Biochemical Characteristics of Apple Rot Caused by Macrophoma sp. II. Phenolic Compound Content in Infected Fruits

Changes in levels of phenolic compounds such as total phenols, flavonols and anthocyanins in Macrophoma-infected apples were studied at various developmental stages of apple fruits. The amounts of total phenols in apple fruit flesh and peel drastically decreased as apples became mature. Apple rot resulted in concentration of total phenols somewhat lower than those of healthy apple flesh. The decline in amount of total phenols was distinct in infected fruit flesh of the cultivar Fuji, which was more susceptible to Macrophoma sp. than the cultivar Miller. Higher amounts of total phenols were found in infected than in heathy fruit peel. In the case of the cultivar Miller, increased accumulation of total phenols was pronounced in infected peel. Apple rot resulted in concentrations of flavonols much higher than those of healthy apples. In particular, the drastically increased accumulation of flavonols was detected in infected peel at the first collection on 10 July, when the cultivars tested were completely resistant to Macrophoma sp. Production of anthocyanins was increased considerably by apple rot: anthocyanins in infected fruits of the cultivar Miller increased markedly as compared with their concentration from healthy fruits. These results suggest that the altered phenolic metabolism in apple fruits may be associated with the development of apple rot.