Gene expression monitoring for risk assessment of apple and pear fruit storage stress and physiological disorders

Inventors

Rudell, JR., David R. • Leisso, Rachel S. • Mattheis, James P. • Giovannoni, James J. • Gapper, Nigel E. • Bart, Nicolai M. • Watkins, Chris B. • Johnston, Jason W. • Hertog, Maarten L. • Schaffer, Robert J.

Assignees

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven • Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd • Cornell University • US Department of Agriculture USDA

Abstract

The present invention is a tool for diagnosis and prediction using biomarker-based risk assessment for chilling-related disorders of Rosaceous fruit crops including apple and pear. Provided are methodology and genes whose relative and absolute expression can accurately indicate disorder risk throughout the production and supply chain of these crops. This technology describes a necessary and novel management tool for stakeholders producing, servicing, or retailing these crops.

Core Innovation

The invention provides a biomarker-based risk assessment tool for predicting, diagnosing, and distinguishing postharvest chilling-related physiological disorders of Rosaceous fruit crops, including apple and pear. It involves using identified genes and measurable metabolites whose relative and absolute expression can accurately indicate disorder risk throughout the production and supply chain of these crops. This technology offers a novel management tool for stakeholders involved in producing, servicing, or retailing these crops.

The problem addressed by this invention stems from significant losses in the fruit industry caused by multiple browning disorders occurring during cold storage, where chilling stress leads to physiological damage that may only manifest after months. Existing fruit quality tests are not linked to browning disorder risk, and no effective biomarkers or risk assessments exist for these multifactorial disorders during the extended storage and distribution periods. Therefore, there is a need for tools that can identify endpoints for monitoring disorder progression, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and inform storage and marketing decisions to reduce product loss.

The invention achieves this by identifying and applying biomarker gene expression profiles that change prior to browning disorder symptoms, enabling early and accurate risk assessment of multiple disorders such as soft scald, soggy breakdown, superficial scald, firm flesh browning, and CO2 injury. Monitoring these biomarkers at key decision points from preharvest through storage and distribution facilitates adjustment of control strategies and marketing to mitigate economic losses and improve product quality and consistency. This approach also allows for reduction of unnecessary protectant applications or energy inputs by providing direct indicators of stress and disorder development risk.

Claims Coverage

The patent includes one independent claim focusing on a method involving gene expression analysis for risk assessment of browning disorders in apple or pear.

The claims cover a molecular diagnostic method employing a defined biomarker gene set to assess the risk of physiological chilling disorders in Rosaceous fruit through expression profiling of mRNA extracted from fruit tissues, enabling evaluation of disorder risk during storage and supply chain management.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications