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Breadfruit marketing is limited by its rapid ripening and deterioration after harvest; therefore, improved postharvest practices may facilitate breadfruit marketing. This study examined the effect of harvest maturity and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the postharvest quality of ‘Ma’afala’ breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis). Breadfruit was harvested at 13, 15, and 17 weeks after flowering, and half of each harvest was treated with 1 μL⋅L−1 of 1-MCP for 20 hours. During storage, the weight of the fruit, hand feeling, skin color, respiration rate, and ethylene production rate were evaluated every other day until the fruit deteriorated. Compared with untreated fruit, 1-MCP treatment delayed the climacteric respiratory peak by 6 days (65% delay), delayed complete softening by 7 days (63% delay), and increased uniformity in the number of days to the climacteric respiratory peak and complete softening. Skin discoloration was delayed during the earliest harvest period by 5 days (108% delay). Picking breadfruit at early harvest maturity may be useful for preventing discoloration, and 1-MCP may be useful for preventing softening.

Beverage mixtures based on pineapple (Ananas comosus) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) juice as a ready-to-drink product were developed, and their physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory properties were evaluated. Four different concentrations of turmeric juice (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% (v/v)) were added to pineapple juice to make turmeric-fortified pineapple (TFP) juice samples. Pineapple juice without turmeric was the control. The L*, a*, b*, titratable acidity (TA), total antioxidant capacity, and %DPPH scavenging values, as well as the concentrations of the phenolic compounds curcumin and demethoxycurcumin, were significantly increased with increasing turmeric concentration. Thirty volatile compounds were detected in the mixed juice samples with turmeric. Most of the turmeric-specific compounds, including monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and turmerones, were detected in the TFP juice samples. While the antioxidant activity of the juice samples increased with increasing turmeric concentration, the pineapple juice fortified with 10% turmeric (10%T) had the best overall quality as determined by panelists. Greater concentrations of turmeric were associated with decreased palatability due to reduced mouthfeel and sweetness and increased aftertaste and sourness. These results suggest that the 10%T juice could be developed into a commercial functional beverage with increased overall flavor and nutritional quality.

The complete genome sequences of two carlaviruses were determined by high-throughput sequencing of RNA extracted from ringspot and mosaic, disease symptoms on leaves of spider lily plants (Crinum asiaticum, family Amaryllidaceae) growing as landscape plants in Hawaii. One, named Nerine latent virus (NeLV)-Hawaii with a genome of 8281 nucleotide exhibited the highest nucleotide identity and amino acid similarity of 95.5% and 96.0%, respectively, to the genome sequence of an isolate of NeLV from Narcissus sp. in Australia (JQ395044). The second, named Hippeastrum latent virus (HiLV)-Hawaii with a genome of 8497 nucleotides exhibited the highest nucleotide identity and amino acid similarity, 84.3% and 88.7%, respectively, to the sequence of a previously uncharacterized HiLV isolate from a potted flowering plant, Amaryllis (Hippeastrum hybridum Hort) in Taiwan (DQ098905). The amino acid sequence similarities of replicase (Rep) and coat protein (CP) between HiLV-Hawaii and NeLV-Hawaii were 44.8% and 38.4%, respectively. Results of viral protein Rep and CP amino acid sequence comparisons from various carlaviruses provide evidence that HiLV and NeLV, previously classified as synonymous viruses are in fact unique viruses. This is the first report for the complete sequence, organization, and phylogenetic characterization of HiLV and the first detection of HiLV both in C. asiaticum and in the USA.

The complete genome of a new umbra-like virus from edible fig (Ficus carica) was identified by high-throughput sequencing. Based on its similarity to umbra-like virus genome sequences available in GenBank, the proposed name of this new virus is "fig umbra-like virus" (FULV). The genome of full-length FULV-1 consists of 3049 nucleotides organized into three open reading frames (ORFs). Pairwise comparisons showed that the complete nucleotide sequence of the virus had the highest identity (71.3%) to citrus yellow vein-associated virus (CYVaV). In addition, phylogenetic trees based on whole-genome nucleotide sequences and amino acid sequences of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase showed that FULV forms a monophyletic lineage with CYVaV and other umbra-like viruses. Based on the demarcation criteria of the genus Umbravirus, and lack of two umbravirus ORFs, we propose that FULV is a putative new member of the umbra-like virus clade within the family Tombusviridae.

Malabar spinach plants (Basella alba, Basellaceae) with leaves exhibiting symptoms of mosaic, rugosity, and malformation were found in a community garden on Oahu, HI in 2018. Preliminary studies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse-transcription (RT)-PCR identified Basella rugose mosaic virus (BaRMV) in symptomatic plants. However, nucleotide sequence analysis of RT-PCR amplicons indicated that additional potyviruses were also present in the symptomatic Malabar spinach. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) analysis was conducted on ribosomal RNA-depleted composite RNA samples of potyvirus-positive plants from three locations. Assembled contigs shared sequences similar to BaRMV, chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV), Alternanthera mosaic virus (AltMV), Basella alba endornavirus (BaEV), broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV2), and Iresine viroid 1. Virus- and viroid-specific primers were designed based on HTS sequencing results and used in RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing to confirm the presence of these viruses and the viroid. We tested 63 additional samples from six community gardens for a survey of viruses in Malabar spinach and found that 21 of them were positive for BaRMV, 57 for ChiVMV, 21 for AltMV, 19 for BaEV, and 14 for BBWV2. This is the first characterization of the virome from B. alba.

Mealybug wilt of pineapple (MWP) is the most important and complex viral disease affecting pineapple worldwide. High-throughput sequencing was conducted to characterize a new virus identified only in symptomatic pineapple plants and tentatively named pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus 6 (PMWaV-6). Data analyses revealed a genome of 17,854 nucleotides with an organization resembling members of the genus Ampelovirus, family Closteroviridae. Encoded proteins shared sequence identity with the corresponding proteins of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3, blackberry vein banding-associated virus, and PMWaV-2. The present study reports the discovery of PMWaV-6, a putative and distinct new member of the genus Ampelovirus, subgroup I, its potential involvement in MWP, and the development of PMWaV-6-specific RT-PCR assays to detect and monitor this virus in field samples.

A survey of viruses in papaya plants exhibiting leaf curl symptoms in Bangladesh showed the occurrence of three begomoviruses: tomato leaf curl Joydebpur virus (ToLCJoV) and its betasatellite (ToLCJoB), tomato leaf curl New Dehli virus (ToLCNDV), and tomato leaf curl Bangladesh virus (ToLCBV). The full-length genome of ToLCJoV (MT127782) was determined and shown to be closely related to ToLCJoV isolates from tomato in Bangladesh or India and chili in India. ToLCJoV from papaya was a recombinant of a ToLCJoV isolate from mungbean in India or an unknown host and another ToLCJoV isolate from tomato in Bangladesh. ToLCJoV betasatellite from papaya (MT161673) showed the highest identity to ToLCJoB from tomato in Bangladesh and chili in India. ToLCJoB from papaya is a recombinant of a ToLCJoB from chili in India and an unknown ToLCJoB. The ToLCNDV DNA-A (MT161674) and DNA-B (MT161675) from papaya are closely related to ToLCNDV isolates from tomato in Bangladesh. The ToLCNDV-papaya DNA-B was a recombinant molecule. Of the 45 papaya leaf samples with leaf curl symptoms, 29 tested positive for ToLCBV, 10 for ToLCJoV and four for ToLCNDV. Our findings documented multiple begomoviruses in papaya exhibiting leaf curl disease in Bangladesh and suggested several recombination events and a host shift from tomato to papaya.

