Natural products are widely found in nature, and their unique chemical diversity endows them with a variety of biological activities related to human health. China is rich in horticultural plant resources, in which the natural products are worthy of in-depth study and utilization. This article mainly focused on the identifi-cation, separation and purification of natural products of main horticultural plants in China and their application in activity evaluation systems, and summarized the progress of related research and the advantages and disadvantages of various evaluation methods, aiming to deepen the utilization of horticultural plant natural products, improve the separation efficiency of active substances and complete the evaluation systems, and further promote the integration and development of horticultural plant natural products related industries in the future.

Poor color stability is the bottleneck, which restricting the development of fermented fruit wines rich in anthocyanins. In this paper, anthocyanins and their derivatives, which are important factors affecting the color loss of fermented fruit wines, were analyzed, and the physical and chemical methods used at home and abroad to improve the color stability of fruit wine were summarized. This review may provide a certain theoretical basis for the research on the color stability of fruit wine, and promote the development of fruit deep processing industries.

Representative varieties of six different citrus types including ‘Yuhuan Wendan’ (pomelo), ‘Huyou’ (grapefruit), ‘Lunwan navel orange’ (sweet orange), ‘Daidai’ (bitter orange), ‘Ougan’ (mandarin) and ‘Ponkan’ (tangerine) were selected as materials. The main antioxidant active substances of different citrus varieties were identified and purified. The antioxidant activities of citrus extracts from different varieties were compared. By establishing a step-fraction extraction method and purification system, compositions of flavones, flavanones and polymethoxylated flavonoids were purified simultaneously, and 15 monomers were acquired. The results showed that the chemical antioxidant capacities of different segmented products and purified monomers were quite different. The fraction products dominated by flavonoids and flavanones had strong antioxidant capacities, while the fraction products dominated by polymethoxylated flavonoids had poor antioxidant capacities. The flavonoids from the pomelo variety ‘Yuhuan Wendan’ and purities were vicenin-2 (98.72%), rhoifolin (95.78%) and naringin (99.56%); the flavonoids from the grapefruit variety ‘Huyou’ and purities were narirutin-4\mathrm{\prime }-O-glucoside (98.42%), eriocitrin (98.74%) and neoeriocitrin (99.17%); the flavonoid from the sweet orange variety ‘Lunwan navel orange’ and purity was narirutin (98.12%); the flavonoid from the tangerine variety ‘Ponkan’ and the purity was hesperidin (98.00%); the flavonoids from the mandarin variety ‘Ougan’ and purities were neohesperidin (98.56%), poncirin (98.03%), isosinensetin (98.76%), sinensetin (98.77%), nobiletin (99.15%), tangeretin (99.20%) and 5-demethylnobiletin (97.63%). Among the purified monomers, the antioxidant capacities of neoeriocitrin, eriocitrin, hesperidin and neohesperidin were stronger, and they were poorer for nobiletin and tangeretin.

In order to explore the genetic regulation mechanism of citrus fruit size and mass, mapping analysis of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of fruit size and mass was carried out to find regulatory genes. The segregating population in this study was the F₁ generation with a total of 94 plants, from the cross of ‘Wanmi 2’ [Citrus unshiu (Mark.) Marc.×C. sinensis (L.) Osb.] and a local sweet orange cultivar ‘Licheng 2’ [C. sinensis (L.) Osb.]. Conserved ortholog sequence (COS) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to construct a genetic linkage map of the segregating population. Fruit size and mass were measured at the full maturing stage. Genetic transmitting ability analysis and QTL mapping were carried out. The results showed that this study constructed a genetic linkage map, which contained 201 markers, 10 linkage groups, with a total length of 1 194.5 cM. Four QTLs related to citrus fruit mass, three QTLs related to citrus transverse diameter, and four QTLs related to citrus longitudinal diameter were detected. All the QTLs were distributed on WL3 and WL8 linkage groups. A batch of functional genes (GATA transcription factor, auxin response factor and GDSL esterase) related to the development of citrus fruits were identified according to the functional annotations of the genes in the genome defined by the markers. The QTLs located and the candidate genes identified in this study will be helpful for citrus breeding and theoretical research.

