Comparison of tissue deterioration of ripening banana fruit (Musa spp., AAA group, Cavendish subgroup) under chilling and non-chilling temperatures

J Sci Food Agric. 2018 Sep;98(12):4644-4652. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.8994. Epub 2018 Apr 14.

Abstract

Background: In fleshy fruits, induced programmed cell death (PCD) has been observed in heat-treated tomato, and in ethylene-treated and low-temperature exposure in immature cucumber. No other fleshy fruit has been evaluated for chilling-injury-induced PCD, especially mature fruit with full ripening capacity. The purpose of this research was to identify and evaluate the presence of PCD processes during the development of low-temperature-induced physiopathy of banana fruit.

Results: Exposure of fruit to 5 °C for 4 days induced degradative processes similar to those occurring during ripening and overripening of non-chilled fruit. Nuclease from banana peel showed activity in both DNA substrates and RNA substrates. No exclusive low-temperature-induced proteases and nucleases were observed. DNA of chilled peel showed earlier signs of degradation and higher levels of DNA tailing during overripening.

Conclusion: This study shows that exposure to low temperatures did not induce a pattern of degradative processes that differed from that occurring during ripening and overripening of non-chilled fruit. DNA showed earlier signs of degradation and higher levels of DNA tailing. Nuclease activity analysis showed bifunctionality in both chilled and non-chilled tissue and no chilling-exclusive protease and nuclease. Fleshy fruit might use their available resources on degradative processes and adjust them depending on environmental conditions. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Keywords: DNA degradation; banana; chilling injury; nuclease; programmed cell death; protease.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Cold Temperature
  • Ethylenes / pharmacology*
  • Fruit / chemistry
  • Fruit / cytology
  • Fruit / drug effects
  • Fruit / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / drug effects
  • Musa / chemistry
  • Musa / cytology
  • Musa / drug effects*
  • Musa / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Ethylenes
  • Plant Proteins
  • ethylene