Genetic and Pre- and Postharvest Factors Influencing the Content of Antioxidants in Cucurbit Crops
Cucurbitaceae is one of the most economically important plant families, and includes some worldwide cultivated species like cucumber, melons, and squashes, and some regionally cultivated and feral species that contribute to the human diet. For centuries, cucurbits have been appreciated because of th...
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| Format: | info:eu-repo/semantics/article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10835/12007 https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10060894 |
| _version_ | 1789406547327057920 |
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| author | Martínez Martínez, Cecilia Valenzuela Manjón-Cabeza, Juan Luis Jamilena Quesada, Manuel |
| author_facet | Martínez Martínez, Cecilia Valenzuela Manjón-Cabeza, Juan Luis Jamilena Quesada, Manuel |
| author_sort | Martínez Martínez, Cecilia |
| collection | DSpace |
| description | Cucurbitaceae is one of the most economically important plant families, and includes some worldwide cultivated species like cucumber, melons, and squashes, and some regionally cultivated and feral species that contribute to the human diet. For centuries, cucurbits have been appreciated because of their nutritional value and, in traditional medicine, because of their ability to alleviate certain ailments. Several studies have demonstrated the remarkable contents of valuable compounds in cucurbits, including antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids, but also tannins and terpenoids, which are abundant. This antioxidant power is beneficial for human health, but also in facing plant diseases and abiotic stresses. This review brings together data on the antioxidant properties of cucurbit species, addressing the genetic and pre- and postharvest factors that regulate the antioxidant content in different plant organs. Environmental conditions, management, storage, and pre- and postharvest treatments influencing the biosynthesis and activity of antioxidants, together with the biodiversity of this family, are determinant in improving the antioxidant potential of this group of species. Plant breeding, as well as the development of innovative biotechnological approaches, is also leading to new possibilities for exploiting cucurbits as functional products. |
| format | info:eu-repo/semantics/article |
| id | oai:repositorio.ual.es:10835-12007 |
| institution | Universidad de Cuenca |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021 |
| publisher | MDPI |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oai:repositorio.ual.es:10835-120072023-04-12T18:59:06Z Genetic and Pre- and Postharvest Factors Influencing the Content of Antioxidants in Cucurbit Crops Martínez Martínez, Cecilia Valenzuela Manjón-Cabeza, Juan Luis Jamilena Quesada, Manuel antioxidants Cucurbitaceae genotype stress biotechnology natural variability Cucurbitaceae is one of the most economically important plant families, and includes some worldwide cultivated species like cucumber, melons, and squashes, and some regionally cultivated and feral species that contribute to the human diet. For centuries, cucurbits have been appreciated because of their nutritional value and, in traditional medicine, because of their ability to alleviate certain ailments. Several studies have demonstrated the remarkable contents of valuable compounds in cucurbits, including antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids, but also tannins and terpenoids, which are abundant. This antioxidant power is beneficial for human health, but also in facing plant diseases and abiotic stresses. This review brings together data on the antioxidant properties of cucurbit species, addressing the genetic and pre- and postharvest factors that regulate the antioxidant content in different plant organs. Environmental conditions, management, storage, and pre- and postharvest treatments influencing the biosynthesis and activity of antioxidants, together with the biodiversity of this family, are determinant in improving the antioxidant potential of this group of species. Plant breeding, as well as the development of innovative biotechnological approaches, is also leading to new possibilities for exploiting cucurbits as functional products. 2021-07-21T10:43:53Z 2021-07-21T10:43:53Z 2021-06-02 info:eu-repo/semantics/article 2076-3921 http://hdl.handle.net/10835/12007 https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10060894 en https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/6/894 Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internacional http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess MDPI |
| spellingShingle | antioxidants Cucurbitaceae genotype stress biotechnology natural variability Martínez Martínez, Cecilia Valenzuela Manjón-Cabeza, Juan Luis Jamilena Quesada, Manuel Genetic and Pre- and Postharvest Factors Influencing the Content of Antioxidants in Cucurbit Crops |
| title | Genetic and Pre- and Postharvest Factors Influencing the Content of Antioxidants in Cucurbit Crops |
| title_full | Genetic and Pre- and Postharvest Factors Influencing the Content of Antioxidants in Cucurbit Crops |
| title_fullStr | Genetic and Pre- and Postharvest Factors Influencing the Content of Antioxidants in Cucurbit Crops |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic and Pre- and Postharvest Factors Influencing the Content of Antioxidants in Cucurbit Crops |
| title_short | Genetic and Pre- and Postharvest Factors Influencing the Content of Antioxidants in Cucurbit Crops |
| title_sort | genetic and pre- and postharvest factors influencing the content of antioxidants in cucurbit crops |
| topic | antioxidants Cucurbitaceae genotype stress biotechnology natural variability |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/10835/12007 https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10060894 |
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