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Pitaya is a widely cultivated crop in Southeast Asia with excellent performance against drought stress. The fruits are of great economic value, which draws increasing attention and promotes the plantation extension in China. Presently, a genome-wide identification of the TCP genes was conducted in pitaya. Their physiochemical properties, genome collinearity, phylogenetic relationship, biological functions, cis-acting elements and expression pattern were analyzed. The results showed that pitaya genome codes a total of 24 TCP transcription factors, among which 12 belong to Class I and 12 to Class II. Phylogenetic and collinearity analysis revealed that HpTCPs are phylogenetically close to those of Beta vulgaris; the expansion of pitaya TCPs may be attributed to the segmental and dispersed duplications occurred after the divergence of dicots and monocots. Moreover, the Ka/Ks ratio suggested that HpTCPs are under purifying selection. Gene ontology analysis and subcellular localization prediction indicated that most HpTCPs are located in nucleus involving in the transactivation of downstream genes, which was further verified through transient tobacco transformation experiments and modified yeast two-hybrid assays, performed on randomly selected genes, HpTCP10 and HpTCP24. Investigation of HpTCP promoters detected an abundance of phytohormone- and stress-responsive elements. Transcriptomic data indicated that HpTCPs, especially the Class II members, were predominantly expressed in floral buds and flowers, suggesting a significant association with flower development. Using RT-qPCR, the response to low-temperature and drought stresses was revealed for HpTCPs, among which HpTCP11 and HpTCP23 displayed the most robust up-regulation, indicating their positive involvement in the stress response of pitaya and therefore might be targets for genetic improvement of pitaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The red color of the dragon fruit pulp and peel is due to the accumulation of betacyanins. • The betacyanin accumulated calli were encapsulated using sodium alginate and calcium chloride. • The synseeds were cold stored for 6 months at 4.0 °C temperature. • The synseeds were germinated and calli formed on nutrient media. • The betacyanin-loaded synseeds could be stored, transported, and directly used as inoculum for cell cultures to produce betacyanin. The red color of dragon fruit pulp and peel is due to the accumulation of betacyanins. In the present study, callus cultures were established using in vitro germinated seedlings of the white dragon fruit plant (Selenicereus undatus). Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at 2.0 mg/L was used to induce red-colored friable callus (92.0 % response). The betacyanin accumulated calli were harvested and encapsulated using sodium alginate (NaC 6 H 7 O 6) and calcium chloride (CaCl 2). These synseeds were cold stored for 6 months at 4.0 °C temperature. The stored synseeds were germinated on 2.0 mg/L BAP in the medium. The highest germination rate (88 %) of synseeds was achieved with 3 % sodium alginate polymerized with 75 mM calcium chloride, resulting in firm, uniform, and round synseeds. The betacyanin-loaded synseeds could be stored, transported, and directly used as inoculums for the extensive proliferation of calli and cell cultures for the commercial production of betacyanin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTPitaya is a tropical and subtropical fruit; it can produce several batches fruit in one year. To find out the fruit quality differences between various batches in the same year in Guangzhou, South China, 11 pitaya varieties were used as the materials. Comparative analysis was performed between these varieties of each batch by 14 indexes, comprehensive evaluation and ranking were evaluated by the principal component analysis (PCA). Results showed that the red-peel and red-pulp pitaya has the longer fruit period and could obtain more batches fruits. By comparing the fruit quality of these 11 varieties in different batches: Except “Guanhuahong,” fruit weight is significant different between other 10 varieties. The edible rate of fruits from 2nd and 3rd batches is significantly higher than others. The hardness, total sugar, total acid, betalain, total phenol, and flavonoids were significant difference between batches. The PCA results indicated that in most varieties, the 1st, 8th, 9th batches are generally with heavier fruit, better color, harder and sweeter; more stable antioxidant compounds were shown in 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th batches; the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th batches are smaller, softer, lower soluble sugar and higher titratable acid. Pitaya fruit quality and tastes from various batches are different in the same year, the climate may be the main factor. The fruits of 7th, 8th and 9th batches picking from Sep to Nov has better quality and higher economic value. This research has practical application value and could provide theoretical basis for the production of pitaya.

Abstract Background Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a crucial role in seed dormancy, germination, and growth, as well as in regulating plant responses to environmental stresses during plant growth and development. However, detailed information about the PYL-PP2C-SnRK2s family, a central component of the ABA signaling pathway, is not known in pitaya. Results In this study, we identified 19 pyrabactin resistance-likes (PYLs), 70 type 2 C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs), and 14 SNF1-related protein kinase 2s (SnRK2s) from pitaya. In pitaya, tandem duplication was the primary mechanism for amplifying the PYL-PP2C-SnRK2s family. Co-linearity analysis revealed more homologous PYL-PP2C-SnRK2s gene pairs located in collinear blocks between pitaya and Beta vulgaris L. than that between pitaya and Arabidopsis. Transcriptome analysis showed that the PYL-PP2C-SnRK2s gene family plays a role in pitaya’s response to infection by N. dimidiatum. By spraying ABA on pitaya and subsequently inoculating it with N. dimidiatum, we conducted qRT-PCR experiments to observe the response of the PYL-PP2C-SnRK2s gene family and disease resistance-related genes to ABA. These treatments significantly enhanced pitaya’s resistance to pitaya canker. Further protein interaction network analysis helped us identify five key PYLs genes that were upregulated during the interaction between pitaya and N. dimidiatum, and their expression patterns were verified by qRT-PCR. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that the PYL (Hp1879) gene is primarily distributed in the nucleus. Conclusion This study enhances our understanding of the response of PYL-PP2C-SnRK2s to ABA and also offers a new perspective on pitaya disease resistance.

