Abstract Banana ‘Prata’ has a significant demand in the Brazilian market, and Minas Gerais is one of the largest banana producers in the country. Scientific studies that evaluate the bananas quality produced in different cultivation regions are still incipient. Thus, this study evaluated the physical, biochemical and sensory attributes of banana ‘Prata’ from south and north of Minas Gerais and Vale do Ribeira (SP). Bananas from south were also cultivated in different production systems, organic and conventional. Data were submitted to multivariate analysis that provided the discrimination of the samples according to the cultivation regions. Bananas from southern presented higher levels of soluble solids and acidity, better taste, higher diameter and overall acceptance, where in the organic bananas were the most preferred by consumers. Fruit from northern stood out in appearance, texture, aroma and color, in addition to greater length. Fruit from Vale do Ribeira had higher levels of total phenolics and antioxidant activity. With these results we can assume that fruit quality is highly related to the specific climatic conditions from each producing region. Bananas from the south of Minas Gerais showed superiority for most of the evaluated traits, reflecting on consumer preference.

RESUMO A produção de cogumelos vem crescendo no Brasil, devido à versatilidade culinária desse alimento e alto valor nutricional. Ainda são escassos estudos que associam os aspectos de sua qualidade com o perfil e preferência dos seus consumidores. Assim, nesse trabalho foi comparada a firmeza e composição bioquímica de Shimeji e Shitake, e verificado o perfil e a preferência dos consumidores para compra. Os cogumelos foram caraterizados pela firmeza, teores de proteínas, lipídios, compostos fenólicos totais, flavonoides totais e atividade antioxidade, além da realização de pesquisa de opinião com 308 consumidores de cogumelos. Os dois cogumelos contêm alto teor de proteínas e baixo de lipídios, além de concentrações expressivas de compostos bioativos e de atividade antioxidante, desejáveis aos consumidores exigentes em alimentos funcionais. O Shitake é aproximadamente 4 vezes mais firme quer o Shimeji e os maiores teores para todos os atributos bioquímicos analisados não diferiram entre os dois cogumelos, exceto para o teor de proteínas. A pesquisa de opinião indicou que mulheres jovens e adultas consomem mais cogumelos que os homens. A maioria deles adquire os cogumelos em supermercados, e são pessoas com escolaridade, majoritariamente, de nível superior. Não foi constatada significativa maior preferência dos consumidores por um dos dois cogumelos analisados, mas a maioria dos participantes relataram que na compra priorizam cogumelos com aroma e sabor característicos, textura macia e suculenta, e que permita rapidez no preparo de refeições.

ABSTRACT Mushroom production has been growing in Brazil due to the culinary versatility of this food and its high nutritional value. However, few studies associating the aspects of its quality with the profile and preference of its consumers can be found in literature. Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the firmness and biochemical composition of Shimeji and Shitake, as well as, the consumers’ profile and preference for purchasing these mushrooms. The mushrooms were characterized by firmness, protein and lipid content, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids and antioxidation activity. In addition we carried out a survey on opinion of 308 mushroom consumers. The two mushrooms contain high protein content and low lipid content, and also expressive concentrations of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity, suitable for these demanding functional food consumers. Shitake is approximately 4 times firmer than Shimeji and the highest levels for all analyzed biochemical attributes did not differ between the two studied mushrooms, except for protein content. The opinion survey indicated that young and adult women consume more mushrooms than men. Most of them buy mushrooms in supermarkets, and they are mostly higher educated people. No significant higher consumer preference for one of the two mushrooms analyzed was verified; however, most participants reported that they prioritize mushrooms which have characteristic aroma and flavor, smooth and juicy texture, being a convenient ingredient for a quick-cooking meal.

RESUMO O quiabo é vegetal consumido em vários países e é importante fonte de nutrientes para a alimentação humana. Para promover a produção e o consumo de quiabo, é essencial o desenvolvimento de novos genótipos com altos níveis nutricionais, além de características agronômicas desejáveis. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar nove genótipos de quiabo por características agronômicas e bioquímicas. Os acessos UEL2, UEL3, UEL5, UEL6, UEL7, UEL9, UEL10, UEL13 e UEL15 foram cultivados em condições de campo e avaliados em relação à produtividade, peso do fruto, diâmetro do fruto, número de frutos por planta e altura da planta. As análises bioquímicas incluíram composição mineral, teor de proteína bruta, teor de vitamina C, teor total de flavonoides e fenólicos e atividade antioxidante. O genótipo UEL7 destacou-se pelos altos níveis de características bioquímicas, como conteúdo de alguns minerais, vitamina C e atividade antioxidante. Por outro lado, o UEL3 apresentou baixo desempenho para características bioquímicas, mas destacou-se por características agronômicas, como produtividade e número de frutos por planta. Portanto, as raças UEL7 e UEL3 podem ser introduzidas em programas de melhoramento focados na alimentação humana e no desempenho agronômico, além de contribuir para a conservação de germoplasma de quiabo.

ABSTRACT Okra is consumed in several countries and is an important source of nutrients for human food. To promote okra production and consumption is essential the development of new cultivars with high nutritional levels, besides desirable agronomic traits. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate nine okra landraces by agronomic and biochemical traits. The accessions UEL2, UEL3, UEL5, UEL6, UEL7, UEL9, UEL10, UEL13 and UEL15 were grown in open field condition and evaluated in relation to fruit yield, fruit weight, fruit diameter, number of fruits per plant and plant height. The biochemical analysis included mineral composition, crude protein content, vitamin C content, total flavonoid and phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The UEL7 accession stood out for the high levels for biochemical traits such as content of some minerals, vitamin C and antioxidant activity. On the other hand, UEL3 accession had a low performance for biochemical traits, but stood out for agronomic traits such as fruit yield and number of fruits per plant. Hence, the UEL7 and UEL3 landraces may be introduced in breeding programs focused on human food and agronomic performance, beyond to contribute for okra germplasm conservation.

RESUMO O conhecimento da capacidade de combinação entre genótipos, diversidade genética e heterose desempenha um papel fundamental na obtenção de híbridos duplos com potencial produtivo. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar esses parâmetros em genótipos de tomate por meio de um cruzamento dialélico balanceado entre híbridos simples comerciais, gerando híbridos duplos. Os genótipos de tomate incluíram 15 híbridos duplos, seus genitores e dois genótipos comerciais como testemunhas. Dos 15 híbridos duplos, dois cruzamentos exibiram superioridade, Aguamiel × Compack e Dominador × Compack, principalmente em relação à produção de frutos comerciais. Para essa caracteristica, genes com efeito não aditivo controlam sua expressão. Para massa do fruto, diâmetro horizontal, diâmetro vertical e altura de inserção do cacho, genes com efeito aditivo são responsáveis pela sua expressão genotípica. Em relação à diversidade genética, as análises moleculares indicaram polimorfismo para 79% dos locos avaliados, evidenciando a alta variabilidade genética dos genitores. Os valores de heterose foram baixos para a maioria dos cruzamentos, exceto para a combinação Quarenta × Plutão, que apresentou heterose de 107% para a produção total de frutos. O cruzamento dialélico gerou combinações híbridas com desempenho superior em relação às testemunhas comerciais, sugerindo a possibilidade de obter híbridos duplos de tomate com heterose significante.

ABSTRACT Knowledge of the combining ability of genotypes, genetic diversity, and heterosis play the paramount role in obtaining double-cross hybrids with high productivity. This study was aimed at evaluating these parameters in tomato genotypes using partial diallel crosses among the commercial single-cross hybrids, which verified the possibility of using double-cross hybrids for commercial purposes. Tomato genotypes included 15 double-cross hybrids, their genitors, and two commercial genotypes as checks. Of the fifteen double-cross hybrids of tomato, two crosses exhibited superiority, such as Aguamiel × Compack and Dominador × Compack, mainly for the total and commercial fruit yields. The phenotypic expression of the trait is controlled by the genes with non-additive effects, whereas the genes with additive effects account for the genotypes of fruit mass, horizontal diameter, vertical diameter, and bunch insertion height. Regarding the genetic diversity, molecular analyses pointed out polymorphism for 79 percent of the evaluated loci evidencing a high genetic variability among the genitors. The heterosis values were low for most of the crosses, except for Forty × Plutão that represented 107 percent of heterosis for the total fruit yield. As compared with the commercial checks, the diallel cross generated superior quality hybrids, which inferred the possibility of obtaining double-cross hybrids of tomato with significant heterosis.