In order to analyze the distribution and the regulation of polymethoxylated flavone (PMF) accumulation in the peel, pulp and leaf of mandarins among different genotypes and tissues, contents of five PMFs were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the peel, pulp and leaf of 39 mandarin germplasms. The results showed that the contents of PMFs significantly varied among the different mandarin germplasms. In the 39 mandarins, contents of total PMFs in peel ranged from 15.81 to 3 660.94 mg/kg (calculated by fresh mass and the same below), and they in pulp ranged from 5.71 to 27.67 mg/kg, and they in leaf varied from 97.14 to 8 476.15 mg/kg, indicating that accumulation of PMFs was genotype specific. The contents of PMFs in different tissues of the same germplasm were also significantly different. The order of average total contents of PMFs was leaf＞peel＞pulp. The contents of PMFs among the tissues in different genotypes showed highly significant positive correlations, indicating that the genetic regulation on PMF accumulation in different tissues was similar. The compositions of PMFs in different tissues were different. In the peel, nobiletin contents were the highest of the total PMFs, while tangeretin contents were the highest in the pulp and leaf. Both nobiletin and tangeretin were the main PMFs in the 39 mandarins. The above results lay a foundation for further research on the genetic regulation of PMF biosynthesis and genetic improvement of citrus nutrients.

Free amino acids have an impact on the flavor and nutritional values of fresh fruits. The variation of free amino acid compositions and contents in the fruits of 11 different bayberry varieties from Yuyao City, Zhejiang Province, were investigated by Hitachi L-8900 automatic amino acid analyzer. The results showed that the 11 bayberry varieties all contained 17 common free amino acids and one special amino acid γ-aminobutyric acid, and the total contents of free amino acids in the fruits ranged from 338.25 to 827.34 μg/mL. The variations in free amino acid contents among different colored fruits of the bayberry varieties were big. The purple-black and red bayberries, such as ‘Biqi’ and ‘Dongkui’, were the main varieties on the market with the total contents of free amino acids being higher than those of pink and milky white bayberries. The γ-aminobutyric acid content was rich in the 11 bayberry varieties, and its content ranged from 67.05 to 156.32 μg/mL. But there were some differences between different varieties, which indicating that bayberry varieties have differences in nutrition and quality. These results are useful for evaluating the effects of amino acids on fruit flavor and can provide references to the new variety development.

Clitocybe maxima is a rare and high-temperature edible fungus with a unique flavor. In this experiment, the edible value of the pileus, stipe and mycorrhiza of the fresh C. maxima was explored and evaluated through the detections of basic nutrients and mineral contents. The taste and odor differences of different parts of C. maxima were evaluated by electronic tongue, electronic nose and gas chromatography-ion mobility spectroscopy (GC-IMS), aiming to provide a theoretical basis for flavor research of C. maxima. The results showed that the moisture, fat and protein contents were higher in the pileus and the content of total sugar in the stipe was the highest. The amino acid compositions in the pileus were in line with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) ideal protein standard, and methionine only existed in the pileus. At the same time, the C. maxima was rich in sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), ferrum (Fe), zinc (Zn) and so on, and the element contents in different parts were different. The results of electronic tongue detection showed that the contents of bitter components in all parts of C. maxima were high. By using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to reduce the dimensions of the electronic nose analysis results, it was found that the odor characteristics in different parts of C. maxima could be clearly distinguished. Among the 84 volatile flavor substances detected by GC-IMS, alcohols, aldehydes and ketones had significant effects on the flavor profiles of different parts of C. maxima. The contents of 1-octene-3-ol (monomer and dimer), 1,3-octadiene (dimer) and 3-methylthiopropanal (monomer and dimer) were important volatile substances that produced different flavor profiles in different parts of C. maxima, and the monomer and dimer of 3-methylthiopropanal were the characteristic flavor compounds in pileus.

