fruit. In this study, we sought a better protocol for protein extraction from soursop pulp to generate two-dimensional maps and identification of potential proteins involved in post-harvest ripening of the fruit. The soursop fruit in pre-climacteric stage were collected and allowed to ripen at 25  C for up to 8 days. Samples of the fruit pulp were collected at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 days post-harvest and used for protein extraction and establishment of two-dimensional gels (2D). Two different protein extraction methods were tested and the best one concerning performance and spots with good resolution in two-dimensional gel was chosen for protein analysis. The two-dimensional gels were analyzed using the Image Master for the identification of specific or differential spots, as well as determination of their isoelectric points (IPs) and their molecular masses (MM). The pI and MM data were used to track homologous proteins in angiosperms through searches on databases UniProtKB / Swiss-Prot and UniProtKB / Tremble featuring more than 16 million deposited information. 2D gels initially produced in the pH range 3 to 10 revealed the protein concentrated in the more acidic pHs. This fact determined the pH range 4-7 was used for better separation of spots in the following analysis. After two-dimensional gel analysis of 21 specific spots and 6 differential spots were selected. The analysis in databases allowed inferences about 26 proteins. Among these proteins, several were related to fruit ripening in other species such as proteins with expression regulated by ethylene, protein related to the establishment of the organoleptic characteristics of the fruit and proteins of energy metabolism. With respect to the metabolism of proteins glycolytic pathway, Krebs cycle and ETC were inferred. Previous studies on the participation of the alternative pathway of electrons in the ripening of climacteric graviola have been strengthened. However, this study also showed that in addition to the alternative oxidase (AOX), other components may participate in the regulation of this pathway. The results reveal possible protein targets for the development of strategies and biochemical and molecular control of postharvest ripening of soursop.

Orientador: Ben-Hur Mattiuz / Banca: Teresinha de Jesus Deleo Rodrigues / Banca: Ricardo Alfredo Kluge / Banca: Angelo Pedro Jacomino / Banca: Juliana Sanches de Laurentiz / Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade pós-colheita de caju e brócolis 'Legacy' após diferentes períodos de altas pressões. Os experimentos foram realizados no Laboratório de Tecnologia Pós-colheita da FCAV-UNESP, Câmpus de Jaboticabal, utilizando inflorescências e cajus provenientes de produções comerciais da região de Taiuva e Taquaritinga-SP. O primeiro experimento submeteu-se as inflorescências aos níveis de pressão hiperbárica aplicados foram 100 (controle), 200, 400, 600 e 800 kPa a temperatura de 22±1°C, durante 1, 2 e 3 dias. O segundo experimento consistiu em submeter os cajus às condições de pressão anteriormente durante 1, 2 e 4 dias, e por mais 2 dias em condição de ambiente (22°C, 50% UR). Foram realizadas análises para avaliar a qualidade pós-colheita (perda de massa, firmeza, coloração da casca, teor de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, taxa respiratória, produção de etileno ácido ascórbico, atividade antioxidante total, teor de taninos, peroxidacão de lipídeos e atividade das enzimas superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) e peroxidase (POD). A pressão de 800 kPa a 22°C diminuiu a perda de massa. A mesma tendência foi observada para a firmeza. As altas pressões (400, 600 e 800 kPa) influenciaram a menor taxa respiratória dos brócolis e cajus. Observou-se uma relação diretamente proporcional entre a pressão aplicada e a diminuição do teor de taninos nos cajus, ocorrendo a redução da síntese desse composto fenólico. Por outro lado, as maiores pre... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the postharvest quality of cashew and broccoli 'Legacy' stalks after different periods of high pressure. The experiments were carried out at the Post Harvest Technology Laboratory of FCAVUNESP, Jaboticabal Campus, using inflorescences and cashews from commercial productions from Taiuva and Taquaritinga-SP. The first experiment submitted inflorescences to hyperbaric pressure levels of 100 (control), 200, 400, 600 and 800 kPa at 22 ± 1 ° C for 1, 2 and 3 days. The second experiment consisted of subjecting the cashews to pressure conditions previously for 1, 2 and 4 days, and for 2 more days at ambient conditions (22 °C, 50% RH). Analyzes were performed to evaluate postharvest quality (mass loss, firmness, peel color, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, respiratory rate, ethylene ascorbic acid production, total antioxidant activity, tannin content, lipid peroxidation and activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) .The pressure of 800 kPa at 22 °C decreased the mass loss. The same tendency was observed for the firmness. The high pressures (400, 600 and 800 kPa) influenced the lower respiratory rate of broccoli and cashews, and a directly proportional relationship was observed between the pressure applied and the reduction of tannin content in the cashews, reducing the synthesis of this phenolic compound. Pressures (400, 600 and 800 kPa) also influenced increased CAT enzymatic activity ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Volatiles of peach (Prunus persica L., cultivar, Gleason Early Elberta) fruit were studied by gas-liquid chromatography , thin-layer chromatography, and infrared spectrometry. Hard mature , firm mature, soft mature , tree ripe, and artificially ripened hard mature fruit obtained from four seasons , 1964 to 1967, were used. A total of 86 peaks were observed in the chromatogram of the tree ripe peach volatiles. Major components of the volatiles identified were mainly esters, gamma and delta lactones , aldehydes, alcohols, and terpenes. In general, concentration of the volatile components were found to increase with the maturity of the fruit. However, that of the artificially ripened fruit did not reach the same level of the tree ripe fruit.