ABSTRACT Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) are a serious threat to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) yield and production since all varieties are highly susceptible to this insect. The wild tomato Solanum pennellii shows resistance towards whiteflies infestation due the high contents of acylsugars presents in its leaflets, which is not observed in S. lycopersicum. Thus, plants from the F2BC2 population derived from the cross between the cultivar S. lycopersicum ‘Redenção’ and S. pennellii (accession LA-716) were selected for acylsugars levels and evaluated for resistance to whitefly and fumagine, a saprophyte fungus from genus Capnodium (sooty mold) that grows on leaves using whiteflies excretion. Biological behavior of B. tabaci was significantly influenced by the levels of acylsugars on the leaflets of the different genotypes. Solanum pennellii and the genotypes with higher acylsugars contents exhibited the lowest whitefly oviposition preference, number of nymphs, exuviae and adult survival. Also, the percentage of leaf coverage with fumagine was significantly reduced on leaves of the S. pennellii and the genotypes with higher acylsugars. Thus, it confirms that the use of S. pennellii LA-716 enabled the introgression of genes to increase the degrees of resistance in the F2BC2 genotypes. Finally, the results presented suggest that the genotypes RVTA-2010-31-177pl#39, RVTA-2010-31-319pl#214 and RVTA-2010-83-347pl#257 can be used as potential sources of genes for resistance to B. tabaci in tomato breeding programs.

ABSTRACT The evaluation of genetic diversity among the accessions of a germplasm collection results in information about promising materials suitable for breeding programs. Thus, the goal of this work was to characterize Capsicum baccatum accessions from different Brazilian regions, based on morphological, biochemical and molecular traits, aiming to support chili pepper breeding programs. The fruits were morphologically characterized based on fruit length, diameter, fresh mass and pericarp thickness, and biochemically analyzed for their content in ascorbic and phenolic acids, flavonoid and antioxidant activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. All phenotypic traits showed significant differences among the chili pepper accessions, indicating a wide variability. The fruits were also characterized using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) molecular markers. The combination of six AFLP primers resulted in 1117 bands, 1033 of which were polymorphic. Divergence between accessions was estimated by the Ward’s hierarchical agglomerative clustering method, resulting in three and two clusters for fruit phenotypic traits and molecular data, respectively. In Bayesian analysis, molecular data also clustered the accessions in two groups. There was no association between the phenotypic descriptors and AFLP markers, indicating that both characterizations are important to better understand the genetic variability. Furthermore, it was not possible to group the accessions solely based on their origin for neither phenotypic descriptors and AFLP markers. The accessions G1, G5, G6, and G20 showed interesting characteristics and can be used in breeding programs, aiming the development of Capsicum spp. cultivars with desirable morphological and biochemical traits.

RESUMO Capsicum baccatum é uma das principais espécies de pimenta cultivadas e consumidas na América do Sul. No Brasil, C. baccatum var. pendulum é amplamente cultivada, especialmente a pimenta do tipo “dedo-de-moça”. Para a maioria das culturas hortícolas, incluindo as espécies de Capsicum, a diversidade genética permanece subexplorada para características relacionadasà qualidade dos frutos, uma vez que nos últimos anos os esforços dos programas de melhoramento têm concentrado principalmente no bom desempenho agronômico. Assim, o investimento na avaliação de características como sabor, compostos nutricionais e características de promoção da saúde, como o teor de antioxidantes em variedades tradicionais, é muito importante para apoiar os esforços de melhoramento para a qualidade dos frutos. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi acessar as variações nos teores de sólidos solúveis, acidez, capsaicinoides, vitamina C, compostos fenólicos totais e atividade antioxidante (in vitro e in vivo) de cinco acessos de pimentas “dedo-de-moça”. Os resultados indicaram que os acessos UEL111 e UEL112 apresentaram os maiores valores de sólidos solúveis totais (TSS) e relação (TSS/acidez total titulável). Os acessos UEL110 e UEL112 apresentaram maior concentração de vitamina C e conteúdo fenólico total e o acesso UEL113 apresentou maior concentração de capsaicinoides. Ensaios antioxidantes in vitro sugerem UEL114 com maior atividade antioxidante. Ensaios antioxidantes in vivo não identificaram diferenças entre os acessos e provaram o efeito antioxidante dos extratos de pimenta na proteção celular contra o agente de estresse. Estes resultados permitiram identificar acessos que podem ser explorados em programas de melhoramento de pimenta para qualidade de frutos.

