Award details

204a: Molecular biochemistry of ripening, maturation and senescence

Reference	BBS/E/H/00030325
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Mr Kenneth Manning
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Vicky Buchanan-Wollaston, Professor Graham Seymour
Institution	University of Warwick
Department	Warwick HRI
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	1,338,236
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1997
End date	31/03/2000
Duration	36 months

Abstract

An improved understanding of biochemical processes underlying critical aspects of crop development is essential to provide opportunities for the improvement of horticultural produce. Eating quality, shelf-life and storage life are of great importance in fruits intended for fresh consumption. These are very dependent on maturity at harvest and the process of ripening and maturation are critically important. Understanding of these, both for non-climacteric fruits such as strawberry, and for climacteric fruit (e.g. tomato) is currently inadequate. The work is directly relevant to the technology foresight priority areas of plant biotechnology; diet and health; genetics and molecular biology of raw materials. An important aim is to improve the nutritional value and freshness of foods using biochemical and molecular tools. The programme relates to the BBSRC Food Directorate priority area of raw material quality, involving studies on both cell walls and postharvest change. The work is also compatible with research Committee themes BCB52 and GDB72. The expected outputs are improved horticultural crops/products achieved through a deeper understanding of the biology of postharvest change, especially in fruits. Specific aims include manipulating crops to improve shelf-life, processing quality and nutritional value, and to generate functional foods. Other benefits will be better understanding of differences between the way in which ripening is regulated in climacteric and non-climacteric fruit and of the role of the cell wall in regulating post harvest quality and ripening. The project has high potential for generation of horticultural products with improved eating quality or processing characteristics. It has already produced several patents and continues to attract industrial sponsorship.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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