The pitaya is a common fruit in southern China, but the growing environment of pitayas is complex, with a high density of foliage. This intricate natural environment is a significant contributing factor to misidentification and omission in the detection of the growing state of pitayas. In this paper, the growth states of pitayas are classified into three categories: flowering, immature, and mature. In order to reduce the misidentification and omission in the recognition process, we propose a detection model based on an improvement of the network structure of YOLOv8, namely YOLOv8n-CBN. The YOLOv8n-CBN model is based on the YOLOv8n network structure, with the incorporation of a CBAM attention mechanism module, a bidirectional feature pyramid network (BiFPN), and a C2PFN integration. Additionally, the C2F module has been replaced by a C2F_DCN module containing a deformable convolution (DCNv2). The experimental results demonstrate that YOLOv8n-CBN has enhanced the precision, recall, and mean average precision of the YOLOv8n model with an IoU threshold of 0.5. The model demonstrates a 91.1% accuracy, a 3.1% improvement over the original model, and an F1 score of 87.6%, a 3.4% enhancement over the original model. In comparison to YOLOv3-tiny, YOLOv5s, and YOLOv5m, which are highly effective target detection models, the mAP@0.50–0.95 of our proposed YOLOv8n-CBN is observed to be 10.1%, 5.0%, and 1.6% higher, respectively. This demonstrates that YOLOv8n-CBN is capable of more accurately identifying and detecting the growth status of pitaya in a natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a crucial role in seed dormancy, germination, and growth, as well as in regulating plant responses to environmental stresses during plant growth and development. However, detailed information about the PYL-PP2C-SnRK2s family, a central component of the ABA signaling pathway, is not known in pitaya. Results: In this study, we identified 19 pyrabactin resistance-likes (PYLs), 70 type 2 C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs), and 14 SNF1-related protein kinase 2s (SnRK2s) from pitaya. In pitaya, tandem duplication was the primary mechanism for amplifying the PYL-PP2C-SnRK2s family. Co-linearity analysis revealed more homologous PYL-PP2C-SnRK2s gene pairs located in collinear blocks between pitaya and Beta vulgaris L. than that between pitaya and Arabidopsis. Transcriptome analysis showed that the PYL-PP2C-SnRK2s gene family plays a role in pitaya's response to infection by N. dimidiatum. By spraying ABA on pitaya and subsequently inoculating it with N. dimidiatum, we conducted qRT-PCR experiments to observe the response of the PYL-PP2C-SnRK2s gene family and disease resistance-related genes to ABA. These treatments significantly enhanced pitaya's resistance to pitaya canker. Further protein interaction network analysis helped us identify five key PYLs genes that were upregulated during the interaction between pitaya and N. dimidiatum, and their expression patterns were verified by qRT-PCR. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that the PYL (Hp1879) gene is primarily distributed in the nucleus. Conclusion: This study enhances our understanding of the response of PYL-PP2C-SnRK2s to ABA and also offers a new perspective on pitaya disease resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pitaya fruit is a significant agricultural commodity in southern China. The traditional method of determining the ripeness of pitaya by humans is inefficient, it is therefore of the utmost importance to utilize precision agriculture and smart farming technologies in order to accurately identify the ripeness of pitaya fruit. In order to achieve rapid recognition of pitaya targets in natural environments, we focus on pitaya maturity as the research object. During the growth process, pitaya undergoes changes in its shape and color, with each stage exhibiting significant characteristics. Therefore, we divided the pitaya into four stages according to different maturity levels, namely Bud, Immature, Semi-mature and Mature, and we have designed a lightweight detection and classification network for recognizing the maturity of pitaya fruit based on the YOLOv8n algorithm, namely GSE-YOLO (GhostConv SPPELAN-EMA-YOLO). The specific methods include replacing the convolutional layer of the backbone network in the YOLOv8n model, incorporating attention mechanisms, modifying the loss function, and implementing data augmentation. Our improved YOLOv8n model achieved a detection and recognition accuracy of 85.2%, a recall rate of 87.3%, an F1 score of 86.23, and an mAP50 of 90.9%, addressing the issue of false or missed detection of pitaya ripeness in intricate environments. The experimental results demonstrate that our enhanced YOLOv8n model has attained a commendable level of accuracy in discerning pitaya ripeness, which has a positive impact on the advancement of precision agriculture and smart farming technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pitaya, Hylocereus spp. (Caryophyllales: Cactaceae) has been one of the new species cultivated in Türkiye in recent years. There are many limiting factors, including pests, diseases and weeds, to decrease the yield and fruit quality in pitaya (dragon fruit) areas in Türkiye. In addition, the pests of pitaya is not fully studied therefore this research has been conducted to determine mealybug species in pitaya greenhouses in Türkiye. The present study aimed to determine mealybug species and its natural enemies (parasitoids, and predator insects) in pitaya greenhouses in Adana, Mersin, and Antalya between 2021 and 2022. According to results of this study, 2 different mealybug species was determined; Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley 1898, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, 1923 (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in pitaya greenhouses. Moreover one parasitoid (Aenasius arizonensis Girault (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), and two different predatory insects from 2 different orders and 2 different families (Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Nephus includens Kirsch (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were detected within this research. These two invasive mealybug species have wide spectrum host plants and may cause economically important damages to pitaya, if natural enemies cannot work successfully or control strategies do not applied properly in pitaya greenhouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus; 2n=22) is an important fruit crop from the Cactaceae family, originally domesticated in Mexico and the USA, and is now widely cultivated for its nutritional benefits. It is characterized by its distinctive triangular-shaped stems and large, showy flowers, thriving in arid and semi-arid environments, particularly in hot, dry climates. However, systematic chromosomal studies, including chromosomal mapping of cytogenetic markers in pitaya, are limited, presenting challenges for its cytogenetic improvement. To address this issue, we designed oligo-barcodes specific to thirty-three chromosome regions based on the pitaya reference genome and applied them to both pitaya and cactus (Selenicerus grandifloras; 2n=22) for oligo-barcodes mapping, karyotyping, and chromosome identification. We utilized FISH technology, employing oligo, rDNA, and tandem repeat probes for chromosomal mapping, identification, and karyotyping of pitaya and related species. We successfully localized oligo-barcodes on eleven pairs of chromosomes in both pitaya and cactus, demonstrating the effectiveness of the synthesized oligo-barcodes. We used two ribosomal DNA (rDNA) probes (45S and 5S) and two tandem repeat probes (GTR11 and STR3) in pitaya (both diploid and tetraploid) and two other Cactaceae species (S. grandifloras and Opuntia humifusa; 2n=40) for chromosomal mapping. The analysis of rDNA distribution and CMA (Chromomycin A3) banding across different chromosomes in pitaya and cacti highlights the concept of conserved rDNA. This study provides fundamental insights into cytogenetic markers and their localization across different chromosomes in pitaya and other Cactaceae species.

Effluents generated in aquaculture could contribute to increased risk of environmental contamination. Aquaponic could facilitate the resolution of this problem by transforming those potential pollutants into nutrients for plants, providing an extra vegetable production in a circular economy framework. Highly profitable vegetables such as pitaya (Hylocereus spp.) could improve the economic viability of these farms, but little is known about its performance in aquaponic systems. Rooting and vegetative growth of 12 cuttings of white-fleshed pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) and red-fleshed pitaya (Hylocereus hybridum) were evaluated over a period of six months in two aquaponic systems rearing tilapia with different hydroponic subsystems (Nutrient Film Technique, NFT and Media Bed, MB). A control group of hydroponic culture using substrate filled pots was used for comparison. Water quality and environmental parameters were also measured to evaluate their influence on plant development. Hylocereus hybridum showed higher vegetative growth, and earlier shoot emission in combination with the control system, followed by the NFT and finally the MB. In relation to root growth, Hylocereus undatus showed best results in combination with the substrate system. Best results for precocity in root emission, evaluated in the NFT system, were obtained for Hylocereus hybridum. Water quality parameters had no significant effect on plant development, while fish live weight increased in both systems.

Abstract Hylocereus undatus, occasionally referred to as the dragon fruit or white‐fleshed pitaya, is a rich in nutrients fruit appreciated because of its colorful look and health benefits. It is inexpensive in calories but packed with minerals like iron, magnesium, and calcium in addition to essential nutrients like vitamin C and B vitamins. Similarly rich in dietary fiber, particularly promotes gut wellness and improves digestion, is pitaya. It additionally contains antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and betalains, which help with scavenging free radicals and reducing the detrimental effects of oxidative stress on the human body. The substantial amount of betalains in Hylocereus undatus phytochemical composition is notable because it contributes to the plant's anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties. There has been an association among these phytochemicals and a decreased likelihood of contracting long‐term conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Omega‐3 fatty acids and omega‐6 fatty acids, in particular, that reduce cholesterol levels while improving blood circulation, are plentiful in the fruit's seeds and are beneficial to heart wellness. The objective of this review is to highlight the nutritional profile, phytochemical and health benefits of Hylocereus undatus in detail.

