Search Results (110)

With growing concerns over the safety of synthetic substances, the development of plant-derived alternatives with minimal adverse effects has gained significant attention. Carica papaya L. peel contains a rich profile of bioactive compounds, including papain, flavonoids, and vitamin C, which exhibit potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an ethanol extract of C. papaya peel (EECP) on inflammation and skin barrier dysfunction in a mouse model of contact dermatitis (CD) induced by 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). Mice were treated by applying EECP at three different levels (60, 80, and 600 μg) to dorsal skin for six days. Skin lesion severity, skin color, skin barrier function (SBF, as indicated by water content and water-holding capacity (WHC)), histopathological abnormalities, cytokine levels, filaggrin and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression, and phosphorylation of MAPK (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase) signaling molecules were assessed. EECP treatment significantly alleviated the CD-associated dermal symptoms induced by DNFB, including skin fissures, scabbing, roughness, changes in color, water content, and WHC, as well as petechiae. EECP also prevented histopathological abnormalities such as epidermal hyperplasia, spongiotic changes, and immune cell infiltration. In addition, EECP suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, viz. TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, and MCP-1. In addition, EECP restored filaggrin expression and inhibited ERK (Extracellular signal-regulated kinases) phosphorylation and ICAM-1 expression in HaCaT cells. In summary, C. papaya peel demonstrated therapeutic potential by effectively suppressing inflammation and restoring SBF. These findings support the potential use of EECP as a safe and effective botanical candidate for the treatment of CD and the promotion of overall skin health Full article

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) processing generates by-products that can serve as sustainable sources of bioactive compounds. This study aimed to extract and characterize the bioactive compounds from the peel and seeds of different papaya varieties and evaluate their antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, as well as their behavior under simulated digestion. The results indicated that Maradol seeds possessed the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant values, demonstrating superior compositional and functional profiles, and that seed extracts overall had greater antibacterial efficacy than peel extracts, with Hawaiian seed extracts exhibiting the greatest overall inhibition. Furthermore, under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, the combined extracts from peel and seeds effectively preserved phenolics through the gastric and intestinal phases and notably enhanced the generation of acetate and propionate during colonic fermentation. These findings robustly substantiate the functional valorization of papaya by-products and suggest that selecting extracts based on their specific bioactive profiles can significantly enhance their applications as natural, functional ingredients in the food industry. Full article

Monitoring moisture content in agricultural products during the drying process is critical for ensuring quality, preserving nutritional value, and optimizing energy consumption. This study presents the design and implementation of an optical fiber sensor based on multimode interference (MMI) for non-destructive detection of moisture content in mango (Mangifera indica L., cv. Ataulfo) and papaya (Carica papaya) slices during convective drying at 57 °C. Two sensors were designed and fabricated: one operates in the 975 nm range and the other in the 1414.25 nm range. These sensors detect variations in the refractive index caused by moisture loss, which directly affects the MMI spectral response. The sensor output was correlated with reference gravimetric measurements, demonstrating a dependence in tracking the output power as a function of the reduction in humidity over time. The results confirm the feasibility of the MMI-based optical fiber sensor as a reliable tool for in situ monitoring of drying dynamics in tropical fruits, offering potential applications in agri-food processing and quality control. Full article

Papaya is an economically important crop, but its production in semiarid regions is severely limited by water scarcity. However, microorganism-based biostimulants have been studied as a promising strategy to mitigate water stress and support plant growth. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of microorganism-based biostimulants on gas exchange, photochemical efficiency, and growth of ‘Formosa’ papaya under water deficit in a semiarid area. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with split plots. The plots considered three irrigation depths (100, 75, and 50% of crop evapotranspiration-ETc) and the subplots the application of four biostimulants (control (no biostimulant application); Trichoderma harzianum; Ascophyllum nodosum; Bacillus aryabhattai), with three plants per plot and four replicates. B. aryabhattai mitigated the effects of deficit irrigation at 50% ETc on ‘Formosa’ papaya, increasing transpiration, CO₂ assimilation rate, and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency. Under irrigation at 50% ETc, T. harzianum provided beneficial effects on water use efficiency, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, and photosystem II quantum efficiency. A. nodosum stimulated chlorophyll a synthesis in ‘Formosa’ papaya plants irrigated at 75% ETc during the fruiting stage, but reduced the absolute and relative growth rate in stem diameter under 50% ETc. Irrigation at 50% ETc reduced stomatal conductance and growth of ‘Formosa’ papaya plants 235 days after transplanting. We conclude that the application of B. aryabhattai and T. harzianum is a viable strategy to increase the tolerance of ‘Formosa’ papaya to the adverse effects of water deficit in semiarid regions. Full article

