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The effects of water deficits on the growth and physiology of potted pitaya plants were examined in this study. Soil water decreased from 80% to 15% (severe deficit) over 16 weeks in non-ir...

It has been revealed in our previous studies that trypsin scavenges superoxide anions. In the current study, the mechanisms of storage quality improvement by trypsin were evaluated in H. undatus. Strikingly, the improvement is due not to its antibacterial or antifungal activity but to its superoxide scavenging activity. Moreover, trypsin significantly decreased the levels of ROS, cell permeability and membrane lipid peroxidation. The activities of major antioxidant enzymes were significantly improved by trypsin treatment. Transcriptome profiles of H. undatus treated with trypsin revealed the pathways and regulatory mechanisms of antioxidant genes up or down-regulated following trypsin treatment by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) enrichment analyses. The results of protein-protein interaction networks indicated that CAT is the key among the enzymes of the complicated antioxidant system. In addition, the current results showed that the synergistic effect of trypsin with antioxidant enzymes can regulate the levels of endogenous active oxygen species, reduce malondialdehyde content, improve cell membrane integrity, alleviate cell damage and delay fruit ageing.

Endophytic bacteria reside in the intercellular spaces in different plant tissues without causing damage. This study aimed to select endophytic bacterial strains from Man Trau grass (Eleusine indica) that are able to inbibit the fungus A. alternata causing stem rot disease on pitaya. The result showed that one fungal isolate was pathogenic and caused stem rot disease on dragonfruit. The analysis results based on morphological characteristics and ITS region sequence indicated that the isolated fungal strain is 100% identical to A. alternata. In addition, a total of 16 endophytic bacterial strains were isolated from Man Trau grass samples in Binh Thuan and screened for antifungal activity. Ten bacterial strains with antagonistic activity against A. alternata causing stem rot disease on pitaya were detected. Among those, strain MT47 showed the strongest antifungal activity with an efficiency of 36.67%. Moreover, the result also presented that the antagonistic strain MT47 pocesses the ability of biofilm formation significantly higher than the control. The results suggest that these endophytic bacteria can be used in biocontrol of the stem rot disease on pitaya.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of white-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) at harvest and postharvest to determine fruit quality and the feasibility of harvesting the fruits at different outer fruit color stages. The treatments consisted of four peel color stages – S1 (75% red peel) – and two evaluation times (at harvest and one day after full red peel color), which corresponded to 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after harvest for the S4, S3, S2 and S1 color stages, respectively. The total, peel and pulp weights, pulp yield, peel thickness, pulp firmness, pH, total soluble solids and peel, scale and pulp colors were evaluated. The peel and scale colors are reliable indicators of fruit quality. It is possible to extend the postharvest shelf life of the fruits by harvesting at the S1 stage, but this negatively affects yield and final quality; the fruits are smaller and less sweet, making harvesting unfeasible at this timepoint. Despite the higher yield and quality of fruits harvested at a more advanced ripeness stage (S4), the postharvest shelf life is considerably reduced. Thus, fruits at stages S2 or S3 should be harvested to obtain higher yield and quality. El estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la calidad de los frutos de pitaia en la cosecha y poscosecha con el fin de verificar su calidad y viabilidad de la cosecha en diferentes etapas de coloración externa del fruto. Los tratamientos consistieron en cuatro etapas de coloración del fruto: E1 (hasta un 25% de color rojizo), E2 (más del 25% y menos del 50% de la coloración de la piel rojiza), E3 (más del 50% y menos más del 75% de coloración rojiza de la piel) y E4 (por encima del 75% de la coloración rojiza de la piel) - y dos períodos de evaluación (en la cosecha y un día después de la coloración rojiza completa de la piel), que correspondieron a 1, 3, 5 y 7 días después de la cosecha para las etapas de tinción E4, E3, E2 y E1, respectivamente. Se evaluó la masa total de fruta, cáscara y pulpa, rendimiento de pulpa, grosor de cáscara, firmeza de la pulpa, pH, sólidos solubles totales, color de piel, escamas y pulpa. El color de la piel y las escamas pueden ser un indicador confiable para determinar la calidad de los frutos. Además, es posible alargar la vida útil poscosecha de los frutos en E1, pero afecta negativamente el rendimiento en producción y calidad final, así como el menor calibre y dulzor de los frutos, haciendo inviable la recolección en este punto. A pesar del mayor rendimiento y calidad de los frutos recolectados en etapas más avanzadas de maduración (E4), la vida útil poscosecha se reduce considerablemente. Por lo tanto, los frutos deben recolectarse en las etapas E2 o E3, con el objetivo de obtener un mayor rendimiento y calidad. O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade de frutos de pitaia na colheita e pós-colheita visando verificar sua qualidade e viabilidade da colheita em diferentes estágios de coloração externa do fruto. Os tratamentos foram compostos por quatro estágios de coloração do fruto - E1 (até 25% de coloração avermelhada), E2 (mais que 25% e menos que 50% da coloração da casca de coloração avermelhada), E3 (mais que 50% e menos que 75% de coloração da casca avermelhada) e E4 (acima de 75% de coloração avermelhada na casca) - e duas épocas de avaliação (na colheita e um dia após a completa coloração avermelhada da casca), o que correspondeu a 1, 3, 5 e 7 dias após a colheita para os estágios de coloração E4, E3, E2 e E1, respectivamente. Foram avaliadas massas totais do fruto, da casca e da polpa, rendimento em polpa, espessura da casca, firmeza da polpa, pH, sólidos solúveis totais, coloração da casca, escamas e polpa. A coloração da casca e escamas pode ser um indicador confiável na determinação da qualidade dos frutos. Além disso, é possível estender a vida útil pós-colheita dos frutos em E1, porém afeta negativamente o rendimento em produção e qualidade final, bem como menor tamanho e doçura dos frutos, inviabilizando a colheita nesse ponto. Apesar do maior rendimento e qualidade dos frutos colhidos em estágios mais avançados de maturação (E4), a vida útil pós-colheita é reduzida consideravelmente. Dessa forma, deve-se colher os frutos nos estágios E2 ou E3 visando maior rendimento e qualidade.