In this study, the red pigment of pitaya peel was extracted by ultrasound-assisted ethanol extraction method. Followed by inhibition zone testing method (using drug sensitive testing paper) and DPPH free radical scavenging method, the antibacterial activity and total antioxidant capacity of the two red pigments were compared. Meanwhile, by detecting the response of the red pigment extracts to the index of both pH change and color difference values, the optimal concentration of the red pigment extract to make an indicator card was selected. Then evaluated the effect of the indicator card on detecting the freshness of bighead carp meat by assessing the changes in pH and TBA values during storage at room temperature. The results showed that the antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus and total antioxidant capacity of red pigment extracted from the red-fleshed pitaya fruit peel was significantly higher than that from the peel of white-fleshed pitaya (P

In this study, the red pigment of pitaya peel was extracted by ultrasound-assisted ethanol extraction method. Followed by inhibition zone testing method (using drug sensitive testing paper) and DPPH free radical scavenging method, the antibacterial activity and total antioxidant capacity of the two red pigments were compared. Meanwhile, by detecting the response of the red pigment extracts to the index of both pH change and color difference values, the optimal concentration of the red pigment extract to make an indicator card was selected. Then evaluated the effect of the indicator card on detecting the freshness of bighead carp meat by assessing the changes in pH and TBA values during storage at room temperature. The results showed that the antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus and total antioxidant capacity of red pigment extracted from the red-fleshed pitaya fruit peel was significantly higher than that from the peel of white-fleshed pitaya (P<0.05). The solution of the red pigment extracts of the red-fleshed pitaya also had a sensitive color change reaction to pH2~13. The freshness indicator card was then prepared by using 10 g/L red pigment extracted from the peel of red-fleshed pitaya, and was used to detect the changes of the bighead carp meat. Results showed that during the storage at room temperature (25 °C) for 12 hours, the pH value of the fish meat first slightly decreased and then increased, while the TBA value continuously increased to 1.96 times that of 0 hours, which indicated a decrease in fish freshness. Meanwhile, the color difference value (ΔE) of the indicator card placed with fish meat also increased from 1.40 (0 h) at the beginning to 18.30 (12 h) at the end, and the color of the peripheral circle of the indicator card changed from light red to rose red to earthy yellow, indicating the deterioration of fish quality more intuitively. This study provides the scientific basis for the comprehensive utilization of the natural red pigment in pitaya fruit peel, also with a preliminary reference for the new food packaging in the aquatic sector of prepackaged food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to assess the chemical composition and physico-chemical, techno-functional, and in vitro antioxidant properties of flours obtained from the peel and flesh of pitahaya (Hylocereus ocamponis) to determine their potential for use as ingredients for food enrichment. The chemical composition, including total betalains, mineral content, and polyphenolic profile, was determined. The techno-functional properties (water holding, oil holding, and swelling capacities) were also evaluated. For the antioxidant capacity, four different methodologies, namely ferrous ion-chelating ability assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay; 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging ability assay, and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical assay, were used. Pitahaya-peel flour had higher values for protein (6.72 g/100 g), ash (11.63 g/100 g), and dietary fiber 56.56 g/100 g) than pitahaya-flesh flour, with values of 6.06, 3.63, and 8.22 g/100 g for protein, ash, and dietary fiber, respectively. In the same way, pitahaya peel showed a higher content of minerals, betalains, and polyphenolic compounds than pitahaya-flesh flour, with potassium (4.43 g/100 g), catechin (25.85 mg/g), quercetin-3-rhamnoside (11.66 mg/g) and myricetrin (12.10 mg/g) as principal compounds found in the peel. Again, pitahaya-peel flour showed better techno-functional and antioxidant properties than pitahaya-flesh flour. The results obtained suggest that the flours obtained from the peel and pulp of pitahaya (H. ocamponis) constitute a potential material to be utilized as an ingredient in the food industry due to the high content of bioactive compounds such as betalains, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, with notable antioxidant capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of exogenous plant growth regulators (PGR), namely jasmonic acid (JA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), on the physicochemical properties of flesh and peels of red-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus). The fruit was sprayed with 100 and 1,000 ppm of JA and MeJA at 15 and 22 days of anthesis and harvested after 35 days. Then, the flesh and peels were analyzed for total soluble solids (TSS), total betacyanins, betanin, total phenolics (TP), total flavonoids (TF), and color characteristics. The fruit peels contained significantly higher (p<0.05) TP and antioxidant activities compared to flesh. No significant difference was detected between the variables in the peels, except for significantly higher (p<0.05) of total betacyanins (~295.6 and ~299.9 mg/100 g) and TP (~614.1 and 566.1 mg GAE/100 g) were recorded in control and 100 ppm MeJA, respectively. In the flesh, 1,000 ppm MeJA-treated fruit possessed the highest total betacyanins (~139.2 mg/100 g), betanin (~356.0 mg/g), TP (~244.9 mg GAE/100 g), TF (~329.0 mg CE/100 g), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) (63.2 µmol TE/g) and reducing power (~21.5 µmol TE/g). Overall, 1,000 ppm MeJA was more effective in enhancing the accumulation of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities in the flesh of red-fleshed dragon fruit compared to other PGR treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction between light and phytohormones is crucial for plant growth and development. The practice of supplementing light at night during winter to promote pitaya flowering and thereby enhance yield has been shown to be crucial and widely used. However, it remains unclear how supplemental winter light regulates phytohormone levels to promote flowering in pitaya. In this study, through analyzing the transcriptome data of pitaya at four different stages (NL, L0, L1, L2), we observed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly enriched in the phytohormone biosynthesis pathway. We further analyzed the data and found that cytokinin (CK) content first increased at the L0 stage and then decreased at the L1 and L2 stages after supplemental light treatment compared to the control (NL). Gibberellin (GA), auxin (IAA), salicylic acid (SA), and jasmonic acid (JA) content increased during the formation of flower buds (L1, L2 stages). In addition, the levels of GA, ethylene (ETH), IAA, and abscisic acid (ABA) increased in flower buds after one week of development (L2f). Our results suggest that winter nighttime supplemental light can interact with endogenous hormone signaling in pitaya, particularly CK, to regulate flower bud formation. These results contribute to a better understanding of the mechanism of phytohormone interactions during the induction of flowering in pitaya under supplemental light in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly prized for its unique taste and appearance, pitaya is a tasty, low-calorie fruit. It has a high-water content, a high metabolism, and a high susceptibility to pathogens, resulting in an irreversible process of tissue degeneration or quality degradation and eventual loss of commercial value, leading to economic loss. High quality fruits are a key guarantee for the healthy development of economic advantages. However, the understanding of postharvest conservation technology and the regulation of maturation, and senescence of pitaya are lacking. To better understand the means of postharvest storage of pitaya, extend the shelf life of pitaya fruit and prospect the postharvest storage technology, this paper analyzes and compares the postharvest quality changes of pitaya fruit, preservation technology, and senescence regulation mechanisms. This study provides research directions for the development of postharvest storage and preservation technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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DNA binding proteins with one finger (Dof ) transcription factors are essential for seed development and defence against various biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. Genomic analysis of Dof has not been determined yet in pitaya (Selenicereus undatus). In this study, we have identified 26 Dof gene family members, renamed as HuDof-1 to HuDof-26, and clustered them into seven subfamilies based on conserved motifs, domains, and phylogenetic analysis. The gene pairs of Dof family members were duplicated by segmental duplications that faced purifying selection, as indicated by the Ka/Ks ratio values. Promoter regions of HuDof genes contain many cis-acting elements related to phytohormones including abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, gibberellin, temperature, and light. We exposed pitaya plants to different environmental stresses and examined melatonin’s influence on Dof gene expression levels. Signifcant expression of HuDof-2 and HuDof-6 were observed in different developmental stages of flower buds, flowers, pericarp, and pulp. Pitaya plants were subjected to abiotic stresses, and transcriptome analysis was carried out to identify the role of Dof gene family members. RNA-sequencing data and reverse transcription quantitative PCR-based expression analysis revealed three putative candidate genes (HuDof-1, HuDof-2, and HuDof-8), which might have diverse roles against the abiotic stresses. Our study provides a theoretical foundation for functional analysis through traditional and modern biotechnological tools for pitaya trait improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin microbiota, and its diversity and balance, play a key role in skin health and beauty, influencing skin moisture, barrier function, and radiance. A healthy skin microbiota limits the growth of detrimental species, protecting the skin from pathologies. Prebiotics can support beneficial populations in outcompeting detrimental ones. Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) contains prebiotic polysaccharides effective on gut bacteria. Its extract was tested in vitro, in a coculture model including representative beneficial and detrimental species, and in double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Effects on the skin microbiota were measured via 16S rDNA sequencing, and skin health and beauty benefits were evaluated through image analysis, TEWL measurement, and chromametry. Doppler flowmetry measured skin resilience. The extract supported S. epidermidis and S. hominis (beneficial species), while limiting S. aureus and C. acnes (representing pathogens) in vitro. Clinical results demonstrated its beneficial effects on skin microbiota diversity, especially in older volunteers (Faith's index up to +20% vs. placebo). Improvements were shown in skin sensitivity and resilience (by ca. 30% vs. placebo), skin redness (reflecting inflammation status), pigmentation and radiance (+11% ITA), barrier function (−13% TEWL), and wrinkling. This demonstrates this extract's positive effects on the beauty, health, and microbiota balance of the skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A técnica de cultura de tecidos de plantas pode ser uma ferramenta eficaz de propagação da pitaieira, visto que, por meio dela as mudas são multiplicadas em grande quantidade, produzindo clones idênticas à planta mãe, livres de patógenos e em curto período de tempo. O trabalho foi realizado com objetivo avaliar os efeitos do selênio na forma de selenato de sódio (Na2SeO4) via meio de cultura na germinação, enraizamento, crescimento dos cladódios e no acúmulo de nutrientes em pitaias (Hylocereus costaricensis) cultivadas in vitro. Foram utilizadas sementes pitais (Hylocereus costaricensis) inoculadas em meio MS adicionado de selenato de sódio (Na2SeO4) nas concentrações 0,0; 28,0; 34,0; 40,0; 46,0 e 52,0 μmol L-1, com 25 repetições. Além disso, foram adicionados 10 mg L-1 de BAP e 0,1 mg L-1 de ANA nos tratamentos com selênio. O experimento foi disposto em delineamento inteiramente casualizado e os tubos foram mantidos em sala de crescimento durante 60 dias. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: taxa de germinações, comprimento da plântula, número de cladódios, número de raízes e comprimento dos cladódios comprimento (cm). A quantificação dos elementos foi realizada com plasma acoplado indutivamente (ICPMS). Os dados foram avaliados através de curvas de regressão polinomial. Todas as analises estatísticas foram realizadas no software R Studio. A inclusão de selenato de sódio ao meio de cultura proporcionou melhora na taxa de germinação, número de cladódios, comprimento de cladódios e comprimento das plântulas de H. costaricensis. Contudo, com exceção do número de cladódios, todos os demais parâmetros filotécnicos avaliados aparentaram melhor desenvolvimento com centrações estimadas menores que a 28 µmol L-1 (menor concentração utilizada), indicando que em doses menores as plantas teriam um melhor desenvolvimento. Além disso, a disponibilidade de selênio no meio de cultura foi proporcional a sua absorção em plântulas de H. costaricensis e a adição de Se no meio MS afetou a absorção de nutrientes pela H. costaricensis.

Effects of different nitrogen fertilizer application rates on fruit quality of pitaya under the condition of calcareous soil in karst area were discussed in order to investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer application level on fruit quality of pitaya under calcareous soil condition in karst area. The ‘Taiwan Dahong’ pitaya were used as the experiment material. Based on 0.216 kg of phosphorus (P) and 0.324 kg of potassium (K), four nitrogen (N) application levels (CK, T1, T2, T3) were setted. Twenty-one fruit quality indexes were determined, and the quality differences of pitaya with different N application levels (CK, T1, T2, T3) were compared. At the same time, eleven appearance quality indexes were comprehensively analyzed by principal component analysis. The results were as follows: (1) Compared with the control, N application could increase the contents of soluble sugar and soluble solids of fruit, reduce the contents of protein and dietary fiber, and the high nitrogen treatment (T3) was significantly different from other treatments. With the increase of N application, the contents of titratable acid and vitamin C of fruit increased firstly and then decreased, while the solid-acid ratio decreased firstly and then increased. T3 significantly increased the fruit vertical and horizontal diameters, fruit shape index and single fruit weight. (2) Compared with the control, N application treatment reduced the N content of pitaya fruit and increased the P content, and the N and P contents of each treatment were significantly different. The K content of fruit increased with the increase of N application. N application increased fruit boron (B) content and decreased fruit cuprum (Cu) content. The contents of manganese (Mn), ferrum (Fe), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in different treatments were ranked as T3 > T1 > CK > T2. The content of zinc (Zn) decreased firstly and then increased with the increase of N application. (3) The principal component comprehensive evaluation score of the high N treatment was the highest, indicating that when selecting brown calcareous soil in Guilin karst area to grow pitaya, supplemented by a certain amount of P and K fertilizers, high N treatment was more conducive to improving the quality of pitaya. Therefore, in actual production, it is necessary to make appropriate adjustments according to the soil fertility status of the plantation.

This article reports the first case of Meloidogyne enterolobii, a type of root-knot nematode, infecting dragon fruit (pitaya) in the United States. The study was conducted in two dragon fruit orchards in Homestead, Florida, where the plants showed symptoms such as leaf yellowing, stunted growth, and wilting. The researchers collected soil and root samples from the orchards and found small galls and egg masses on the roots. Morphological and molecular analyses confirmed the presence of M. enterolobii. A pathogenicity test also confirmed that dragon fruit is a susceptible host for this nematode. This finding poses a potential threat to the dragon fruit crop in the United States. [Extracted from the article]

