Penelope Perkins-veazie - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Penelope Perkins-veazie

Frontiers in Nutrition, 2021

Sweet dessert watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is one of the most important vegetable crops consume... more Sweet dessert watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is one of the most important vegetable crops consumed throughout the world. The chemical composition of watermelon provides both high nutritional value and various health benefits. The present manuscript introduces a catalog of 1,679 small molecules occurring in the watermelon and their cheminformatics analysis for diverse features. In this catalog, the phytochemicals are associated with the literature describing their presence in the watermelon plant, and when possible, concentration values in various plant parts (flesh, seeds, leaves, roots, rind). Also cataloged are the chemical classes, molecular weight and formula, chemical structure, and certain physical and chemical properties for each phytochemical. In our view, knowing precisely what is in what we eat, as this catalog does for watermelon, supports both the rationale for certain controlled feeding studies in the field of precision nutrition, and plant breeding efforts for the development of new varieties with enhanced concentrations of specific phytochemicals. Additionally, improved and comprehensive collections of natural products accessible to the public will be especially useful to researchers in nutrition, cheminformatics, bioinformatics, and drug development, among other disciplines.

Cultural practices have been reported to affect quality and phytonutrient content of watermelon (... more Cultural practices have been reported to affect quality and phytonutrient content of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai). Knowing which cultivars perform well under various technologies and production systems, and knowing how these systems affect quality and phytonutrient content is imperative to ensure high quality fruit. Organic production and grafting are two cultural practices that are increasing among watermelon producers. Each of these technologies have the potential to interact with cultivars to influence watermelon quality. This review discusses the effects organic culture, input level, and grafting have on watermelon fruit quality. ORGANIC CULTURE Many consumers consider organically produced fruits and vegetables to be healthier and safer than conventionally grown fruit. Because of this, consumers are often willing to pay more for organically grown crops (Whole Foods Market® 2005). Worthington (2001) reported that organic culture of some fru...

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 1996

Peroxidase activity is used by the food processing industry as an indicator of adequacy of the bl... more Peroxidase activity is used by the food processing industry as an indicator of adequacy of the blanching process and to predict off-flavour development in frozen food. Research reported herein showed that total peroxidase activity did not parallel flavour changes in frozen unblanched supersweet (sh2) or sugary enhanced (sullse) sweet corn genotypes. Frozen corn-on-the-cob of 'Florida Staysweet' (sh2), 'Merit' (standard sweet-sul) and 'Bodacious' (sullse), blanched and unblanched, was subjected to sensory evaluation and peroxidase analysis following frozen storage up to 12 months. Trained taste panellists rated the unblanched sh2 and sullse corn as acceptable up to 8 months of frozen storage. Kernels were cut from cobs after 0 and 12 months of storage. Proteins were extracted from acetone powders of kernels and separated by isoelectric focusing and native PAGE. Banding patterns differed according to genotype and storage duration. These results suggested molecular differences in peroxidase isozymes among the sweet corn genotypes which could be involved in off-flavour development. All genotypes contained a peroxidase isozyme having a molecular mass of 80 kDa and PI of 4-5. The sullse and sh2 genotypes produced an additional peroxidase band of 13.8 kDa. An additional peroxidase isozyme (PI 5.4) appeared in extracts from the sul genotype after 12 months storage. Although changes in total peroxidase activity may not predict flavour changes in all genotypes, the presence or absence of certain peroxidase isozymes may be useful in predicting off-flavour development in sul frozen corn.

Additional index words. Citrullus lanatus, phytonutrients, amino acids, genetics by environment, ... more Additional index words. Citrullus lanatus, phytonutrients, amino acids, genetics by environment, quality Producers of fresh fruits and vegetables face increasing production costs and more intense international market competition. Maximizing marketability by offering high quality produce that is also highly nutritious provides new market niches for crops such as watermelons [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai], but germplasm will have to be identified that has enhanced levels of nutrients. Surprisingly, there is little information on how genes can affect the nutritional quality of most fruits and vegetables. This preliminary study was undertaken to determine the importance of genetics versus environment effects in watermelon Lcitrulline content, an amino acid that may help regulate blood pressure. Our results suggest that L-citrulline content can vary within a cultivar (one cultivar demonstrated a 0.4 to 4.9 mg/ml fresh sample deviation) even when grown and tested at one lo...