Pitaya has great potential for marketing and processing. However, the lack of knowledge about its cultivation is still a barrier that prevents its diffusion in the country. The objective of this study was to analyze the changes that occur during the growth and ripening of white-fleshed dragon fruit. Physical and physicochemical and chemical fruit characterization analyzes were conducted at several development stages (7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days after anthesis). Increases in length, fruit mass and pulp, yield and soluble solids were observed, as well as reductions in skin thickness, strength and pulp pH. Significant and important levels in mineral for the human diet were found, especially nitrogen, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron and zinc. Intense changes in seed maturation and biomass accumulation occoured during the fruit growth phase, while in the maturation stage the main changes are related to the improvement of the organoleptic characteristics such as acidity reduction and content of soluble solids, besides the reduction of the mass and thickness of the skin. The ideal harvest point, whereas organoleptic characteristics and visual aspects, is around 35 days, when fruit reached physiological maturity; however, at 42 days, the fruit pulp still had sufficient quality for consumption. La pitaia tiene un gran potencial de mercado y procesamiento. Sin embargo, el desconocimiento sobre su cultivo sigue siendo una barrera que impide su difusión en el país. Así, el objetivo fue evaluar los cambios fisicoquímicos de los frutos de pitaia (Hylocereus undatus) recolectados en diferentes etapas de desarrollo así como determinar el período ideal de cosecha. Se realizaron análisis visuales y físicos, físico-químicos y químicos en diferentes etapas de desarrollo (7, 14, 21, 28, 35 y 42 días después de la antesis). Los análisis fueron: masa de frutos, pulpa y piel, rendimiento, diámetro longitudinal y transversal, índice de forma, espesor de piel, firmeza de la pulpa, sólidos solubles, pH, acidez, proporción, color de piel y contenido mineral en la pulpa de los frutos. En general, hay aumentos en longitud, masa de frutos y pulpa, rendimiento y sólidos solubles y reducciones en el grosor de la piel, firmeza y pH de la pulpa. El color de la piel cambia de tonos amarillo verdosos en frutos inmaduros a rojo intenso cuando maduran. Si bien existe una reducción de minerales con el desarrollo del fruto, se encuentran niveles significativos e importantes para la dieta humana, con énfasis en nitrógeno, potasio, calcio, manganeso, hierro y zinc. Se observan cambios marcados en las características de los frutos con el desarrollo. La masa, el diámetro y la proporción máximos de frutos ocurren a los 35 días, mientras que la masa, el rendimiento y los sólidos solubles de la pulpa ocurren a los 42 días después de la antesis. El punto ideal de cosecha, teniendo en cuenta características organolépticas y aspectos visuales es alrededor de los 35 días, cuando alcanza la madurez fisiológica, sin embargo, a los 42 días, la pulpa del fruto aún se encuentra con calidad para el consumo. A pitaia apresenta grande potencial de mercado e processamento. Porém, a falta de conhecimento sobre seu cultivo ainda é uma barreira que impede sua difusão no país. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar as alterações físico-químicas dos frutos de pitaia (Hylocereus undatus) colhidos em diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento bem como determinar o período ideal de colheita. Foram realizadas análises visuais e de caracterização física, físico-química e química em diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento (7, 14, 21, 28, 35 e 42 dias após a antese). As análises foram: massa do fruto, polpa e casca, rendimento, diâmetro longitudinal e transversal, índice de formato, espessura da casca, firmeza da polpa, sólidos solúveis, pH, acidez, ratio, coloração da casca e teor de minerais na polpa dos frutos. De modo geral, observa-se incrementos no comprimento, massa do fruto e polpa, rendimento e sólidos solúveis e reduções na espessura da casca, firmeza e pH da polpa. A coloração da casca muda de tons verde-amarelo em frutos imaturos para vermelho intenso ao amadurecerem. Embora ocorra redução de minerais com o desenvolvimento do fruto, são encontrados teores significativos e importantes para a dieta humana, com destaque para nitrogênio, potássio, cálcio, manganês, ferro e zinco. São observadas mudanças marcantes nas características dos frutos com o desenvolvimento. As máximas de massa do fruto, diâmetros e ratio ocorrem aos 35 dias, enquanto que a massa da polpa, rendimento e sólidos solúveis ocorrem aos 42 dias após antese. O ponto ideal de colheita, levando-se em conta características organolépticas e aspectos visuais é em torno dos 35 dias, quando alcança maturidade fisiológica, porém, aos 42 dias, a polpa do fruto ainda se encontra com qualidade para consumo.

