are a valuable source. Fruit intended for fresh consumption is a suitable form for
the procurement of these compounds as they retain their structure and activity.
Keywords
Peaches · Polyphenols · Secondary metabolites · Stress physiology
Abbreviations
ABA Abscisic acid
AsA
Ascorbic acid
GSH
Glutathione
JA
Jasmonic acid
MD
Mandelonitrile
MDA Malondialdehyde
PAL
Phenylalanine ammonium lyase
PPV
Plum pox virus
ROS
Reactive oxygen species
SA
Salicylic acid
SM
Secondary metabolites
TF
Transcription factors
1
Introduction
The plant kingdom has an enormous variety of chemical compounds. A significant
part is the metabolites and products of primary metabolism. Another, no less
significant, group of compounds that are different from those of primary metabolism
vary greatly depending on the family and plant species. They are known as secondary metabolites (SM). According to some authors, secondary metabolites are compounds produced from plants that are not directly relevant for basic photosynthetic
or respiratory metabolism [1]. The specificity, as well as the limited distribution of
many such compounds, makes it possible to use them as taxonomic markers [2]. The
plant kingdom offers a wide range of compounds that exhibit antioxidant properties.
Essential oils and polyphenols such as tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids are
considered excellent natural antioxidants. They are widespread and can be considered as the richest group of secondary metabolites in plants. As they have a positive
effect on human health, the plants or fruits that hold them are of great interest to the
food and pharmaceutical industry. Prunus persica (L.) belongs to the family
Rosaceae and is grown in a huge area of Europe, India, North Africa, and West
Asia. From all 3000 species belonging to the Rosaceae family, nearly 200 species are
cultivated for their edible fruits and seeds [3, 4].
Peach is an important fruit and some of the major producers are Spain, Italy,
China, and the United States (http://www.fao.org). Peaches and nectarines (both
Prunus persica) are characterized by a wide range of different varieties, their healthy
characteristics, color, and taste being important factors for consumer choice. The red
color of the fruits has been the subject of most breeding programs. In particular, high
378
L. Koleva-Valkova and A. Harizanova
the procurement of these compounds as they retain their structure and activity.
Keywords
Peaches · Polyphenols · Secondary metabolites · Stress physiology
Abbreviations
ABA Abscisic acid
AsA
Ascorbic acid
GSH
Glutathione
JA
Jasmonic acid
MD
Mandelonitrile
MDA Malondialdehyde
PAL
Phenylalanine ammonium lyase
PPV
Plum pox virus
ROS
Reactive oxygen species
SA
Salicylic acid
SM
Secondary metabolites
TF
Transcription factors
1
Introduction
The plant kingdom has an enormous variety of chemical compounds. A significant
part is the metabolites and products of primary metabolism. Another, no less
significant, group of compounds that are different from those of primary metabolism
vary greatly depending on the family and plant species. They are known as secondary metabolites (SM). According to some authors, secondary metabolites are compounds produced from plants that are not directly relevant for basic photosynthetic
or respiratory metabolism [1]. The specificity, as well as the limited distribution of
many such compounds, makes it possible to use them as taxonomic markers [2]. The
plant kingdom offers a wide range of compounds that exhibit antioxidant properties.
Essential oils and polyphenols such as tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids are
considered excellent natural antioxidants. They are widespread and can be considered as the richest group of secondary metabolites in plants. As they have a positive
effect on human health, the plants or fruits that hold them are of great interest to the
food and pharmaceutical industry. Prunus persica (L.) belongs to the family
Rosaceae and is grown in a huge area of Europe, India, North Africa, and West
Asia. From all 3000 species belonging to the Rosaceae family, nearly 200 species are
cultivated for their edible fruits and seeds [3, 4].
Peach is an important fruit and some of the major producers are Spain, Italy,
China, and the United States (http://www.fao.org). Peaches and nectarines (both
Prunus persica) are characterized by a wide range of different varieties, their healthy
characteristics, color, and taste being important factors for consumer choice. The red
color of the fruits has been the subject of most breeding programs. In particular, high
378
L. Koleva-Valkova and A. Harizanova