Watermelon is a rich natural source of lycopene, a carotenoid of great interest because of its an... more Watermelon is a rich natural source of lycopene, a carotenoid of great interest because of its antioxidant capacity and potential health benefits. Assessment of bioavailability of lycopene from foods has been limited to tomato products, in which heat processing promotes lycopene bioavailability. We examined the bioavailability of lycopene from fresh-frozen watermelon juice in a 19-wk crossover study. Healthy, nonsmoking adults (36–69 y) completed three 3-wk treatment periods, each with a controlled, weight-maintenance diet. Treatment periods were preceded by “washout” periods of 2–4 wk during which lycopene-rich foods were restricted. All 23 subjects consumed the W-20 (20.1 mg/d lycopene, 2.5 mg/d -carotene from watermelon juice) and C-0 treatments (controlled diet, no juice). As a third treatment, subjects consumed either the W-40 (40.2 mg/d lycopene, 5.0 mg/d -carotene from watermelon juice, n 12) or T-20 treatment (18.4 mg/d lycopene, 0.6 mg/d -carotene from tomato juice, n 10). ...

Citrulline, a non essential amino acid found in all cucurbits but in highest amounts in watermelo... more Citrulline, a non essential amino acid found in all cucurbits but in highest amounts in watermelon, helps promote vasodilation in humans by stimulating the nitric oxide system. Arginine is present in all plants and is a primary amino acid in the nitric oxide system of mammals. Citrulline has been reported in both flesh and rind of watermelon. In this study, watermelon seeds (embryos) of various types and cultivars were analyzed for free citrulline and arginine and compared to amounts found in grafted and not grafted seedless watermelons. The citrulline content of watermelon flesh was much higher than that of seeds (about 2-2.5 vs 0.03 to 0.1 mg/g fresh weight), respectively. Arginine content was also higher (7-9 vs 0.3 to 1 mg/g fwt). The ratio of citrulline to arginine was very different in seeds (0.04 to 0.33) compared to flesh (2 to 4). The different ratios of citrulline and arginine between seeds and placental tissue most likely reflect the very different roles these tissues pla...

Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad.) is a natural and rich source of the non-essential amino a... more Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Schrad.) is a natural and rich source of the non-essential amino acid citrulline. Citrulline is used in the nitric oxide system in humans and has potential antioxidant and vasodilatation roles. A method using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was developed to separate citrulline from glutamic acid, which co-elute when analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Watermelons were analyzed by GC–MS to determine the citrulline content among varieties, types, flesh colors, and tissues. Citrulline content ranged from 3.9 to 28.5 mg/g dry weight (dwt) and was similar between seeded and seedless types (16.6 and 20.3 mg/g dwt, respectively). Red flesh watermelons had slightly less citrulline than the yellow or orange flesh watermelons (7.4, 28.5 and 14.2 mg/g dwt, respectively). Rind contained more citrulline than flesh on a dry weight basis (24.7 and 16.7 mg/g dwt, respectively) but a little less on a fresh weight (fwt) basis (1.3 and 1.9 mg...

Watermelon plants grafted onto rootstocks from squash or gourds were planted at Lane, Oklahoma. W... more Watermelon plants grafted onto rootstocks from squash or gourds were planted at Lane, Oklahoma. Weight, dimensions, and quality (SSC, firmness, lycopene content) of a seeded (Summer Flavor® 800) and a seedless (Summer Sweet® 5244) cultivar were measured. Watermelons from non-grafted plants weighed more than those from grafted plants. Fruit shape, determined by length, circumference, and their ratio, did not change significantly from fruit harvested from grafted and not grafted plants. Rind thickness was increased in fruits grafted to the gourd rootstock, ‘451’. Lycopene and firmness tended to be lower in non-grafted plants. Grafting decreased SSC in diploid fruit but had varying effect on the triploid fruit. The rootstock affected plant vigor in both triploid and diploid scion. These results show that fruit quality varies with both cultivar and rootstock and more vigorous plants tended to have better quality fruit. Introduction: Grafting of cucurbits to rootstocks of different cucur...

HortScience

Additional index words. Fragaria 3ananassa, fresh market, June-bearing, short-day 'Liz' and 'Rocc... more Additional index words. Fragaria 3ananassa, fresh market, June-bearing, short-day 'Liz' and 'Rocco' are new short-day (June-bearing) strawberry (Fragaria •ananassa Duch. ex Rozier) cultivars from the North Carolina State University strawberry breeding program in Raleigh, NC. The most outstanding characteristic of 'Liz' is its consistently high yields. Total and marketable yields of 'Liz' were higher than those of other cultivars tested most years in our trials in North Carolina. Firmness of 'Liz' is comparable to 'Camarosa'. Because of its consistent high yields and moderate firmness, 'Liz' can be considered an alternative to 'Camarosa'. The most outstanding characteristics of 'Rocco' are its early season ripening and high soluble solids content. Total yield of 'Rocco' is higher than that of 'Sweet Charlie' and comparable to cultivars that ripen later in the season. 'Rocco' should be considered an alternative to 'Sweet Charlie' for early production. U.S. Plant