The flowers and fruits of three varieties of jaboticaba including ‘Saba’ (‘Sb’), ‘Sijizaosheng’ (‘Sjzs’) and ‘Fukuoka’ were used to determine the aroma components by using head space-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) technology. The results showed that the floral and fruit aroma components of the three varieties had their own characteristics. A total of 48 kinds of floral aroma substances were detected in the three varieties, and terpenes were the main components. Thirty-five kinds of floral aroma components were identified in ‘Sb’, and the main components were monoterpenes, including α-pinene (22.01%), β-pinene (20.41%), D-limonene (19.86%), β-ocimene (12.18%) and etc.; 26 kinds of floral aroma components were identified in ‘Sjzs’, which were mainly consisted of the sesquiterpenes of β-caryophyllene (25.45%), β-cyclogermacrane (10.25%), the monoterpenes of β-pinene (11.08%), α-pinene (8.96%) and etc.; 19 kinds of floral aroma components were identified in ‘Fukuoka’, and the main components were β-caryophyllene (53.40%), β-cyclogermacrane (13.55%), β-ocimene (15.81%) and etc. A total of 32 kinds of fruit aroma substances were detected in the three varieties, and terpenes were also the main components. Fourteen kinds of fruit aroma components were identified in ‘Sb’, and the main components were the monoterpenes of D-limonene (15.48%), β-ocimene (10.64%), and β-pinene (10.53%), the sesquiterpene of cubebene (14.05%) and etc. Twenty-six kinds of fruit aroma components were identified in ‘Sjzs’, mainly consisted of the sesquiterpenes of cubebene (15.49%), β-caryophyllene (13.19%), (－)-α-neoclovene (12.83%) and etc. Thirteen kinds of fruit components were identified in ‘Fukuoka’, and the main components were β-caryophyllene (41.21%), (－)-α-neoclovene (14.51%) and etc. The content of esters in ‘Sjzs’ flower (10.48%) was significantly higher than that in the other two varieties, and the content of esters in ‘Sb’ fruit (14.80%) was significantly higher than that in the other two varieties. ‘Sjzs’ and ‘Fukuoka’ had a higher similarity (0.845) of floral aroma components, and ‘Fukuoka’ had a higher similarity (0.893) between floral aroma and fruit aroma components than the other two varieties.

Application of foliar conditioner is an important technical measure to reduce the contents of heavy metals in edible parts of crops and realize the safe utilization of moderately and slightly polluted farmlands. In this study, the effects of different ion antagonistic foliar conditioners and the optimal conditioner on the safety of rice production were compared through two consecutive years of field experiments. The field plot experiment results showed that five kinds of foliar conditioners had obvious effects on reducing cadmium (Cd) content and increasing yield in the two sites, among which spraying multiple compound foliar conditioner had the best effect on reducing Cd content in rice, and Cd contents in the brown rice in two sites decreased by 13.0% and 14.5%, respectively. Furthermore, the effects of foliar application of the multiple compound conditioner on rice yields and Cd contents of seven main rice varieties in eastern Zhejiang Province were compared through regional experiments. The results showed that the foliar application of multiple compound conditioner could increase rice yield by 8.2%-10.8% and decrease Cd content of the brown rice by 15.7%-20.3%. Among them, YY17 combined with the foliar application of multiple compound conditioner had the lowest Cd content in the brown rice. These results indicate that the combination of low accumulation varieties and the selected multiple compound conditioner could effectively reduce the Cd content in brown rice, achieve the safe utilization of farmland with slight Cd pollution, and promote the yield and efficiency of rice production.

In order to study the spatial distribution characteristics and sources of heavy metal contents in the soil of main wine-making vineyards in Jiayuguan City, Gansu Province, and to evaluate the levels of heavy metal pollution and potential ecological risk, we combined geographic information system-based spatial analysis with multivariate statistical analysis to determine the contents of eight heavy metal elements in the soil, including copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg). The results showed that there were obvious heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of the above elements, and the Cr had a slight accumulation behavior. According to the analysis of the spatial distribution characteristics of metal elements, it was found that the content of each element (except Cd) presented a certain spatial distribution law. The high content areas were mainly located in the Jiayuguan Industrial Zone and the northeast of Jiuquan Iron and Steel Group, as well as near Xiazhuang, Henggou and Renjia villages in the southwest. Through pollution source analysis, we thought preliminarily that the sources of Cu, As, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Hg elements may be affected by the soil parent material factors, and Cr was related to the effects of industrial sources and agricultural activity sources dominated by the iron and steel industry. By further analysis of the individual coefficient of potential ecological risk and the comprehensive index of potential ecological risk, it was found that the eight heavy metal elements all arose slight ecological risks in the research area, Cd and Hg of which were the main ecological risk factors for the local wine-making vineyard. Therefore, in the future cultivation process, we should trace the source, strengthen the prevention, control and treatment of excessive heavy metal pollution, and cultivate rationally to improve the soil environmental quality of the local wine-making vineyard, thereby ensuring the safety and quality of viniferous grapes and wine.