Caleosins (CLOs) or peroxygenases (PXGs), a class of structural proteins of lipid droplets (LDs), comprise a small family of multifunctional proteins widely involved in oil accumulation, organ development, and stress responses. Despite the proposal of two clades termed H and L in Arabidopsis thaliana, their evolution in the order Brassicales has not been well established. In this study, the first genome-wide analysis of the caleosin family was conducted in papaya (Carica papaya), a Caricaceae plant without any recent whole-genome duplication (WGD). A high number of five members representing both H and L clades were identified from the papaya genome. Further identification and comparison of 68 caleosin genes from 14 representative plant species revealed seven orthogroups, i.e., H1–4 and L1–3, where H1 and L1 have already appeared in the basal angiosperm Amborella trichopoda, supporting their early divergence before angiosperm radiation. Five CpCLO genes belong to H1 (1) and L1 (4), and extensive expansion of the L1 group was shown to be contributed to by species-specific tandem and transposed duplications, which may contribute to environmental adaptation. Orthologous and syntenic analyses uncovered that lineage-specific expansion of the caleosin family in Brassicales relative to A. trichopoda was largely contributed to by tandem duplication and recent WGDs, as well as the ancient γ whole-genome triplication (WGT) shared by all core eudicots. Independent gain or loss of certain introns and apparent expression divergence of caleosin genes were also observed. Tissue-specific expression analysis showed that CpCLO2 and −5 are constitutively expressed, whereas others appear to be tissue-specific, implying function divergence. Interestingly, the H-forms CpCLO1 and RcCLO1 were shown to exhibit similar expression profiles to most oleosin genes that are preferentially expressed oil-rich tissues such as seeds/endosperms, shoots, and calluses, implying their putative involvement in oil accumulation, as observed in Arabidopsis. The results obtained from this study provide a global view of CpCLO genes and insights into lineage-specific family evolution in Brassicales, which facilitates further functional studies in papaya and other non-model species. Full article

Among the main diseases affecting dairy cattle is mastitis, a pathology widely recognized worldwide for causing considerable economic losses for both producers and the dairy industry. The conventional treatment involves the use of antibiotics, for which bacterial resistance has been reported. This fact has created the need to propose alternative treatments for this disease. Among the bacterial microorganisms associated with bovine mastitis are Streptococcus spp. and coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, which were isolated from milk obtained from cattle with mastitis in different dairy farms in the sector of Anaime in Cajamarca, Tolima. The objective of this research was to provide information on the antibacterial activity, toxicity, and phytochemical study (by TLC) of the following five plants—Calendula officinalis L., Psidium guajava L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., and Carica papaya L.—cultivated in Tolima, Colombia, with ethnopharmacological information in the treatment of diseases of bacterial origin. The ethanolic extracts of the selected species were obtained by maceration and were characterized for the presence of flavonoids by TLC. The antibacterial activity was evaluated in vitro using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique in Mueller–Hinton agar against Streptococcus spp. and coagulase-positive Staphylococcus strains. Ethanolic extracts of Psidium guajava L. (21 ± 3.2) and Rosmarinus officinalis L. (19 ± 2.1) showed the best activity against coagulase-positive Staphylococcus. In addition, ethanolic extracts of Calendula officinalis L. (21 ± 1.9), Rosmarinus officinalis L. (17 ± 2.9 mm), and Psidium guajava L. (15 ± 2.3) were the most active against Streptococcus spp. In contrast, the ethanolic extract of Matricaria chamomilla L. showed no activity against the strains evaluated. All extracts showed toxicity against Artemia salina nauplii at 24 h. It is important to mention that flavonoids were detected using TLC in all the extracts, which may be associated with antibacterial activity. Full article