In this study, we describe the further genomic characterization of several pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus (PMWaV) members of the genus Ampelovirus, family Closteroviridae, using high-throughput sequencing (HTS). PMWaV-2 is a necessary factor in the complex etiology of mealybug wilt disease of pineapple (MWP). The complete PMWaV-1 genome was described previously, but the genomes of PMWaV-2, PMWaV-3, and putative PMWaV-4 and PMWaV-5 species lack complete characterization. To further study MWP etiology through genomic characterization of PMWaVs, a cDNA library from total RNA of pineapple plants was generated and underwent HTS. A PMWaV-4 genome of 12,932 nucleotides was assembled from the HTS data. Proteins from the PMWaV-4 genome shared high amino acid similarity to those of PMWaV-1. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), heat shock protein 70 homolog (HSP70h), and coat protein (CP) proteins of PMWaV-4 shared 88, 87, and 85% amino acid identity, respectively, to those of PMWaV-1 (AF414119) indicating PMWaV-4 is a distinct strain of PMWaV-1 but not a distinct ampelovirus species. Therefore, we suggest that PMWaV-4 be designated PMWaV-1 strain 4 (MN539275). Further, we used HTS to obtain a new isolate of PMWaV-1 (MN539276) and supplemented the available sequences of the genomes of PMWaV-2 (MN539272 and MN539273) and PMWaV-3 (MN539274) in their 5′-terminal regions.

HighlightsNanoporous superhydrophobic surfaces were fabricated using electrochemical etching and Teflon coating.Adhesion of Listeria monocytogenes to the nanoengineered stainless steel surfaces was reduced.Self-cleanable food-contact surfaces prevent bacterial attachment and subsequent biofilm formation.Abstract. Bacterial attachment on solid surfaces and subsequent biofilm formation is a significant problem in the food industry. Superhydrophobic surfaces have potential to prevent bacterial adhesion by minimizing the contact area between bacterial cells and the surface. In this study, stainless steel-based superhydrophobic surfaces were fabricated by manipulating nanostructures with electrochemical etching and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film. The formation of nanostructures on stainless steel surfaces was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The stainless steel surfaces etched at 10 V for 5 min and at 10 V for 10 min with PTFE deposition resulted in average water contact angles of 154° ±4° with pore diameters of 50 nm. In addition, adhesion of Listeria monocytogenes was decreased by up to 99% compared to the bare substrate. These findings demonstrate the potential for the development of antibacterial surfaces by combining nanoporous patterns with PTFE films. Keywords: Electrochemical etching, PTFE, Nanoengineered surface, L. monocytogenes, Superhydrophobic.

Real-time and sensitive detection of pathogenic bacteria in food is in high demand to ensure food safety. In this study, a single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)-based electrochemical impedance immunosensor for on-site detection of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) was developed. A gold-plated wire was functionalized using polyethylenimine (PEI), SWCNTs, streptavidin, biotinylated L. monocytogenes antibodies, and bovine serum albumin (BSA). A linear relationship (R

Hibiscus (Hibiscus spp., family Malvaceae) leaves exhibiting symptoms of mosaic, ringspot, and chlorotic spots were collected in 2020 on Oahu, HI. High-throughput sequencing analysis was conducted on ribosomal RNA-depleted composite RNA samples extracted from symptomatic leaves. About 77 million paired-end reads and 161,970 contigs were generated after quality control, trimming, and de novo assembly. Contig annotation with BLASTX/BLASTN searches revealed a sequence (contig 1) resembling the RNA virus, hibiscus chlorotic ringspot virus (genus Betacarmovirus), and one (contig 2) resembling the DNA virus, peanut chlorotic streak virus (genus Soymovirus). Further bioinformatic analyses of the complete viral genome sequences indicated that these viruses, with proposed names of hibiscus betacarmovirus and hibiscus soymovirus, putatively represent new species in the genera Betacarmovirus and Soymovirus, respectively. RT-PCR using specific primers, designed based on the retrieved contigs, coupled with Sanger sequencing, further confirmed the presence of these viruses. An additional 54 hibiscus leaf samples from other locations on Oahu were examined to determine the incidence and distribution of these viruses.

Twelve sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas var. batatas) accessions/cultivars/landraces (entries) were evaluated for yield, resistance to pests, and quality in five field trials planted at Pepe`ekeo, Hawai‘i Island, and replicated over time with blocks planted on May and Oct. 2014, Feb. and July 2015, and Jan. 2016. Plots were harvested at 4.5 to 6 months after planting. In the first two field trials, local entries planted were ‘Okinawan’, ‘Mokuau’, and ‘Kona B’, as well as PI 531094, ‘Beauregard’, PI 573309, PI 573330, ‘Darby’, ‘Pelican Processor’, and ‘Picadito’. Yields of ‘Mokuau’ and ‘Kona B’ were low and were replaced in the latter three field trials with ‘Murasaki-29’ and ‘LA 08-21p’ from Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter, Baton Rouge. At harvest, storage roots were graded according to State of Hawai‘i standards and marketable yields included grades AA, A, and B. Then, injuries of storage roots due to infestations of sweetpotato weevil (Cylas formicarius elegantulus) in each category were estimated. Finally, sugar concentrations, anthocyanins, and β-carotene contents were measured in storage roots. Marketable fresh weight yields of entries differed significantly, with ‘LA 08-21p’ having the greatest marketable yield. However, ‘LA 08-21p’ also had the greatest incidence of damage due to sweetpotato weevil, perhaps because of its growth habit as a tight cluster of storage roots located close to the soil surface. Entries also had significantly different sugar concentrations (fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, and total sugars). Concentrations of sucrose ranged from 25 to 68 mg·g−1 fresh weight and were greater than those of monosaccharides analyzed. ‘Beauregard’ had the highest sucrose concentration and total sugars. Purple-fleshed cultivars Okinawan and LA 08-21p contained total monomeric anthocyanins that ranged from 34 to 37 mg/100 g dry weight. Orange-fleshed cultivars Beauregard and Darby contained β-carotene that ranged from 5485 to 8302 µg/100 g fresh weight. These results provide yields of storage roots, susceptibility to sweetpotato weevils, and amounts of antioxidants in purple- and orange-fleshed sweetpotato cultivars to growers interested in producing new sweetpotato cultivars.

Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) is the major constraint to papaya (Carica papaya) production in Bangladesh. Disease symptoms occurred in 90 to 100% of the plants surveyed. Full-length genomes of PRSV strains from severely infected papaya plants were determined using the Illumina NextSeq 500 platform, followed by Sanger DNA sequencing of viral genomes obtained by reverse-transcription PCR(RT-PCR). The genome sequences of two distinct PRSV strains, PRSV BD-1 (10,300 bp) and PRSV BD-2 (10,325 bp) were 74 and 83% identical to each other, respectively, at the nucleotide and amino acid levels. PRSV BD-1 and PRSV BD-2 were 74 to 75% and 79 to 88% identical, respectively, to other full-length PRSV sequences at the nucleotide level. Based on phylogenetic analysis, PRSV BD-2 was most closely related to PRSV-Meghalaya (MF356497) from papaya in India. PRSV BD-1 formed a branch distinct from the other PRSV sequences based on nucleotide and amino acid sequence comparisons. Comparisons of the genome sequences of these two strains with other sequenced PRSV genomes indicated two putative recombination events in PRSV BD-2. One recombinant event contained a 2,766-nucleotide fragment highly identical to PRSV-Meghalaya (MF356497). The other recombinant event contained a 5,105-nucleotide fragment highly identical to PRSV-China (KY933061). The occurrence rates of PRSV BD-1 and PRSV BD-2 in the sampled areas of Bangladesh were approximately 19 and 69%, respectively. Plants infected with both strains (11%) exhibited more severe symptoms than plants infected with either strain alone. The full-length genome sequences of these new PRSV strains and their distribution provide important information regarding the dynamics of papaya ringspot virus infections in papaya in Bangladesh.

Flowering plants in gardens and along roadsides on the Big Island of Hawaii were sampled for thrips and anthocorid predators of thrips. A total of 171 plant samples, comprising 859 plant sample units (e.g. flowers or flower clusters) were collected from 56 species of plants in 25 families. Adult thrips were found on 43 plant species, and 32 of these also had larval thrips of the same species, indicating the plant species was a breeding host for thrips. Five different species of anthocorids – Orius persequens, Orius tristicolor, Paratriphleps laeviusculus, Montandoniola confusa, and Blaptostethus pallescens – were collected on 22 different plant species in 10 plant families. The plants with the highest numbers of anthocorid adults and nymphs present were Macaranga tanarius (Blush Macaraga), Verbesina encelioides (Golden Crownbeard), Tithonia diversifolia (Tree Marigold), Acalypha hispida (Chenille bush), and Coreopsis lanceolata (Lance-leaf Coreopsis). Macaranga tanarius was found to be the best host plant for anthocorids, with an average of 25.5 adult and 21.1 larval anthocorids per plant sample. Orius persequens was the most abundant anthocorid on M. tanarius with average adult and larval densities of 24.1 and 17.3 per plant sample, respectively. None of the insects found in association with M. tanarius are known pests. Macaranga tanarius has great potential as a banker plant to help suppress thrips populations in greenhouse crops with anthocorid predators.

Twelve sesquiterpene lactones were isolated from the whole plants of Vernonia cinerea. These included eight new compounds, vercinolides A-H (1-8), along with four known substances (9-12). The structures of the new compounds were determined by 1D and 2D NMR experiments and mass spectrometric methods. The absolute configurations of compounds 1-8 were determined by Mosher experiments and ECD data. Compounds 1-8 are the first examples of a new class of sesquiterpene lactones possessing a rare 4α,10α-ether ring and a 2,14-ether ring. Compounds 1-4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 were evaluated for their cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities. Compounds 10 and 12 exhibited inhibitory effects against nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells with IC50 values of 21 and 23 μM, respectively. Both compounds were inactive for HeLa cells (IC50 > 10 μM).

Forty-five papaya samples showing severe leaf curl symptoms were tested by PCR with a degenerate primer set for virus species in the genus Begomovirus. Of these, 29 were positive for tomato leaf curl Bangladesh virus (ToLCBV). The complete genome sequences of ToLCBV (GenBank accession no. MH380003) and its associated tomato leaf curl betasatellite (ToLCB) (MH397223) from papaya isolate Gaz17-Pap were determined and characterized. Defective betasatellites were found in ToLCBV-positive papaya isolates Gaz19-Pap, Gaz20-Pap and Gaz21-Pap. This study confirmed that papaya is a host of ToLCBV, ToLCB, and other defective and recombinant DNA satellites in Bangladesh.

In this study, the effect of an oscillating magnetic field (OMF) on the supercooling of fresh-cut pineapple and agar gel was investigated. The pineapple was preserved in a supercooled state at -7°C, and its supercooled state was maintained for 14 days with the presence of the OMF, whereas the untreated sample was spontaneously nucleated within 24 h. Agar gel was prepared as equivalent to the soluble solids content of pineapple and showed a comparable supercooling behavior when exposed to a similar OMF treatment. Examination of the microstructures showed that cellular damage due to ice crystal formation did not occur in the supercooled pineapple and agar gel, implying that the OMF successfully inhibited ice nucleation during supercooling. The weight losses of pineapple samples preserved with refrigeration, freezing, and supercooling for 14 days were determined to be 7.3%, 23.8%, and 0.8%, respectively. Furthermore, the visual appearance showed that supercooling effectively prolonged the shelf-life of pineapple without freezing damage. The results suggest that the developed OMF technology can inhibit ice nucleation during supercooling and can be used to preserve fresh-cut fruits at subzero temperature while ensuring the food quality. In addition, a solid model food could be used as a substitute for predicting the supercooling behavior of food products. Keywords: Food preservation, Fresh-cut fruit, Oscillating magnetic field, Pineapple, Supercooling.

We conducted no-choice cage and field infestation studies to determine if the fruit of kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa, ‘Hayward’ [green-fleshed], and Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis, ‘Zesy002’ [gold-fleshed]) are hosts for three invasive tephritid fruit fly species that may enter New Zealand or other kiwifruit growing areas. For cage studies, punctured and unpunctured (intact) fruits of green and gold kiwifruit were exposed to gravid female flies of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Oriental fruit fly), Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillet) (melon fly), or Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Mediterranean fruit fly), in screen cages outdoors for 24 h, and then held on sand in the laboratory for three weeks for pupal development and adult emergence. Unpunctured green kiwifruit produced an average of 1.3, 0.0 and 48.8 puparia per kg of fruit for B. dorsalis, Z. cucurbitae and C. capitata, respectively. Unpunctured gold kiwifruit produced an average of 54.7, 6.1 and 0.0 puparia per kg of fruit for B. dorsalis, Z. cucurbitae and C. capitata, respectively. For comparison, unpunctured papaya, a preferred host for all three species, produced 492–795 puparia per kg of fruit across all species. These results indicate that kiwifruit is a poor ovipositional host for B. dorsalis, Z. cucurbitae and C. capitata. When kiwifruit were punctured to facilitate oviposition, the number of puparia per kg fruit increased significantly compared with those on unpunctured fruit for B. dorsalis, but not for Z. cucurbitae or C. capitata, indicating that kiwifruit is a poor developmental host for these two species. For all fruit fly species, the average weight of individual puparia recovered from green and gold kiwifruit was roughly 50% of the weight of puparia recovered from papaya. Field infestation of kiwifruit suspended from papaya trees resulted in no infestation of green kiwifruit and very low infestation of gold kiwifruit by B. dorsalis, and no infestation in either cultivar by Z. cucurbitae under natural conditions. Overall, kiwifruit is a poor host for B. dorsalis, Z. cucurbitae and C. capitata. This information will help inform decisions about quarantine restrictions and potential crop loss in the event of incursions of these fruit flies into New Zealand or other kiwifruit producing countries.

