Abstract In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to study the effects of proportions of raw materials on the antioxidant activities of juices comprising mixtures of apples and berries (mixed juice; MJ). Among the four juices added, Acanthopanax sessiliflorus juice (ASJ) and its interaction with other juices had the most influence on the antioxidant activities. The MJ was optimized by blending 30% apple juice (AJ), 5% raspberry juice (RJ), 20% BJ, and 20% ASJ with 25% water. Sensory evaluation (SE) scores, scavenging rates of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) in MJ were 89.67%, 64.80%, and 73.30%, respectively. The results of electronic tongue (e-Tongue) analysis show that the MJ reduced sourness, astringency and bitterness and improved sensory acceptance. Total phenolic content (TPC) and free radical scavenging activities in MJ was also increased compared with individual component juices. These findings should provide guidance for formulating new apple/berry compound juices.

Abstract Rosa roxbughii Tratt (RRT) is a welcome medicinal and edible fruit with unique functions and nutrients in China. In the past decades, extensive research including chemical constituents and bioactivities of RRT were reported. A total of small 78 small molecules, such as flavonoids, organic acid, triterpenes, etc. and 11 polysaccharides have been isolated from RRT. Its antioxidant, anti-tumor and other pharmacological effects were also discovered. This paper reviews the progress of those information for the R&D of RRT in the future.

Abstract Metabolites of mycoparasitic fungal species such as Trichoderma harzianum 88 have important biological roles. In this study, two new ketoacyl synthase (KS) fragments were isolated from cultured Trichoderma harzianum 88 mycelia using degenerate primers and analysed using a phylogenetic tree. The gene fragments were determined to be present as single copies in Trichoderma harzianum 88 through southern blot analysis using digoxigenin-labelled KS gene fragments as probes. The complete sequence analysis in formation of pksT-1 (5669 bp) and pksT-2 (7901 bp) suggests that pksT-1 exhibited features of a non-reducing type I fungal PKS, whereas pksT-2 exhibited features of a highly reducing type I fungal PKS. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction indicated that the isolated genes are differentially regulated in Trichoderma harzianum 88 during challenge with three fungal plant pathogens, which suggests that they participate in the response of Trichoderma harzianum 88 to fungal plant pathogens. Furthermore, disruption of the pksT-2 encoding ketosynthase–acyltransferase domains through Agrobacterium -mediated gene transformation indicated that pksT-2 is a key factor for conidial pigmentation in Trichoderma harzianum 88.