Three types of compositing reactors, namely A with bottom aeration, B with central aeration, and C with surrounding aeration, were designed. The effects of ambient temperatures, aeration rates, aeration positions and stirring operations on the temperature fields distributing inside the composting reactors were investigated under no-load condition, and verified by loading test with loading simulated materials. The results showed that the tested four conditions had significant impacts on the internal temperature field distribution, especially the change of the ambient temperature increased the temperature discrepancy inside the reactors. When the aeration rate was 0.75 m³/h, the internal temperature fields of the three tested reactors were evenly distributed, but the temperature field in the reactor C was the best. Overall, the aeration rate of 0.75 m³/h and the surrounding aeration were more favorable aeration strategies for the temperature field distribution. This research aims to obtain better operating parameters of the composting reactor through optimization, and provides a key basis for the treatment of organic solid waste.

This study was designed to screen out the key genes related to intramuscular fat deposition through detecting the fat contents in longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) and psoas major muscle (PMM), and explore the differentially expressed genes between the two types of muscle of Qianbei black pigs using high-throughput sequencing technology. Five 12-month-old healthy Qianbei black pigs were slaughtered, and LDM and PMM were collected. Some of them were used to detect total fat content, and the rest were used for total RNA extraction, library constructing and sequencing. The annotation genes were obtained by comparing the obtained unigenes with RefSeq database of pig. The differentially expressed mRNAs were analyzed by DESeq2 1.26.0 software, and moreover gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of differentially expressed mRNAs were analyzed by GOseq 1.15.5 software and KOBAS 3.0 software. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to verify the candidate genes related to fat deposition. The results showed that the fat content in the PMM was significantly higher than that in the LDM (P＜0.01). A total of 162 differentially expressed genes were obtained by high-throughput sequencing, of which 66 were up-regulated and 96 were down-regulated. Six differentially expressed genes associated with fat deposition were screened out by GO, KEGG analysis combined with the function searching. qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of LPL, PPARA, COX2, PRKAG2 and SCD existed in significant differences between LDM and PMM. The above results lay a foundation for exploring the molecular mechanism of intramuscular fat deposition in Qianbei black pigs, and further provide an experimental basis for the protection, development and utilization of Qianbei black pigs.

Haemonchosis is caused by Haemonchus contortus parasitic in the ruminant abomasum. In order to study the function of zinc metalloproteinase NAS-31 gene (Hc-nas-31) in the free-living period (especially L3) of this kind of worm, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to detect the transcription level of the target gene in different developmental stages of H. contortus. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), genome walking and fusion PCR methods were used to amplify Hc-nas-31 gene and the gene structure was analyzed after that. Then, prokaryotic expression plasmid was constructed and transformed into BL21 to express the recombinant protein. A New Zealand white rabbit was immunized with the purified recombinant Hc-NAS-31 (rHc-NAS-31) to prepare polyclonal antibodies, which were used to analyze the expression pattern of Hc-NAS-31 in H. contortus by indirect immunofluorescence assay. The results showed that Hc-nas-31 was transcribed in all stages of the worms, while the transcription level of L3 was the highest. Polyclonal antibody was made successfully and its specific binding with Hc-NAS-31 natural protein was confirmed by Western blotting. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis showed that Hc-NAS-31 protein was mainly expressed in the epithelial syncytia of L3, while in adults, it was distributed in the intestines, gonads, muscle tissues and early eggs. In summary, we confirmed the expression pattern of NAS-31 in H. contortus. This experiment lays the foundation for further research on the biological functions of Hc-nas-31.