The species Hylocereus costaricensis, Hylocereus undatus and Selenicereus megalanthus are the main pitaya species produced and marketed in Brazil. The cultivation this fruit has increased in recent years due to its attractive appearance and sweet taste, and may be consumed fresh and processed for beverage and desserts. However, there are few studies on the biochemical traits and antioxidant capacity of the pulp of these species, which can to contribute to pitaya breeding programs for fresh consumption and processing industrial. The sugars and organic acids were extracted, subsequently, separated and quantified in a chromatographic system. Quantitation of total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity was performed by spectrophotometric analysis using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and the DPPH radical scavenging, respectively. The data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test. H. undatus presented 9.83% of total sugars, distributed as 4.75% of glucose and 5.08% of fructose. Total sugar concentration for S. megalanthus was 5.93%, with 0.99, 3.25 and 1.69% for glucose, fructose and sucrose, respectively, being the only one specie to had sucrose. The concentrations of organic acids for the species H. costaricensis, H. undatus and S. megalanthus were: 0.83, 0.71 and 0.62% for malic acid, and 0.37, 0.36 and 0.40% for citric acid, respectively. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was not detected in the pulps. H. costaricensis had the highest content of total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, 33.75 mg GAE 100 g-1 and 175.51 ?mol TEAC 100 g-1, respectively. Thus, the consumption of S. megalanthus fruits is recommended for people who require carbohydrate-restricted diets, although sensory seems to be the sweetest pulp among them probably due sucrose presence. H. undatus pulp is interesting for desserts and beverages industry due to the high sugar contents and low acidity, while fruits of H. costaricensis have the highest antioxidant capacity and can be applied as natural food coloring. As espécies Hylocereus costaricensis, Hylocereus undatus e Hylocereus megalanthus estão entre as espécies de pitayas mais produzidas e comercializadas no Brasil. O cultivo dessa fruta tem aumentado nos últimos anos devido à sua aparência atraente e sabor adocicado, podendo ser consumida in natura ou processada para bebidas e sobremesas. Estudos sobre as características bioquímicas e capacidade antioxidante da polpa dessas espécies podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento de novas cultivares de pitaya visando o consumo fresco e/ou processamento industrial. Os açúcares e ácidos orgânicos foram extraídos e, posteriormente, separados e quantificados em sistema cromatográfico. A quantificação do conteúdo fenólico total e da capacidade antioxidante foi realizada por análise espectrofotométrica utilizando o método de Folin-Ciocalteu e o ensaio de sequestro de radicais DPPH, respectivamente. Os dados foram submetidos ao teste F utilizando ANOVA, teste de Tukey e análise dos componentes principais. H. undatus apresentou 9,83% de açúcares totais, distribuídos na forma de 4,75% de glicose e 5,08% de frutose. A concentração total de açúcar para H. megalanthus foi de 5,93%, com 0,99, 3,25 e 1,69% para glicose, frutose e sacarose, respectivamente, sendo a única a ter sacarose. As concentrações de ácidos orgânicos para as espécies H. costaricensis, H. undatus e H. megalanthus foram: 0,83, 0,71 e 0,62% para ácido málico e 0,37, 0,36 e 0,40% para ácido cítrico, respectivamente. O ácido ascórbico (vitamina C) não foi detectado nas polpas. H. costaricensis teve o maior teor de conteúdo fenólico total e capacidade antioxidante, 33,75 mg GAE 100 g -1 e 175,51 umol TEAC 100 g -1, respectivamente. Assim, recomenda-se o consumo de frutos da espécie H. megalanthus para as pessoas que necessitam de dietas com restrição de carboidratos, embora sensorialmente pareça ser a polpa mais doce entre elas, provavelmente devido à presença de sacarose. A polpa de H. undatus é interessante para a indústria de sobremesas e bebidas devido ao alto teor de açúcares e baixa acidez, enquanto frutos de H. costaricensis possuem alta capacidade antioxidante e podem ser utilizados como corante alimentício natural.

A pitaya e uma fruta tropical pertencente a familia Cactacea e originaria do Mexico e americas Central e do Sul que tem atraido interesse de pesquisadores pelo seu sabor e coloracao atrativa. Dentre as mais variadas especies, a Hylocereus undatus e a mais cultivada. Geralmente tem sua casca descartada, no entanto, devido a presenca de betalainas que confere pigmentacao vermelha a fruta, pode ser processada e utilizada para coloracao de produtos alimenticios (MELLO, 2015; HO; LATIF, 2016). O pigmento extraido da semente da fruta e rico em gorduras insaturadas que auxiliam na excrecao e controle de peso e a polpa e a casca produzem betalainas que sao um conjunto de pigmentos nitrogenados hidrossoluveis que dao cor a flores e frutos. Ha dois tipos de subgrupos, as betacianinas vermelho-violeta e as betaxantinas amarelo-laranja. Atribue-se a capacidade antioxidante da fruta as altas concentracoes de betalainas (GLANGKARN, 2015; MELLO, 2015). A casca fresca de Pitaya apresenta altas quantidades de compostos fenolicos, sendo o conteudo total, similar ao da pera, ameixa e maca, e superior ao da banana, abacaxi, mamao, e inferior ao da cereja. Os teores de vitamina C da polpa e casca de pitaya encontrados no estudo sobre caracteristicas fisico-quimicas da fruta foram semelhantes ao teor medio encontrados no tomate, manga, maracuja, jabuticaba, jaca, tangerina e umbu (MELLO, 2015; ABREU, 2012). Alem da fruta, galhos verdes e botoes as flores tambem sao comestiveis, utilizadas como vegetais na China, e atualmente comercializada como bebida saudavel (ORTIZ-HERNANDEZ; CARRILO-SALAZAR, 2012; MIZRAHI, 2014).

Dragon fruits are tropical fruits economically important for agricultural industries. As members of the family ofCactaceae, they have evolved to adapt to the arid environment. Here we report the draft genome ofHylocereus undatus, commercially known as the white-fleshed dragon fruit. The chromosomal level genome assembly contains 11 longest scaffolds corresponding to the 11 chromosomes ofH. undatus. Genome annotation ofH. undatusfound ~29,000 protein-coding genes, similar toCarnegiea gigantea(saguaro). Whole-genome duplication (WGD) analysis revealed a WGD event in the last common ancestor ofCactaceaefollowed by extensive genome rearrangements. The divergence time betweenH. undatusandC. giganteawas estimated to be 9.18 MYA. Functional enrichment analysis of orthologous gene clusters (OGCs) in sixCactaceaeplants found significantly enriched OGCs in drought resistance. Fruit flavor-related functions were overrepresented in OGCs that are significantly expanded inH. undatus. TheH. undatusdraft genome also enabled the discovery of carbohydrate and plant cell wall-related functional enrichment in dragon fruits treated with trypsin for a longer storage time. Lastly, genes of the betacyanin (a red-violet pigment and antioxidant with a very high concentration in dragon fruits) biosynthetic pathway were found to be co-localized on a 12 Mb region of one chromosome. The consequence may be a higher efficiency of betacyanin biosynthesis, which will need experimental validation in the future. TheH. undatusdraft genome will be a great resource to study various cactus plants.

This study aimed to characterize the new fungal disease on the stem of red-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) in Malaysia, which is known as gray blight through morphological, molecular and pathogenicity analyses. Nine fungal isolates were isolated from nine blighted stems of H. polyrhizus. Based on morphological characteristics, DNA sequences and phylogeny (ITS, TEF1-α, and β-tubulin), the fungal isolates were identified as Diaporthe arecae, D. eugeniae, D. hongkongensis, D. phaseolorum, and D. tectonendophytica. Six isolates recovered from the Cameron Highlands, Pahang belonged to D. eugeniae (DF1 and DF3), D. hongkongensis (DF9), D. phaseolorum (DF2 and DF12), and D. tectonendophytica (DF7), whereas three isolates from Bukit Kor, Terengganu were recognized as D. arecae (DFP3), D. eugeniae (DFP4), and D. tectonendophytica (DFP2). Diaporthe eugeniae and D. tectonendophytica were found in both Pahang and Terengganu, D. phaseolorum and D. hongkongensis in Pahang, whereas D. arecae only in Terengganu. The role of the Diaporthe isolates in causing stem gray blight of H. polyrhizus was confirmed. To date, only D. phaseolorum has been previously reported on Hylocereus undatus. This is the first report on D. arecae, D. eugeniae, D. hongkongensis, D. phaseolorum, and D. tectonendophytica causing stem gray blight of H. polyrhizus worldwide.

