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Carvalho P, Gomes C, Saibo NJ. C4 Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase: Evolution and transcriptional regulation. Genet Mol Biol 2024; 46:e20230190. [PMID: 38517370 PMCID: PMC10958771 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2023-0190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Photosynthetic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) catalyses the irreversible carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), producing oxaloacetate (OAA). This enzyme catalyses the first step of carbon fixation in C4 photosynthesis, contributing to the high photosynthetic efficiency of C4 plants. PEPC is also involved in replenishing tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, such as OAA, being involved in the C/N balance. In plants, PEPCs are classified in two types: bacterial type (BTPC) and plant-type (PTPC), which includes photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic PEPCs. During C4 evolution, photosynthetic PEPCs evolved independently. C4 PEPCs evolved to be highly expressed and active in a spatial-specific manner. Their gene expression pattern is also regulated by developmental cues, light, circadian clock as well as adverse environmental conditions. However, the gene regulatory networks controlling C4 PEPC gene expression, namely its cell-specificity, are largely unknown. Therefore, after an introduction to the evolution of PEPCs, this review aims to discuss the current knowledge regarding the transcriptional regulation of C4 PEPCs, focusing on cell-specific and developmental expression dynamics, light and circadian regulation, as well as response to abiotic stress. In conclusion, this review aims to highlight the evolution, transcriptional regulation by different signals and importance of PEPC in C4 photosynthesis and its potential as tool for crop improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Carvalho
- Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Célia Gomes
- Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Nelson J.M. Saibo
- Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Oeiras, Portugal
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Carvalho P, Gomes C, Gonçalves I, Lourenço TF, Vlad D, Langdale JA, Saibo NJM. The bHLH transcription factor OsPRI1 activates the Setaria viridis PEPC1 promoter in rice. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 241:2495-2505. [PMID: 38323734 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Photosynthetic efficiency is reduced by the dual role of Rubisco, which acts either as a carboxylase or as an oxygenase, the latter leading to photorespiration. C4 photosynthesis evolved as a carbon-concentrating mechanism to reduce photorespiration. To engineer C4 into a C3 plant, it is essential to understand how C4 genes, such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC1), are regulated to be expressed at high levels and in a cell-specific manner. Yeast one-hybrid screening was used to show that OsPRI1, a rice bHLH transcription factor involved in iron homeostasis, binds to the Setaria viridis PEPC1 promoter. This promoter drives mesophyll-specific gene expression in rice. The role of OsPRI1 in planta was characterized using a rice line harbouring SvPEPC1pro ::GUS. We show that OsPRI1 activates the S. viridis PEPC1 promoter by binding to an N-box in the proximal promoter, and that GUS activity is highly reduced in SvPEPC1pro ::GUS lines when OsPRI1 is mutated. Cross-species comparisons showed that the SvPRI1 homolog binds to the SvPEPC1 promoter but the maize ZmPRI1 does not bind to the ZmPEPC1 promoter. Our results suggest that elements of the iron homeostasis pathway were co-opted to regulate PEPC1 gene expression during the evolution of some but not all C4 species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Carvalho
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier da Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB NOVA), 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Célia Gomes
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier da Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB NOVA), 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ivan Gonçalves
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier da Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB NOVA), 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Tiago F Lourenço
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier da Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB NOVA), 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Daniela Vlad
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, South Parks Rd, OX1 3RB, Oxford, UK
| | - Jane A Langdale
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, South Parks Rd, OX1 3RB, Oxford, UK
| | - Nelson J M Saibo
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier da Universidade Nova de Lisboa (ITQB NOVA), 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET), 2780-157, Oeiras, Portugal
