Hochschule Geisenheim University

The global rise in overweight and obesity has been associated with excessive sugar intake. We examined the impact of sugar reduction and substitution on key quality parameters of fruit preparations for a strawberry-based fruit yogurt. When the added sucrose was omitted completely, a substantial decline of the viscosity was observed and Bostwick flow distances expanded from 7.0 to 9.8 cm/min. Concurrently, density dropped from 1.17 to 1.03 g/cm 3 , and water activity increased from 0.96 to 0.99. In contrast, replacing 50% or 100% of the added sucrose by a 1:1 (w/w) mixture of erythritol and xylitol decreased the water activity. Sensory tests did not reveal any significant difference between the full-sugar reference and a 50%-substitution of sucrose by polyols. As examined by colorimetry and chromatographic anthocyanin analyses, approximately 22% of the initial anthocyanins were retained in the full-sugar variant after stress-test storing for eight weeks at 37 °C, while only 16% were retained upon complete sucrose omission without substitution. In contrast, full sucrose substitution with polyols slightly improved stability, preserving 25% of anthocyanins. Across all tested formulations, a clear inverse correlation between water activity and anthocyanin retention was observed (R 2 polynomic = 0.99). • Complete removal of sucrose resulted in losses of key quality attributes. • Substitution with non-bulk sweeteners resulted in losses of key quality attributes. • Substitution with polyols mimicked the full sugar variant’s properties. • Polyol substitution contributed to superior anthocyanin stability. • Ion mobilities of black carrot anthocyanins were determined for the first time. • Compliance with ethical standards

Deciphering the genetic basis of above and below ground organs communication is essential for plant adaptation. In grafted perennial crops, such as grapevine, identifying genes from the roots system controlling the expression of shoot traits is essential to improve plant adaptation to environmental conditions through rootstock breeding. However, the grapevine rootstocks genetic control on conferred scion traits has rarely been explored and even less considering genetic diversity at the intra-species level through GWAS. In this study we used a Vitis berlandieri natural population comprising 211 genotypes, grafted with a single scion genotype, to identify genetic regions associated with water use efficiency and shoot biomass conferred to the scion using GWAS in field conditions. Water use efficiency was evaluated by δ13C over three years and the shoot biomass produced every year during the first two years of growth after plantation. δ13C and shoot biomass were not correlated. δ13C indicated a moderate broad sense heritability from 0.34 to 0.46 in the absence or under moderate water deficit. Heritability falls to zero under strong water deficit indicating a major contribution of environmental conditions. The shoot biomass heritability was moderate to strong from 0.34 to 0.70. One QTL for δ13C explained 54% of the genetic variance. The QTL was associated with a gene homolog to AT4G22790, coding for a mate family protein involved in stomatal aperture regulation in response to carbon dioxide concentration. Four QTL for shoot biomass were linked with genes homologous to AT5G19350, AT4G37130, AT1G22020, and AT1G15780 known to be involved in vegetative growth and root development, hormonal signalling, photorespiration, and response to light, respectively. This study represents the first GWAS carried out for scion traits conferred by a natural Vitis berlandieri rootstock population in a field experiment. It contributes to the understanding of the genetic basis of shoot plant performance regulated by roots. Ultimately, these outcomes provide valuable targets for breeding programs suggesting that rootstocks selection based on genetic information and morphological traits could improve crop adaptation to future environments, contributing to sustainable agriculture.

Despite their apparent relevance to Riesling wine aroma, volatile polyfunctional thiols remain understudied. This work profiles thiols in a collection of Riesling wines through analytical and sensory approaches. Heart-cutting multidimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometry/olfactometry screening revealed 13 odorous zones of high sensorial relevance, with four thiols unequivocally identified as 3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol, ethyl 3-sulfanylpropionate, ethyl 2-sulfanylpropionate, and trans-2-methyl-3-tetrahydrofuranthiol. Five additional candidate thiols with corresponding odorous zones were confirmed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC Orbitrap HRMS). UHPLC Orbitrap HRMS also allowed the quantitation of 12 thiols, as well as the detection of two new monoterpenoid thiols, 1-p-menthene-8-thiol and trans-p-menthane-3-one-8-thiol, in Vitis vinifera wine for the first time. Their odor detection thresholds in model wine were determined as 0.076 and 22.9 ng/L, respectively. Further sensory evaluations demonstrated the contributions to "peachy" and "tropical" notes in Riesling wine through a combination of 3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol and 3-sulfanylheptan-1-ol.