Pitaya (Hylocereus genus) is a popular plant with exotic and nutritious fruit, which has widespread uses as a source of nutrients and raw materials in the pharmaceutical industry. However, the potential of pitaya peel as a natural source of bioactive compounds has not yet fully been explored. Recent advances in metabolomics have paved the way for understanding and evaluating the presence of diverse sets of metabolites in different plant parts. This study is aimed at exploring the diversity of primary and secondary metabolites in two commercial varieties of pitaya, i.e., green pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) and red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus). A total of 433 metabolites were identified using a widely targeted metabolomic approach and classified into nine known diverse classes of metabolites, including flavonoids, amino acids and its derivatives, alkaloids, tannins, phenolic acids, organic acids, nucleotides and derivatives, lipids, and lignans. Red pitaya peel and pulp showed relatively high accumulation of metabolites viz. alkaloids, amino acids and its derivatives, and lipids. Differential metabolite landscape of pitaya fruit indicated the presence of key bioactive compounds, i.e., L-tyrosine, L-valine, DL-norvaline, tryptophan, γ-linolenic acid, and isorhamnetin 3-O-neohesperidoside. The findings in this study provide new insight into the broad spectrum of bioactive compounds of red and green pitaya, emphasizing the valorization of the biowaste pitaya peel as raw material for the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Pitaya is one of the most produced tropical fruits in Turkey because of its high economic value. Seeds of this fruit consumed with fruit are an important source due to nutritional and health benefits. In this study mineral and ash content of pitaya seeds were investigated. The research was carried out with two different species of pitaya, Hylocereus undatus (H. undatus) and Hylocereus polyrhizus (H. polyrhizus), which have red shell. H. undatus has a white pulp color while H. Polyrhizus has a red. The ash content of H. polyrhizus and H. undatus pitaya seeds was 2.78% and 4.09%, respectively. The main minerals detected in H. polyrhizus and H. undatus pitaya species were potassium (36.47 mg/kg and 31.99 mg/kg), magnesium (9.15 mg/kg and 9.16 mg/kg), phosphorus (8.99 mg/kg and 8.08 mg/kg), sulphur (6.11 mg/kg and 5.48 mg/kg) and calcium (2.17 mg/kg and 1.90 mg/kg). Mineral content of seeds of H. polyrhizus and H. undatus species were found similar to the pitaya species grown in different tropical countries.

Coagulation-flocculation is the key process of water treatment in water turbidity removal. However, the usage of inorganic coagulants has raised awareness of researchers due to the threat possess on human health and environment. Therefore, studies in natural coagulant and modification of natural coagulant have raised various interest of researchers. Natural coagulants are widely available and non-toxic that can be obtained from animal, fungi, bacteria, and plant. Preliminary studies of plant-based natural coagulant aid, Hylocereus undatus in synthetic turbid water was also conducted. Remarkably, the usage of H. undatus with the mixture of ferric chloride has achieved a turbidity removal of 93.03%.

The objective of this work was to determine adequate rates of nitrogen to reach satisfactory yield, fruit quality, and cladode nutrient content in three species of pitaya. The experimental design was carried out in randomized complete blocks, with a 3×4 factorial arrangement. The treatments consisted of the following pitaya species and N rates: Selenicereus megalanthus, Hylocereus undatus, and Hylocereus polyrhizus; and 0, 50, 100, and 200 g N per plant, in the first production cycle (2016/2017 crop season) and 50, 100, 200, and 300 g N per plant, in the second and third production cycles (2017/2018 and 2018/2019 crop seasons). Nitrogen fertilization increased the yield, fruit quality, and cladode nutrient content of the species. In the third production cycle, yield was 1.18 Mg ha-1 for S. megalanthus, 10.87 Mg ha-1 for H. undatus, and 10.4 Mg ha-1 for H. polyrhizus in open pollination. The highest yield is obtained with 300 g N per plant for S. megalanthus. For H. polyrhizus and H. undatus the rates are from 170 to 190 g N per plant, supplemented with P and K. Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar doses adequadas de nitrogênio para alcançar produtividade, qualidade das frutas e teor de nutrientes satisfatórios em cladódios de três espécies de pitaia. O delineamento experimental foi feito em blocos ao acaso, com arranjo fatorial 3×4. Os tratamentos consistiram das seguintes espécies de pitaia e doses de N: Selenicereus megalanthus, Hylocereus undatus e Hylocereus polyrhizus; e 0, 50, 100 e 200 g de N por planta, no primeiro ciclo de produção (safra 2016/2017) e 50, 100, 200 e 300 g de N por planta, no segundo e terceiro ciclos de produção (safras 2017/2018 e 2018/2019). A fertilização com N aumentou a produtividade, a qualidade das frutas e o teor de nutrientes nos cladódios das espécies. No terceiro ciclo de produção, a produtividade foi de 1,18 Mg ha-1 para S. megalanthus, 10,87 Mg ha-1 para H. undatus e 10,4 Mg ha-1 para H. polyrhizus em polinização aberta. A maior produtividade é obtida com 300 g de N por planta para S. megalanthus. Para H. polyrhizus e H. undatus, as doses são de 170 a 190 g de N por planta, complementadas com P e K.

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus & H. undatus) is a rapidly growing commodity in Taiwan. The production acreage has been tripled since 2011, with an estimation of over 2,800 ha in 2019. From dis...

