Comparative analysis of the composition and carbohydrate content in the fruits of M. baccata (L.) Borkh. and its hybrid varieties with M. domestica Borkh.

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Abstract
Background. Research studies of the composition and content of carbohydrates in fruits of the hybrid varieties Malus baccata (L.) Borkh. and Malus domestica Borkh., which are widespread in cold climates, are important both from a fundamental point of view - for assessing the inheritance of these traits in hybrid generations, and from a practical point of view - as a marker for selecting hybrids with improved taste qualities. However, a detailed analysis of the carbohydrate content of these hybrids is poorly studied. Purpose. Comparative analysis of the carbohydrate composition in the fruit tissues of M. baccata (L.) Borkh. and its hybrid varieties with M. domestica Borkh. Materials and methods. The study of the quantitative and qualitative composition of pectins was carried out using UV and IR spectroscopy; simple carbohydrates - using HPLC. Results. It was shown that in the hybrid genotypes fruit tissues the fructose content varied from 36% to 70% of the total sugars. In the tissues of M. baccata fruits the dominant soluble carbohydrates were sorbitol and sucrose. As a result of hybridization, the sorbitol content in fruits decreased significantly (minimum content was found in M. domestica fruits). In most genotypes, the protopectin content was higher than content of water-soluble pectin fractions. The highest total pectin content was found in M. baccata fruits. The esterification of both pectin fractions in the tissues of all genotypes was high—above 50%. The cell size of the hybrids fruits was small compared to M. domestica sell size, varied from 17 to 25 μm. For all the types, cell size did not correlate with fruit size. Conclusion. It is possible that combination of high pectin content, esterification degree and smaller cell size is one of the reasons for the resistance of the studied genotypes to pathogens. EDN: FPDTJC