Wounding and UVB Light Synergistically Induce the Biosynthesis of Phenolic Compounds and Ascorbic Acid in Red Prickly Pears (Opuntia ficus-indica cv. Rojo Vigor)

Nair et. al 2019, sought to test increases in the production of desirable nutraceuticals in opuntia fruits by using wounding and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation for 15 minutes, separately and in combination.   Fruits treated with UVB showed increases of between 186.2-709.8% of phenolic compounds such as quercetin, sinapic acid, kaempferol, rosmarinic acid, and sinapoyl malate in the peel and pulp, as a result of an increase in the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity.   While an increase in l-galactono-?-lactone dehydrogenase (GalLDH) activity led to more ascorbic acid biosynthesis due to UVB, which received a further boost by wounding. Respiration increased due to wounding, while ethylene increased due to a combination of wounding and UVB. Wounding aided UVB action by allowing it to enter the pulp.   Respiration rate and ethylene analyses obtained using the F-940 Three Gas Analyzer from Felix Instruments Applied Food Science.     Click here to read the full paper | F-950 Three Gas Analyzer   1st. image courtesy of Pikist