Abstract Bread is among the most discarded foods globally. The objective of this study was to investigate incorporating bread crumbles into baked goods as a strategy for bread waste reduction. Three bread types (white (W), whole-grain (WG), and whole-grain with seeds (S)) were converted into crumbles. These were used in bread and muffins by replacing 10–30% (bread) or 10–50% (muffins) of wheat flour. W-type crumbles had high starch, WG crumbles had high arabinoxylan, and S-type crumbles had high protein and lipid content. Dough properties were evaluated via the Farinograph and Extensograph. Crumble addition increased water absorption and development time of bread dough but decreased dough stability, extensibility, and maximum resistance to extension in a dose-dependent manner. Above 10%, crumbles reduced specific volumes (30–44% for bread, 8–9% and 14–17% at 30% and 50% in muffins, respectively), increased firmness, and made bread loaves and muffins darker. In contrast, bread with 10% and muffins with 10% and 30% crumbles possessed similar properties, including sensory attributes, to controls. Bread with S-type crumbles had a different flavor profile than other breads, particularly at higher substitution levels. Ten percent of any crumble type could be incorporated without significantly impairing quality, highlighting industrial feasibility. Above 10%, the crumble type, i.e., the ingredients for the bread used to make the crumbles, became a critical factor. This study was the first to compare crumbles from different bread types. Results showed that incorporating bread crumbles into bread and muffin recipes is a suitable strategy to recycle surplus bread and contribute to waste reduction.

Abstract Addressing environmental degradation and fostering agricultural sustainability are critical challenges of the twenty-first century. Agroecological practices such as organic and biodynamic farming are vital for transforming agriculture and enhancing ecosystem services by avoiding synthetic inputs. While often criticized for lower yields, little is known about how these systems adapt and perform over extended periods under varying climatic conditions, particularly for perennial crops such as grapevines. This represents a major knowledge gap, as understanding their long-term adaptive capacity is essential for designing resilient and sustainable production systems under climate change. This 18-year field trial in Geisenheim, Germany, addresses this gap by assessing the long-term effects of organic, biodynamic, and integrated management on Vitis vinifera cv. Riesling. It represents the only long-term study on perennial crops to systematically compare these systems’ impact on agronomic parameters, plant performance, and grape quality, observing their evolution post-conversion and response to climatic variability. Initially, organic (−17%) and biodynamic (−14%) systems showed lower yields and reduced vine vigor compared to integrated management. However, yield gaps narrowed significantly after approximately a decade. Change point analysis revealed improved relative yields in organic and biodynamic plots 8–9 years after conversion, accompanied by stable or improved Ravaz index values. Notably, in hot, dry vintages, organic and biodynamic systems exhibited enhanced yield effect sizes (+2.3% and +9.0%, respectively) and increased yeast-available nitrogen. Conversely, yield gaps persisted in cooler, wetter vintages, likely due to pathogen-induced losses. Nutrient deficiencies were not the primary cause of initial yield reductions, and grape quality parameters showed minimal treatment differences. These long-term findings demonstrate that organic and biodynamic viticulture can overcome initial yield deficits and potentially outperform integrated management under increasingly warm, dry conditions. The results highlight the adaptive capacity and climate resilience of agroecological systems, offering a sustainable path for future perennial agriculture.

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is a major Solanaceous crop of Asian origin, but genomic resources remain limited compared to related species. Here, a core collection of 368 accessions spanning global diversity of S. melongena and wild relatives is phenotyped for agronomic, disease resistance and fruit metabolomic traits and resequenced. Additionally, 40 chromosome-level assemblies of S. melongena, its progenitor S. insanum and the allied species S. incanum enable the construction of two graph-based pangenomes, capturing broad genetic variation. We demonstrate the power of these datasets by identifying major loci controlling prickliness and resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae, driven by SVs affecting the LONELY GUY 3 gene and a resistance gene cluster, respectively, as well as a mutation in a GDSL-like esterase/lipase gene altering the levels of dicaffeoyl-quinic acids. These findings provide a cornerstone for pangenome-assisted breeding, enabling detailed analyses of genetic diversity, domestication history, and trait evolution in eggplant.

• Mixed-method approach to analyze consumer preferences for potting soil. • Combined choice-based conjoint analysis with qualitative interviews. • Price, peat content, and color are top drivers in preferences for potting soil. • Dark soil color is preferred, acting as a cue for quality despite no agronomic value. • Brand plays a minor role; premium labels suggest quality, not sustainability. The environmental and climate implications of peat extraction have put pressure on the horticultural industry to reduce its use of peat, particularly in consumer potting soils. However, consumer preferences and the decision-making processes behind substrate choices remain understudied. This study uses a mixed-methods approach that combines a choice-based conjoint analysis (n = 247) with qualitative interviews (n = 44) to investigate the key drivers of potting soil preferences among German hobby gardeners. The choice-based conjoint analysis evaluated four attributes: raw material (peat content), soil color, brand, and price. Hierarchical Bayesian estimation revealed that price (31.6%) and raw material (28.0%) were the most influential factors, followed by color (25.0%) and brand (15.5%). Latent class analysis identified five consumer segments ranging from price-sensitive shoppers to environmentally conscious consumers who strongly prefer peat-free products. While the quantitative results indicate a clear preference for dark-colored, lower-priced soils, the qualitative interviews contextualize these preferences. They reveal that color serves as a visual cue for quality and that consumers have limited knowledge on the environmental impact of peat. Brand loyalty was generally low, with premium brands being associated with perceived quality rather than sustainability. The study suggests that industry and policy efforts to promote sustainable substrates must address knowledge gaps and sensory expectations. By combining quantitative segmentation with qualitative insights, this research provides substrate producers, retailers, and policymakers with actionable recommendations to advance peat-free horticulture through targeted consumer engagement and product design.