Abstract

JOAO, Sérgio et al. Molecular tools for almond cultivars selection with differentiating vitamin E content. Rev. de Ciências Agrárias [online]. 2023, vol.46, n.2, pp.41-50.  Epub June 01, 2023. ISSN 0871-018X.  https://doi.org/10.19084/rca.31325.

The almond tree is an important and expanding crop, well adapted to the Mediterranean climate, and which fruit has been widely recognized for its potential health benefits. Among the dried fruits class, the almond has one of the highest vitamin E concentrations, a potent and fat-soluble antioxidant with a renowned protective effect against polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidation. In the industrial context, this compost also contributes to an almond shelf-life increase. This work intends to identify genes from the Vitamin E biosynthetic pathway, more specifically tocopherol (α-, β-, δ e γ-tocoferol), the compost with the highest activity for the vitamin in the study. At first, the PdVTE 2, 3, and 4 putative genes genomic sequences were identified and characterized by in silico analysis. Thus, using Sanger Sequencing techniques, it was possible to identify genetic polymorphisms of the SNP and InDels type, associated with the promotor, ORF, and 3’-UTR regions in the PdVTE4 gene, which were present in three cultivars: Lauranne, Antoñeta, and Soleta. This work has contributed to increase the comprehension of the genetic mechanisms regulation tocopherol production in almond trees, constituting an allelic frequency database, specific for the studied population to select, in the future, genotypes more tolerant to oxidative stress, and consequently the production of almonds with differentiated vitamin E quality.

Keywords : Prunus dulcis; almond; tocopherol; SNP (Single nucleotipe polymorphism); InDel; plant breeding program.

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