Histochemical observations and gene expression changes related to internal browning in tuberous roots of sweet potato (Ipomea batatas)

Impact of changes in root biomass on the occurrence of internal browning in radish root

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of root biomass during the later stage of growth on fatty acid composition and lipid peroxidation, and to clarify the physiological mechanisms by which these differences affect internal browning (IB) development in radish roots. Therefore, we controlled the enlargement of roots by changing the thinning period and generated plots composed of roots with different biomass in the latter half of growth. The earlier the radish seedlings were thinned, the more vigorous the root growth from an earlier stage was achieved. Earlier thinning caused IB from the early stage of root maturation, and IB severity progressed with subsequent age progression; however, IB damage did not occur when root size during the later growth stage was kept small by later thinning. Higher levels of hydrogen peroxide, peroxidase activity, NADPH-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst-related genes, and carbonyl compounds were detected in earlier-thinned large-sized roots compared to later-thinned small-sized ones. Compared with the latter small-sized roots, the former large-sized roots had a lower ratio of linoleic acid (18:2) and a higher ratio of α-linolenic acid (α-18:3). Furthermore, in earlier-thinned large-sized roots, higher levels of phospholipase- and/or lipoxygenase-related genes were detected compared to later-thinned small-sized ones. These facts suggest the possibility that root biomass in the later stage of growth affects the desaturation of membrane fatty acids, ROS concentration, and activity of fatty acid degrading enzymes, and controls the occurrence of IB injury through membrane oxidative degradation.

Insights into flavor and key influencing factors of Maillard reaction products: A recent update

During food processing, especially heating, the flavor and color of food change to a great extent due to Maillard reaction (MR). MR is a natural process for improving the flavor in various model systems and food products. Maillard reaction Products (MRPs) serve as ideal materials for the production of diverse flavors, which ultimately improve the flavor or reduce the odor of raw materials. Due to the complexity of the reaction, MR is affected by various factors, such as protein source, hydrolysis conditions, polypeptide molecular weight, temperature, and pH. In the recent years, much emphasis is given on conditional MR that could be used in producing of flavor-enhancing peptides and other compounds to increase the consumer preference and acceptability of processed foods. Recent reviews have highlighted the effects of MR on the functional and biological properties, without elaborating the flavor compounds obtained by the MR. In this review, we have mainly introduced the Maillard reaction-derived flavors (MF), the main substances producing MF, and detection methods. Subsequently, the main factors influencing MF, from the selection of materials (sugar sources, protein sources, enzymatic hydrolysis methods, molecular weights of peptides) to the reaction conditions (temperature, pH), are also described. In addition, the existing adverse effects of MR on the biological properties of protein are also pointed out.

Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analyses of Quality Deterioration in Fusarium solani-Infected Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam cv Xinxiang) Storage Roots

Fusarium solani-induced quality deterioration in stored sweet potato is poorly characterized and understood. This study examined the effects of F. solani infection in Xinxiang sweet potato roots during storage. The results showed that while there were no external symptoms following F. solani infection, upon cutting the roots, the cut surface of the infected root rapidly turned black, whereas the untreated control roots remained unaffected. The metabolites and transcriptive differences between F. solani-infected and control sweet potato roots were investigated with high-performance liquid chromatography, metabolomic analysis, and an Illumina Novaseq platform. The results showed that levels of the toxic ipomeamarone accumulated as high as 2.36 mg/kg DW in tissue after F. solani inoculation and 6 days storage at 28 °C, where the control tissue sample did not accumulate any ipomeamarone. Metabolomic analysis showed that isochlorogenic acid and l-tyrosine significantly increased in the infected tissue and associated with the darkening cut surface of the infected sweet potato. In transcriptomic analysis, a total of 13, 14, and 6 key genes in ipomeamarone, isochlorogenic acid, and l-tyrosine biosynthesis pathways, respectively, were identified. A conceptual model elucidating the physiological and molecular mechanism of F. solani-induced quality deterioration in sweet potato is proposed.