Plant genders could express different functional strategies to compensate for different reproductive costs, as females have an additional role in fruit and seed production. Secondary sexual dimorphism (SSD) expression is frequently greater under stress than under optimal growth conditions. The early gender identification in papaya may help to reduce orchard costs because the most desirable fruit shape is formed by hermaphrodite plants. We hypothesized that (a) gender ecophysiological phenotyping can be an alternative to make gender segregations in papaya seedlings, and (b) such gender segregation will be more efficient after a short drought exposure than under adequate water conditions. To test such hypotheses, seedlings of two papaya varieties (‘Candy’ and ‘THB’) were exposed to two kind of treatments: (1) water shortage (WS) for 45 h, after which they were well watered, and (2) continuously well-watered (WW). Study assessed the ecophysiological responses, such as stomatal conductance (g_s), SPAD index, optical reflectance indices, morphological traits, and biomass accumulation in females (F) and hermaphrodites (H). In WS treatment, the SSD was expressed in 14 of 18 traits investigated, while in WW treatment, the SSD was expressed only in 7 of 18 traits. As tools for SSD expression, g_s and simple ratio pigment index (SRPI) must be measured on the first or second day after the imposed WS was interrupted, respectively, while the other parameters must be measured after a period of four days. In some traits, the SSD was expressed in only one variety, or the response of H and F plants were of opposite values for two varieties. The choice of the clearest responses of gender segregation in WS treatment will be greenness index, combination of normalized difference vegetation index (CNDVI), photochemical reflectance index (PRI), water band index (WBI), SRPI, leaf number, leaf dry mass, and leaf mass ratio. If the WW conditions are maintained for papaya seedling production, the recommendation in gender segregation will be the analysis of CNDVI, carotenoid reflectance index 2 (CRI2), WBI, and SRPI. The non-destructive optical leaf indices segregated papaya hermaphrodites from females under both water conditions and eventually could be adjusted for wide-scale platform evaluations, with planned space arrangements of seedlings, and sensor’s set. Full article

The quality effects of spectral irradiance conditions during papaya (Carica papaya L.) drying were investigated using three different dryers: a solar dryer with dynamic irradiance control (SDIC), a cylindrical solar dryer (CSD), and a solar simulator dryer (SSD). This study builds upon previous PDLC film applications in solar drying by specifically examining its impact on phytochemical preservation and color degradation, addressing gaps in spectral-specific effects on food quality parameters. The drying conditions were as follows: a temperature of 50 °C for each method, 700 w/m² for both SDIC and solar simulator dryers (SSD), and full solar irradiance for the cylindrical solar dryer (CSD). The cylindrical solar dryer exhibited 210 min of drying time due to higher solar irradiance than SDIC (300 min), while SSD lasted 180 min. Drying rates were highest for CSD (0.056 g H₂O/g d.m. min⁻¹), followed by SDIC (0.027 g H₂O/g d.m. min⁻¹). Color analysis revealed that CSD resulted in the most significant color degradation, followed by SSD and SDIC. This was attributed to the varying spectral composition of radiation in each method. The CSD, with a full solar spectrum, including higher UV and visible radiation, induced more pronounced color changes than SDIC, which received lower intensity radiation in these ranges. Chemical analyses showed that SSD samples had the highest antioxidant activity (1432.91 µmol TE/g dw by ABTS) and phenolic content (58.92 mg GAE/100 g), suggesting simulated conditions may better preserve certain phytochemicals. SDIC maintained better carotenoid-related color parameters while showing intermediate antioxidant levels (1084.09 µmol TE/g dw). These results demonstrate that irradiance control significantly impacts drying efficiency and quality parameters. Full article

Post-harvest decay of Carica papaya L. is the primary cause of deterioration in papaya quality and the low economic impact of this sector in Cameroon. Field surveys conducted by teams from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER) in Cameroon have primarily associated these decays with fungal attacks. However, to date, no methodological analysis has been conducted on the identification of these fungal agents. To reduce post-harvest losses, rapid detection of diseases is crucial for the application of effective management strategies. This study sought to identify the fungal agents associated with post-harvest decay of papaya cv Sunrise solo in Cameroon and to determine their physiological and biochemical growth characteristics. Isolation and pathogenicity tests were performed according to Koch’s postulate. Molecular identification of isolates was achieved by amplification and sequencing of the ITS1 and ITS4 regions. Phylogenetic analysis was based on the substitution models corresponding to each fungal genus determined by jModeltest, according to the Akaike information criterion (AIC). Fungal explants of each identified species were subjected to variations in temperature, pH, water activity, and NaCl concentration. The ability to secrete hydrolytic enzymes was determined on specific media such as skimmed milk agar for protease, peptone agar for lipase, and carboxymethylcellulose for cellulase. These experiments allowed the identification of three fungi responsible for papaya fruit decay, namely Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium equiseti, and Lasiodiplodia theobromae. All three pathogens had maximum mycelial growth at a temperature of 25 ± 2 °C, pH 6.5, NaCl concentration of 100 µM, and water activity (aw) equal to 0.98. The three fungal agents demonstrated a strong potential for secreting cellulases, lipases, and proteases, which they use as lytic enzymes to degrade papaya tissues. The relative enzymatic activity varied depending on the fungal pathogen as well as the type of enzyme secreted. This study is the first report of F. equiseti as a causal agent of papaya fruit decay in Cameroon. Full article

