Acidity is one of the main parameters determining the organoleptic quality of cherries, influencing taste, aroma, and consequently, consumer appeal.
Malate, the predominant organic acid in cherries, represents more than 90% of the total acids present in ripe fruits.
However, the molecular mechanisms regulating its biosynthesis and accumulation in cell vacuoles remain poorly understood.
A recent Chinese study, currently under review, provides a detailed map of the genetic and biochemical processes governing malate dynamics in sweet cherry, combining large-scale metabolic and transcriptomic analyses.
In particular, the researchers examined 97 genotypes from ten countries, classified into three categories (low, medium, and high) based on titratable acidity (TA), ranging from 0.49% to 1.36%.
Malic acid proved to be the dominant compound in all cultivars, with concentrations varying between 6.22 and 12.06 mg/g of fresh weight, and showing a biphasic accumulation trend during development: an increase until about one week before ripening, followed by a decline.
Differences between high- and low-acidity cultivars were associated with significant changes in gene expression during fruit maturation.
The transcriptomic analysis, conducted on contrasting cultivars (“Longguan”, high-acid; and “Ruixiang”, low-acid), identified 3,643 differentially expressed genes and a complex regulatory network involving six structural genes closely related to malate metabolism: PavPEPC3, PavMDH1, PavME1, PavPHA5, PavALMT1, and PavALMT6.
These genes are respectively involved in malate synthesis in the cytoplasm, its transport, and vacuolar acidification, key processes determining the final malic acid content in the fruit.
Functional analyses showed that PavMDH1 is more highly expressed in high-acid cultivars, promoting malate synthesis, while PavME1 displayed the opposite trend, contributing to compound degradation in low-acid varieties.
Moreover, the transporters PavALMT1 and PavALMT6 appear to control malate transfer into the vacuole: their higher expression in low-acid cultivars suggests a possible release or redistribution effect that limits malate accumulation.
The study also identified four candidate transcription factors: PavMYB10.1, PavMYB306, PavWRKY33, and PavbHLH149, whose expression was strongly correlated with malate levels during fruit development.
Two of them, PavWRKY33 and PavbHLH149, were mapped to the major quantitative trait locus qP-TA6.1m on chromosome 6, previously known to control fruit acidity variability.
This localization provides additional strong evidence of their regulatory role in the genetic control of acidity in sweet cherry.
Overall, the study developed an integrated phenotypic and molecular framework that helps explain how genes involved in malate synthesis, transport, and regulation cooperate to determine the fruit’s final acid profile.
The insights gained will be valuable for breeding programs using marker-assisted selection aimed at improving flavor through targeted genetic modulation of acidity.
This represents a further step toward precision breeding strategies designed to combine yield, organoleptic quality, and market preferences within a unified molecular vision of sweet cherry improvement.
Source: Liu, C., Chen, L., Qi, X., Song, L., Wang, M., Han, S., & Li, M. (2025). Malate accumulation and transcriptome patterns during fruit development in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.). Pre-print UNDER REVIEW https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7060936/v1
Image source: SL Fruit Service
Andrea Giovannini
University of Bologna (IT)
25 Jun 2024
The health and effectiveness of honey bees during pollination were examined in the study conducted in Tasmania, Australia, using bird nets and polyethylene rain covers. Bees were fitted with RFID identification systems and were tagged during two consecutive seasons.
18 Jul 2025
A study in Belgium’s cherry orchards assessed wild pollinator diversity using pan-traps and netting methods. Each technique captured different insect groups, showing that combining both provides complete data for monitoring biodiversity and planning effective conservation actions
24 Jul 2026
In China, consumers judge Chilean cherries beyond origin and size: sweetness, firmness, freshness and consistent quality now shape purchasing decisions. Reviews on RedNote reveal a more informed market, focused on the real value delivered by every box with each purchase.
23 Jul 2026
Chile is preparing a mission to China, Vietnam and Indonesia to streamline fruit exports, reduce phytosanitary barriers and improve logistics. Fresh cherries, cold treatments, fruit fly rules and new market openings across key Asian destinations will now lead the agenda.