Effect of ultrasound-assisted dough fermentation on the quality of dough and steamed bread with 50% sweet potato pulp

Ultrasound at an intensity of 17.5, 20.0, 22.5, 25.0 and 27.5 W/L was used to assist dough fermentation to prepare steamed bread with 50% sweet potato pulp (SB-50% SPP), which was compared with SB-50% SPP without ultrasonic treatment. The dough rheology, starch-gluten network, texture characteristics and sensory quality of steamed bread with different ultrasonic power densities (UPDs) were investigated. Dough samples at UPD of 22.5 W/L showed optimal viscoelasticity. The microstructure images exhibited that the content of starch particles wrapped in the gluten network increased significantly after sonication. In addition, the reduction in free sulfhydryl (SH) content and increase in wet gluten content after ultrasonic treatment led to significantly improved dough extensibility (p < 0.05). Results exhibited that the specific volume of SB-50% SPP increased by 13.93% and the hardness decreased by 21.96% compared with the control under UPD of 22.5 W/L. This study suggested that the application of ultrasound as a green technology to dough fermentation could lead to SB-50% SPP with good quality and sensory characteristics.

Effects of heat stress on the biological Maillard reaction, oxidative stress, and occurrence of internal browning in Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Internal browning (IB) of Japanese radish, in which the entire central part of the root changes from light tan to dark brown, is a physiological disorder caused by heat stress at the root maturation stage and represents significant economic losses to farmers. In this study, we cultivated three cultivars with different tolerance to IB disorder under high-temperature conditions, and examined the physiological factors involved in IB disorder differences among cultivars. There was a close correlation between the severity of IB disorder among cultivars and the size of root parenchymal cells. Significantly smaller cells were observed in the IB-resistant cultivars compared to the IB-susceptible one. Glucose concentration and invertase gene expression level tended to be higher in the normal roots of the IB-susceptible cultivar than in those of the resistant cultivars. Results of immunohistochemical analysis revealed that hexanoyl-lysine and acrolein, which are indicators of oxidative stress, in parenchymal cells were significantly elevated in the normal roots of the IB-susceptible cultivar than in those of the resistant ones. Similarly, the normal roots of the IB-susceptible cultivar showed elevated levels of Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine, which is an indicator of the Maillard reaction, compared with those of the resistant cultivars. In addition, the immunohistochemistry of these indicators of oxidative stress and the Maillard reaction were more strongly observed in the damaged roots of the IB-susceptible cultivar. These results indicate that the occurrence of IB in Japanese radish is closely related to the increase in cell size, enhancement of the Maillard reaction by elevation in reducing sugar concentration, and increase in intracellular oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress via the Maillard reaction is associated with the occurrence of internal browning in roots of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas)

Internal browning (IB) of sweetpotato is a physiological disorder that causes great losses not only for growers but also for consumers. Differences in sugar metabolism in tissues were compared for normal and disorderly regions of roots of an IB-susceptible cultivar. Compared to the normal region, the disorderly region had higher content of reducing sugar. Likewise, higher levels of genes related to sugar biosynthesis were detected in the disorderly region than in the normal region. Through immunohistochemical screening of IB-susceptible and -resistant cultivars, we identified markers of oxidative stress, including due to the Maillard reaction, in the disorderly region. 8-Nitroguanosine, hexanoyl-lysin, acrolein, and dityrosine were markedly accumulated, especially in parenchyma cells around secondary vascular tissue (SVT) in the disorderly region of the IB-susceptible cultivar. Likewise, in this region, marked accumulation of methyglyoxal and 3-DG imidazolone was observed in parenchymal cells around SVT. These results show that reactive oxygen species in roots of growing sweetpotato may be caused by non-enzymatic reactions via the biological Maillard reaction due to sugar accumulation within the cells and that this phenomenon is related to IB occurrence.

Occurrence of internal browning in tuberous roots of sweetpotato and its related starch biosynthesis

Although sweetpotato is an important crop worldwide, there has been almost no research on the occurrence of internal browning (IB) to date. In this study, we clarified the mechanism of occurrence of the disorder by using two types of cultivars with different IB susceptibility. In cells around the secondary vascular tissue, large size of starch grains accumulated in IB-susceptible cultivar compared with resistant one. Histochemical observation performed on cells around the secondary vascular tissues showed the presence of high levels of polyphenol oxidase activity, chlorogenic acid, and hydrogen peroxide in cells from the IB-affected regions in IB-susceptible cultivar. Likewise, high levels of starch content, hydrogen peroxide concentration, and polyphenol content were detected in the affected regions of IB-susceptible cultivar. In IB-susceptible cultivar, both the transcript levels of gens related starch and polyphenol biosynthesis were higher at an early stage of root maturation, while the levels in resistant cultivar were low at this stage and thereafter increased relatively more moderately. These observations suggest that the occurrence of IB disorder in sweetpotato largely depends on the morphology and timing of accumulated starch grain in cells around the secondary vascular tissues.