Large-scale commercial production of pitaya is recent and there is little information on pollination and fruiting in this crop. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate if the Africanized honeybee (Apis mellifera), frequent visitor of pitaya flowers (Hylocereus undatus and H. polyrhizus), plays any relevant role in the pollination of these cacti species, both in terms of fruit quantity and fruit quality. The study consisted of four treatments: natural pollination; restricted pollination; nocturnal pollination and pollination by A. mellifera, and all fruits were harvested and analyzed at 30 days after setting. Each treatment was evaluated in the number of fruits produced, total weight of the fruit; skin weight; pulp weight; longitudinal and transverse size; number of seeds; pH; acidity; total soluble solids (TSS); and TSS/total acidity ratio. Results showed that these pitaya species differ in their dependence on biotic pollination for the production, weight and quality of fruits. H. undatus did not depend on bees to set fruits but needed the moth Agrius cingulata to improve yield quality with larger and heavier fruits. On the other hand, H. polyrhizus depended on biotic pollination to maximize fruit production and Apis mellifera specifically to increase size and weight of fruits. In addition, the tested types of pollination influenced little the physical-chemical characteristics of fruits, being only relevant in the reduction of the pH in flowers pollinated by A. mellifera. RESUMO A produção comercial em grande escala de pitaia é recente e há pouca informação sobre polinização e frutificação nesta cultura. Portanto, o presente estudo teve por objetivo investigar se a abelha africanizada (Apis mellifera), visitante frequente das flores de pitaia (Hylocereus undatus e H. polyrhizus), desempenha algum papel relevante na polinização dessas espécies de cactáceas, tanto no que se refere à quantidade dos frutos, como em suas qualidades. O estudo constou de quatro tratamentos; polinização natural; polinização restrita; polinização noturna e polinização por A. mellifera, e todos os frutos foram colhidos e analisados 30 dias após o vingamento inicial. Cada tratamento foi avaliado no número de frutos produzidos, peso total do fruto; peso da casca; peso da polpa; tamanho longitudinal e transversal; número de sementes; pH; acidez; sólidos solúveis totais (SST); e relação SST/acidez total. Os resultados mostraram que essas espécies de pitaia diferem na sua dependência de polinização biótica para a produção, peso e qualidade dos frutos. Hylocereus undatus não dependeu de abelhas para vingar frutos, mas precisou da mariposa Agrius cingulata para melhorar a qualidade da produção com frutos maiores e mais pesados. Já H. polyrhizus dependeu da polinização biótica para maximizar a produção de frutos e de A. mellifera, especificamente, para aumentar o tamanho e peso dos frutos. Além disso, o tipo de polinização influenciou pouco as características físico-químicas dos frutos, sendo relevante apenas na redução do pH em flores polinizadas por A. mellifera.

Background It was demonstrated in our previous research that trypsin scavenges superoxide anions. In this study, the mechanisms of storage quality improvement by trypsin were evaluated in H. undatus. Results Trypsin significantly delayed the weight loss and decreased the levels of ROS and membrane lipid peroxidation. Transcriptome profiles of H. undatus treated with trypsin revealed the pathways and regulatory mechanisms of ROS genes that were up- or downregulated following trypsin treatment by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) enrichment analyses. The current results showed that through the regulation of the expression of hub redox enzymes, especially thioredoxin-related proteins, trypsin can maintain low levels of endogenous active oxygen species, reduce malondialdehyde content and delay fruit aging. In addition, the results of protein-protein interaction networks suggested that the downregulated NAD(P) H and lignin pathways might be the key regulatory mechanisms governed by trypsin. Conclusions Trypsin significantly prolonged the storage life of H. undatus through regulatory on the endogenous ROS metabolism. As a new biopreservative, trypsin is highly efficient, safe and economical. Therefore, trypsin possesses technical feasibility for the quality control of fruit storage. Graphical abstract

Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) is a high salt-tolerant fruit, and ethylene response factors (ERFs) play important roles in transcription-regulating abiotic tolerance. To clarify the function of HuERF1 in the salt tolerance of pitaya, HuERF1 was heterogeneously expressed in Arabidopsis. HuERF1 had nuclear localization when HuERF1::GFP was expressed in Arabidopsis protoplasts and had transactivation activity when HuERF1 was expressed in yeast. The expression of HuERF1 in pitaya seedlings was significantly induced after exposure to ethylene and high salinity. Overexpression of HuERF1 in Arabidopsis conferred enhanced tolerance to salt stress, reduced the accumulation of superoxide (O2∙) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and improved antioxidant enzyme activities. These results indicate that HuERF1 is involved in ethylene-mediated salt stress tolerance, which may contribute to the salt tolerance of pitaya.

Pitaya species cultivation in Brazil is recent, and information on the production of the species Selenicereus megalanthus, known as yellow pitaya, is non-existent because research in the country has focused on the species Hylocereus undatus. The research was carried out with the objective of evaluating the reproductive phenology of the species S. megalanthus, in a high-altitude climate conditions in Brazil. The study orchard of yellow pitaya was located at an altitude of 726 metres, 18º 04' 15" S latitude and 43º 28' 15" W longitude, and has an Aw climate, classified as high-altitude tropical. Phenological evaluations were carried out through visual observations, from the beginning of floral button formation until the end of the fruit harvest, during three production cycles. On each plant, flower buds were marked to determine the time from floral button formation until flower anthesis and from flower fertilisation until fruit ripening. The period of flowering and harvesting of the yellow pitaya was determined according to the phenological stage records. Flowering began in the spring, with successive flowering events until the autumn. The time between floral button formation until anthesis ranged from 46 to 55 days. The time from flower fertilisation until fruit ripening ranged from 96 to 110 days. Fruit harvest began in the summer and ended in winter. The reproductive cycle of S. megalanthus is longer than H. undatus and H. polyrhizus, which are also cultivated in Brazil, ranging from 147 to 166 days from floral button formation to fruit harvest.