The complete genome of a new umbra-like virus from edible fig (Ficus carica) was identified by high-throughput sequencing. Based on its similarity to umbra-like virus genome sequences available in GenBank, the proposed name of this new virus is "fig umbra-like virus" (FULV). The genome of full-length FULV-1 consists of 3049 nucleotides organized into three open reading frames (ORFs). Pairwise comparisons showed that the complete nucleotide sequence of the virus had the highest identity (71.3%) to citrus yellow vein-associated virus (CYVaV). In addition, phylogenetic trees based on whole-genome nucleotide sequences and amino acid sequences of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase showed that FULV forms a monophyletic lineage with CYVaV and other umbra-like viruses. Based on the demarcation criteria of the genus Umbravirus, and lack of two umbravirus ORFs, we propose that FULV is a putative new member of the umbra-like virus clade within the family Tombusviridae.

Mealybug wilt of pineapple (MWP) is the most important and complex viral disease affecting pineapple worldwide. High-throughput sequencing was conducted to characterize a new virus identified only in symptomatic pineapple plants and tentatively named pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus 6 (PMWaV-6). Data analyses revealed a genome of 17,854 nucleotides with an organization resembling members of the genus Ampelovirus, family Closteroviridae. Encoded proteins shared sequence identity with the corresponding proteins of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3, blackberry vein banding-associated virus, and PMWaV-2. The present study reports the discovery of PMWaV-6, a putative and distinct new member of the genus Ampelovirus, subgroup I, its potential involvement in MWP, and the development of PMWaV-6-specific RT-PCR assays to detect and monitor this virus in field samples.

The coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei, is the most destructive insect pest of coffee globally, causing significant losses in yield and leading to 'off' flavors in damaged beans. Automated headspace sampling (AHS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to investigate changes in the volatile profiles of CBB-damaged green coffee beans. Green coffee from three coffee farms on the island of Hawai'i were sorted into three levels of CBB damage: non-damaged, slightly damaged (1-2 pinholes/bean), and heavily damaged (> 2 pinholes/bean).; Results: Distinct differences were found between green coffee bean samples based on the amounts of eight prominent volatiles. The amount of CBB damage was particularly correlated with the amount of both hexanal and 2-pentylfuran. Principal component analysis showed clustering of non-damaged green beans, which did not overlap with the slightly or heavily damaged clusters. Good separation was also found between a mixture of 50% slightly damaged and non-damaged coffee. However, 20% slightly damaged and non-damaged coffee clusters showed strong overlap.; Conclusion: Understanding the effects of CBB damage on coffee flavor profiles is critical to quality control for this valuable agricultural product. The results of this study show that the volatile profiles of green coffee beans vary with CBB damage. With specific volatile profiles for CBB-damaged coffee identified, coffee samples can be tested in the lab, or potentially on the farm or in coffee mills, to identify high levels of CBB damage that may lead to off flavors and a reduction in product quality and value. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L., Rubiaceae) has been used in traditional medicine throughout the tropics and subtropics and is now attracting interest in western medicine. Fermented noni juice is of particular interest for its promising antitumor activity. The present study collected and analyzed volatiles released at nine time intervals by noni fruit during ripening and fermentation using headspace autosampling coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.; Results: Twenty-three noni volatiles were identified and relatively quantified. In addition to volatiles previously identified in noni, four novel volatile 3-methyl-2/3-butenyl esters were identified via the synthesis of reference compounds. Principle component analysis (PCA) and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) were used to facilitate multidimensional pattern recognition. PCA showed that ripening noni fruit cluster into three groups, pre-ripe, fully ripe (translucent) and fermented, based on released volatiles. CDA could 83.8% correctly classify noni samples when all ripeness stages were analyzed and 100% when samples were classified into the three PCA groupings.; Conclusion: The results of the present study confirm the identities of 3-methyl-2/3-butenyl esters, both novel and previously identified, through the synthesis of reference compounds. These esters constitute a large percentage of the volatiles released by fully ripe and fermented noni and likely produced from the decomposition of noniosides, a group of unique glucosides present in the fruit. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.; © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Papaya (C. papaya) is a rich source of bioactive compounds. However, fruit bioactive content varies greatly depending on factors such as the variety and growing location. In this study, three yellow-fleshed papaya cultivars (Lāʻie Gold, Rainbow, Kapoho Solo) and two red-fleshed cultivars (Sunset and Sunrise) were harvested from different locations throughout the Hawaiian Islands and analyzed for their mineral and carotenoid content using ICP-MS and HPLC, respectively. Bioaccessibility of carotenoids across papaya cultivars were compared using an in-vitro digestion model. Yellow-fleshed papayas contained two major carotenoids: β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin. In addition to these two carotenoids, red-fleshed papayas also contained high lycopene levels. Varietal and geographical differences were evident in both carotenoid content and their bioaccessibility. β-cryptoxanthin was the main carotenoid among yellow-fleshed cultivars, Laie Gold, Rainbow and Kapoho Solo (242.9–739.5 μg/100 g), followed by β-carotene (152.4–331.0 μg/100 g). The red-fleshed varieties, Sunset and Sunrise, contained 1089.6–1570.4 μg lycopene /100 g. Papayas (100 g) contained 6% and 8% of the dietary reference intake (DRI) for Cu and Mg, respectively, but less than 3% of the DRI for other minerals. Among yellow-fleshed papayas, total carotenoid bioaccessibility was highest in the Rainbow variety from Keaʻau and Kapoho farms on the Island of Hawaii. Bioaccessibility of lycopene from red-fleshed papayas ranged from 1.5–11.4%. Altogether, these findings suggest that not only variety, but also different growing location alter the content and bioaccessibility of carotenoids in papaya.

The present study was aimed to examine the effect of oscillating magnetic fields (OMFs) at different intensities (up to 100 mT) on the extended water supercooling. The exterior supercooling chamber with specialized air circulation was invented for validation of the influence of OMF without any heat involvement. The pendulum experiment demonstrated that water tended to move in a direction opposite to the applied OMF due to diamagnetic repulsion, and the magnitude of the displacement increased proportionally with increases in the OMF intensities. Supercooling probability results indicated that OMF intensities of 50 mT inhibited ice nucleation in supercooled water when stored at the temperature of −11 °C, whereas OMF intensities exceeding 100 mT induced freezing. In this respect, the OMF at the field strength of 50 mT was applied for the supercooling preservation of fresh-cut mango slices, which were preserved in a supercooled state at −5 °C for up to 7 days. The quality assessment, such as weight loss and firmness, indicated that the supercooling preservation potentially extended the shelf-life of fresh-cut mangoes while maintaining their original quality.

SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like (SPL) family plays vital regulatory roles in plant growth and development. The SPL family in climacteric fruit Carica papaya has not been reported. This study identified 14 papaya SPLs (CpSPL) from papaya genome and analyzed their sequence features, phylogeny, intron/exon structure, conserved motif, miR156-mediated posttranscriptional regulation, and expression patterns. 14 CpSPLs were clustered into 8 groups, and two distinct expression patterns were revealed for miR156-targeted and nontargeted CpSPLs in different tissues and fruit development stages. The expression changes of CpSPLs in ethephon and 1-MCP treated fruit during ripening suggested that the CpSPLs guided by CpmiR156 play crucial roles in ethylene signaling pathway. This study sheds light on the new function of SPL family in fruit development and ripening, providing insights on understanding evolutionary divergence of the members of SPL family among plant species.

Internal yellowing (IY) caused by Enterobacter cloacae and characterized by yellow discolored tissue surrounding the papaya (Carica papaya L.) seed cavity, diffuse margins, and the presence of a distinctly rotten odor was first reported in 1987 (3). Here we report the formation of atypical internal yellowing (AIY) in ripe papaya caused by the bacterium Enterobacter sakazakii. In surveys conducted from 2006 to 2007, ‘Kapoho Solo’ papayas grown in the Puna District of Hawaii Island were obtained from various packinghouses. After incubation at 27°C, the papayas were bisected and examined for symptoms of IY. Among papayas that were asymptomatic for IY, a dull, greenish yellow discoloration of the flesh with a distinct margin extending from the seed cavity into the pericarp was noted, along with a pungent odor. These symptoms occurred in 5 of the 500 fruit surveyed and bacterial populations were 102 to 103 CFU/g. Discolored tissue was aseptically excised, weighed, macerated, serially diluted in sterile distilled water (SDW), and plated onto modified peptone yeast extract medium (PT-M4) (4). The plates were incubated at 30°C for 24 to 48 h until single colonies were evident. After 48 h, colonies on PT-M4 were orange-red, convex and circular, and surrounded by a somewhat opaque 1-mm margin. After single colony purification, five strains were obtained. The strains, inoculated into oxidation/fermentation-glucose tubes and API 20E strips (bioMerieux, Inc., Durham, NC) incubated at 30°C, were shown to be facultative anaerobes and identified as E. sakazakii with a 98.4% certainty. Colonies plated onto tryptic soy agar (TSA) and incubated for 72 h at 25°C produced yellow pigmentation, indicative of E. sakazakii. Amplification by PCR with E. sakazakii-specific primers (2) yielded a 929-bp fragment, which was absent with E. cloacae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa template DNA. To confirm pathogenicity, cell suspensions at 109 CFU/ml of putative E. sakazakii strains RK07-05, RK07-06, and RK07-07 and E. cloacae (3) were inoculated by injection (0.5 ml per site) into one-third-ripe ‘Kapoho Solo’ papayas (six fruit per strain, inoculated at duplicate sites) and incubated at 27°C for 4 days. Control sites were injected with 0.5 ml of SDW. Fruit inoculation experiments were repeated. E. cloacae-inoculated sites produced typical IY as previously described (3), while the sites inoculated with the three E. sakazakii strains produced greenish yellow tissue (26% mean incidence), symptomatic of AIY. Control sites did not produce IY or AIY. Koch's postulates were fulfilled, and the identification of reisolated bacterial strains was confirmed with API 20E, PCR, and pigment production on TSA. Although less prevalent (1% incidence) than the typical IY produced by E. cloacae (3), E. sakazakii has the potential to affect quality and food safety of fresh and processed papaya products. E. sakazakii has been implicated in a severe form of neonatal meningitis, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis (1). Research into the transmission and infection of papaya of this cross-domain pathogen merits further study. References: (1) D. H. Adamson. Clin. Microbiol. Newsl. 3:19, 1981. (2) A. Lehner et al. BMC Microbiol. 4:43, 2004. (3) K. A. Nishijima et al. Plant Dis. 71:1029, 1987. (4) K. A. Nishijima et al. Plant Dis. 88:1318, 2004.

Noni (Morinda citrifolia) is a popular medicinal plant found in tropical or subtropical regions of the world. The fruit and juice extracts have properties that are reportedly therapeutic for diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer (1,4). In our studies on noni juice produced from fruit collected from the Kohala and Puna districts of the island of Hawaii from 2008 to 2010, Mucor circinelloides f. sp. circinelloides was isolated from 85% of 157 juice samples and observed with up to 75% incidence on fruit surfaces during fermentation processing in glass jars. Fungal growth, appearing 14 to 21 days in storage at 22°C, was pale yellow to tan brown and was associated with wounded surfaces. Single-spore strains, KN 06-2 (2006; ripe fruit puree) and KN 08-08 (2008; fermented juice; CBS 124110), identified by Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures by molecular methods were 97.3% similar in internal transcribed spacer sequence to the type strain (CBS 195.68). M. circinelloides f. sp. circinelloides strains (KN 08-08, KN 09-06, or KN 10-02) (2008 to 2010; fermented juice) were inoculated by pipetting an aliquot of 100 μl of fungus strain spore suspension (1 × 105 to 1.33 × 106 spores/ml) onto firm, yellow maturity noni fruit that were washed, surface disinfected, and either wounded (surface cuts) or nonwounded. Controls consisted of no inoculation and sterile distilled water (SDW) inoculation treatments. Ten to twenty each of wounded and nonwounded fruit comprised each inoculation treatment. Fruit were incubated in acrylic bins with a layer of distilled water at the bottom, and sealed with snap-on lids. The bins were incubated on a lab bench at 22 to 23°C under fluorescent lights. Fruits were evaluated for presence of fungal growth and severity of symptoms. To determine viability of spores on inoculated fruit without symptoms, surfaces were swabbed with sterile cotton swabs dipped in SDW, streaked on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates, and incubated at 22°C under fluorescent lights. The inoculation experiment was conducted twice. Nonwounded fruit inoculated with M. circinelloides f. sp. circinelloides strains did not result in infections (KN 09-06 and KN 10-02) or produced slight mycelial growth (0 to 20%; KN 08-08). Wounded fruit inoculated with any of the three strains resulted in 85 to 100% infection of moderate severity. There were no infections in noninoculated or SDW treatments of nonwounded or wounded fruit. Koch's postulates were fulfilled with the reisolation of M. circinelloides f. sp. circinelloides from selected fruit exhibiting soft tissue, discoloration, and sporulating yellowish green mycelial growth. Swab washes from asymptomatic surfaces of inoculated nonwounded fruit resulted in the growth of M. circinelloides f. sp. circinelloides on PDA, proving viability of the spores and confirmed that the fungus is primarily pathogenic only on wounded fruit surfaces. To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. circinelloides as a wound pathogen of noni fruit. The quality of fermented noni juice may be affected by the presence of M. circinelloides f. sp. circinelloides but can be remedied by pasteurization that does not affect antitumor properties (unpublished data). This fungus is also a reported pathogen of mango (2) and peach (3). References: (1) J. Li et al. Oncol. Rep. 20:1505, 2008. (2) K. Pernezny and G. W. Simone. Phytopathol. News 34:25, 2000. (3) C. Restuccia et al. J. Food Prot. 69:2465, 2006. (4) M. Y. Wang et al. Acta Pharmacol. Sin. 23:1127, 2002.

