Essential oils combat <i>Botrytis cinerea</i> in apples: unveiling sugar, vitamin, and antioxidant dynamics

This study investigated the effects of individual and combination applications of EOCs against Botrytis Cinerea in apple fruits, with a focus on sugar, vitamin, and antioxidant enzyme dynamics. In protective and curative treatments, sucrose content varied between 18.9 and 87.9 g.L-1, with the "CT" group exhibiting significantly higher sucrose levels (87.9 g.L-1). Glucose content ranged from 6.2 g.L-1 ("CT" and "C + F") to 35.5 g.L-1 ("T + C + E + F"). Fructose content varied significantly, with the "F + T + C + E" treatment showing the highest (11.4 g.L-1) and the "CT" group the lowest (2.5 g.L-1). Rhamnose content in the curative treatment reached 14.9 g.L-1 ("F + T") and in the protective treatment, the "C + E + F" group had the highest (3.3 g.L-1). Galactose content ranged from 0.1 to 13.0 g.L-1. Xylose content in curative treatment ranged from 12.1 to 13.6 g.L-1, with the combination "F + T" displaying the highest. In preventive treatment, arabinose content ranged from 0.7 to 3.0 g.L-1, with the "T + C + F" group having the highest. In terms of vitamins, the combination "T + F" showed the highest B1 (25.4 mg.100 g(-1)) and B2 (24.6 mg.100 g(-1)) content. Vitamin A, B1, and B2 increased in the "F + T" group, and vitamin C increased in the "F + T + C" group (33.4 mg.100 g(-1)). The quantification of oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzymes revealed significant reductions in H2O2, MDA, and proline levels in EOC applications. In preventive treatment, the combination "T + C + E + F" exhibited the most effective improvement in SOD activity (556.5 EU mg(-1) ), CAT activity increased significantly in the "T + C + F" group (189.3 EU mg(-1)), and APX activity saw the highest increase in the "T + C + E + F" group (185.6 EU mg(-1)). Contrastingly, curative treatments showed higher H2O2, MDA, and proline levels. The most significant decrease in H2O2 level occurred in the "T + C + E + F" group (36.7 nmol.g(-1)), and a significant decrease in MDA level was noted in the same group. Notable changes were observed in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, with the "F + T + C + E" group displaying the highest SOD activity (440.7 EU mg(-1)), and the "F + T" group showing the highest GST activity (542.0 EU mg(-1)). This research provided comprehensive insights into the biochemical responses of apple fruits to EOC treatments, offering potential strategies for effective fungal management in agriculture.

Journal

JOURNAL OF FOOD MEASUREMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION

Year

2024

Volume

18

Issue

7

Pages

5590-5601

ISSN

2193-4126

eISSN

2193-4134

DOI

10.1007/s11694-024-02590-y

WoS UID

WOS:001221291000011