ABSTRACT Capsicum baccatum is one of the main chili pepper species grown and consumed in South America. In Brazil, C. baccatum var. pendulum is widely cultivated, especially “dedo-de-moça” type. For most horticultural crops, including Capsicum species their diversity remains under-explored for traits related to fruit quality, since over the past half century breeding efforts have focused mainly on good agronomic performances. The investment in screening traits such as flavor, nutritional compounds and antioxidant content in traditional varieties is very important to support fruit quality breeding efforts. Thus, the objective of this study was accessing the variations into content of soluble solid, acidity, capsaicinoid, vitamin C, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity (in vitro and in vivo) of five “dedo-de-moça” peppers accessions. The results evidenced that UEL111 and UEL112 accessions showed highest TSS and ratio. Accessions UEL110 and UEL112 showed highest concentration of vitamin C and total phenolic content and UEL113 accession showed highest concentration of capsaicinoids. In vitro antioxidant assays suggest the UEL114 with highest antioxidant activity. In vivo antioxidant assays have not identified differences among the accessions and proved the antioxidant effect of chili pepper extracts on cell protection against stress agent. The results highlighted accessions that can be exploited in chili pepper breeding programs.

RESUMO O grande desafio para garantir a segurança alimentar global está na necessidade de aumentar a produção agrícola. Neste contexto, a biotecnologia destaca-se como uma ferramenta importante para gerar plantas geneticamente melhoradas, com maior resistência/tolerância a pragas, doenças e condições climáticas adversas, que utilizem de forma eficiente os recursos naturais. Uma abordagem avançada para a geração de variabilidade genética de maneira precisa e direcionada tem chamado a atenção dos melhoristas, a técnica de edição genômica CRISPR/Cas (repetições palindrômicas curtas agrupadas e regularmente interespaçadas/proteínas associadas ao CRISPR). O sistema de edição genômica CRISPR/Cas é formado por um RNA guia que direciona uma nuclease para gerar cortes específicos no DNA alvo. Esta ruptura ativa os sistemas de reparo celular e, eventualmente, leva a deleções ou inserções de nucleotídeos. Assim, a tecnologia CRISPR/Cas pode ser aplicada tanto na pesquisa científica básica, quanto no desenvolvimento de culturas com características agronômicas melhoradas, com o potencial de trazer soluções inovadoras para a agricultura. Esta técnica tem sido aplicada em um grande número de culturas agrícolas, incluindo algumas hortaliças. Nesta revisão, apresentamos detalhes do sistema natural e artificial CRISPR/Cas, suas possibilidades como ferramenta biotecnológica, vantagens sobre outras abordagens de melhoramento genético, questões regulatórias e sua aplicabilidade nas hortaliças, bem como desafios futuros.

ABSTRACT The burden of the current global challenge involving food security lies in the need to improve crop production. In this regard, biotechnology stands out as an essential tool to generate plants able to cope with pests, diseases, and harsh climatic conditions, and more efficient in the use of natural resources. An advanced approach to create genetic variability in a precise and targeted way, the genome-editing technique CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR associated proteins), has drawn the attention of breeders. The genome editing CRISPR/Cas system relies on a guiding RNA that directs a nuclease to generate a double-strand break (DSB) at a target DNA, activating the cell repair systems and eventually leading to deletions or insertions of nucleotides. Therefore, CRISPR/Cas is a toolbox to achieve many goals, from basic science investigations to the development of crops with improved agronomic traits, with potential to bring innovative solutions to food production. The CRISPR/Cas system has been applied in a large number of plants, including some horticultural species. In this review, we present details of the CRISPR/Cas natural and artificial systems, its possibilities as a biotechnological tool, advantages over other breeding techniques, regulatory issues, and its applicability in horticultural crops, as well as future challenges.