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Chen K, Chen J, Pi X, Huang LJ, Li N. Isolation, Purification, and Application of Protoplasts and Transient Expression Systems in Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16892. [PMID: 38069215 PMCID: PMC10706244 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Protoplasts, derived from plant cells, exhibit remarkable totipotency and hold significant value across a wide spectrum of biological and biotechnological applications. These versatile applications encompass protein subcellular localization and interaction analysis, gene expression regulation, functional characterization, gene editing techniques, and single-cell sequencing. Protoplasts' usability stems from their inherent accessibility and their ability to efficiently incorporate exogenous genes. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview, including details on isolation procedures and influencing factors, purification and viability assessment methodologies, and the utilization of the protoplast transient expression system. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of current applications and offer valuable insights into protoplast isolation and the establishment of transient expression systems in a diverse range of plant species, thereby serving as a valuable resource for the plant science community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kebin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cultivation and Protection for Non-Wood Forest Trees, Ministry of Education, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
- Key Laboratory of Forest Bio-Resources and Integrated Pest Management for Higher Education in Hunan Province, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Jiali Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cultivation and Protection for Non-Wood Forest Trees, Ministry of Education, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
- Key Laboratory of Forest Bio-Resources and Integrated Pest Management for Higher Education in Hunan Province, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Xin Pi
- Key Laboratory of Cultivation and Protection for Non-Wood Forest Trees, Ministry of Education, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Li-Jun Huang
- Key Laboratory of Cultivation and Protection for Non-Wood Forest Trees, Ministry of Education, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Ning Li
- Key Laboratory of Cultivation and Protection for Non-Wood Forest Trees, Ministry of Education, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
- Key Laboratory of Forest Bio-Resources and Integrated Pest Management for Higher Education in Hunan Province, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
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Singh J, Garai S, Das S, Thakur JK, Tripathy BC. Role of C4 photosynthetic enzyme isoforms in C3 plants and their potential applications in improving agronomic traits in crops. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2022; 154:233-258. [PMID: 36309625 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-022-00978-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
As compared to C3, C4 plants have higher photosynthetic rates and better tolerance to high temperature and drought. These traits are highly beneficial in the current scenario of global warming. Interestingly, all the genes of the C4 photosynthetic pathway are present in C3 plants, although they are involved in diverse non-photosynthetic functions. Non-photosynthetic isoforms of carbonic anhydrase (CA), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), the decarboxylating enzymes NAD/NADP-malic enzyme (NAD/NADP-ME), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), and finally pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) catalyze reactions that are essential for major plant metabolism pathways, such as the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, maintenance of cellular pH, uptake of nutrients and their assimilation. Consistent with this view differential expression pattern of these non-photosynthetic C3 isoforms has been observed in different tissues across the plant developmental stages, such as germination, grain filling, and leaf senescence. Also abundance of these C3 isoforms is increased considerably in response to environmental fluctuations particularly during abiotic stress. Here we review the vital roles played by C3 isoforms of C4 enzymes and the probable mechanisms by which they help plants in acclimation to adverse growth conditions. Further, their potential applications to increase the agronomic trait value of C3 crops is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitender Singh
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| | - Sampurna Garai
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Shubhashis Das
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Jitendra Kumar Thakur
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, 110067, India.