Effects of different nitrogen fertilizer application rates on fruit quality of pitaya under the condition of calcareous soil in karst area were discussed in order to investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer application level on fruit quality of pitaya under calcareous soil condition in karst area. The ‘Taiwan Dahong' pitaya were used as the experiment material. Based on 0.216 kg of phosphorus(P)and 0.324 kg of potassium(K), four nitrogen(N)application levels(CK, T1, T2, T3)were setted. Twenty-one fruit quality indexes were determined, and the quality differences of pitaya with different N application levels(CK, T1, T2, T3)were compared. At the same time, eleven appearance quality indexes were comprehensively analyzed by principal component analysis. The results were as follows: (1)Compared with the control, N application could increase the contents of soluble sugar and soluble solids of fruit, reduce the contents of protein and dietary fiber, and the high nitrogen treatment(T3)was significantly different from other treatments. With the increase of N application, the contents of titratable acid and vitamin C of fruit increased firstly and then decreased, while the solid-acid ratio decreased firstly and then increased. T3 significantly increased the fruit vertical and horizontal diameters, fruit shape index and single fruit weight. (2)Compared with the control, N application treatment reduced the N content of pitaya fruit and increased the P content, and the N and P contents of each treatment were significantly different. The K content of fruit increased with the increase of N application. N application increased fruit boron(B)content and decreased fruit cuprum(Cu)content. The contents of manganese(Mn), ferrum(Fe), calcium(Ca)and magnesium(Mg)in different treatments were ranked as T3 > T1 > CK > T2. The content of zinc(Zn)decreased firstly and then increased with the increase of N application. (3)The principal component comprehensive evaluation score of the high N treatment was the highest, indicating that when selecting brown calcareous soil in Guilin karst area to grow pitaya, supplemented by a certain amount of P and K fertilizers, high N treatment was more conducive to improving the quality of pitaya. Therefore, in actual production, it is necessary to make appropriate adjustments according to the soil fertility status of the plantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pitaya fruit has highly edible, medicinal, and economic value. Currently, pitaya is often used as fresh fruit to meet the market demand of consumers. However, pitaya fruit is prone to mechanical damage, microbial infection, and softening and decay after harvest, affecting the quality and shelf life of fresh pitaya fruit. Therefore, many technologies have been developed to extend the postharvest storage time of fresh pitaya. This review summarises the internal and external factors that affect the deterioration in quality of pitaya fruit after harvest and introduces the types of preservation technologies for pitaya fruit presently available. This includes physical, chemical, and techniques based on natural substances to extend the shelf life of postharvest pitaya fruit, as well as the control methods of postharvest diseases and pests. Future research needs to consider the combined application of various technologies to improve the preservation of pitaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elucidation of the genetic foundation governing crucial traits in pitaya flowers is imperative for enhancing both the ornamental and economic values. In this study, the dynamic variation in flower genetics, segregation variation patterns, and a mixed inheritance model of the major and multigene flower traits of 'Dahong' and 'Honghuaqinglong' pitayas and their progenies were explored. The results showed that the main traits of flowers exhibited varying degrees of variation among the reciprocal F1 hybrids, with the data exhibiting the characteristics of quantitative traits. The betalain content, petal number, and stigma number exhibited values below the median values of the parents, suggesting a genetic inclination towards lower values. Perianth width, calyx tube width, petal number, and stigma number had the same genetic effects and significant correlation. Stigma-related traits had a clear maternal inheritance tendency. The heritability of flower length, stigma relative to anther distance, and petal betalain content was governed by two pairs of additive-dominant major genes. Perianth width, calyx tube width, petal number, and stigma number all conformed to the model of two pairs of equal-additive-dominant major genes. This study provides valuable information for parental selection, cross-breeding, and the enhancement of pitaya varieties to meet market preferences and environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The aim of the research was to determine the phenolic components of Vietnamese White (flesh white) and Siam Red pitaya (flesh color red) fruits grown under greenhouse cultivation in Seydikemer district of Muğla province. In the research, phenolic components of the varieties such as gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, routine and camperol were examined. In the study, it was determined that the Siam Red variety had higher gallic acid (142.85%), chlorogenic acid (332.50%) and caffeic acid (62.50%) contents than the Vietnamese White variety. No statistical difference was detected in p-coumaric acid and routine components of varieties. In the research, while the catechin component was not detected in the Vietnamese White variety, it was detected as 0.90 µg/g in the Siam Red variety. In the research, it was determined that the Kamferol content of the Vietnamese White variety was 75% higher than the Siam Red variety. In this study, the phenolic components of pitaya species with red and white flesh grown in the Seydikemer district of Muğla province were investigated for the first time, and the results are presented. The research revealed that the pitaya species with red flesh contained higher phenolic components. Consequently, it can be said that pitaya species with red flesh would be more suitable for consumption, and this study could serve as a resource for future research on the pitaya species used in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to evaluate the variability among the dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.) genotypes in Kerala. The study was conducted in ten dragon fruit orchards of four different districts namely, Trivandrum, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Thrissur during the period 2019-2021. The plants were evaluated based on the UPOV guidelines to identify the different genotypes that were being cultivated in Kerala with respect to their morphology and flowering along with yield and quality attributes. The results revealed that the commercial cultivation of dragon fruit in Kerala was found to be dominated by the dark pink/purple fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis). The variability within this species was analysed using statistical techniques like factor analysis and cluster analysis. Maximum variability (59.38%) in the stem and flower characters were contributed by the intensity of red colour of bract, stem waxiness, stem sturdiness, margin of rib, spine colour, bud shape, bud apex shape, number of stigma lobes, length of style and distance between areoles. Similarly, maximum variability (62.74%) in the quality attributes were contributed by the fruit weight, position of bract towards peel, fruit width, fruit weight without peel, fruit length, flesh colour, fruit shape, width of base of bract, length of apical bract, outer TSS, TSS-acid ratio and core TSS. Based on the qualitative traits alone, six clusters were formed indicating the variations in plants which in turn, revealed the presence of different genotypes within the dark pink/purple fleshed dragon fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pitaya is a common fruit in southern China, but the growing environment of pitayas is complex, with a high density of foliage. This intricate natural environment is a significant contributing factor to misidentification and omission in the detection of the growing state of pitayas. In this paper, the growth states of pitayas are classified into three categories: flowering, immature, and mature. In order to reduce the misidentification and omission in the recognition process, we propose a detection model based on an improvement of the network structure of YOLOv8, namely YOLOv8n-CBN. The YOLOv8n-CBN model is based on the YOLOv8n network structure, with the incorporation of a CBAM attention mechanism module, a bidirectional feature pyramid network (BiFPN), and a C2PFN integration. Additionally, the C2F module has been replaced by a C2F_DCN module containing a deformable convolution (DCNv2). The experimental results demonstrate that YOLOv8n-CBN has enhanced the precision, recall, and mean average precision of the YOLOv8n model with an IoU threshold of 0.5. The model demonstrates a 91.1% accuracy, a 3.1% improvement over the original model, and an F1 score of 87.6%, a 3.4% enhancement over the original model. In comparison to YOLOv3-tiny, YOLOv5s, and YOLOv5m, which are highly effective target detection models, the mAP@0.50–0.95 of our proposed YOLOv8n-CBN is observed to be 10.1%, 5.0%, and 1.6% higher, respectively. This demonstrates that YOLOv8n-CBN is capable of more accurately identifying and detecting the growth status of pitaya in a natural environment.

Pitaya fruit is a significant agricultural commodity in southern China. The traditional method of determining the ripeness of pitaya by humans is inefficient, it is therefore of the utmost importance to utilize precision agriculture and smart farming technologies in order to accurately identify the ripeness of pitaya fruit. In order to achieve rapid recognition of pitaya targets in natural environments, we focus on pitaya maturity as the research object. During the growth process, pitaya undergoes changes in its shape and color, with each stage exhibiting significant characteristics. Therefore, we divided the pitaya into four stages according to different maturity levels, namely Bud, Immature, Semi-mature and Mature, and we have designed a lightweight detection and classification network for recognizing the maturity of pitaya fruit based on the YOLOv8n algorithm, namely GSE-YOLO (GhostConv SPPELAN-EMA-YOLO). The specific methods include replacing the convolutional layer of the backbone network in the YOLOv8n model, incorporating attention mechanisms, modifying the loss function, and implementing data augmentation. Our improved YOLOv8n model achieved a detection and recognition accuracy of 85.2%, a recall rate of 87.3%, an F1 score of 86.23, and an mAP50 of 90.9%, addressing the issue of false or missed detection of pitaya ripeness in intricate environments. The experimental results demonstrate that our enhanced YOLOv8n model has attained a commendable level of accuracy in discerning pitaya ripeness, which has a positive impact on the advancement of precision agriculture and smart farming technologies.

