We identified the minimum temperature limits to ensure Shiranuhi mandarin growth and fruit quality and provided overwintering temperature management guidelines. Expanded polystyrene panels with air conditioners were exposed to −1, −3, and −5 °C in the greenhouse for 15 h to determine the overwintering temperature. Leaves and fruits were analyzed at intervals for physiological response, fruit quality, and aromatic components. The low temperature treatment groups showed 1.3 to 1.4 times increased malondialdehyde content in leaves and 1.1 to 1.3-fold higher electrolyte linkage rates in the −5 °C treatment group alone. The sugar/acidity ratio was 1.1 to 1.3 times higher in the −5 °C treatment than in the control due to rapid acid reduction. The fruit firmness and citrus color index decreased notably after 21–28 days of treatment. Ascorbic acid content significantly decreased 17.3%–41.1% at −5 °C. Among the aromatic compounds, decanal levels notably increased with −5 °C treatment; −5 °C cold treatment notably affected oxidative stress in leaves and the sugar/acid ratio, ascorbic acid content, and aromatic compounds in fruits. If prolonged exposure to temperatures <−5 °C is expected, preharvest heating facilities are critical. We recommend maintaining greenhouse temperatures >0 °C during fruit growth and >−3 °C after harvest as the minimum temperature to preserve fruit set and quality.

Developing accurate activity data on tree biomass using remote sensing tools such as LiDAR and drone-mounted sensors is essential for improving carbon accounting in the agricultural sector. However, direct biomass measurements of perennial fruit trees remain limited, especially for validating remote sensing estimates. This study evaluates the potential of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and drone-mounted RGB sensors (Drone_RGB) for estimating biomass in two major perennial crops in South Korea: apple (‘Fuji’/M.9) and citrus (‘Miyagawa-wase’). Trees of different ages were destructively sampled for biomass measurement, while volume, height, and crown area data were collected via TLS and Drone_RGB. Regression analyses were performed, and the model accuracy was assessed using R², RMSE, and bias. The TLS-derived volume showed strong predictive power for biomass (R² = 0.704 for apple, 0.865 for citrus), while the crown area obtained using both sensors showed poor fit (R² ≤ 0.7). Aboveground biomass was reasonably estimated (R² = 0.725–0.865), but belowground biomass showed very low predictability (R² < 0.02). Although limited in scale, this study provides empirical evidence to support the development of remote sensing-based biomass estimation methods and may contribute to improving national greenhouse gas inventories by refining emission/removal factors for perennial fruit crops.

Citrus fruits are renowned sources of natural bioactive compounds, yet the quality evolution and therapeutic potential of newer cultivars remain largely uncharacterized. Given the rising need for natural anti-inflammatory agents to combat chronic disease, this study was conducted to systematically investigate the physicochemical changes of the novel Sarahyang citrus throughout its maturation and rigorously establish its anti-inflammatory mechanism. Chemical analysis revealed the fruit’s taste profile is governed by a consistent, significant increase in sucrose (the primary contributor to sweetness) and a pronounced, steady decline in citric acid during ripening. Key flavonoid compounds, notably nobiletin and tangeretin, were found exclusively and highly concentrated within the peel. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory potential of Sarahyang extract (SE) from the peels of the matured fruit samples was evaluated in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, where it dose-dependently inhibited the production of key pro-inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide (NO), PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-6. Mechanistically, SE suppressed the two major inflammatory cascades: the NF-κB pathway (by preventing IκB-α degradation) and the MAPK signaling pathways (via inhibition of JNK and p38 phosphorylation). These findings establish Sarahyang as a promising source of potent natural compounds, supporting its potential for functional food, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical development.

Seong Beom Jin, Dong Hoon Lee, Suk Man Park, Young Eel Moon, and Jee-Soo Park. Plant Breed. Biotech. 2026;14:1-18. https://doi.org/10.9787/PBB.2026.14.1

“Mubong,” a newly developed citrus hybrid, is recognized for its unique flavor profile, yet its chemical composition and therapeutic potential remain unexplored. In the present work, we profiled the phytochemical content and antioxidant capacities of “Mubong” flesh and peel, then evaluated the anti‐inflammatory effects of the “Mubong” Peel Extract (MPE) using in vitro (LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 cells) and in vivo (DSS‐induced colitis) models, coupled with microbiota analysis. In vitro anti‐inflammatory activity was studied by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production and NF‐κB signaling in RAW‐Blue cells. In vivo, ICR mice were administered MPE (400 mg/kg) orally during DSS‐induced colitis. Disease severity was evaluated through the Disease Activity Index (DAI), colon length, and histological analysis. To characterize microbial and metabolic shifts, we integrated 16S rRNA hypervariable region sequencing with targeted quantification of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs). MPE was found to be rich in naringin (2730.66 ± 93.90 mg/100 g), neohesperidin (1493.85 ± 82.67 mg/100 g), and d‐limonene (69.06%). In vitro, MPE (200–400 μg/mL) significantly inhibited NO production and suppressed NF‐κB‐dependent transcriptional activity. In mice, MPE treatment was associated with the attenuation of weight loss, reduction of DAI scores, and the mitigation of colon shortening. These clinical improvements were also coincided with a reduction in pro‐inflammatory cytokines, specifically TNF‐α (~80 to ~52 pg/mL) and IL‐6 (~30 to ~3 pg/mL), and restoration of the SCFAs, propionic acid (~35% to ~80%) and butyric acid (~30% to ~50%). Microbiota analysis revealed that MPE treatment correlated with alterations in the gut landscape, specifically the enrichment of obligate anaerobes such as Lachnoclostridium and Acetatifactor . Furthermore, these microbial changes paralleled a recovery trend in short‐chain fatty acids (butyrate and propionate) otherwise depleted by DSS. Our findings suggest that MPE exerts anti‐inflammatory activity, likely through the modulation of NF‐κB/AP‐1‐dependent transcriptional activity and preservation of gut microbial homeostasis. These preclinical findings suggest that “Mubong” warrants further investigation as a potential functional food candidate for the management of ulcerative colitis and related inflammatory disorders.

Developing novel citrus hybrids with superior nutraceutical and sensory profiles represents one of the primary objectives of modern plant breeding. This study characterizes the metabolic landscape of 'Mubong', a newly registered F1 hybrid mandarin derived from a cross between 'Shiranuhi' and 'Hassaku'. Utilizing targeted primary and secondary metabolite profiling, we investigated inheritance patterns across fruit (peel and flesh) and floral tissues. Results revealed that 'Mubong' exhibits a sophisticated case of transgressive segregation in some metabolites, where specific nutritional and aromatic traits exceed the range of both parental lines. While 'Mubong' inherited the high-sugar dominance of 'Shiranuhi', it uniquely surpassed both parents in citric acid concentration and essential amino acid density (specifically in valine, isoleucine, and methionine) and aspartate. The flavonoid levels in 'Mubong' showed marked upregulation over 'Shiranuhi' across all tissues—reaching a sum of 819.31 mg/100g (a 1.5-fold increase) in the flesh and 2651.57 mg/100g (a 2.5-fold increase) in the peel, which approached 'Hassaku' peel levels (3301.31 mg/kg). This shift was primarily characterized by dramatic naringin enrichment (log2FC > 9), directly supporting its enhanced radical scavenging capacity. The volatile profile of 'Mubong' showcased exceptional metabolic complexity, identifying 35 distinct compounds in the peel—including unique markers like sabinene and carvone—distinguishing it as a distinct aromatic entity. These findings scientifically validate 'Mubong' as a functionally superior cultivar with significant potential for the premium fresh fruit market and specialized nutraceutical applications.