Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of papaya (Carica papaya) fruits were evaluated to provide comprehensive information associated with the bioactive compounds. ‘Tainung No. 2’ papaya fruits, cultivated in a greenhouse, Korea, were harvested at unripe and ripe stages and then divided into seed and peel-pulp. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using spectrophotometry, and individual phenolic compounds were relatively quantified by HPLC-DAD and fifteen standards. Antioxidant activities were measured using four assays: DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) scavenging activities, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power). Anti-inflammatory activities were measured by the regulation of NF-κB signaling pathways with the measurements of ROS and NO productions as the degree of oxidative stress. Total phenol contents increased in seed and peel–pulp extracts during ripening; flavonoid contents increased only in seed extracts. Total phenolic contents were associated with ABTS radical scavenging activity and FRAP. Of fifteen phenolic compounds, chlorogenic acid, cynarin, eupatorine, neochlorogenic acid, and vicenin II were identified among papaya extracts. ROS and NO productions were inhibited in papaya extracts. Especially, NO productions were inhibited higher in ripe seed extracts than in other extracts, which would be associated with the suppression of NF-κB activation and iNOS expression. These results suggest that papaya fruit extracts, including seeds, peels, and pulps, could be potential raw materials for functional foods.

Climate change, a pressing global concern, poses significant challenges to agricultural systems worldwide. Among the myriad impacts of climate change, the cultivation of kiwifruit trees (Actinidia spp.) faces multifaceted challenges. In this review, we delve into the intricate effects of climate change on kiwifruit production, which span phenological shifts, distributional changes, physiological responses, and ecological interactions. Understanding these complexities is crucial for devising effective adaptation and mitigation strategies to safeguard kiwifruit production amidst climate variability. This review scrutinizes the influence of rising global temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and a heightened frequency of extreme weather events on the regions where kiwifruits are cultivated. Additionally, it delves into the ramifications of changing climatic conditions on kiwifruit tree physiology, phenology, and susceptibility to pests and diseases. The economic and social repercussions of climate change on kiwifruit production, including yield losses, livelihood impacts, and market dynamics, are thoroughly examined. In response to these challenges, this review proposes tailored adaptation and mitigation strategies for kiwifruit cultivation. This includes breeding climate-resilient kiwifruit cultivars of the Actinidia species that could withstand drought and high temperatures. Additional measures would involve implementing sustainable farming practices like irrigation, mulching, rain shelters, and shade management, as well as conserving soil and water resources. Through an examination of the literature, this review showcases the existing innovative approaches for climate change adaptation in kiwifruit farming. It concludes with recommendations for future research directions aimed at promoting the sustainability and resilience of fruit production, particularly in the context of kiwifruit cultivation, amid a changing climate.

Dayarathne LA, et al. J Vet Sci. 2021 Jul;22(4):e55. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2021.22.e55

Ranaweera SS, et al. J Vet Sci. 2019 Oct;21:e91. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2020.21.e91

Dayarathne LA, et al. J Vet Sci. 2021 Oct;22(6):e92. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2021.22.e92

Rajan P, et al. J Vet Sci. 2021 Nov;23:e4. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.21256