Basella alba, also known as Malabar spinach, is a plant belonging to the family Basellaceae. It is native to tropical Asia and Africa and introduced to Hawaii, where it is grown as a vegetable crop (Wester 1992). Basella rugose mosaic virus (BaRMV) is a potyvirus that was first isolated from B. alba and reported in December 2006 in Taiwan (Zheng et al. 2008). In December 2018, B. alba plants with leaves exhibiting mosaic and rugose symptoms were found growing in a community garden consisting of about 150 small gardens 10 m² in size on Oahu, Hawaii (21°17′05″ N, 157°49′40″ W). Five leaf samples with severe mosaic and rugose symptoms from five different B. alba plants in five different small gardens in the same community garden were tested by ELISA using potyvirus-specific antibodies (Agdia, Elkhart, IN) (Wang et al. 2019). All symptomatic leaf samples tested positive for potyvirus infection by the ELISA test. Total RNAs were extracted from these samples and tested by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) using the universal primer pair CIFor and CIRev designed to amplify the cylindrical inclusion protein (CI) gene from the genomes of potyviruses (Ha et al. 2008). To identify the specific potyvirus infecting the B. alba samples, amplicons of approximately 600 bp corresponding to the targeted potyviral CI region were directly sequenced (MN075828). BLAST analysis of the 564-bp sequences showed that this virus isolate respectively shared 97 and 95% nucleotide and amino acid sequence identities with the homologous sequences of a peace lily mosaic virus (PeLMV) isolate from Vietnam (DQ851494/ABI34613). PeLMV was first reported infecting peace lily (Spathiphyllum patinii, family Araceae) in Vietnam in 2008 (Ha et al. 2008). Because the Vietnam isolate of PeLMV (DQ851494/ABI34613) respectively shared 83 and 92% nucleotide and amino acid sequence identities to an isolate of BaRMV (DQ821939/ABH10135), PeLMV is considered a strain of BaRMV (Wylie et al. 2017). However, our Hawaii isolate (MN075828) of BaRMV only shared 83 and 94% nucleotide and amino acid sequence identities, respectively, with the isolate of BaRMV (DQ821939/ABH10135). We then designed new BaRMV CI gene-specific primers B-CIF (5′-TCAGTTTTTGGTTCGACGCC-3′) and B-CIR (5′-GATTTCCGTTGCACCCGACT-3′) from the BaRMV-specific sequence (MN075828) to further characterize the viral isolate from B. alba. BLASTn analysis of the 389-bp sequence of the CI fragment amplicon (MN075829) indicated that it shared 98% nucleotide sequence identity with the same isolate from Vietnam (DQ851494), whereas BLASTx analysis showed that the CI amplicon shared 96% amino acid sequence identity with the corresponding amino acid region of the same isolate from Vietnam (ABI34613). The CI fragment amplicon (MN075829) also revealed 83 and 95% nucleotide and amino acid sequence identities, respectively, to the Taiwan isolate of BaRMV (DQ821939/ABH10135). Our sequence comparison results indicated that our Hawaii isolate was more closely related to the Vietnamese BaRMV isolate initially identified as PeLMV than to the Taiwan isolate of BaRMV. The primer set B-CIF and B-CIR was further used in RT-PCR reactions to determine infection by BaRMV in nine additional symptomatic samples of B. alba based on amplification of DNA fragments of the expected size. We have also used RT-PCR to test 20 more samples from this community garden; our results show that two asymptomatic samples were negative and 18 symptomatic samples were positive. Therefore, the disease incidence of BaRMV on B. alba was approximately 92%. To our knowledge, this is the first report of BaRMV infecting B. alba plants in the United States. Further studies to obtain information on the full-length genome sequence, insect vector(s), and geographic distribution of this BaRMV isolate are necessary to help control BaRMV infection in B. alba and other vegetables among Hawaii’s community and family gardens.

The coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei, is the most destructive insect pest of coffee globally, causing significant losses in yield and leading to 'off' flavors in damaged beans. Automated headspace sampling (AHS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to investigate changes in the volatile profiles of CBB-damaged green coffee beans. Green coffee from three coffee farms on the island of Hawai'i were sorted into three levels of CBB damage: non-damaged, slightly damaged (1-2 pinholes/bean), and heavily damaged (2 pinholes/bean).Distinct differences were found between green coffee bean samples based on the amounts of eight prominent volatiles. The amount of CBB damage was particularly correlated with the amount of both hexanal and 2-pentylfuran. Principal component analysis showed clustering of non-damaged green beans, which did not overlap with the slightly or heavily damaged clusters. Good separation was also found between a mixture of 50% slightly damaged and non-damaged coffee. However, 20% slightly damaged and non-damaged coffee clusters showed strong overlap.Understanding the effects of CBB damage on coffee flavor profiles is critical to quality control for this valuable agricultural product. The results of this study show that the volatile profiles of green coffee beans vary with CBB damage. With specific volatile profiles for CBB-damaged coffee identified, coffee samples can be tested in the lab, or potentially on the farm or in coffee mills, to identify high levels of CBB damage that may lead to off flavors and a reduction in product quality and value. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Calcium (Ca) is a major plant nutrient that affects cell wall and plasma membrane formation and plays a key role in plant growth, biomass production, and function. Ca can be used to decrease fruit decay and increase firmness and shelf life. Different sources and concentrations of foliar-applied Ca were examined for the effects on nutrient concentration and growth of ‘Eksotika II’ papaya (Carica papaya) plants. Papaya seedlings were established in pots and irrigated with a standard nutrient solution in a net house. Four preharvest sprays were applied as foliar applications with three different sources of Ca {calcium chloride [CaCl2], calcium nitrate [Ca(NO3)2], and calcium propionate [Ca(C2H5COO)2]} at four concentrations (0, 60, 120, and 180 mg·L−1). Plant Ca concentration was unaffected by the different Ca sources. However, increased Ca concentration applied to the leaves enhanced plant accumulation of phosphorous and Ca in the plant, but decreased potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in the tissues. Plants that received Ca at 180 mg·L−1 had greater height and diameter than control plants. In a field trial with mature trees, preharvest applications of Ca (0, 4000, and 5400 mg·L−1) in the form of CaCl2 showed that increasing concentrations improved fruit Ca concentration, texture, and flavor; and decreased weight loss, Mg content, and apparent disease incidence of the fruit.