Agriculture

Essential plant nutrients are needed at crop-specific concentrations to obtain optimal growth and... more Essential plant nutrients are needed at crop-specific concentrations to obtain optimal growth and yield. Foliar tissue analysis is the standard method for assessing nutrient levels in plants. Symptoms of nutrient deficiency or toxicity occur when the foliar tissue values become too low or high. Diagnostic nutrient deficiency criteria for Brassica rapa var. Chinensis (bok choy) is lacking in the current literature. In this study, green (‘Black Summer’) and purple (‘Red Pac’) bok choy plants were grown in silica sand culture, with control plants receiving a complete modified Hoagland’s all-nitrate solution, and nutrient-deficient plants induced by using a complete nutrient formula withholding a single nutrient. Tissue samples were collected at the first sign of visual disorder symptoms and analyzed for dry weight and nutrient concentrations of all plant essential elements. Six weeks into the experiment, the newest matured leaves were sampled for chlorophyll a, b, and total carotenoids...

Horticulturae

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) grafting has emerged as a promising biological management approach... more Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) grafting has emerged as a promising biological management approach aimed at increasing tolerance to abiotic stressors, such as unfavorable environmental conditions. These conditions include environments that are too cold, wet, or dry, have soil nutrient deficiency or toxicity and soil or irrigation water salinity. Studies to date indicate that fruit yield and quality may be positively or negatively affected depending on rootstock-scion combination and growing environment. Growers need information regarding the general effect of rootstocks, as well as specific scion-rootstock interactions on fruit maturity and quality so they can select combinations best suited for their environment. This review summarizes the literature on watermelon grafting with a focus on abiotic stress tolerance and fruit maturity and quality with specific reference to hollow heart and hard seed formation, flesh firmness, total soluble solids, and lycopene content.

Agronomy

Cut peonies (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) have a relatively short vase life and limited availability... more Cut peonies (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) have a relatively short vase life and limited availability due to seasonal production. Cultivars Festiva Maxima (FM), Monsieur Jules Elie (MJE), and Sarah Bernhardt (SB) stored at 0.7 °C had a longer flower open time at 12 weeks of storage compared to those held at −3.1 or 3.5 °C, while the flower bud time was unaffected. The flower open time of FM and MJE was no different for stems stored at a sub-zero temperature of −0.6 °C for 16 weeks compared to non-stored stems. Flower quality, opening, and lack of deformity was reduced at 16 weeks of storage in comparison to non-stored flowers, but higher for stems stored at −0.6 °C compared to 0.7 °C. Pre-treating stems before storage with pulses of a commercial hydrator solution or a 200 g·L−1 sucrose solution for 2 h at 4 °C had little commercial significance compared to non-pulsed control stems. The total phenolic content, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase were not effective indicators of ope...

Preventive Nutrition and Food Science, Mar 31, 2020

This study investigated the effects of two doses of freeze-dried watermelon (WM) on bone and lipi... more This study investigated the effects of two doses of freeze-dried watermelon (WM) on bone and lipid parameters in ovariectomized (OVX) mice, a model of post-menopausal osteoporosis. Three-month-old C57BL/6 female mice (n=46) were sham-operated (SHAM) or OVX and randomly assigned to the control or WM diets for 12 weeks: SHAM-control, OVX-control, OVX+1%, or 10% (wt/wt) freeze-dried WM. All diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous, and had the same calcium and phosphorus concentrations. Freeze-dried WM supplementation was not able to prevent the decrease in whole body, tibial, and lumbar bone mineral density due to estrogen deficiency. Micro-computed tomography analyses showed that WM was also not able to modulate changes in tibial trabecular and cortical bone microarchitecture due to ovariectomy. However, the lumbar trabecular micro-architecture analyses revealed that the WM-10% group had a similar connectivity density, trabecular number, trabecular separation, and structure model index as the SHAM group. Supplementation with 10% WM reduced plasma cholesterol and total liver lipids to the level of the SHAM group but was still similar to that of the OVX-control group. Supplementation with 10% WM increased liver catalase (CAT) mRNA levels but had no effects on mRNA levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6. There were no differences in plasma activity of the antioxidant enzymes GPX and CAT between all treatment groups. Our findings demonstrate some positive effects of watermelon for modulating lipids and attenuating lumbar vertebral bone loss arising from ovarian hormone deficiency.

