Alternative Oxidase Control for Plant Ripening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling plant maturation, such as using 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), can lead to undesirable outcomes like reduced volatile compound production in fruits or failure to ripen certain produce, highlighting the need for a more effective method to manage plant maturation processes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves inactivating and activating Alternative Oxidase (AOX) gene expression in plants to control the maturation process, using agents like hydrogen sulfide, glyoxylic acid, salicylic acid, pyruvate, or a mixture of alanine and 2-oxoglutarate to induce or prevent ripening and senescence, allowing for controlled maturation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is used to block ripening, then storage and shelf-life are extended, but volatile compound production is reduced and fruit quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ripening control process into two distinct phases: a storage phase using 1-MCP to extend shelf-life, and a maturation phase using glyoxylic acid to restore volatile compound production. This allows the benefits of both extended storage and natural ripening characteristics to be achieved sequentially rather than simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Glyoxylic acid serves as an intermediary substance that mediates between the blocking effect of 1-MCP and the desired ripening outcome. It specifically activates Alternative Oxidase (AOX) to produce volatile compounds without reversing the ethylene blocking effect of 1-MCP, thus restoring fruit quality while maintaining extended shelf-life
2Duration of action of stationary object
If 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is used to block ripening, then storage is enabled, but ripening fails to occur in certain fruits like pears
Solution Approach 1:
Glyoxylic acid acts as a specific intermediary that overcomes the 1-MCP blocking effect in fruits like pears by activating Alternative Oxidase (AOX). This restores the ability to produce volatile compounds and complete ripening while maintaining the extended storage capability provided by 1-MCP
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physiological parameter of Alternative Oxidase activity from a blocked state (during 1-MCP treatment) to an activated state (through glyoxylic acid application). This parameter change enables reliable ripening to occur after storage while maintaining the storage benefits
3Speed
If Alternative Oxidase (AOX) activity is increased to accelerate maturation, then ripening speed increases, but natural development characteristics may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selectively changes the Alternative Oxidase activity parameter to accelerate maturation speed while maintaining natural development characteristics. By applying glyoxylic acid, AOX activity is increased specifically for volatile compound production without disrupting the natural ripening pathway or fruit quality attributes
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables plants to be stored in an immature state and matured at a desired time, maintaining natural development characteristics like ethylene production, firmness, and flavor, overcoming the limitations of existing treatments.
Implementation Method 1
exposing the plant or plant product to an agent that activates said one or more AOX genes. Activation of the one or more AOX genes results in the onset of maturation of the plant/plant product
Implementation Method 2
The agent that activates at least one AOX gene is, for example, hydrogen sulfide, glyoxylic acid, salicylic acid, pyruvate, hydroxypyruvate, or a mixture of alanine and 2-oxoglutarate
Implementation Method 3
The alternative pathway respiration-related Alternative Oxidase (AOX) gene expression coincides with climacteric peak which is the hallmark of climacteric fruit
Implementation Method 4
1-MCP binds ethylene receptors blocking all downstream physiological and metabolic processes. Primarily, sensing of ethylene and subsequent signaling are blocked
Implementation Method 5
sensing of ethylene and subsequent signaling are blocked
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of controlling the maturation of plants and/or plant products (e.g. fruit, vegetable, ornamentals, etc.) by manipulating Alternative Oxidase (AOX) activity. An increase in activity hastens the maturation process while a decrease in activity slows or stops maturation.