The physiology of noni (Morinda citrifolia) fruit ripening, as well as the chemical and microbial properties of its fermented juice, were determined. The ripening fruit had a nonclimacteric respiratory pattern (34 mg CO2·kg−1h−1) and no detectable ethylene production. The fungus, Mucor circinelloides, was consistently isolated from fermented juice, with peak populations at 14 d coincident with an increase in headspace CO2 and a decline in pH and soluble solids. Bacterial populations were greatest at 42 d, with Erwinia pyrifoliae and Gluconobacter frateurii isolated from fermented juice. Sugar concentration (64.8 mg·mL−1) decreased by 37% after 7 d, while organic acids (26.6 mg·mL−1) were the highest at 28 d. Major non-volatile acids present in the fermented juice included acetic, ascorbic, dehydroascorbic, galacturonic, malonic, succinic, and tartaric acids.

Purpose of review: The pre-export application of agreed phytosanitary measures for economically important species of fruit flies (eg, Bactrocera tryoni – Queensland fruit fly) and other high risk pests are a critical aspect of New Zealand's biosecurity requirements. There are a number of successfully implemented treatments allowing for the commercial trade of fresh produce from Australia to New Zealand. The “tool box” of agreed measures include the application of post-harvest treatments such as heat treatments, cold disinfestation, chemical dips/sprays and methyl bromide fumigation. Other non-treatment options include sourcing products from recognised pest free areas (PFAs), the use of systems approaches and recognised non-host status. Over recent years, there has been a need to revise the commercial application for several of the historically recognised treatment options. In particular, the effective banning of dimethoate as an accepted post-harvest treatment option for several products required the development and implementation of new alternatives to facilitate the long-standing market access for important commodities such as mangoes, tomatoes and capsicums. The application of irradiation technology in this instance has successfully fulfilled an important technological and trade need. Furthermore, irradiation has also facilitated the market access for new commodities, such as lychees, and paved the way for the implementation of long-term and sustainable export-import programmes.Findings: A significant volume of irradiated mangoes, lychees, tomatoes and capsicums are now purchased by consumers in New Zealand. It is very clear that not only does irradiation fulfil a technological need but it also fulfils a consumer need by making quality produce available at competitive prices. Consequently, a significant proportion of the New Zealand public will consistently buy irradiated fresh produce when it is available to them.Directions for future research: The recent approval by FSANZ for the irradiation of a range of new commodities will open up further opportunities for both new market access (eg, for cherries and other stone fruit) and also provide a commercially viable treatment alternative for products with existing market access to New Zealand (eg, grapes). Since the commercial application of irradiation treatments has now been in place for more than a decade, trust and confidence in the technical effectiveness of the treatment has improved as well as consumer acceptance. Significant investments in associated infra-structure requirements directly relevant to the fresh produce supplychain (eg, maintaining the cold-chain before, during and after treatment) has also sent positive signals that irradiation is a sustainable and long-term option amongst the current toolbox of treatment options. Governments and regulators must now build on the existing science-based approvals and take a more pragmatic stand to ensure that the regulatory frameworks and approval processes are less obstructive and time consuming so that consumers can exercise their free choice of buying or not buying a wider range of irradiated produce.

Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L., Rubiaceae) has been used in traditional medicine throughout the tropics and subtropics and is now attracting interest in western medicine. Fermented noni juice is of particular interest for its promising antitumor activity. The present study collected and analyzed volatiles released at nine time intervals by noni fruit during ripening and fermentation using headspace autosampling coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Twenty-three noni volatiles were identified and relatively quantified. In addition to volatiles previously identified in noni, four novel volatile 3-methyl-2/3-butenyl esters were identified via the synthesis of reference compounds. Principle component analysis (PCA) and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) were used to facilitate multidimensional pattern recognition. PCA showed that ripening noni fruit cluster into three groups, pre-ripe, fully ripe (translucent) and fermented, based on released volatiles. CDA could 83.8% correctly classify noni samples when all ripeness stages were analyzed and 100% when samples were classified into the three PCA groupings.The results of the present study confirm the identities of 3-methyl-2/3-butenyl esters, both novel and previously identified, through the synthesis of reference compounds. These esters constitute a large percentage of the volatiles released by fully ripe and fermented noni and likely produced from the decomposition of noniosides, a group of unique glucosides present in the fruit. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Garden nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.) is an herbaceous annual plant commonly used as a garden ornamental, culinary herb, or a medicinal plant. It has become naturalized in many locations and is currently considered an alien invader in New Zealand, Lord Howe Island, and Hawaii (U.S. Forest Service 2012). Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) is an aphid-transmitted nonpersistent potyvirus with a wide host range (Parrella and Lanave 2009). In February 2018, we observed nasturtium plants exhibiting severe chlorotic mosaic symptoms at the Kula Botanical Gardens on Maui, HI (20°44′40.01″ N, 156°19′03.00″ W). We tested six samples that had severe yellow mosaic and leaf distortion symptoms and three leaves from nonsymptomatic plants using potyvirus-specific ELISA (Agdia, Elkhart, IN) and universal potyvirus-specific reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with potyvirus nuclear inclusion body (NIb) primers NIb2F and NIb3R (Zheng et al. 2010). All of the symptomatic nasturtium samples tested positive for potyvirus infection in both tests, whereas three nonsymptomatic nasturtium leaves tested negative in both tests. To identify the specific potyvirus involved, amplicons (309 bp) of the NIb region that were generated by RT-PCR using universal potyvirus-specific primers were sequenced (accession MH422546). BLASTn analysis of the sequences showed that this virus shared 93% nucleotide identity with a BYMV isolate from Australia (HG970862), and BLASTx analysis showed it shared 93% amino acid identity with a polyprotein of BYMV isolate from Australia (CDO67686). Two additional sets of PCR primers were used to further characterize the isolate: BYMV NIb-specific primers BYMV-NIb-3 (5′-CCACTGTTATTCCCTTTAAAC-3′) and BYMV-NIb-5 (5′-AATAAGTTCTACAGTTTGCACC-3′), and BYMV coat protein (CP)-specific primers BYMV-CP-3 and BYMV-CP-5 (Wang et al. 2017). BLASTn analysis of the 257-bp NIb amplicon (accession MH422547) shared 94% identity to an Australian isolate of BYMV (HG970847), and the 595-bp CP amplicon (accession MH422548) shared 98% identity to another Australian isolate of BYMV (HG970860). BLASTx analysis of the 257-bp NIb amplicon shared 93% identity to an Australian isolate polyprotein of BYMV (AHQ95554), and the 595-bp CP amplicon shared 98% identity to another Japan isolate polyprotein of BYMV (BAA93683). All six symptomatic samples also tested positive for BYMV by triple-antibody sandwich ELISA using a BYMV-specific antibody (DSMZ, Braunschweig, Germany). From March to June 2018, 24 additional nasturtium samples were collected from two different locations on Maui, and all tested positive for BYMV infection by RT-PCR and ELISA. All of the symptomatic nasturtium samples tested positive for BYMV infection in both tests, while three nonsymptomatic nasturtium leaves from other plants tested negative in both tests. To our knowledge, this is the first report of BYMV infecting nasturtium plants in Hawaii. Nasturtium is a widely grown herbaceous ornamental in Hawaii. It could be harboring BYMV in the off-season and moving it to cultivated legume plants. Therefore, further study is needed to determine whether legume aphids can transmit BYMV from nasturtium to healthy legume plants. In addition, further studies on the distribution of BYMV-infected nasturtium and identification of other BYMV-infected plants in the Hawaiian Islands are needed.