Characterization works of pitayas show that the potassium (K) is the nutrient most exported, thus, influences in the productivity and quality of this fruit. However, these researches do not report the nutrients export by pitaya's associating the fertilization carried out in the orchard, information that is relevant to make the nutrients reposition adequate at the time of fertilization. The research was carried out to evaluate the supply of K2O in the export of nutrients and productivity of the Hylocereus undatus and Hylocereus polyrhizus pitaya species. The analysis was carried out in the mature fruits harvested in two harvests. Potassium fertilization was performed at doses of 0; 50; 100 and 200 g of K2O per plant. Nutrient export per ton of fruit was calculated from the determination of the nutrient levels and the dry matter of the pitaya pulp. The export of nutrients by the pitaya of the species H. undatus and H. polyrhizus occurs in the following order: K>N>P>Ca>Mg> and Mn>Fe>Cu>Zn>B. These species of pitaya have similar nutritional requirements, enabling them to be receive same fertilization management. The amount of nutrients exported was higher in plants fertilized with potassium due to the higher productivity achieved. Orchards of pitaya that reach high productivity require a greater quantity of nutrients, due to the increase export by the fruits.

BackgroundCanker disease caused byNeoscytalidium dimidiatumis a devastating disease resulting in a major loss to the pitaya industry. However, resistance proteins in plants play crucial roles to against pathogen infection. Among resistance proteins, the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) protein is a major family that plays crucial roles in plant growth, development, and biotic and abiotic stress responses, especially in disease defense.ResultsIn the present study, a transcriptomics analysis identified a total of 272 LRR genes, 233 of which had coding sequences (CDSs), in the plant pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) in response to fungalNeoscytalidium dimidiatuminfection. These genes were divided into various subgroups based on specific domains and phylogenetic analysis. Molecular characterization, functional annotation of proteins, and an expression analysis of the LRR genes were conducted. Additionally, four LRR genes (CL445.Contig4_All, Unigene28_All, CL28.Contig2_All, and Unigene2712_All, which were selected because they had the four longest CDSs were further assessed using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) at different fungal infection stages in different pitaya species (Hylocereus polyrhizusandHylocereus undatus), in different pitaya tissues, and after treatment with salicylic acid (SA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and abscisic acid (ABA) hormones. The associated protein functions and roles in signaling pathways were identified.ConclusionsThis study provides a comprehensive overview of theHpLRR family genes at transcriptional level in pitaya in response toN. dimidiatuminfection, it will be helpful to understand the molecular mechanism of pitaya canker disease, and lay a strong foundation for further research.

Pitaya is considered a very promising cactus fruit, however, there is a lack of studies that support the definition of more suitable production systems. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of NPK mineral fertilization on pitaya initial growth, aiming the definition of nutritional and fertilization management appropriate to the agricultural exploitation of the crop. The assay was conducted in the greenhouse of the Biotechnology Laboratory. The propagating part of pitaya is its stem known as cladode. The cladodes were planted in pots of 8.0 dm3, filled with substrate based on soil from termites. The donor matrices of vegetative material were young specimens of white-fleshed pitaya (Hylocereus undatus). 72 cuttings of 30.0 cm in length were used. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with 9 treatments (NPK doses) and 4 replications, totalizing 36 experimental plots. Each experimental plot was composed of 2 cuttings. Number of cladodes, sum of cladodes length, fresh cladodes mass, dry cladodes mass, root system length, root system fresh mass and root system dry mass were evaluated at 160 days after planting the morphological characters. The results of the variables were submitted to the analysis of variance and the means grouped by the Scott-Knott test at 5% of probability. NPK fertilization affected the initial growth of the aerial part and the root system of pitaya. The greatest development of pitaya was provided by 450.0 mg dm-3 of N, 250.0 mg dm-3 of P and 250.0 mg dm-3 of K.

To further investigate the preservation mechanisms of trypsin, the synergistic mechanisms of trypsin and stoma-related genes were evaluated in Hylocereus undatus. Trypsin significantly induced the stoma closure and improved the storage quality of H. undatus. Transcriptomic analyses of H. undatus revealed that important antioxidant signal pathway, such as SREBP signaling pathway, cellular response to H2 O2 or cellular response to molecule of bacterial origin, were induced; while responses to water deprivation were impeded by trypsin. These results indicated that trypsin relieved pitaya of pressure of water deprivation and exhibited the protection on pitaya during storage. Furthermore, the analyses of networks of protein-protein interaction suggested that OST1, HK5, AT4G27585, and HIR1 act as hubs of stoma-related proteins induced by trypsin during storage of H. undatus. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Preservation of fruit is becoming increasingly important to the world. Keep the balance of production and scavenging of reactive oxygen species is efficient to improve the storage quality of fruit. Trypsin had a novel superoxide anion scavenging activity and protect fruit cells from cellular injury induced by excess ROS. This article investigates the hub genes and interaction mechanisms of stoma closure induced by trypsin during the storage of H. undatus. The application of trypsin provides a new strategy for the quality control of fruit storage. Trypsin will have a broad market and development potential in the area of food additives.

It has been revealed by us that superoxide scavenging is a new activity of trypsin. In this study, the synergistic mechanisms of trypsin and superoxide dismutases (SODs) were evaluated in Hylocereus undatus (pitaya). Trypsin significantly improved the storage quality of H. undatus, including weight loss impediment and decrease of cellular injury. The regulatory mechanisms of 16 SOD genes by trypsin were revealed using transcriptomic analysis on H. undatus. Results revealed that important physiological metabolisms, such as antioxidant activities or metal ion transport were induced, and defense responses were inhibited by trypsin. Furthermore, the results of protein&ndash, protein interaction (PPI) networks showed that besides the entire ROS network, the tiny SODs sub-network was also a scale-free network. Cu/Zn SODs acted as the hub that SODs synergized with trypsin during the storage of H. undatus.

Hand pollination is a necessary aiding method for pitaya ( Hylocereus undatus ) production to achieve a high yield. With the cultivated area of pitaya going up exponentially in the recent years, a systematic study was carried out to understand the mechanism behind the high yield. In this study, we first developed an optimal medium for the in vitro germination of pitaya pollen. Upon testing the activity of the pollen collected from or stored for different time, we observed that the relative high pollen germination rates (27.2–65.1%) were those collected at between 2 h before blooming and 6 h after blooming, the highest activity was at 2 h after blooming, and that storing them for 24 h at 4°C reduces their germination rate from 65.2% to 35.5% and their production to about 82%. Therefore, it is not appropriate to pollinate plants with pollen that have been stored for more than 24 h, without bringing a breakthrough in pollen storage. We also observed that stigma receptivity and pollen activity are synchronous, which together determine fruit setting rate and fruit size. Pollination within 6 h after blooming provides the best fruit setting percentage and fruit size, the other favorable option being pollination at 6:00 pm, that is, 2 h before blooming; however, pollination at 6:00 am the next morning is expected to lead to 23% reduction in the production. These results will be useful for reproductive biology studies in this species. Moreover, this work set an important foundation for collecting pollen and selecting the right time of hand pollination to improve the yield and breeding efficiency in pitaya.