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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Tao S, Zhang W. Network and epigenetic characterization of subsets of genes specifically expressed in maize bundle sheath cells. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:3581-3590. [PMID: 35860403 PMCID: PMC9287181 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bundle sheath (BS) cells exhibit dramatically structural differences and functional variations at physiological, biochemical and epigenetic levels as compared to mesophyll (M) cells in maize. The regulatory mechanisms controlling functional divergences between M and BS have been extensively investigated. However, BS cell-related regulatory networks are still not completely characterized. To address this, we herein conducted WGCNA-related co-expression assays using bulk M and BS cell RNA-seq data sets and identified a module containing 384 genes highly expressed in BS cells (including 20 hub TFs) instead of M cells. According to the hub TF centered regulatory network, we found that Dof22 and Dof30 might act as key regulators in the regulation of expression of BS-specific genes, and several MYB TFs exhibited a high collaboration with Dof TFs. By comparing the enrichment levels of histone modifications, we found that genes in the aforementioned module were more enriched with histone acetylation as compared to other BS-enriched DEGs with similar expression levels. Moreover, we found that a subset of genes functioning in photosynthesis, protein auto processing and enzymatic activities were significantly enriched with broad H3K4me3. Thus, our study provides evidence showing that regulatory network and histone modifications may play vital roles in the regulation of a subset of genes with important functions in BS cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shentong Tao
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production co-sponsored by Province and Ministry (CIC-MCP), Nanjing Agricultural University, No.1 Weigang, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
| | - Wenli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production co-sponsored by Province and Ministry (CIC-MCP), Nanjing Agricultural University, No.1 Weigang, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
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Wei X, Cao J, Lan H. Genome-Wide Characterization and Analysis of the bHLH Transcription Factor Family in Suaeda aralocaspica, an Annual Halophyte With Single-Cell C4 Anatomy. Front Genet 2022; 13:927830. [PMID: 35873472 PMCID: PMC9301494 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.927830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors play important roles in plant growth, development, metabolism, hormone signaling pathways, and responses to abiotic stresses. However, comprehensive genomic and functional analyses of bHLH genes have not yet been reported in desert euhalophytes. Suaeda aralocaspica, an annual C4 halophyte without Kranz anatomy, presents high photosynthetic efficiency in harsh natural habitats and is an ideal plant for identifying transcription factors involved in stress resistance. In this study, 83 bHLH genes in S. aralocaspica were identified and categorized into 21 subfamilies based on conserved motifs, gene structures, and phylogenetic analysis. Functional annotation enrichment revealed that the majority of SabHLHs were enriched in Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways involved in the response to stress conditions, as transcription factors. A number of cis-acting elements related to plant hormones and stress responses were also predicted in the promoter regions of SabHLHs, which were confirmed by expression analysis under various abiotic stress conditions (NaCl, mannitol, low temperature, ABA, GA3, MeJA, and SA); most were involved in tolerance to drought and salinity. SabHLH169 (076) protein localized in the nucleus was involved in transcriptional activity, and gene expression could be affected by different light qualities. This study is the first comprehensive analysis of the bHLH gene family in S. aralocaspica. These data will facilitate further characterization of their molecular functions in the adaptation of desert plants to abiotic stress.
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Dai X, Tu X, Du B, Dong P, Sun S, Wang X, Sun J, Li G, Lu T, Zhong S, Li P. Chromatin and regulatory differentiation between bundle sheath and mesophyll cells in maize. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 109:675-692. [PMID: 34783109 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
C4 plants partition photosynthesis enzymes between the bundle sheath (BS) and the mesophyll (M) cells for the better delivery of CO2 to RuBisCO and to reduce photorespiration. To better understand how C4 photosynthesis is regulated at the transcriptional level, we performed RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq and Bisulfite-seq (BS-seq) on BS and M cells isolated from maize leaves. By integrating differentially expressed genes with chromatin features, we found that chromatin accessibility coordinates with epigenetic features, especially H3K27me3 modification and CHH methylation, to regulate cell type-preferentially enriched gene expression. Not only the chromatin-accessible regions (ACRs) proximal to the genes (pACRs) but also the distal ACRs (dACRs) are determinants of cell type-preferentially enriched expression. We further identified cell type-preferentially enriched motifs, e.g. AAAG for BS cells and TGACC/T for M cells, and determined their corresponding transcription factors: DOFs and WRKYs. The complex interaction between cis and trans factors in the preferential expression of C4 genes was also observed. Interestingly, cell type-preferentially enriched gene expression can be fine-tuned by the coordination of multiple chromatin features. Such coordination may be critical in ensuring the cell type-specific function of key C4 genes. Based on the observed cell type-preferentially enriched expression pattern and coordinated chromatin features, we predicted a set of functionally unknown genes, e.g. Zm00001d042050 and Zm00001d040659, to be potential key C4 genes. Our findings provide deep insight into the architectures associated with C4 gene expression and could serve as a valuable resource to further identify the regulatory mechanisms present in C4 species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuru Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomic Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, 271018, China