This study aimed to isolate and characterise a fungal pathogen associated with stem canker on dragon fruit and to evaluate the efficacy of sodium salt as an alternative control against it. The fungal pathogen was isolated and identified by morphological and cultural methods. SMNND11 and ARPN11 isolates, which are morphologically alike Neoscytalidium sp., were selected for the present study. The colony's mycelial mass was greyish-white and turned to dark greenish-grey. The shape of the arthroconidia was ellipsoid to ovoid and hyaline to dark brown with septate arthrospores. The hyphae were brown in colour, septate, branched and constricted into spore chains before disarticulation. Based on the blast analysis using the aligned sequences of the internal transcribed spacer, the SMNND11 isolate was highly genetically identical (100%) to Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, the ARPN10 isolate was 98.6% identical to Neoscytalidium sp. and the neighbour-joining analysis revealed that both isolates were grouped into the same genus, Neoscytalidium sp. The in vitro study revealed that sodium salt at a concentration of > 3% showed high potential in suppressing the mycelial growth of the SMNND11 isolates. In a field trial, a sodium salt solution at 30 g/L applied twice a week, along with rotating chemical fungicides applied once a week, were able to reduce the disease severity of the stem canker disease on the dragon fruit. This study revealed that Neoscytalidium sp., as well as N. dimidiatum, is the positive pathogen that infects dragon fruit plants in IP2TP Sumani and Aripan West Sumatra. Thus, the culture and field studies support the potential control technique to alternating chemical fungicide on dragon fruit.

Copyright of China Condiment is the property of China Condiment and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Taking pitaya as the research material, the effects of different concentrations of potassium dihydrogen phosphate foliar fertilizer sprayed before harvest on the quality characteristics and appearance of postharvest fruit were investigated.The results showed that spraying potassium dihydrogen phosphate foliar fertilizer could increase the contents of reducing sugar, titratable acid and betaine, delay the decline of fruit hardness and soluble solids during storage, and reduce the decay rate of fruit during storage.Among them, 0.016 mol/L potassium dihydrogen phosphate treatment could also effectively delay the decrease of vitamin C,protein and betaine contents of pitaya fruit, reduce the decay rate of fruit during storage, and maintain good fruit quality.Therefore, pre-harvest spraying 0.016 mol/L potassium dihydrogen phosphate was the most beneficial to pitaya storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the nutritional value of a baked pork meat product containing lyophilized dragon fruit pulp. The selected nutritional properties of a baked pork meat product fortified with lyophilized Hylocereus undatus pulp in doses of 0.5%, 1.5%, 2.5%, and 4% were evaluated. For this assessment, changes in the basic chemical composition of the products, the content of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and phosphorus, and the profile of fatty acids were considered. Additionally, characteristics typical for meat products, such as pH, water activity, oxidation-reduction potential or thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and antioxidant properties of the product during 21 days of refrigerated storage, were assessed. The findings indicate that the use of higher doses of lyophilizate, i.e., in the amounts of 2.5% and 4%, significantly (p < 0.05) increases the nutritional value of meat products, leading to an increase in the concentration of essential minerals important for the proper functioning of the human body (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron). These changes occurred without affecting the basic chemical composition (except for an increase in the content of fat and carbohydrates in the sample with the addition of 4% lyophilizate). The introduction of the fortification treatment improved the fatty acid profile, resulting in an increase in the content of C14:0, C16:0, C20:0, and C20:5n3. In addition, in the variant with a 4% dosage, there was an increased content of C8:0, C10:0, C16:1n7, C18:0, C18:1n9C + C18:1n9t, and C18:2n6C + C18:2n6t, C18:3n3 (alpha), C20:1n15, and C20:1n9. In this particular variant, an increase in saturated-, monounsaturated-, and polyunsaturated fatty acids was also observed, which was associated with an increased level of TBARS in meat products. However, the increase in the dose of lyophilizate caused an increase in the antiradical effect of meat extracts. Based on the results obtained, it seems reasonable to use a plant additive in the form of lyophilized dragon fruit pulp in the amount of 4.0% in the production of pork meat products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To improve the quality of dried pitaya products. Methods: Based on the porous medium theory and Fick's law, a mathematical model of the coupling of heat and mass transfer of pitaya fruit with multiple physical fields of solid mechanics was established, and the variation of temperature and moisture content of pitaya fruit during the heat pump drying process was studied. Results: The calculation accuracy of the model considering volume shrinkage was higher. The maximum relative error between the calculated value and the test value was 9.2% after reaching the drying standard. The temperature distribution of pitaya slices decreased gradually from the surface to the center in the early stage of drying, and achieved a balance later, while the water distribution showed an opposite trend. The temperature and humidity gradient forces in the heat pump drying process were the main factors leading to the shrinkage deformation of pitaya slices. The calculated values of dry base moisture content of pitaya slices under different drying temperature and slice thickness were consistent with the experimental values, and the relative errors were all less than 10%, which proved the accuracy of the model. Conclusion: The mathematical model established by the experiment can accurately simulate the heat pump drying process of Pitaya.

In order to optimize the pitaya heat pump drying process and improve the quality of dried products, the effects of drying temperature, slice thickness and relative humidity on heat pump drying characteristics and the volume ratio of pitaya were studied. The optimal shrinkage dynamic model was determined to predict the volume variation law under different heat pump drying conditions. The results demonstrated that the drying rate increased with the increase of drying temperature, the decrease of slice thickness and relative humidity. The drying temperature had the greatest effect on it while the slice thickness had the least. The volume ratio decreased with the increase of drying temperature and the decrease of slice thickness and relative humidity. Comparing and analyzing the five thin-layer drying models, the Quadratic model was determined as the most accurate to describe the volume ratio law in the pitaya heat pump drying process. The average error of the calculated value was 5.01% compared with the test value. Under the heat pump drying conditions described in this paper, the contraction activation energy of the pitaya was calculated to be 27.185 kJ/mol by Arrhenius equation. Based on the volume shrinkage model, the process parameters of heat pump drying could be optimized and the dry products with more appropriate volume could be obtained. This study could provide technical support for the volume shrinkage law of pitaya in the heat pump drying process.

The aim of this work was to assess the chemical composition and physico-chemical, techno-functional, and in vitro antioxidant properties of flours obtained from the peel and flesh of pitahaya (Hylocereus ocamponis) to determine their potential for use as ingredients for food enrichment. The chemical composition, including total betalains, mineral content, and polyphenolic profile, was determined. The techno-functional properties (water holding, oil holding, and swelling capacities) were also evaluated. For the antioxidant capacity, four different methodologies, namely ferrous ion-chelating ability assay, ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay; 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging ability assay, and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical assay, were used. Pitahaya-peel flour had higher values for protein (6.72 g/100 g), ash (11.63 g/100 g), and dietary fiber 56.56 g/100 g) than pitahaya-flesh flour, with values of 6.06, 3.63, and 8.22 g/100 g for protein, ash, and dietary fiber, respectively. In the same way, pitahaya peel showed a higher content of minerals, betalains, and polyphenolic compounds than pitahaya-flesh flour, with potassium (4.43 g/100 g), catechin (25.85 mg/g), quercetin-3-rhamnoside (11.66 mg/g) and myricetrin (12.10 mg/g) as principal compounds found in the peel. Again, pitahaya-peel flour showed better techno-functional and antioxidant properties than pitahaya-flesh flour. The results obtained suggest that the flours obtained from the peel and pulp of pitahaya (H. ocamponis) constitute a potential material to be utilized as an ingredient in the food industry due to the high content of bioactive compounds such as betalains, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, with notable antioxidant capacity.