HortScience, Apr 1, 2020

Journal of Horticultural Science and Research

Redbud (Cercis spp.) is used as a spring flowering ornamental tree and is found wild in much of N... more Redbud (Cercis spp.) is used as a spring flowering ornamental tree and is found wild in much of North America. Typically flowers are light purple although there are selected cultigens that are white, rose, or red-purple. Flowers from cultigens common to the eastern U.S. and from wild Eastern redbud (C. canadensis) were collected and tested for color and anthocyanin pigment composition. The anthocyanins cyanidin 3-glucoside, petunidin 3-glucoside, peonidin 3-glucoside, and malvidin 3-glucoside were most aboundant in purple, rose, and red-purple redbud flowers and total anthocyanin content was 2263 to 8730 mg.kg DW-1. Small amounts of delphinidin, cyanidin, and petunidin 3, diglucosides were also present. Most of the typical purple-flowered redbuds contained cyanidin 3-glucoside as the dominant pigment, while the red-purple flowered ' Appalachian Red' and 'Crosswicks Red' contained malvidin 3,5-diglucoside as the dominant anthocyanin. An unknown anthocyanin was present in all redbud flowers, and was higher in the red-purple flowered phenotypes. These results show that the color of redbud flowers is from anthocyanins, predominantly cyanidin 3-glucoside and malvidin 3,5-diglucoside, with malvidin 3,5-diglucoside as the primary pigment in red-purple flowers and cyanidin 3-glucoside dominant in purple flowers.

Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is one of the most prevalent micronutrient deficiencies that dispropor... more Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is one of the most prevalent micronutrient deficiencies that disproportionately affects low income populations in developing countries. Traditional breeding and modern biotechnology have significant potential to enhance micronutrient bioavailability in crops through biofortification. Bananas (Musa spp.) are economically important fruit crops grown throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world where VAD is most prevalent. Some banana genotypes are rich in provitamin A carotenoids (pVACs), providing an opportunity to use bananas as a readily available vehicle for provitamin A delivery. This review summarizes the progress made in carotenoid research in bananas relative to banana diversity and the use of conventional breeding and transgenic approaches aimed at banana biofortification to address vitamin A deficiency. Existing reports on sampling strategies, pVAC retention and bioavailability are also evaluated as essential components for a successful banana biofortification effort. The wide variability of pVACs reported in banana cultivars coupled with recent advances in unraveling the diversity and genetic improvement of this globally important but often-neglected staple fruit crop underscores their importance in biofortification schemes.

International Journal of Fruit Science

ABSTRACT The advanced selections, NCS 10-038 and NCS 10-156, from the North Carolina breeding pro... more ABSTRACT The advanced selections, NCS 10-038 and NCS 10-156, from the North Carolina breeding program were compared to the traditionally used cultivars, Camarosa and Chandler, for storage life and fruit composition in 2014 and 2015. Postharvest quality of NCS 10-038 was similar to that of ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Chandler’ after 8 days storage at 4 °C. NCS 10-156 was significantly worse in overall appearance and had more fruit shrivel, calyx browning, and mold than the other genotypes. However, NCS 10-156 was highest in soluble solids content and was similar in total anthocyanin content and total phenolic content to ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Chandler’. Further analysis of flavonoids by high performance liquid chromatography showed that NCS 10-156 was much lower in total flavonols than the other genotypes and comparable in anthocyanin pigments to ‘Chandler’. NCS 10-038, while similar in pigment profile to ‘Camarosa’, had less total anthocyanin than the other genotypes. NCS 10-038 had a lighter red color than the other genotypes and was similar in postharvest quality to ‘Chandler’ and ‘Camarosa’ and may be suitable for long-distance markets. NCS 10-156 is slightly softer than the other genotypes and more prone to mold while the higher soluble solids content may make it suitable for direct market sales. Both selections show postharvest promise for strawberry production in the humid mid-South region.

Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science

Phosphorus (P) deficiency commonly results in the development of red-to-purple coloration in plan... more Phosphorus (P) deficiency commonly results in the development of red-to-purple coloration in plant foliage, typically attributed to anthocyanins. Betacyanins are a red pigment found in some plant species that do not produce anthocyanins, including Alternanthera sp. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of P nutrition on the betacyanin concentration and subsequent foliar coloration of ‘Purple Prince’, ‘Brazilian Red Hots’, and ‘Little Ruby’ alternanthera (Alternanthera brasiliana). The purpose of this study was to determine whether P fertilization management could enhance the coloration and aesthetic appeal of alternanthera. Custom fertilizers provided P concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg·L−1 P. One-half of the plants from each P concentration were restricted to 0 mg·L−1 P 1 month after transplant to determine whether adequate size could be attained before withholding P. Differences in P response were observed among cultivars for hue, betacyanin content, and pla...