| | - Xiaoyu Tu
- Joint Center for Single Cell Biology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Baijuan Du
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomic Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, 271018, China
| | - Pengfei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shilei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomic Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, 271018, China
| | - Xianglan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomic Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, 271018, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Biotechnology Research Institute/National Key Facility for Gene Resources and Gene Improvement, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Gang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomic Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, 271018, China
| | - Tiegang Lu
- Biotechnology Research Institute/National Key Facility for Gene Resources and Gene Improvement, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Silin Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pinghua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomic Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, 271018, China
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Gan Z, Yuan X, Shan N, Wan C, Chen C, Zhu L, Xu Y, Kai W, Zhai X, Chen J. AcERF1B and AcERF073 Positively Regulate Indole-3-acetic Acid Degradation by Activating AcGH3.1 Transcription during Postharvest Kiwifruit Ripening. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2021; 69:13859-13870. [PMID: 34779211 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c03954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ethylene can accelerate the postharvest ripening process of kiwifruit, while indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) delays it. However, the molecular mechanism by which ethylene regulates IAA degradation is unclear. Here, we found that ethephon promotes the degradation of free IAA in kiwifruit. Furthermore, ethylene can promote the expression of AcGH3.1 and enhance its promoter activity. Two ethylene response factors (ERFs), AcERF1B and AcERF073, were obtained using an AcGH3.1 promoter as bait for a yeast one-hybrid screening library. Both AcERF1B and AcERF073 bind to the AcGH3.1 promoter to activate it. Also, AcERF1B/073 enhanced AcGH3.1 expression, decreased the free IAA content, and increased the IAA-Asp content in kiwifruit. In addition, we found that the AcERF1B and AcERF073 proteins directly interact, and this interaction enhanced their binding to the AcGH3.1 promoter. In summary, our results suggest that AcERF1B and AcERF073 positively regulate IAA degradation by activating AcGH3.1 transcription, which accelerated postharvest kiwifruit ripening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengyu Gan
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Postharvest Technology and Nondestructive Testing of Fruits and Vegetables, Collaborative Innovation Center of Postharvest Key Technology and Quality Safety of Fruits and Vegetables, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Xin Yuan
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Postharvest Technology and Nondestructive Testing of Fruits and Vegetables, Collaborative Innovation Center of Postharvest Key Technology and Quality Safety of Fruits and Vegetables, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Nan Shan
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Postharvest Technology and Nondestructive Testing of Fruits and Vegetables, Collaborative Innovation Center of Postharvest Key Technology and Quality Safety of Fruits and Vegetables, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Chunpeng Wan
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Postharvest Technology and Nondestructive Testing of Fruits and Vegetables, Collaborative Innovation Center of Postharvest Key Technology and Quality Safety of Fruits and Vegetables, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Chuying Chen
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Postharvest Technology and Nondestructive Testing of Fruits and Vegetables, Collaborative Innovation Center of Postharvest Key Technology and Quality Safety of Fruits and Vegetables, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Liqin Zhu
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Postharvest Technology and Nondestructive Testing of Fruits and Vegetables, Collaborative Innovation Center of Postharvest Key Technology and Quality Safety of Fruits and Vegetables, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Yunhe Xu
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Postharvest Technology and Nondestructive Testing of Fruits and Vegetables, Collaborative Innovation Center of Postharvest Key Technology and Quality Safety of Fruits and Vegetables, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Wenbin Kai
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Postharvest Technology and Nondestructive Testing of Fruits and Vegetables, Collaborative Innovation Center of Postharvest Key Technology and Quality Safety of Fruits and Vegetables, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Xiawan Zhai
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Postharvest Technology and Nondestructive Testing of Fruits and Vegetables, Collaborative Innovation Center of Postharvest Key Technology and Quality Safety of Fruits and Vegetables, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Jinyin Chen
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Postharvest Technology and Nondestructive Testing of Fruits and Vegetables, Collaborative Innovation Center of Postharvest Key Technology and Quality Safety of Fruits and Vegetables, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
- College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Pingxiang University, Pingxiang 330075, China
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