Highly prized for its unique taste and appearance, pitaya is a tasty, low-calorie fruit. It has a high-water content, a high metabolism, and a high susceptibility to pathogens, resulting in an irreversible process of tissue degeneration or quality degradation and eventual loss of commercial value, leading to economic loss. High quality fruits are a key guarantee for the healthy development of economic advantages. However, the understanding of postharvest conservation technology and the regulation of maturation, and senescence of pitaya are lacking. To better understand the means of postharvest storage of pitaya, extend the shelf life of pitaya fruit and prospect the postharvest storage technology, this paper analyzes and compares the postharvest quality changes of pitaya fruit, preservation technology, and senescence regulation mechanisms. This study provides research directions for the development of postharvest storage and preservation technology.

The SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN (SBP) gene family is essential for plant growth and development. However, little is known about the SBP gene family in pitaya (Selenicereus undatus L.); a fruit crop cultivated in tropical climates, severely affected by abiotic stress factors. These stresses produce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), affecting pitaya growth and development. In this study, we identified 17 SBP genes in the pitaya genome (HuSBP) and classified them into seven distinct clusters based on their phylogeny. The HuSBP genes exhibited a conserved intron-exon structure and motif domain organization. These SBP genes were differentially expressed in 15 developmental stages of flower (F), flower buds (FB), pericarp (PeriC), and pulp. In addition, specific HuSBP genes exhibited higher expression under single-factor, double-factor, and multifactorial stresses, revealing their diverse role in the growth and development of pitaya. Exogenous application of melatonin with known antioxidant and stress-protective properties, was also applied. The expression pattern of RNA-Seq data was validated by RT-qPCR analysis. Based on genome-wide results and transcriptome-based data under multifactorial stresses, we predicted six putative candidate genes (HuSBP2/3/7/10/14/15) that might play diverse roles in pitaya growth and development. These results provide valuable insights into the role of HuSBP genes in pitaya stress tolerance and could be used to develop innovative strategies to create resilient and adaptable pitaya genotypes using conventional breeding and modern biotechnological tools.

Pitaya (Hylocereus spp.) is a member of the cactus family that is native to Central and South America but is now cultivated throughout the sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world. It is of great importance due to its nutritional, ornamental, coloring, medicinal, industrial, and high consumption values. In order to effectively utilize and develop the available genetic resources, it is necessary to appreciate and understand studies pertaining to the usage, origin, nutrition, diversity, evaluation, characterization, conservation, taxonomy, and systematics of the genus Hylocereus. Additionally, to gain a basic understanding of the biology of the plant, this review has also discussed how biotechnological tools, such as cell and tissue culture, micropropagation (i.e., somatic embryogenesis, organogenesis, somaclonal variation, mutagenesis, androgenesis, gynogenesis, and altered ploidy), virus-induced gene silencing, and molecular marker technology, have been used to enhance pitaya germplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pitaya industry is a specialty fruit industry in the mountainous region of Guizhou, China. The planted area in Guizhou reaches 7200 ha, ranking first in the country. At present, Pitaya planting lacks efficient yield estimation methods, which has a negative impact on the Pitaya downstream industry chain, stymying the constant growing market. The fragmented and complex terrain in karst mountainous areas and the capricious local weather have hindered accurate crop identification using traditional satellite remote sensing methods, and there is currently little attempt made to tackle the mountainous specialty crops' yield estimation. In this paper, based on UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) remote sensing images, the complexity of Pitaya planting sites in the karst background has been divided into three different scenes as complex scenes with similar colors, with topographic variations, and with the coexistence of multiple crops. In scenes with similar colors, using the Close Color Vegetation Index (CCVI) to extract Pitaya plants, the accuracy reached 92.37% on average in the sample sites; in scenes with complex topographic variations, using point clouds data based on the Canopy Height Model (CHM) to extract Pitaya plants, the accuracy reached 89.09%; and in scenes with the coexistence of multiple crops, using the U-Net Deep Learning Model (DLM) to identify Pitaya plants, the accuracy reached 92.76%. Thereafter, the Pitaya yield estimation model was constructed based on the fruit yield data measured in the field for several periods, and the fast yield estimations were carried out and examined for three application scenes. The results showed that the average accuracy of yield estimation in complex scenes with similar colors was 91.25%, the average accuracy of yield estimation in scenes with topographic variations was 93.40%, and the accuracy of yield estimation in scenes with the coexistence of multiple crops was 95.18%. The overall yield estimation results show a high accuracy. The experimental results show that it is feasible to use UAV remote sensing images to identify and rapidly estimate the characteristic crops in the complex karst habitat, which can also provide scientific reference for the rapid yield estimation of other crops in mountainous regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sugar composition and content of fruit have a significant impact on their flavor and taste. In pitaya, or dragon fruit, sweetness is a crucial determinant of fruit taste and consumer preference. The sugars will eventually be exported transporters (SWEETs), a novel group of sugar transporters that have various physiological functions, including phloem loading, seed filling, nectar secretion, and fruit development. However, the role of SWEETs in sugar accumulation in pitaya fruit is not yet clear. Here, we identified 19 potential members (HuSWEET genes) of the SWEET family in pitaya and analyzed their conserved motifs, physiochemical characteristics, chromosomal distribution, gene structure, and phylogenetic relationship. Seven highly conserved α-helical transmembrane domains (7-TMs) were found, and the HuSWEET proteins can be divided into three clades based on the phylogenetic analysis. Interestingly, we found two HuSWEET genes, HuSWEET12a and HuSWEET13d, that showed strong preferential expressions in fruits and an upward trend during fruit maturation, suggesting they have key roles in sugar accumulation in pitaya. This can be further roughly demonstrated by the fact that transgenic tomato plants overexpressing HuSWEET12a/13d accumulated high levels of sugar in the mature fruit. Together, our result provides new insights into the regulation of sugar accumulation by SWEET family genes in pitaya fruit, which also set a crucial basis for the further functional study of the HuSWEETs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study was to optimize the extraction of dietary fiber (insoluble dietary fiber and soluble dietary fiber) and degree of esterification from yellow dragon fruit peels using ultrasound-assisted extraction. Additionally, the study aimed to investigate the potential application of this fiber as a fat replacement in alpaca-based sausages. The optimization process for extracting dietary fiber and degree of esterification involved considering various factors, including the liquid-to-solid ratio, pause time, and total ultrasound application time. A Box–Behnken design consisting of 15 treatments was employed to determine the optimal levels for ultrasound-assisted extraction. The optimized conditions were found to be a liquid-to-solid ratio = 30 mL/g, pause time = 1 s, and total ultrasound application time = 60 min, which resulted in the highest values of insoluble dietary fiber (61.3%), soluble dietary fiber (10.8%), and the lowest value of degree of esterification (39.7%). The predicted values were validated against experimental data and showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). Furthermore, a completely randomized design was utilized to assess the effect of dietary fiber on replacing fat content during the production of alpaca-based sausages. The findings revealed that up to 78% of the fat content could be successfully replaced by soluble dietary fiber obtained from yellow dragon fruit peels when compared to high-fat sausages. Additionally, experimental sausages using soluble dietary fiber showed similar (p > 0.05) quality characteristics, such as hardness (24.2 N), chewiness (11.8 N), springiness (0.900), cohesiveness (0.543), redness (a* = 17.4), and chroma values (20.0), as low-fat commercial sausages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