Apple of Peru (Nicandra physalodes [L.]) is a member of the Solanaceae family and one of the serious weed threats in crop fields. It is tolerant to commonly used herbicides and competes with cultivated crops (Watanabe et al. 2002). Additionally, apple of Peru and other solanaceous weeds are known as an alternative host of several viruses (Barbosa et al. 2009; Hobbs et al. 2000). Pepper mottle virus (PepMoV) in the genus Potyvirus (family Potyviridae) is a monopartite, positive-sensed, single-stranded RNA virus. PepMoV causes economic losses to peppers and tomatoes in Honduras, South Korea, and Hawaii (Kim et al. 2009; Melzer et al. 2012). In February 2018, we observed apple of Peru plants with severe virus-like symptoms: mosaic, mottling, and crinkling of leaves in a fallow area at the University of Hawaii in Manoa, HI. Six samples with severe symptoms and three asymptomatic samples were collected and tested for potyvirus infection using a potyvirus-specific ELISA (Agdia, Elkhart, IN) and universal potyvirus-specific reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (Zheng et al. 2010). All of the symptomatic apple of Peru plants tested positive for potyviruses in both tests, whereas three asymptomatic plants tested negative. To identify the specific potyvirus involved, amplicons (328 bp) of the nuclear inclusion body (NIb) region of potyviruses that were generated by RT-PCR using universal potyvirus-specific primers were directly sequenced (GenBank accession MH476197). BLASTn analysis of the sequences showed that this virus isolate shared 95% nucleotide sequence identity with a PepMoV isolate from Florida (AF501591). Two additional primer pairs were used to further characterize the isolate: PepMoV coat protein (CP) gene primers 900/S (Melzer et al. 2012) and PepMoV NIb gene primers PMoVFP (5′-GTGATTTCAACAACCAGTTT-3′)/PMoVRP (5′-CCACTGTTATTGCCTCTGAA-3′) designed from the sequence generated by the universal potyvirus-specific primers (GenBank accession MH476197). The cDNA (1 µl) was subjected to PCR in a 20-µl reaction mixture containing 10 µl of GoTaq Master Mix (Promega) and 10 pmol of PMoVFP and PMoVRP primers. The thermal cycler program was as follows: 94°C for 5 min; followed by 35 cycles of amplification at 94°C for 30 s, 48°C for 30 s, and 72°C for 30 s; and a final extension at 72°C for 10 min. BLASTn analysis of the 670-bp CP amplicon (GenBank accession MH499458) shared 98% nucleotide sequence identity to a Hawaii isolate of PepMoV (JQ429788) infecting tomato. BLASTn analysis of the 310-bp NIb amplicon (GenBank accession MH476198) shared 97% nucleotide sequence identity to a PepMoV isolate from Florida (AF501591). These samples also tested positive for PepMoV by triple-antibody sandwich (TAS) ELISA using PepMoV-specific antibodies (Agdia). In June 2018, nine new apple of Peru samples with severe symptoms and three asymptomatic samples were collected from the same area and tested again. All of the symptomatic apple of Peru plants tested positive for PepMoV in TAS-ELISA using PepMoV-specific antibodies, whereas three asymptomatic plants tested negative. This study is the first report of apple of Peru as a host of PepMoV in Hawaii. Apple of Peru is an invasive weed in tomato and pepper fields in Hawaii, and our results indicate eliminating solanaceous weeds is an important management step to mitigate potential losses by PepMoV in these commercial crops.

A new fatty acid ester disaccharide, 2-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-1-O-(2E,4Z,7Z)-deca-2,4,7-trienoyl-β-d-glucopyranose (1), a new ascorbic acid derivative, 2-caffeoyl-3-ketohexulofuranosonic acid γ-lactone (2), and a new iridoid glycoside, 10-dimethoxyfermiloside (3), were isolated along with 13 known compounds (4–16) from fermented noni fruit juice (Morinda citrifolia). The structures of the new compounds, together with 4 and 5, were determined by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, as well as comparison with published values. Compounds 2 and 7 showed moderate inhibitory activities in a TNF-α-induced NF-κB assay, and compounds 4 and 6 exhibited considerable quinone reductase-1 (QR1) inducing effects.

Three new withanolides, physaperuvin G (1), with physaperuvins I (2), and J (3), along with seven known derivatives (4-10), were isolated from the aerial parts of Physalis peruviana. The structures of 1-3 were determined by NMR, X-ray diffraction, and mass spectrometry. Compounds 1-10 were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 4, 5, and 10 with potent nitric oxide inhibitory activity in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells, with IC50 values in the range of 0.32-7.8μM. In addition, all compounds were evaluated for potential to inhibit tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-activated nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity with transfected human embryonic kidney cells 293. Compounds 4-7 inhibited TNF-α-induced NF-κB activity with IC50 values in the range of 0.04-5.6μM.

Noni has been extensively used in folk medicine by Polynesians for over 2000 year. Recent studies have shown that noni has a wide spectrum of therapeutic activities including inhibition of angiogenesis, anti-inflammatory effects and anti-cancer activities. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of fermented noni exudates (fNE) were previously found to induce significant tumor rejection in a S180 mouse sarcoma tumor model, while natural killer (NK) cells were demonstrated to be markedly involved in fNE-induced antitumor activity. In this study, fNE was partitioned into three fractions and their antitumor effects were examined using i.p. injection or as water supplement. The in vivo animal study results showed that when delivered by i.p. injection, n-butanol fraction of fNE (BuOH) effectively rejected (100%) tumor challenge and eradicated existing tumors (75%). When delivered as a water supplement, 62.5% of the mice receiving the n-butanol or ethyl acetate fractions resisted tumor cells. The tumor-resistant mice effectively rejected more and higher doses of tumor challenge, indicating that the immune system was activated. The findings confirm those of an earlier study showing fNE to have anti-tumor activity and demonstrating that the n-butanol fraction of fNE contains active antitumor components, to be further identified. More importantly, the antitumor effect of fNE and its fractions as water supplements renders a significant potential for identifying novel and powerful new dietary products for cancer prevention.