Among the numerous diseases that affect papaya (Carica papaya L.) cultivation, anthracnose, caused by a complex of fungi from the genus Colletotrichum spp., stands out, primarily due to its damage to the commercial part of the papaya, the fruit, specifically the pulp. Although chemical control with synthetic molecules is the most commonly used method to combat anthracnose, it is not the most appropriate solution. The indiscriminate use of synthetic chemical products results in numerous harmful effects on the environment, the health of farmers, and the final consumers. Given these circumstances, the objective of this study was to analyze the efficacy of essential oils (EOs) from Citrus aurantium var. dulcis L., known as sweet orange, Citrus limon (L.), known as Sicilian lemon, and the major compound present in these oils, limonene, against the pathogens Colletotrichum okinawense, which cause anthracnose in papaya fruits. The percentage inhibition of mycelial growth was evaluated on the seventh day, with estimates of 50% and 90% inhibition, to compare the inhibitory effect among the fungal isolates. Chromatographic analysis revealed that sweet orange EO contains myrcene and limonene. Sicilian lemon essential oil includes myrcene, limonene, α- and β-pinene, and γ-terpinene. Both EOs and limonene exhibited activity against C. okinawense. The 50 µL/mL concentration was the most effective in inhibiting growth. The EOs and limonene showed similar IC₅₀ values, with limonene at 48 µL/mL, Sicilian lemon EO at 51 µL/mL, and sweet orange EO at 57 µL/mL. Full article

The deterioration of the Carica papaya L. fruit caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides highlights the importance of postharvest packaging for extending papaya shelf life. To this end, in this present study, pectin/gelatin-based food packaging (FPC) was enriched with Azadirachta indica hydroethanolic extract (HNE), obtained by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The HNE showed a high concentration of phenolic compounds, with values of 2893 mg GAE/100 g extract (PLE) and 3136 mg GAE/100 g extract (MAE). The packaging thickness incorporated with HNE (FPC + HNE) did not significantly differ (FPC + HNE-PLE: 0.10 ± 0.01, and FPC + HNE-MAE: 0.16 ± 0.04) from the packaging control (FPC: 0.11 ± 0.00). Nevertheless, the FPC + HNE exhibited enhanced elongation (FPC + HNE-PLE: 10.33 ± 0.2%, and FPC + HNE-MAE: 9.50 ± 0.2%) compared to FPC (8.00 ± 0.0%). Variations in water vapor permeability (FPC: 5.2 g·mm/d·m²·kPa, FPC + HNE-PLE: 2.0 g·mm/d·m²·kPa, and FPC + HNE-MAE: 6.9 g·mm/d·m²·kPa) and tensile strength (FPC: 13.76 ± 0.79 MPa, FPC + HNE-PLE: 16.45 ± 2.25 MPa, and FPC + HNE-MAE: 9.24 ± 2.01 MPa) values were observed among all samples. FPC + HNE-PLE resulted in 0% deterioration by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides over 15 days. The antifungal FPC + HNE-PLE provides a promising way to reduce postharvest losses and extend the shelf life of papaya fruit. Full article

High temperatures can interfere with plant metabolism and physiology, compromising productivity. One tactic to minimize the effects of heatwaves on agriculture is the use of bio-stimulants. This study evaluated two commercial products (Baltiko^® and Acadian^®) containing Ascophyllum nodosum in ‘Aliança’ papaya (Carica papaya L.) seedlings. Six doses (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 mL L⁻¹) were applied weekly for four weeks at two distinct times, considering moderate and high temperatures. The results indicated distinct effects on gas exchange, seedling development, and nutrient content in leaves and roots. During the moderate temperature period, increasing doses enhanced gas exchange and aerial development, along with increases in potassium and boron levels in the leaves, while root growth decreased. Acadian^® provided higher levels of boron in leaves and roots compared to Baltiko^®. During the period of elevated temperature, increases were observed in leaf area, root dry mass, and leaf content of phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and zinc, along with potassium in the roots. These increases were primarily attributed to the effects of the applied biostimulants. A lower dose (3 mL L⁻¹) is recommended during mild temperatures, while a higher dose (6 mL L⁻¹) is suggested for elevated temperatures. Full article