Taxonomic treatment for Hylocereus undatus

A diversificação da fruticultura do Algarve pode passar pela introdução de espécies frutícolas exóticas. De entre estas, a pitaia (Hylocereus sp.) é uma das que parecem ter melhores possibilidades de adaptação. Este fruto apresenta altas produções, com viabilidade económica em terrenos de pequenas dimensões (uma boa solução para pequenos agricultores) nas condições de clima e solos do Algarve e é também um fruto que tem registado um aumento acentuado de procura e de preço. A pitaia é uma planta trepadeira que necessita de uma estrutura que suporte a planta. Necessita de climas relativamente quentes, apresentando bom desenvolvimento em regiões cuja temperatura média se situa entre 18 e 26ºC. Nas condições do Algarve é necessário estabelecer uma relação entre as condições edafoclimáticas e a produtividade e qualidade do fruto. Para desenvolver a cultura da pitaia no Algarve foi constituído um grupo operacional cujo objetivo principal visa inovar ao nível das tecnologias de produção para a pitaia vermelha, de polpa vermelha e de polpa branca, permitindo ter produção durante um período tão longo quanto possível, com vista à satisfação do mercado nacional e internacional. Pretende-se analisar as características das 2 espécies: Hylocereus costaricensis e Hylocereus undatus, testando a produtividade, rusticidade e qualidade dos frutos (incluindo as características organoléticas) de cada uma. Começou-se por fazer um levantamento da situação desta cultura em Portugal, recolhendo informação sobre parcelas de pitaia e plantas isoladas, tanto em agricultores profissionais como em amadores. Estão também a ser instalados vários campos de ensaio/recolha de dados, englobando as duas espécies de pitaia vermelha. Os resultados obtidos no âmbito deste grupo operacional, serão divulgados numa página web (www.frutadragao.com), num manual técnico e em ações de divulgação. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The fruit of pitaya has occupied a growing niche in the fruit market, since its organoleptic characteristics and rusticity have attracted the attention of consumers and producers, respectively. The organoleptic and nutritional quality of fruits are due to maturity stage. Therefore, determining the period in which the fruits reach the physiological maturity is important, since it aids the planning of the harvest and the quality control of fruits. In this sense, the aim of this review is establish the ideal period for harvesting their fruits of pitaya (Hylocereus undatus), by determining of the physiological maturity point. For this species, the number of days from anthesis to the full development of the fruit has shown to be the most reliable variable to determine the moment of harvest. From this designation, it is possible to indicate the stage (physiological maturity) in which the fruits present characteristics favorable to the species, for example, color, soluble solids content, ratio, and others. It is known that the place of production and the edaphoclimatic conditions are able to interfere and cause variation in the period in which the fruits reach the physiological maturity. Some studies in Mexico confirmed that the physiological maturation of pitaya fruits occurred between 25 and 31 days after anthesis (DAA). Other researches, including in Brazil, confirmed that this point occurred from 28 to 32 DAA. Thus, from the scientific studies carried out and published in the literature, to avoid losing their commercial value of fruits, it is recommended to harvest this fruits of pitaya between 25 and 32 DAA.

Taxonomic treatment for Hylocereus undatus

Postharvest diseases and loss of freshness are major problems that cause the deterioration of dragon fruit. The present study determined the effect of hot water treatment (HWT) at 50°C for 5 min followed by 1.0% chitosan and 0.2% κ-carrageenan-based composite coating to counter the issues. The results showed that HWT followed by the composite coating-enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced accumulation of H2O2 in the peel, which demonstrated the defensive response in the tissues leading to reduce disease development. The chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase did not show a significant effect in reducing the postharvest diseases of dragon fruit. While the HWT helped to increase phenolics content and antioxidant capacity in the pulp, the composite coating was crucial to maintain green color of the bract. Therefore, we concluded that HWT combined with composite coating controlled the diseases via antioxidant defensive response and maintained the overall quality of dragon fruit for 30 days of storage at 10°C.

Organic pitaya seeds are rich in protein, lipids and bioactive compounds, but their separation from the pulp is a technological challenge. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the seed-pulp separation method on the seeds' drying process. Three separation methods were evaluated: acid (AS), thermal (ES) and enzymatic (TS). After separation, the seeds were dried at 45 °C, and the kinetic curves, the drying rates, and the effective diffusion coefficient were determined. All treatments promoted the separation of the pulp from the seed, however, ES treatment promoted the best separation, which significantly affected the drying process. The observed effects were the decreased of the initial moisture content, reduced the drying rate by 6 times, and the diffusivity by 1.7 times when compared to the seeds obtained by the AS treatment. The constant rate period seemed to control the drying kinetics, and Page's semi-empirical model best fitted the experimental data.

Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus Britton & Rose) is widely cultivated in subtropical and tropical regions. Pitaya is cold-sensitive; most cultivars are injured during chilling winter periods, especially in subtropical regions. In this study, the effects of shading on the cold tolerance in pitaya plant were investigated. Pitaya plants were grown under full sunlight (control) or a shading net with a light blocking rate of about 60%. Morphological and physiological performance of the overwintering pitaya plants were compared between the control and the shaded treatment. The results showed that shading treatment markedly reduced the chilling induced tissue necrosis. Contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophylls (chlorophyll a+b), the chlorophyll a/b ratio, Fm and Fv/Fm were all higher in shading treatment than those in the control. Meanwhile, proline content and ascorbic acid peroxidase (APX) activity in the shading treatment were significantly increased, while malondialdehyde (MDA), the superoxide anion (O2.-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels were significantly decreased by shading treatment. The results indicated that damage caused by chilling stress on pitaya was, at least partially, light-dependent; and in practical production, shading treatment can be used to reduce chilling injury in pitaya.