pH is an important environmental factor affecting the pathogenicity of many fungi. The pH change in the decayed tissue of pitaya fruit inoculated with Gilbertella persicaria, the kinds of organic acids secreted by G. persicaria, the effects of three ambient pH values on pathogenicity, and the activities of pectinase and cellulase in pitaya fruit were studied. The results showed that colonization of pitaya fruit by G. persicaria was accompanied by local acidification of the host tissue, with the pH decreasing from 4.76 to 4.41. The main organic acid secreted by G. persicaria was oxalic acid, followed by citric acid. Furthermore, pH 4.4 enhanced the activities of pectin methylesterase (PME), polygalacturonase (PG), pectin methyl polygalacturonase (PMG) and pectatelyase (PL), as well as cellulase (Cx) and β-glucosidase (β-Glu), in pitaya fruit. Our results indicate that ambient pH is a regulatory factor for the pathogenicity of G. persicaria infecting pitaya fruit, and this study will aid in the development of new methods to control fruit decay caused by G. persicaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-incompatible pitaya varieties have low fruit-setting rates under natural conditions, leading to higher production costs and hindering industrial prosperity. Through transcriptome sequencing, we obtained the 36,900 longest transcripts (including 9167 new transcripts) from 60 samples of flowers. Samples were collected pre- and post-pollination (at 0 h, 0.5 h, 2 h, 4 h, and 12 h) from two varieties of pitaya (self-compatible Jindu No. 1 and self-incompatible Cu Sha). Using the RNA-Seq data and comparison of reference genomes, we annotated 28,817 genes in various databases, and 1740 genes were optimized in their structure for annotation. There were significant differences in the expression of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the pitaya stigmas under different pollination types, especially at the late post-pollination stage, where the expression of protease genes increasedal significantly under cross-pollination. We identified DEGs involved in the ribosomal, ubiquitination-mediated, and phyto-signaling pathways that may be involved in pitaya SI regulation. Based on the available transcriptome data and bioinformatics analysis, we tentatively identified HuS-RNase2 as a candidate gynogenetic S gene in the pitaya GSI system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty-adult male rats were indiscriminately divided into five groups, of similar number: negative control group (group 1), and the groups from 2 to 5 received orally 100 mg/kg b.wt of Pb once a day for 14 days. Then, group 2 was maintained as an untreated positive control group, while the groups 3, 4 and 5 received daily orally Red Dragon Fruit Juice (RDFJ) at a dose of 10, 20 and 30%, respectively. The results exhibited that the fleshy-fruit was higher in its content of phenolics, followed by flavonoids and anthocyanins. As a comparison to untreated positive control group, treated rats with oral administration of RDFJ have a significant (P< 0.05) decrease in serum activity of AST, ALT and ALP enzymes, and the levels of urea nitrogen, uric acid, creatinine and MDA. In addition to the increase in serum activity of catalase (CAT) and GSH-Px enzymes and levels of total antioxidant norepinephrine, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine. Several degradations in cerebral tissue of untreated rats with the brain toxicity were detectable, while an august amendment in the rats treated with the RDFJ, especially with the higher level (30%). Lastly, routine consumption of RDFJ may be profitable to prevent the consequence injury from lead toxicity due to it's a wide range content of flavonids, phenolic and anthocyanins as bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pitaya is a tropical and subtropical plant with various uses. In this study, the maceration method obtained acetone, ethanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and methanol from the bark parts of pitaya fruit. The in vitro effects of fruit peel extracts on the critical metabolic enzyme activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), human carbonic anhydrase (hCA I and hCA II), and α-glycosidase, were investigated. Pitaya bark ethanol (PBE) (IC50: 20.16±0.22 μg/mL, r²:0.9694) for AChE and Pitaya bark acetone (PBA) (IC50:42.10±1.045 μg/mL, r²:0.9807) extract for BChE showed the most potent inhibition effect. Pitaya bark ethyl acetate (PBEA) extract showed the most potent inhibitory effect for hCA I and hCA II (IC50:53.51±2.22 μg/mL, r²:0.9562 and IC50:26.29±0.34 μg/mL, r²:0.9966), respectively. In addition, PBEA showed the most potent inhibition effect on α-glycosidase enzyme (IC50: 24.54±1.80 μg/mL, r²:0.9199). According to the results, the extracts can be effectively used treatment of diseases such as glaucoma, epilepsy, type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to isolate and characterise a fungal pathogen associated with stem canker on dragon fruit and to evaluate the efficacy of sodium salt as an alternative control against it. The fungal pathogen was isolated and identified by morphological and cultural methods. SMNND11 and ARPN11 isolates, which are morphologically alike Neoscytalidium sp., were selected for the present study. The colony's mycelial mass was greyish-white and turned to dark greenish-grey. The shape of the arthroconidia was ellipsoid to ovoid and hyaline to dark brown with septate arthrospores. The hyphae were brown in colour, septate, branched and constricted into spore chains before disarticulation. Based on the blast analysis using the aligned sequences of the internal transcribed spacer, the SMNND11 isolate was highly genetically identical (100%) to Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, the ARPN10 isolate was 98.6% identical to Neoscytalidium sp. and the neighbour-joining analysis revealed that both isolates were grouped into the same genus, Neoscytalidium sp. The in vitro study revealed that sodium salt at a concentration of > 3% showed high potential in suppressing the mycelial growth of the SMNND11 isolates. In a field trial, a sodium salt solution at 30 g/L applied twice a week, along with rotating chemical fungicides applied once a week, were able to reduce the disease severity of the stem canker disease on the dragon fruit. This study revealed that Neoscytalidium sp., as well as N. dimidiatum, is the positive pathogen that infects dragon fruit plants in IP2TP Sumani and Aripan West Sumatra. Thus, the culture and field studies support the potential control technique to alternating chemical fungicide on dragon fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Multiple MYB transcription factors (TFs) are involved in the regulation of plant coloring. Betalain is a kind of natural plant pigment and its biosynthesis is regulated by a number of enzymes. Despite this, little is known about the molecular properties and roles of MYB TFs in pitaya betalain biosynthesis. Results In the present study, we identified a 1R-MYB gene, HuMYB132, which is preferentially expressed in red-pulp pitaya at the mature stage. It was clustered with Arabidopsis R-R-type genes and had two DNA-binding domains and a histidine-rich region. The expression assays in N. benthamiana and yeast indicated that HuMYB132 is a nucleus-localized protein with transcriptional activation activity. Dual luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) demonstrated that HuMYB132 could promote the transcriptional activities of HuADH1, HuCYP76AD1–1, and HuDODA1 by binding to their promoters. Silencing HuMYB132 reduced betalain accumulation and the expression levels of betalain biosynthetic genes in pitaya pulps. Conclusions According to our findings, HuMYB132, a R-R type member of 1R-MYB TF subfamily, positively regulates pitaya betalain biosynthesis by regulating the expression of HuADH1, HuCYP76AD1–1, and HuDODA1. The present study provides a new theoretical reference for the management of pitaya betalain biosynthesis and also provides an essential basis for future regulation of betalain biosynthesis in Hylocereus.