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a highly nutritious fruit crop cultivated commercially in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Being a shallow rooted fruit crop, it requires frequent application of nutrients. Papaya is highly remunerative due to its high productivity and responds positively to nutrient application. Papaya Ring Spot Virus (PRSV) is a major threat to papaya production, which causes severe yield loss and reduces fruit quality. To combat PRSV and enhance productivity, a nutrient formulation was developed by combining organic, inorganic nutrient sources with biocontrol agents to improve the health and vigor of the plants. Experiments were conducted to standardize the application time and evaluate the efficacy of nutrient formulation in enhancing yield, and to combat papaya ring spot virus (PRSV) incidence in papaya from January 2021 to December 2023 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. The results revealed that foliar application of nutrient formulation at monthly intervals from the 3rd to the 7th month after planting (MAP) along with regular application of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) at bimonthly intervals from the 3rd MAP significantly increased the yield (37.79% and 30.57% in TNAU Papaya CO 8 and Red Lady, respectively) and reduced PRSV disease incidence (22.49% in TNAU Papaya CO 8 and 16.53% in Red Lady). Metabolomics study indicates that foliar spray of nutrient formulation enhanced the activators and precursors of defense enzymes, viz., peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenyl ammonia lyase (PAL), catalase (CAT) and nitrate reductase (NRase) in the sprayed plants over unsprayed control. Therefore, the sprayed plants exhibited tolerance to PRSV incidence by maintaining vigor and induced systemic resistance by the defense enzymes. Full article

Papaya is a tropical fruit that is highly appreciated worldwide for its organoleptic properties and its nutritional and medicinal value. The optimal fruit quality for market requirements is determined by genotype, environmental conditions, and crop management, as well as fruit handling at harvest and adequate postharvest conservation. The aim of this work was to determine the optimal maturity stage, based on skin color, at which to harvest papayas grown in Mediterranean greenhouses with active climate control in south-east Spain, depending on the harvest season. We confirm that it is possible to produce high-quality papayas in our conditions, but the optimal harvest maturity stage in each season, along with the postharvest storage capacity, vary throughout the year, even with active climate control. Thus, 10% yellow skin color (S0) is the optimal for harvesting in autumn, mainly due to its better conservation capacity and firmness, having a high TSS content (>11 °Brix). In summer and spring, the lower TSS content discourages harvesting at S0, with S1 (30–40% yellow skin color) or S2 (50–60% yellow skin color) being the optimal stages for harvest to ensure the minimum TSS content required for papaya commercialization (10 °Brix). In any case, papayas produced under our conditions are generally well rated by consumers. Full article

Papaya seeds (Carica papaya L.), a by-product of the food industry, contain primary metabolites and offer secondary health benefits, but are often considered a waste with no value. Therefore, the aim of this research was to optimize the extraction process of polyphenols from papaya seeds (Carica papaya L.) to maximize their antioxidant activity using the response surface methodology (RSM). A design of experiment (DOE) approach was applied to produce the optimum conditions of factors such as solvent concentration (0–100%), temperature (30–60 °C), time (1–6 h), and exhaustion (1–6 times) to improve the extraction process. The response variables were the number of phenols and flavonoids, and the inhibition capacity of the DPPH and ABTS radicals. The main findings indicated that optimal conditions—100% solvent concentration, a temperature of 30 °C, an extraction time of 6 h, and 6 depletion cycles—maximized the yield of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity, as evaluated using ABTS and DPPH assays. The extracts presented values of 2.521 to 6.168 mg AGE/g DW for total polyphenols and 30.830 to 68.599 mg QE/g DW for total flavonoids. Likewise, they presented an antioxidant capacity using DPPH and ABTS methods with values of around 15.151 to 72.389 and 29.434 to 165.393 μM TE/g DW, respectively. Identification was also performed using liquid chromatography to determine the presence of sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) and organic acids (oxalic, citric, tartaric, malic, quinic, and succinic). However, optimal values were presented outside the study area, which indicates the maximum point of the surface was at intervals higher than those studied in this investigation. The papaya seed can be applied in future research for the optimization of bioactive compounds extracted from vegetable waste and it represents a matrix with potential in the area of technological development and health. Full article