Hypertension is a condition in which a person experiences an increase in blood pressure above normal resulting in increased morbidity and mortality / mortality. Star fruit and dragon fruit can also be used to overcome hypertension. Fruit starfruit and dragon fruit has a lot of antioxidant substances such as vitamin C, Flavonoid and niacin and magnesium that can flex or relax the arterial blood vessels. In addition, star fruit and dragon fruit also have diuretic calcium contents atua peluruh urine so increase the intake of minerals that play a role in lowering high blood pressure. The purpose of this research is to know the effect of juice of star fruit (Averrhoa Carambola) and dragon fruit (hylocereus undatus) to blood pressure in hypertension patient in Internal Room of RSUD Padang Panjang Year 2017.The study was conducted for 6 days with 1 day feeding. The research design used Quasi-Ekperiment using One group pre-post test design on 15 respondents with hypertension. The statistical test obtained p value of systolic blood pressure = 0.000 and p value of diastolic blood pressure = 0.001 then ha accepted, meaning there is influence of star fruit juice and dragon fruit to blood pressure patient room internal hospital RSUD Padang Panjang.Based on the results of this study, researchers suggested that starfruit and dragon juice can be used as an independent intervention, especially for people with hypertension.

This study was conducted to determine the temperature and storage time of the exact vitamin C content of red and white dragon fruit and the difference of vitamin C. The samples were taken from the plantation land in Ubud Andong Highway, Petulu, Gianyar Regency. Treated for 10 and 30 days with 2, 10, 20 and 300C temperature treatment with five repetitions using Completely Randomized Design Factorial pattern. Data obtained statistically using ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). The highest vitamin C content in red dragon fruit is 29.61 mg/ 100g temperature 100C for 10 days and the lowest is in 30 days storage with temperature 300C that is equal to 22,09 mg/ 100g. While the white dragon fruit content of vitamin C highest contained in storage with a temperature of 20C is 22.69 mg/ 100g with maximum storage of 10 days and the lowest at a temperature of 300C is 17.37 mg/ 100g.

The brown spot disease caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum fungus on dragon fruit plants (Hylocereus undatus) is an extremely serious disease. Oligochitosan (OC) and nanosilica (nSiO2) have been considered as effective plant elicitors. In this study, OC with Mw of 3000, 5000, and 7000 g/mol was prepared by γ-irradiation and nSiO2 with size ~ 45 nm was synthesized from rice husk. Mixture of nSiO2–OC was prepared by dispersing nSiO2 in OC solution. The resistant effect against brown spot disease on dragon fruit plants was assessed by measuring the induced chitinase enzyme activity and the disease severity after spraying OC, nSiO2–OC and inoculating fungus. The results showed that all OC enhanced chitinase induction and reduced disease severity compared with control, and the OC ~ 3000 g/mol exhibited the highest activity. The nSiO2–OC also exhibited similar effect as OC and nSiO2, but it was more effective than individual OC or nSiO2 from 120 h onward.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different storage temperatures and storage durations on postharvest diseases of dragon fruit grown in the Mekong delta region. Dragon fruit of uniform maturity and without defects were collected from two growers in Long An and Tien Giang provinces and stored at 0, 5 and 10°C for 21 and 26 days followed by storage at 20°C for 3 days to simulate shelf life in the market. Other fruit were harvested and held at 20°C for 7 and 12 days as a non-stored control. The proportion of fruit with rots and changes in bract appearance were recorded and analyzed. The results indicated that fruit stored at 0 and 10°C (for both 21-26 days), and the control fruit held at 20°C for 7 and 12 days sustained the most damage. The most common disorders were rots and wilting and colour change (yellowing) of the bracts. Fruits stored for 21 and 26 days at 6°C remained fresh in appearance and had significantly fewer rots. The pathogenicity of fungi isolated from the rots was confirmed by re-inoculation of healthy fruit and the pathogens identified by conventional and molecular methods. The main fungi associated with spoiled fruit were: Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus sp., Bipolaris cactivora, Cladosporium sp., Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum truncatum, Fusarium andiyazi, Fusarium dimerum, Fusarium equiseti, Geotrichum candidum, Mucor sp., Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, Phomopsis longicolla, and Rhizopus stolonifer.

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) is a short shelf-life, non-climacteric fruit which can be easily destroyed by mold growth during storage time. This study investigated the use of peppermint oil as an alternative method to inhibit surface mould and prolong the shelf-life of dragon fruit during storage. Peppermint oil adsorbed activated carbon at different concentrations (100–1000 μL L−1) was placed with the dragon fruit in the storage box (1 L) at 25 ± 2 °C and 75 ± 5%RH for 21 days. The effect of peppermint oil adsorbed activated carbon on antifungal activity and quality of dragon fruit were evaluated. It was found that peppermint oil adsorbed activated carbon at 700 μL L−1 could provide 100% inhibition of surface mould and decay fungi for more than 14 days of storage (control start decayed at day 7). In addition, essential oil vapour maintained a more firm fruit, greenness of the bract, titratable acid value and total phenolic content after 21 days in comparison to the control. The possible mode of action was demonstrated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis to involve the release of menthol from peppermint oil activated carbon, which then interacts with other compounds to exhibit antifungal activity.

The occurrence of mycotoxins synthesized by spoilage fungi has been reported in various crops. Despite being a crop susceptible to attack by microorganisms, such as Alternaria alternata, there are no reports on the production of mycotoxins in Hylocereus undatus (Haw.). The objective of the present study was to identify mycotoxins produced by A. alternata previously isolated from Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) fruit in the postharvest phase, and A. alternata ATCC 46,582, in vitro and in vivo. The compounds were identified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), tentoxin (TEN), altertoxins (ATX) I, II and III were detected in vitro for A. alternata, and ATX I and II were identified for the reference strain, A. alternata ATCC 46,582, which was used as a positive control. Mycotoxins characteristic of A. alternata were not detected in vivo in the fruit stored for 8 d, which is its estimated shelf life. The use of LC–MS/MS facilitated rapid and efficient mycotoxin identification, contributing significantly to the evaluation of food safety.